WIDENER UNIVERSITY
Social Science Division
Honors Biological Psychology
(Psychology 355, Section B)
Spring, 2001

Dr. John P. Galla Days:   Tuesday & Thursday
Phone: (610) 499-4371 Time:   11:00 AM - 12:15 PM 
FAX:    (610) 499-4603 Room:  LC 1
Office: LC 230 Office hours: M/W/F 8-8:50AM, T/Th 8-9:15AM
Email: galla@pop1.science.widener.edu Web: http://www.science.widener.edu/~galla

Text: Kalat, J. W. (2001). Biological Psychology (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Exams:  There will be 2 exams (mid-term and final).  Exams will emphasize the application of principles and the solution of specific problems. A set of essay questions and problems will given out on February 8, 2001.  From the set of questions, a subset of the questions and problems will be randomly selected for the exam.   Questions and problems will come from the book and other sources.  You are encouraged to work together in the weeks before the exam to come up with answers to all of the questions and problems. 

Mid-term Exam Study Questions

Term paper and presentation:  Major requirements for this course are the term paper and presentation.  The paper will be no fewer than 10 double-spaced type written pages, not including references, and it will follow APA format.  After mid-term we will begin weekly presentations of the term papers.  Your term papers will be presented in lecture form.  You will provide the class with an outline of the presentation, including references, and you will be expected to answer questions.  Topics must be chosen no later than Thursday, February 8, 2001.

Grades:  The mid-term and final are each worth 25% of the final grade.   The term paper and class presentation are each worth 20%. Class participation is worth 10%.  The mid-term exam is tentatively scheduled for 3/5.  The Registrar will schedule the final (final exam week is May 4 - 9).  

 Anyone missing the mid-term exam or the paper presentation without my written permission will receive a zero for the exam or presentation. A mid-term makeup exam for anyone legitimately excused will be given on a mutually agreed upon date (but no more than 2 weeks after the mid-term.  Note: the make-up exam will not be the same as the original mid-term).  Make-up presentations are more difficult to arrange, so please do not miss your presentation. Grades will be assigned as follows:

A = 93% or above
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 60-66
F = 59% or below (no exceptions to the 59% rule)

Everyone officially enrolled in this course will receive a grade. Moreover an incomplete (I) will not be assigned in this class.

Attendance: You are limited to 4 absences (twice the number of weekly class meetings) without penalty, provided these absences do not occur on a scheduled exam or paper presentation date. Students missing more than 4 classes without prior written permission will have their final course averages reduced by 5 percentage points for each absence. Also keep in mind that class participation counts for 10% of you final grade.  You cannot participate if you are not in class. As this is an honors section, I expect perfect attendance. 

Arriving late:  Students, especially honors students, are expected to be on time for class.   If you do find yourself late for class I ask that you enter the classroom in an unobtrusive manner and find the nearest available seat.  Anyone who habitually (more than three times) comes to class late (more than 5 minutes after the start of class) will have her/his final course average reduced by 5 percentage points for each late arrival.

Recording: Recording lectures is generally prohibited.  A student with special needs may be allowed to record lectures if 1) official documentation regarding the special need is presented and 2) a standard contract is signed regarding the use and disposition of the recorded lectures.

Telephones and pagers:  All cell phones and pagers must be turned off during the class period. Sorry - no exceptions.  

Office: My office is room 230 in Kapelski Learning Center. I invite you talk to me about any questions or problems concerning this course. My office hours for spring, 2001 are Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 - 8:50, and Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 - 9:15.  I am available at other times by appointment.  You may also email me at galla@pop1.science.widener.edu .  Please note, however, I will only respond to signed email and I cannot discuss grades via email.
Cheating: Although I have never had a cheating incident in Biological Psychology or in an honors course,  you should be aware that I adhere to the cheating policy which appears in the 2000-01 Student Handbook, Undergraduate, Day Session. In the event of a cheating incident, the cheating policy will be rigorously enforced!

Psychology 355 (honors) - Course Outline, Spring, 2001 Semester*

Date Topic Assignment Problems 
1/16
1/18		 Outline 1. Introduction to Major Issues

Outline 1a (supplement to book). Psychophysiology: historical antecedents (1800s)

Outline 1b Nature/Nurture and Animal Research

  Chapter 1 p. 18,  Thought Questions 1 & 2
1/23
1/25
 2. Neurons, Glia

2a. Nerve Impulses

 Chapter 2 p. 48, Thought Questions 1,2 & 3
1/30
2/1
 3ab. Postsynaptic Potentials

3. Synaptic Transmission and Neurotransmitters

3a. Drugs, Synapses and Behavior

 Chapter 3 p. 56, Thought Question 3
p. 77, Thought Questions 1 & 2
2/6
2/8

4. The Nervous System

4a (supplement to book).   Methods of Investigation

4b. Nervous System (supplement)

Term paper topics due 2/8

Mid-Term Exams Questions will be handed out on 2/8

 Chapter 4 p. 101, Thought Question 1
2/13 5.  The Development and Plasticity of the Brain  Chapter 5 p. 147, Thought Question 1 
2/15
2/20
 6.  Sensory systems and Vision Chapter 6 p. 180, Thought Question 1
p. 186, Thought Question 1
2/22
 7. Non-Visual Sensory Systems Chapter 7
 p. 200, Thought Questions 1 & 3
p. 210, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 220, Thought Questions 1
2/27 Review for Mid-Term Exam              
3/1 Mid-Term Exam          
3/5-3/9 Mid-Term Break                
3/13

8. Brain Mechanisms of Movement 

 Chapter 8 p. 230, Thought Question 1
p. 241, Thought Question 1
p. 249, Thought Questions 1 & 2
3/15
3/20		 9. Rhythms of Wakefulness and Sleep Chapter 9 p. 261, Thought Questions 1, 2, & 3
p. 272, Thought Question 1
p. 279, Thought Question 1
3/22 10. The Regulation of Internal Body States Chapter 10 p. 288, Thought Question 1
p. 293, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 308, Thought Question 1
3/27 10. (continued) The Regulation of Internal Body States
First Term Paper Presentation		          
3/29 11. Reproductive Behaviors Chapter 11 p. 323, Thought Questions 1, 2, & 3
p. 332, Thought Question 2
4/3 11. (continued) Reproductive Behaviors
Second Term Paper Presentation		        
4/5 12. Emotional Behaviors Chapter 12 p. 341, Thought Question 1
p. 348, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 360, Thought Question 1
4/10 12.(continued)  Emotional Behaviors
Third Term Paper Presentation		        
4/12 13. Biology of Learning and Memory Chapter 13 p. 380, Thought Question 2
p. 389, Thought Questions 1
4/13-4/16 Spring Holiday - No Class           
4/17 13. (continued) Biology of Learning and Memory
Fourth Term Paper Presentation		          
4/19 14. Lateralization and Language
 Chapter 14
 p. 404, Thought Question 1
p. 419, Thought Questions 1 & 2
4/24 14. (continued) Lateralization and Language
Fifth Term Paper Presentation		        
4/26 15. Alcoholism, Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia Chapter 15 p. 427, Thought Question 1
p. 437, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 450, Thought Questions 1, 2, & 3
5/1 15. (continued) Alcoholism, Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia
Last Day of Class.		        

*Please note that the above schedule is tentative and changes may be made during the semester

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