PY 271 - Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience

• Distinguish the anatomical and functional subdivisions within the nervous system.
• Relate neural anatomy with mechanisms of neural communication.
• Evaluate the various methods and approaches used in behavioral neuroscience research.
• Differentiate mechanisms of sensory processing, and describe the process of initiating a voluntary motor movement.
• Describe biological mechanisms of behavior and cognitive processes.
• Associate the molecular and cellular action of different classes of drugs with their resulting psychoactive properties.
• Identify conditions resulting from altered brain function due to development, disease, or damage.

1. History and Introduction
   1. What is neuroscience?
   2. History of Neuroscience
   3. Purpose and Outcomes of Studying Behavioral Neuroscience
2. Functional Anatomy
   1. Cells of the Nervous system
   2. Anatomical Orientation
   3. Basic Structure and Subdivisions of the Nervous System
      1. Peripheral NS
      2. Central NS: Brain and Spinal Cord
      3. Meninges
      4. Ventricles
   4. CNS Anatomy
      1. Telencephalon
      2. Diencephalon
      3. Mesencephalon
      4. Metencephalon
      5. Myelencephalon
3. Neuronal Communication
   1. Neuron Membrane and Polarity
   2. Action Potential
   3. Electrical vs. Chemical synapses
   4. Neurotransmitters
4. Neuroscience Research Methods
   1. The Scientific Method
   2. Genetics
   3. Human vs Non-human Models
   4. Brain Imaging
   5. Surgical Techniques
   6. Cell Staining
5. Sensation and Perception: Sight, Sound, Taste, Smell
   1. Visual System
      1. Anatomy of the Eye
      2. Optic Nerve
      3. Visual Perception in the Brain
   2. Auditory System
      1. Anatomy of the Ear
      2. Auditory Pathways and Perception
   3. Chemosenses
      1. Olfactory Processing
      2. The Gustatory System
6. Sensation and Perception: The Somatosensory and Motor Systems
   1. Vestibular System
   2. Skin and Sense of Touch
   3. Somatosensory Pathways
   4. Motor Control in the Brain
   5. Coordinating Movement: Sensorimotor Integration
   6. Muscle movement
7. Circadian Rhythms and Homeostasis
   1. Cycles and Rhythms
   2. Stages of Sleep
   3. Functions and Regulation of Sleep
   4. The Endocrine System
   5. Digestion, Hunger, and Satiety
   6. Sexual Development and Love
8. Emotions and Stress
   1. Theories of Emotional Processing
   2. Emotional Expression and Recognition
   3. Neural anatomy of Emotional Processing
      1. Amygdala
      2. Hypothalamus
   4. Stress
      1. The HPA axis
      2. Autonomic Nervous System
      3. Impact of Chronic Stress
   5. Anxiety and Stress Disorders
9. Learning, Memory, and Language
   1. Mechanisms of Learning
   2. Neural Structures and Pthways Involved in Learning and Memory
      1. Hippocampus
   3. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory
      1. Long-term Potentiation
   4. Types of Memories
   5. Memory Disorders
      1. HM
      2. Alzheimer’s Disease
   6. Language
   7. Lateralization
10. Psychopharmacology
    1. Routes of Drug Administration
       1. Pharmacokinetics
       2. Pharmacodynamics
       3. Action at the Synapse
    2. Neural Circuitry of Reward
    3. Classes of Drugs
       1. Stimulants
       2. Depressants
          1. Narcotics
          2. Sedatives
       3. Hallucinogens
    4. Tolerance, Withdrawal, Dependence
11. Brain Pathologies: Developmental, Affective, and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
    1. Brain Pathologies
       1. Seizures
       2. Stroke
       3. Meningitis
    2. Brain injury
       1. Neuroplasticity and Recovery
    3. Developmental Disorders
       1. Autism Spectrum
       2. ADHD
    4. Affective Disorders
       1. Major Depressive Disorder
       2. Bipolar Disorder
    5. Schizophrenia

10-40% Group work

5-25% Mediated instruction

5-25% Evidence-based writing

 
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: NA
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required