The primary goal of Biopsychology (or “Behavioral Neuroscience”) is to establish relationships between brain systems/neuronal mechanisms and behavioral or cognitive functions. Biopsychology integrates methods and research approaches of a wide variety of scientific disciplines, ranging from the cellular and molecular neurosciences to the psychology of perception and cognition. This introductory course for non-majors covers a wide range of topics in Biopsychology from the structure and function of a neuron and neural transmission, to integrating sensory information, to the output of behavior. To this end, students will gain a basic understanding of sensory and motor systems, learning and memory, the biopsychology of motivation, and how evolutionary biology (as well as more immediate experiences) can affect brain/behavior relationships. Finally, the students will investigate neuroscience-related diseases and disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and autism.

Course Requirements:

Grades will be based on your performance on three examinations (15% per exam), drug abuse student-led lecture (10%), Brain Awareness Week presentation (15%), Lorenzo’s Oil writing piece (10%), and participation during in-class activities in lecture (10%) and discussion (10%).

Intended Audience:

Intended for Psychology majors and any undergraduate NOT intending to major in Biopsychology or a neuroscience-related field, who wants to learn about brain and behavior.

Class Format:

Two lecture periods in addition to participation in one discussion section each week.