Course number & title:          PSY 204:  Biopsychology

 

Course description:                A three-unit course that studies the functions of tissues, organs, and systems of man and their effects on his psychological well-being.  It also gives an introduction to the field of neurosciences with an attempt to show the relationship of Biopsychology to the allied disciplines involved in the scientific study of the nervous system.  (Course: 1 semester, 3 lecture hours a week.  Credit: 3 units.  Prerequisite: Psy 201)

 

Course objectives:                 At the end of the semester, the students will be able to:

1.      explain the nature and scope of Biopsychology and how it relates with other disciplines of neuroscience;

2.      discuss the biological processes underlying human behavior;

3.      illustrate how the structural units of the nervous system transmit sensory and motor signals to and from the brain;

4.      present a scientific discussion of how the brain functions as a seat of consciousness and higher mental processes; and

5.      differentiate the left and the right cerebral hemisphere in terms of structure, significance, and functions.

 

Value aims:

 

Functional body of knowledge	Information literacy	Life-long learning ability	Problem solving skills	Effective communication proficiency	Capability for independent and team work	Christian values, ethical and social responsibility	National concern, global perspective
1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

 

Course outline (time allotment):

 

1. Biopsychology as a Neuroscience                                                         (3 HOURS)

1.1.    Definition of Biopsychology

2.2.    Division of Biopsychology

3.3.    Other Disciplines of Neurosciences

4.4.    Types of Research that Characterize the Biopsychological Approach

2. Anatomy of the Human Nervous System                                               (6 HOURS)

2.1.      Divisions of the Human Nervous System

2.2.      Major Structures of the Nervous System

2.2.1.      Spinal Cord

2.2.2.      Medulla Oblongata

2.2.3.      Pons

2.2.4.      Midbrain

2.2.5.      Interbrain

2.2.6.      Cerebellum

2.2.7.      Basal Ganglia

2.2.8.      Limbic System

2.2.9.      Cerebral Hemisphere

3.      Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission                                      (6 HOURS)

3.1.      Neuron’s Resting Membrane Potential

3.1.1.      Ionic Basis of the Resting Potential

3.2.      Generation and Conduction of Postsynaptic Potentials

3.3.      Integration of Postsynaptic Potentials and Generation of Action Potentials

3.4.      Synaptic Transmission

3.4.1.      Structure of Synapse

3.4.2.      Release of Neurotransmitter Molecules

3.4.3.      Activation of Receptor Molecules

3.4.4.      Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Deactivation

3.5.      Neurotransmitters

3.6.      Pharmacology of Synaptic Transmission

4.      Methods of Studying the Nervous System                                             (6 HOURS)

4.1.      Methods of Visualizing the Living Human Brain

4.2.      Recording Human Psychophysiological Activity

4.3.      Invasive Physiological Research Methods

4.4.      Neuropsychological Testing

5.      Human Brain Damage                                                                           (6 HOURS)

5.1.      Causes of Brain Damage

5.2.      Neuropsychological Diseases

5.2.1.      Epilepsy

5.2.2.      Parkinson’s Disease

5.2.3.      Huntington’s Disease

5.2.4.      Multiple Sclerosis

5.2.5.      Alzheimer’s Disease

6.      Visual System:  From Eye to Cortex                                                      (6 HOURS)

6.1.      General Conditions of Visual Sensation

6.2.      Visual Transduction

6.3.      From Retina to Primary Visual Cortex

6.4.      Seeing Edges

6.5.      Seeing Colors

7.      Mechanisms of Perception, Conscious Awareness, and Attention          (6 HOURS)

7.1.      Principles of Sensory System Organization

7.2.      Sense of Audition

7.3.      Somatosensation:  Touch and Pain

7.4.      The Chemical Senses:  Smell and Taste

7.5.      Selective Attention

8.      The Sensorimotor System                                                                     (6 HOURS)

8.1.      Principles of Sensorimotor Functions

8.2.      Sensorimotor Association Cortex

8.3.      Secondary Motor Cortex

8.4.      Primary Motor Cortex

8.5.      Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia

8.6.      Descending Motor Pathways

8.7.      Sensorimotor Spinal Circuits

9.      Lateralizations, Language, and Split Brain                                              (3 HOURS)

9.1.      Lateralization of Function:  Methods and Basic Findings

9.2.      The Split Brain

9.3.      Differences Between the Left and the Right Cerebral Hemisphere

9.4.      Cortical Localization of Language

 

 

 

 

Course requirements:            Departmental Examinations (Preliminary and Final)

                                                Graded Recitation and Short Quizzes

                                                Home Assignments and Class Activities

 

Grading system:                     Quizzes and Assignments  (60%)

                                                Departmental Examinations  (40%)

 

Reading list / References:    

 

Pinel, J.P.  (2003).  Biopsychology.  (5^th ed.).  Boston, MA:  Pearson Education, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:   Rosalito G. de Guzman, Ph.D.

                        Associate Professor

                        Department of Psychology

                        UST College of Science

Date:  November 2004  (revised)