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BIOPSYCHOLOGY
Summer Session I 2013

Course Number: PSYC 220 Section 001 Instructor: Dr. Sarah Holstein
Class Times: M-F 11:30 AM 1:00 PM Office: Thurston-Bowles 1031A
Location: Peabody Hall, Room 0306 Phone: 919-843-4389
Email: sarah_holstein@med.unc.edu
Office Hours: by appointment

COURSE RESOURCES
TEXT: Kalat, J.W. (2013). Biological Psychology (11
th
ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth. Print copies or e-book versions are both acceptable.

SAKAI SITE: http://sakai.unc.edu

PREREQUISITE: PSYC 101

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will focus on the anatomical and physiological mechanisms that underlie
human behavior. During the semester, we will examine the structure and function of the
nervous system, learning how cells communicate with one another and discovering how
sensory stimuli are encoded and perceived. We will then utilize this knowledge of neural
structure and function to analyze the biological processes that produce complex
behaviors, such as cognition, emotion, hunger, and memory, and examine how
adaptations of these processes lead to neurological and psychiatric disease.

COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
My overall goals for this course are that you will develop (1) an understanding of how
our brain and nervous system functions and guides behavior, (2) an appreciation for the
complexity of the human nervous system, and (3) the skills necessary to examine
scientific research and apply it to our understanding of the biological basis of behavior.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
1) Describe the structure and function of the nervous system and summarize how
neural signals are transmitted and received.
2) Compare and contrast sensory encoding and transduction across a variety of
senses.
3) Integrate and analyze the neural pathways that guide sensory input and
behavioral output.
4) Apply your knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system to
describe the etiology and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
5) Evaluate scientific research and infer how distinct neural processes (i.e. eating,
addiction, memory) interact to guide normal, and maladaptive, behaviors.



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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Exams (75%) There will be four non-cumulative exams in this course. Your 3 best
exam scores will each count for 20% of your grade; your lowest exam score will be
worth 15% of your grade. These exams will be composed of a variety of different
question types, including multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, figure labeling, matching,
and short-answer essay questions.

Reading Quizzes (10%) Throughout the course, there will be short reading quizzes
posted to Sakai that will help you to prepare for class. You must complete 10 of the
reading quizzes (each worth 1.0% of your final grade); if you complete more than 10,
your highest 10 quiz scores will be counted. Reading quizzes will be posted to Sakai
(Tests & Quizzes) and must be submitted by the beginning of class (11:30 AM) on
the due date. Quiz answers will be posted after class.

Papers (15%) There will be three short writing assignments over the course of the
semester, each worth 5% of your final course grade. Papers must be submitted on
Sakai (under assignments) and are due by the beginning of class (11:30 AM) on the
due date.

Paper guidelines:
! Double-spaced, 1 margins in 12-point font
! Name & PID at top of first page
! File name: Last name, paper X (1, 2, 3).

Paper 1 [Due 5/20/13]. How do neurons communicate? (approx. 3 pages)
As a resident expert in biopsychology, youve been asked to come back to your
high school science class to teach students how neurons communicate with one
another. To help the students better understand the principles of neural
communication, please write a short paper, in language that a high school
science student could understand, detailing the steps of neuronal signaling from
beginning to end. In this paper, you should address the following: (1) the cell at
rest and the resting membrane potential, (2) the impact of synaptic input on
membrane polarization, (3) the generation and propagation of the action
potential, and (4) the impact of the action potential on neurotransmitter release.

**Additional sources are not required, but you must include a Works Consulted
section at the end of the paper, citing any sources (including your text) that you
used. Citations must be in APA format.
See www.lib.unc.edu/instruct/citations/?page=apa_sample for APA guidelines.






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Paper 2 [Due 6/5/13]. Can we be addicted to food? (approx. 3 pages)

Whether in rats or in humans, excessive intake of a high fat, cafeteria-style diet
can lead to weight gain and obesity. For this paper, compare the normal
hypothalamic response to excess food intake and weight gain (including the
short-term and long-term metabolic cues) with that of the brain reward pathways,
and describe how these responses can influence behavior. In what ways does
obesity resemble drug addiction, and do you think we can be addicted to food?

To assist with this paper and to prepare for class discussion, please read the
following research article:

Johnson, P.M., & Kenny, P.J. (2010). Addiction-like reward dysfunction and
compulsive eating in obese rats: role for dopamine D2 receptors. Nature
Neuroscience, 13(5), 635-641.

Ive also posted the link for a news article on this study on Sakai: Harmon, K.
(2010, March 28) Addicted to fat: overeating may alter the brain as much as
hard drugs. Scientific American. Retrieved from
http://www.scientificamerican.com

**Remember to cite your sources (the article, text, etc.)**

Paper 3 [Due 6/12/13]. Erasing painful memories (approx. 3-4 pages)

Called upon again for your expertise in biological psychology, youve been asked
to propose potential treatment strategies that will help returning war veterans
suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

For this paper:
1) Define the clinical symptoms of PTSD.
2) Describe the cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory formation.
3) Propose a minimum of two learning or memory-based strategies to treat
PTSD, explaining how learning or memory processes would be affected and
when, in relation to the traumatic event, you would need to treat the patient.

To assist with this paper and to prepare for class discussion, please read the
following article:

Adler, J. (2012). Erasing painful memories. Scientific American, 306(5), 56-
61.

**Remember to cite your sources (the article, text, etc.)**



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GRADING SCALE

A = 93.0 100.0%
A- = 90.0 92.9%
B+ = 87.0 89.9%
B = 83.0 86.9%
B- = 80.0 82.9%
C+ = 77.0 79.9%
C = 73.0 76.9%
C- = 70.0 72.9%
D+ = 67.0 69.9%
D = 60.0 66.9%
F = Below 60%

CLASS POLICIES

Late Policy: Unless you have made prior arrangements with me, all assignments must
be uploaded to Sakai by the beginning of class (11:30 AM). Late papers will NOT be
accepted, except in the case of a family or medical emergency (you must provide
documentation and notify me ASAP).

Make-Up Exams: There are no make-up exams, except in the case of a documented
medical emergency. The final exam is set according to the UNC Final Exam Calendar
and cannot be rescheduled.

Accessibility: Students who require special accommodations, including those students
eligible for extended exam times, should inform me of these accommodations within the
first two days of class. In addition, students eligible for extended exam times must
schedule their exams with Accessibility Resources and Service
(http://accessibility.unc.edu) at least 3 business days prior to the scheduled exam.

Classroom Etiquette: Please silence your cell phones before class. Laptops in class
are acceptable; using laptops to check Facebook, watch videos, or browse the internet
is not. If you are being disruptive to the class, you will be asked to leave. Finally, you will
routinely be asked to work with a partner or a small group, and will participate in class
discussions, and at times we will be discussing sensitive or controversial topics in class.
For this class to function most effectively, we must all respect each others opinions and
focus on the scientific evidence before us. Therefore, please be respectful of your
classmates, and allow them to voice their opinions in a safe environment.

HONOR CODE

The Honor Code applies to all aspects of your work in this course. Academic integrity is
the cornerstone of this institution, and we all must work to maintain the high ethical
standards set out by the UNC Honor Code. For my part, I will try to be as clear as
possible with you about when you can, and can not, work with others, and what
** To calculate your final course grade:
(Lowest Exam Score * 0.15)
(Exam Score * 0.2)
(Exam Score * 0.2)
(Exam Score * 0.2)
(Reading Quiz Scores * 0.1)
(Paper 1 Score * 0.05)
(Paper 2 Score * 0.05)
(Paper 3 Score * 0.05)

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materials you can, or cannot, use for your assignments and exams. Please contact me
as soon as possible if you have any questions regarding these policies; failure to
comply with them could result in a failing grade on the assignment or for the course, and
being reported to the UNC Honor Court.

Reading Quizzes: For the reading quizzes, you may use your textbook and/or online
resources. I also encourage you form study groups to maximize your learning and
success; as such, you are permitted to discuss these reading assignments and quizzes
with your classmates. However, each student must submit her/his own assignment.

Papers: Students are permitted to discuss the assignment and article; however, each
student is responsible for independently writing the assigned paper. When you upload
your paper to Sakai, you must certify that you have neither given nor received aid on
this assignment.

Plagiarism will not be abided, and will be reported to the UNC Honor Court and result in
a reduction in the grade. As defined by the UNC Honor Code, plagiarism is the !
deliberate or reckless representation of anothers words, thoughts, or ideas as ones
own without attribution in connection with submission of academic work, whether
graded or not. (The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance, UNC Chapel Hill,
Section II.B.1). Therefore, you must properly cite your sources (including internet sites,
your textbook, assigned research articles, etc.), and create a works cited section at the
end of your paper. In addition, care must be taken to ensure that you are describing the
ideas, writing, or work of another in your own words. Although direct (and properly
cited!) quotations can be useful, they should be used sparingly. If you have any
questions about citations and plagiarism, please see me, the UNC Writing Center, or
visit http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/plagiarism/).

Exams: All exams are closed-book, and all answers must be written in pen. Cheating
on an exam is a direct violation of the UNC Honor Code; suspected cases of cheating
will be reported to the UNC Honor Court. At the beginning of the exam, you will need to
leave all personal belongings (including bags, cell phones, laptops, and any other
internet-accessible device) at the front of the classroom. Bathroom breaks will not be
permitted once the exam has been handed out. Once graded, you will have the
opportunity to review your exam in class or during office hours, but must return it to me
before leaving.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Biopsychology normally is a vocabulary- and content-dense course. Combined with the
rapid pace of a summer session course, this course will require a significant daily
commitment on your part in order to succeed. Since this is such a content-heavy class,
we will have frequent exams (4 non-cumulative exams in total) to make it more
manageable. In order to succeed in class, I strongly suggest the following:

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1. Come to class every day prepared to learn and discuss the material. We will be
discussing a lot of material that is not covered in the textbook!
a. Read before class.
b. Take notes (a copy of the lectures will be available on Sakai before class),
maintain a list of terms and definitions, draw diagrams, create concept
maps, write stories - use a variety of different strategies to help you learn
the material and integrate topics!
2. Participate in group activities
a. Come to class prepared and ready to participate.
b. Be respectful of your classmates.
c. Know that its okay to not have the answer.
3. Every day, after class, review the material.
a. Come up with a list of questions if you are unclear about something.
b. Review the learning objectives and review points this is your daily study
guide and will tell you what you need to do to prepare for the exam.
4. Form a study group.
5. Have fun!

SCHEDULE

**This schedule, including assignment and exam dates, is subject to change. All
changes will be announced in class and posted on Sakai as soon as possible.

DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
TUES MAY 14
Introduction
Neuroanatomy I
Module 4.1, pp. 34-35
WEDS MAY 15
Neuroanatomy II
Techniques in Neuroscience
Modules 4.2, 4.3 (pp 109-113)
Quiz 1
THURS MAY 16
Neurotransmission I: Action
Potential
Modules 2.1, 2.2
Quiz 2
FRI MAY 17 Neurotransmission II: Synapses Modules 3.1, 3.2, p71 (Fig 3.23)
MON MAY 20
Neurotransmission Paper
Neurodevelopment
Module 5.1
Quiz 3, Paper 1 Due
TUES MAY 21 EXAM I Chapters 2-5.1
WEDS MAY 22
Visual System: Sensory
Encoding
Modules 6.1, 6.2
Quiz 4
THURS MAY 23
Visual System: Brain Pathways
Chemical Senses I
Modules 6.3, 7.3
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DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
FRI MAY 24
Chemical Senses Wrap Up
Auditory
Module 7.1
Quiz 5
MON MAY 27 HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
TUES MAY 28
Somatosensory, Discussion:
somatosensory reorganization
Modules 7.2 (pp 204-213), 5.2
(pp 146-147), Thomson (2013)
WEDS MAY 29 Movement
Modules 8.1 (pp 232-236), 8.2,
8.3 (pp 254-257); Quiz 6
THURS MAY 30 EXAM II Chapters 5.2-8
FRI MAY 31
Sex and Sexuality
Guest Lecture
Modules 11.1, 11.2
Quiz 7
MON JUN 3 Internal Regulation: Hunger
Module 10.3
Quiz 8
TUES JUN 4 Addiction I
Module 3.3
Quiz 9
WEDS JUN 5
Addiction II; Discussion: is
obesity an addictive disorder?
Paper 2 Due
THURS JUN 6 Lateralization and Language
Modules 14.1, 14.2
Quiz 10
FRI JUN 7 EXAM III Chapters 3.3, 10.3, 11, 14
MON JUN 10
Learning, Memory, and Memory
Disorders
Module 13.1
TUES JUN 11
Cellular Basis of Learning and
Memory
Module 13.2
Quiz 11
WEDS JUN 12
Emotion; Discussion: erasing
painful memories
Modules 12.2 (pp 371-378), 12.3
(pp 380, 383-84), Paper 3 Due
THURS JUN 13
Psychiatric Disorders: Mood
Disorders
Module 15.1
Quiz 12
FRI JUN 14
Psychiatric Disorders:
Schizophrenia
Module 15.2
Quiz 13
MON JUN 17 @
11:30 AM
Peabody 0306
FINAL EXAM Chapters 12, 13, 15