DRUGS AND THE BRAIN- PSY 359-01: Summer 2016

T-TH 1:30-4:55pm LGT ENGR LAB 152 WESTCAMPUS

Instructor:
Heather Garman
E-mail: heather.garman@stonybrook.edu
Office: PSY B 309
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 1:00pm (or by appointment)
Graduate TAs:
Course Topic
This is a course in neuropsychopharmacology the study of drugs used for their effects on the
brain and mind.
Course Prerequisites
PSY 250: Survey in Biopsychology
Learning objectives:
Students will gain an understanding of the history and current use of drugs used to treat
mental illnesses (antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics) and neurological disorders (epilepsies,
Alzheimers Disease, etc) as well as those drugs used recreationally. An appreciation of risks and
benefits of all these drugs will lead to an ability to critique their use and to evaluate new drugs as they
are introduced. The ability to assess the scientific literature and make determinations of personal use
will be gained.
Meeting and Quiz Schedule
Section 1. Introduction to Pharmacology
May 31
Section 2. Neurochemistry
June 2
Section 3. Introduction to Biological Psychiatry
June 7
QUIZ 1: Section 1 and 2
Section 4. Methods in Neuropharmacology
June 9
Section 5. Schizophrenia and Neuroleptics
June 14
QUIZ 2: Section 3 and 4
Section 6. Depression and Antidepressants
June 16
Section 7. Anxiety and CNS Depressants
June 21
QUIZ 3: Section 5 and 6
Section 8. Neurological Disorders
June 23
Section 9. Drugs of Abuse I
June 28
QUIZ 4: Section 7 and 8
Section 10. Drugs of Abuse II
June 30
July 7th
QUIZ 5: Section 9 and 10
_____________________________________________________________

GRADING:
NEW: There will be 5 quizzes. Each quiz consists of 40 questions, only covering the previous
sections. THERE IS NO CUMULATIVE FINAL.
NEW: Research Participation will be required for this course. You will be required to participate in 3
credits of research through the Subject pool process. Completing your 3 credits of research you will
receive 40 points towards your total grade. Your grade will be determined based on 200 points, which
means if you complete 3 credits of research and you do well on the first 4 exams you can drop the
last exam.
Grades are assigned as follows:
180-200
A
170-179
B+
160-169
B
150-159
B140-149
C+

130-139
120-129
110-119
100-109
< 100

C
CD+
D
F

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS) STATEMENT

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work,
please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building,
room128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any, are necessary
and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly
and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your
own is always wrong. Faculty are required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty
to the Academic Judiciary. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including
categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website at
http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/academicjudiciary/
CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights,
privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs
any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning
environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn.