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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
PSYCD024.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Psychobiology
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course explores the biological processes that underlie our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, with an emphasis on the genetic, neural, and chemical influences on such human concerns as addiction, emotional dysregulation, sleep, stress, neurological disorders, and sexual behavior. Some knowledge of biology is helpful.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU and UC transferable. It also meets °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSU GE, and IGETC. This course belongs on the Liberal Arts A.A. degree and the Psychology ADT degree. This course introduces students to a survey of the field of psychobiology with an emphasis on the central and peripheral nervous systems and their reciprocal relationships with behavior.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
Yes
Foothill Course ID
PSYC F004.

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GDX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGDYCSU GE Area D - Social SciencesApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG4XIGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
C-IDArea(s)StatusDetails
PSYPsychologyApprovedC-ID PSY 150

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

PSYC D001.

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Required reading assignments from the class text.
  2. Examining the sheep brain in order to identify various brain structures covered during class lecture and viewing of the sheep brain.
  3. A written or oral presentation that demonstrates the critical analysis and application of course concepts to a significant contemporary issue in Psychobiology.
  4. A written assignment that requires the synthesis, analysis and application of core course concepts.
  5. Reading assigned research articles and/or watching relevant educational films.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Mid-term examinations using a combination of objective and essay questions emphasizing critical analysis to evaluate the student's grasp of the theories, core concepts, and significant empirical data that comprise the course content.
  2. The sheep brain anatomy identification will be evaluated through a written or oral test and will demonstrate the student's ability to identify the location of specific brain structures covered in class lectures and demonstrations.
  3. Students will critically analyze and apply course concepts to a significant contemporary issue in Psychobiology. Grading is based on providing evidence for the deductions made, the correct application of course concepts and on the format of the presentation, either written or oral.
  4. A writing assignment (such as an essay or online forum) where students demonstrate the ability to summarize, synthesize and explain the key concepts and course relevance of assigned research articles and educational films. Grading is based on the student's ability to synthesize, summarize and explain the key points of the article or film in their own words and the ability to relate the article or film to course content.
  5. A two-hour comprehensive final exam using a combination of objective and essay questions that will require the students to summarize, integrate and critically analyze the major concepts examined during the course.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Kalat, James. Biological Psychology. 13th ed. Boston, MA. Cengage, 2018.
Freberg, Laura. Discovering Behavioral Neuroscience: An Introduction to Biological Psychology. 4th Edition. KY: Cengage 2018.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Carlson, Neil. Physiology of Behavior. 12th Edition. India: Pearson Education, 2017.
Doidge, Norman. The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticiy. Updated Edition. New York, New York: Penguin Books, 2016.
Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I.Q. An introduction to Brain and Behavior, 6th Edition. New York, New York: Worth Publishers, 2019.
Meyer, Jerrold S. & Quenzer, Linda. Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior. 3rd Edition. Cary, NC:Oxford University Press, 2018.
Pinel, P. J., Barnes, S. Biopsychology. 10th Edition. New York: Pearson, 2019.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Apply and evaluate the research methods used in psychobiological investigation
  • Illustrate the basic anatomy and physiological processes of the nervous system
  • Classify common drugs and specify how and what neurotransmitters they interact with
  • Trace the growth and differentiation of the vertebrate brain
  • Analyze the biological underpinnings of learning and memory
  • Evaluate the biological basis of emotional behavior and stress
  • Analyze critically the contribution of neurological and chemical factors relating to neurological disorders and psychological disorders
  • Compare and contrast the major sensory systems
  • Examine and interpret the research on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity

CSLOs

  • Recognize and explain the research methods used specifically in psychobiological investigations and be able to understand when each is used and for what purpose.

  • Describe the different processes that form the biological basis of behavior.

  • Demonstrate understanding of the major structures and functions of the CNS.

Outline

  1. Apply and evaluate the research methods used in psychobiological investigation
    1. Ethical Issues
      1. Animal and human welfare
      2. The necessity of animals in research
    2. Methods of research and applications
      1. Autopsy
      2. Imagining Techniques
      3. Recording Techniques
      4. Brain Stimulation
      5. Lesion Techniques
      6. Pharmacological Methods
      7. Genetic Methods
      8. Stem Cells
    3. Theoretical Models of the mind-body relationship
      1. Dualism
      2. Monism
  2. Illustrate the basic anatomy and physiological processes of the nervous system
    1. The cells of the nervous system: Neurons and Glia
      1. Structures and Functions of the neuron: dendrites, soma, axon, axon terminals
      2. Glia: Oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells and Astrocytes
      3. Myelin Sheath: what it is and its function
    2. Neuronal Communication
      1. Resting potential of the neuron
      2. Action potential
      3. Propagation of the action potential
      4. Synapses
    3. Synapses and Neurotransmitters
      1. Neurotransmitters effects on Synapses
        1. Excitation
        2. Inhibition
      2. Examples of neurotransmitters and their functions
      3. Synthesis of neurotransmitters
      4. Release, reuptake, reuse of neurotransmitters
      5. Activation of receptors of the postsynaptic cell
  3. Classify common drugs and specify how and what neurotransmitters they interact with
    1. How drugs work on neurotransmitters
      1. Agonostic effects and examples
      2. Antagonistic effects and examples
    2. Drug classifications and examples
      1. Stimulants
      2. Depressants
      3. Hallucinogenics
      4. Cannabis
    3. Addiction and the brain
      1. Brain Pathway
      2. Neurotransmitters: dopamine
  4. Trace the growth and differentiation of the vertebrate brain
    1. Development of the brain
      1. Brainstem
      2. Hindbrain
      3. Midbrain
      4. Forebrain
      5. Cerebral Cortex
    2. Neuroatypical Development
      1. Genetics
      2. Epigenetics
      3. Neurotoxin exposure
      4. Head Trauma
        1. Traumatic Brain Injury
        2. Stroke
        3. Concussions
      5. Malnutrition
  5. Analyze the biological underpinnings of learning and memory
    1. Learning processes
      1. Classical conditioning
      2. Operant conditioning
      3. Habituation
      4. Sensitization
    2. Brain damage and human amnesia
      1. Korsakoff's syndrome
      2. Alzheimer's disease
      3. Traumatic Brain Injury
      4. Stroke
    3. Different types of memory
      1. Sensory Memory
      2. Short Term Memory
      3. Long Term Memory
    4. Role of the hippocampus, amygdala, and frontal cortex
      1. Long Term Potentiation
      2. Firing and wiring due to repetition
      3. Neurotransmitters
  6. Evaluate the biological basis of emotional behavior and stress
    1. Role of the autonomic nervous system in emotional behaviors
      1. Sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight response)
      2. Parasympathetic nervous system (freeze response)
    2. Brain and chemical pathways of emotions
    3. Brain and chemical pathways of stress
      1. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
      2. Norepinephrine and cortisol
    4. Emotions, stress response, immune system and health
      1. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
      2. Dysregulation of Cortisol
        1. Physical Illnesses
        2. Psychological illnesses
  7. Analyze critically the contribution of neurological and chemical factors relating to neurological disorders and psychological disorders
    1. Relevant brain structures and functions
    2. Chemical dysregulation
      1. Neurotransmitters
      2. Hormones
      3. Drug involvement
    3. Genes/Epigenetics
    4. Traumatic Brain Injury
    5. Enteric Nervous System
      1. Gut brain interaction
      2. Role of vagus nerve
      3. Role of serotonin
  8. Compare and contrast the major sensory systems
    1. Reception, transduction, coding, sensation and perception
    2. Audition
      1. Structures and functions of the ear
      2. Pitch perception
      3. Disorders of hearing
      4. Localization of sounds
      5. Brain pathways
    3. The Chemical Senses
      1. Taste: receptors and paths to the brain
      2. Olfaction: receptors and paths to the brain
    4. Vision
      1. Structures and functions of the eye
      2. Visual receptors: rods and cones
      3. Dark current
      4. Retina and pathways to the brain
      5. Disorders of visual system
      6. Development of visual system
    5. Touch
      1. Temperature: receptors and pathway
      2. Pain: receptors and pathway
  9. Examine and interpret the research on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity
    1. Growth of new neurons
      1. How this happens
      2. Ways to increase growth
      3. Normal pruning
    2. Brain connectivity and re-connectivity
      1. Positive forms of neuroplasticity
      2. Negative forms of neuroplasticity
      3. Phantom Limb Syndrome
      4. Synesthesia
      5. Using the neuroplasticity research to heal
        1. Brain trauma
        2. Paralysis
        3. Psychological trauma
        4. Psychological disorders
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