PSYCH 4501: Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience
Advanced discussion of contemporary issues in behavioral neuroscience, including: synaptic pharmacology, drugs, and behavior, neurodegenerative diseases and the biological bases of psychopathology.
This course is organized around the broad topic of the brain and sleep processes. We will use this lens to explore behavioral neuroscience in-depth, and emphasize skills related to scientific literacy and communication. • Personally relevant to all students as a matter of health and wellness • Applicable to every sub-field of behavioral neuroscience • Requires rigorous scientific investigation • Many myths currently in public discourse create opportunity for critical thinking • Substantial implications for future work in research or clinical settings • Is both an intervention and target for other interventions
Prereq: A grade of C- or above in 2200 and 2300, and a grade of B or above in 3313; or a grade of B or above in 3313 and Neurosc 3000, and Neuroscience major.
This course is organized around the broad topic of the brain and sleep processes. We will use this lens to explore behavioral neuroscience in-depth, and emphasize skills related to scientific literacy and communication. • Personally relevant to all students as a matter of health and wellness • Applicable to every sub-field of behavioral neuroscience • Requires rigorous scientific investigation • Many myths currently in public discourse create opportunity for critical thinking • Substantial implications for future work in research or clinical settings • Is both an intervention and target for other interventions
Prereq: A grade of C- or above in 2200 and 2300, and a grade of B or above in 3313; or a grade of B or above in 3313 and Neurosc 3000, and Neuroscience major.
Credit Hours
3
Sample Topics:
- fMRI
- Differentiation of focused and unfocused wakefulness
- Mechanisms of a social-motor behavior
- Researching sleep: methodology & challenges
- NREM sleep stages
- REM sleep
- Changes in sleep behavior over the lifespan
- Animal models as research tools
- Circadian rhythms & roles of light
- Pharmacological & hormonal influences on sleep & consciousness
- Cerebrospinal fluid & other brain systems
- Clinical relevance to dementia, neurodegeneration, & role of sleep in neurological health
- Clinical relevance to depression, PTSD, & the role of sleep in psychological health
- Challenges of researching unobservable behavior
- Future of behavioral neuroscience
Meets the following Psychology Major Goals:
Knowledge Base in Psychology
- Describe key concepts, principles, & overarching themes in psychology
- Develop working knowledge of psychology's content domains
- Describe applications of psychology
Scientific Inquiry & Critical Thinking
- Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- Demonstrate psychology information literacy
- Engage in innovative & integrative thinking & problem solving
- Interpret, design, & conduct basic psychological research