Biopsychology
Psychology 230 
Fall 2002 Term 
Department of Psychology 
State University of New York at Buffalo 
http://wings.buffalo.edu/aru/B00Fhome
Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. 
B-77 Park Hall, North Campus 
Office hours: Wednesday 1-3 p.m. 
telephone: 645-3650 ext. 677 
e-mail: bozarth@buffalo.edu

 
TA: Candice S. Faulring 
Office hours: Monday 1:30 - 3:30 pm 
Location: B-76 Park Hall

 
Course Description Course Grade Course Schedule
Class Attendance Discussion Group

 
Course Description
Psychology 230 surveys the relationship between brain function (e.g., neurons, neurotransmitters) and behavior (e.g., neurological disorders, psychopathology). The course content covers three primary areas: (a) an examination of neurons and neurotransmitters, (b) a brief overview of sensory/motor systems, and (c) a presentation of examples illustrating how the brain influences simple and complex behaviors. The reading load is heavy for this course, and students lacking the appropriate background in science (e.g., elementary biology, chemistry) may have to do additional reading to ameliorate their deficiencies. 

 
Textbook
The 7th edition of Neil Carlson's Physiology of Behavior (2001; Allyn and Bacon, publisher) is used for this course. If you purchase a used book, be sure that it is the 7th edition and that it contains the CD-ROM.

 
Course Grade
Grades are determined by performance on three term exams that are scheduled during regular class periods. Each exam is weighted equally for determining the course grade. Make-up exams are allowed only with permission of the instructor prior to the scheduled test date. Extraordinary circumstances, along with the appropriate documentation, should be brought to the attention of the instructor for special consideration.
Exam Schedule & Scores
26 September 29 October 05 December
Course Grades

 
Class Attendance
Regular class attendance is mandatory for obtaining a satisfactory grade in this course. Students are responsible for all material presented in class and for material contained in the assigned readings. Students must obtain lecture notes from fellow students for missed class periods -- there are no standard lecture notes available from the instructor, and there are no private tutorials for this course.

 
Discussion Group
All students must subscribe to the course discussion group. Students are responsible for reading postings to the discussion list on a daily basis. 
Click here to post to the list. Click here to view the list archives.

 
Course Schedule
Date1 Topic1 Reading Assignment2
Links & Downloads3
27 Aug. Course Overview Introductory Remarks
29 Aug. Introduction to Biopsychology Chpt. 1 (pp. 1-25) Course Material 
03 Sept. Structure and Functions of Cells of the Nervous System Chpt. 2 (pp. 27-62) Tutorials  Course Material 
05 Sept. Structure and Functions of Cells of the Nervous System (continued)
10 Sept. Structure and Functions of Cells of the Nervous System (continued)
12 Sept. Structure of the Nervous System Chpt. 3 (pp. 64-95) Tutorial  Course Material 
17 Sept. Structure of the Nervous System (continued) Supplemental Material 
19 Sept. Structure of the Nervous System (continued)
24 Sept. Study Day
26 Sept.  Exam #1
01 Oct. Review Exam #1
03 Oct. Psychopharmacology Chpt. 4 (pp. 97-129) Tutorial  Course Material 
08 Oct. Psychopharmacology (continued) Course Material 
  • Neurotransmitter Synthesis
  • Distribution of Neurotransmitter Systems
Supplementary Material 
10 Oct. Methods and Strategies of Research Chpt. 5 (pp. 131-159) Course Material 
15 Oct.  Methods and Strategies of Research (continued)
17 Oct. Vision Chpt. 6 (pp. 161-199)
22 Oct. Audition Chpt. 7 (pp. 201-221) Course Material 
24 Oct. Study Day
29 Oct. Exam #2
31 Oct. Review Exam #2
05 Nov. Control of Movement Chpt. 8 (pp. 243-269) Course Material 
07 Nov. Neurological Disorders Tutorials  Course Material 
12 Nov. Neurological Disorders (continued)
14 Nov. Sleep and Biological Rhythms Chpt. 9 (pp. 271-303) Course Material 
19 Nov. Schizophrenia and the Affective Disorders Chpt. 17 (pp. 528-556) Course Material 
21 Nov. Schizophrenia and the Affective Disorders (continued)
26 Nov. Study Day
28 Nov. Fall Recess
03 Dec. Schizophrenia and the Affective Disorders (continued)
05 Dec. Exam #3
Notes
1: All dates and topics are tentative; the assigned material should be read before the lecture date.
2: Reading assignments are from Carlson's Physiology of Behavior (7th edition) unless otherwise noted.
3: Online materials are organized as Tutorials (additional background & off-site tutorials -- recommended), 
    Course Material (parts of the material presented in class -- required), and Supplemental Material
    (additional material exploring the topic in more depth or covering related topics -- optional).

 
 
Changing classroom dynamics necessitate posting some explicit expectations for student behavior. Click here to read principles of student conduct in effect for this course that supplement those outlined in the University at Buffalo Undergraduate Catalog. Continued enrollment in this course presumes the student has read and will adhere to these principles.

 
Important Notice: Students with disabilities (physical or psychological) that require special consideration should notify the instructor and the Office of Disability Services (25 Capen Hall, 645-2608) during the first two weeks of class. Various support services are available.