Psychology 486/686: Neuropsychology - Fall 2009

Course Information:

Instructor: Lynnette Leone, PhD

Lectures: Tue./Thu. 9:30am - 10:45am, South Engineering 118

Office: 102G Minard Hall

Office hours: Tue./Thu. 10:45am-12:00pm, or by appointment

Email:

Phone: 231 - 8628

Textbook:

Kolb, B. & Wishaw, I. Q. (2003). Fundamentals of Neuropsychology (Sixth

Edition). Worth Publishers: New York.

Course Overview and Objectives

A basic understanding of the nervous system is an essential foundation for the study of modern psychology. The fact is that humans exhibit highly complex behaviors and also possess highly complex brains. Neuropsychology is an exciting and active field of research that studies the relationship between human behavior and brain function. This course will help students gain insight into the most complex organ in the human body, the brain. Students will learn what the brain is, how it is organized and how it processes information and how it produces complex behavior. In addition to lectures, students will participate in group activities and be presented with videos of fascinating case studies that depict various behavioral/neural disorders.

At the end of the course, students will be familiar with:

- Basic principles of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology

- Research methods and assessment in neuropsychology

- Organization and function of human cortex

- Higher cortical functions including language, emotion, and attention

- Brain development, disorders, and plasticity

Prerequisites: PSY351 "Research Methods II" or PSY260 “Introduction to Neuroscience”

Office Hours: Office hours are for your benefit. Students may come for elaboration or clarification of specific classroom material. The instructor will provide feedback on progress and any additional assistance as necessary. The instructor is also available to meet at other times by appointment.

Classroom Etiquette: As this is an upper division college course, most students are aware that a certain standard of behavior is to be expected from all students. Behaviors that will not be tolerated during lecture include sleeping, phone conversations etc. Students who engage in such behavior will be asked to leave the class. It is also common courtesy to arrive and leave lectures on time, and to silence all electronic devices (such as cellular phones) so as not to disturb the professor or other students.

Evaluation - Procedures and Criteria:

Exams: There will be three (3) non-cumulative exams. Tests will cover material presented in class and in the textbooks. Exams will consist of short answer, brief explanations, multiple choice and essay questions. Each exam is worth 50 points. Graduate students will be required to answer an additional essay question on each exam.

Make up exams will only be given in exceptional circumstances. See the instructor if you think your situation is exceptional.

Class Questions: Starting on Tuesday, September first (9 /1) there will be a question presented at the beginning of each class period (except on exam days). Students will have approximately four (4) minutes to answer this question on a 3x5 index card which will be provided by the instructor. Questions will be taken directly from the reading material which has been assigned for that day's lecture. Questions may be M/C, definitions or brief (1-2 sentences) explanations. Each question will be worth 2-3 points for a total of fifty (50) possible points. Class questions cannot be made up. In the event that a student is late or absent from class, the points for that days questions will be lost. Students are, however, allowed one absence. So points from one day will be added to all scores at the end of the semester.

Assignments: there will be four (4) assignments worth 15 points each. The assignments will consist of 2-3 page APA-style essays on topics within the domain of neuropsychology. Further instructions will be given when assignments are distributed (approximately 1 week before the due date). See course schedule for assignment due dates. The assignments are worth a total of sixty (60) points. Late assignments will not be accepted; except for medical emergencies (you will need a doctor's slip).

Graduates students: an additional assignment will be given to graduate students which involves reading and answering questions related to three case studies of patients with particular neuropsychological problems.

Online Quizzes: Online quizzes and flashcards are available on the website of the textbook publisher (http://worthpublishers.com/kolb). Students are encouraged to use these tools to facilitate learning but will not be graded on them.

The final grade for each student will be determined from the sum of the three exams, the paper, and class questions (450 pts possible). I do not curve grades. There are no sources of extra credit.

Grading Scale: A >=90%, B >= 80%, C >= 70%, D >= 60%, F < 60%.

In the event that a student disagrees with the grading of a particular exam question, a protest can be made to the instructor in writing. The student must indicate the question in dispute and provide a cogent explanation, citing evidence from the text, lecture or other materials, to convince the instructor that additional consideration is appropriate.

Any students who need special accommodations for learning or who have special needs are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to accommodate those needs.

Academic Honesty: All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU University Senate Policy, section 335, Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm). Violation of this policy will result in failure, suspension, or expulsion. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Tentative Class Schedule

Day / Date / Reading / Event / Topic
Tu / 8 - 25 / Course Introduction
Th / 8 - 27 / Chapter 1 / Development of Neuropsychology
Tu / 9 - 1 / Chapter 3 / Organization of the Nervous System
Th / 9 - 3 / Chapter 4 / The Structure and Electrical Activity of Neurons
Tu / 9 - 8 / Chapter 5 / Communication Between Neurons
Th / 9 - 10 / Chapter 6 / Imaging the Brain’s Activity
Tu / 9 - 15 / Chapter 7 / The Influence of Drugs on Behavior
Th / 9 - 17 / Exam 1 / Chapter’s 1, and 3-7
Tu / 9 - 22 / Chapter 8 / Organization of the Sensory Systems
Th / 9 - 24 / Chapter 9 / Organization of the Motor System
Tu / 9 - 29 / Movement disorders - Assignment 1 due
Th / 10 - 1 / Chapter 10 / Principles of Neocortical Function
Tu / 10 - 6 / Chapter 11 & 12 / Cerebral Asymmetry
Th / 10 - 8 / Chapter 13 / Occipital Lobes
Tu / 10 - 13 / Visual Agnosia - Assignment 2 due
Th / 10 - 15 / Chapter 14 / Parietal Lobes
Tu / 10 - 20 / Chapter 15 / Temporal Lobes
Th / 10 - 22 / Chapter 16 / Frontal Lobes
Tu / 10 - 27 / Exam 2 / Chapters 8 - 16
Th / 10 - 29 / Chapter 18 / Memory
Tu / 11 - 3 / Clive Wearing
Th / 11 - 5 / Chapter 19 / Language
Tu / 11 - 10 / Chapter 20 / Emotions
Th / 11 - 12 / Chapter 21 / Spatial Behavior - Assignment 3 due
Tu / 11 - 17 / Chapter 22 / Attention Mental Images and Consciousness
Th / 11 - 19 / Chapter 23 / Brain Development and Plasticity
Tu / 11 - 24 / Chapter 24 / Developmental Disorders (autism video)
Th / 11 - 26 / No class / Thanksgiving
Tu / 12 - 1 / Chapter 25 / Plasticity, Recovery and Rehabilitation of the Adult Brain
Th / 12 - 3 / Chapter 26 / Neurological Disorders
Assignment 4 due
Tu / 12 - 8 / Tourette’s
Th / 12 - 10 / Possible Final or review day
FRI / 12 - 18 / Exam 3 / 8:00am TO 10:00am (Chapters 18 - 26)