PSYCH 260 is designed to be an introduction to biopsychology, emphasizing the structure and function of the human brain. The nervous system provides the biological underpinning of behavior, and several scientific fields are concerned with the relationship between the nervous system and behavior. The goal of this course is to introduce the principle methods, findings, and theories of these scientific fields. Topics include (a) the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, (b) how the nervous system gives rise to perception, action, language, memory, emotion and reproductive behavior, and (c) how drugs and mental illnesses affect the nervous system and alter normalperceptual, cognitive, and emotional behavior. The course prepares students for a number of more advanced courses in Psychology and Biobehavioral Health that address specialized topics in neuroscience, and may satisfy a requirement of these majors.
Objectives
After taking this course, students should have acquired the following skills and/or met the following goals:
Acquired an overarching framework of the brain and its various functions, both at the cellular and structural levels.
Gained an understanding of the various methodologies utilized in the field of biopsychology
Developed the ability to critically evaluate and integrate information from empirical research to specific concepts within the field.
Apply their knowledge of brain and behavior. to their own real-life experiences.
Materials
For pricing and ordering information, please see the Barnes & Noble College website (https://bncvirtual.com/psude) .
Materials will be available at Barnes & Noble College approximately three weeks before the course begins. It is very important that you purchase the correct materials. If your course requires one or more textbooks, you must have exactly the correct text required (edition and year).
Required Text: Freberg, L.A. (2024). Discovering Behavioral Neuroscience (5th edition). New York, NY: Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-357-79823-2
Additional Materials
This course also requires that you access Penn State library materials, specifically electronic reserve readings for this course.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service (https://libraries.psu.edu/ask) ; and
much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide (http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide) for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page (https://libraries.psu.edu/world) and select My Account.
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search (https://guides-libraries-psu-edu.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/er.php?b=c) and search for your instructor's last name.
Technical Specifications
For this course we recommend the minimum World Campus technical requirements listed below:
Technical Requirements
Operating System
Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems.
To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifi cations (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-co mputer-requirements-for-Instructure/ta-p/66) .
Browser
Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using.
Please note that Canvas does not support the use of Internet Explorer. Students and instructors should choose a different browser to use.
To determine if your browser is supported, please review the list of Canvas Supported Brow sers (https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-1284) .
Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites.
Additional Canvas Requirements
For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Can vas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Instructure/ta-p/66) .
Additional Software
All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365 (https://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/a-z-index/office-365) , including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Students will need a PDF reader, such as Adobe Reader (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) .
Hardware
Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution
Audio: Microphone, Speakers
Camera (optional, recommended): Standard webcam - many courses may require a webcam for assignments or exam proctoring software.
Mobile Device (optional)
The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App R equirements (https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-1542) .
