Behavioral Neuroscience (PSB 3340)

Goals and Objectives for the Course:
This course is designed to introduce you to basic concepts of Behavioral Neuroscience. After covering the anatomy & physiology of the nervous system, we will be discussing topics of behavior such as sensory perception, learning, sleeping, and motivation. We will also learn about psychological disorders and their treatments. By the end of this course, students should be able to:

-Describe the major features of the brain and spinal cord.
-Understand the electrical and chemical properties of neurons.
-Understand the mechanisms of action for different drugs.
-Understand the basic principles of sensory stimuli.
-Describe the paths of sensory information.
-Describe how motor actions are generated.
-Explain how complex behaviors are studied by neuroscientists.
-Understand the neuroscience behind the behaviors of sleeping, mating, & learning
-Understand the causes and symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression

Instructional Methods and Class Format: Class format will primarily be lecture/discussion