The Syllabus below is just like the one I've handed out in class. Please note my office phone number and my office hours. If you've lost the original, I've included a printable version here.

Text: The Foundations of Physiological Psychology, 4th Edition, Carlson 

Optional Text: The Strategic Learning Package for Foundations of Physiological Psychology, Mary & Neil Carlson 

Supplemental Reading: Additional readings may be distributed in class or found on the class website for download with an adobe reader. 

Course Description: The course is intended to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the nervous system. The course is also intended to prepare the student for further study in the areas of behavioral neuroscience and physiological psychology. Topics covered in class include neural anatomy, cellular mechanisms, neurochemistry, sensory systems, biological basis of behavior, learning and memory, brain dysfunction. Often times, introductory texts simplify larger or controversial topics. If a conflict arises between the text and the lecture, lecture material will have priority. 

Course Website: The website for the course can be found above. Since there is no TA assigned for his section, I will be using the website for various purposes. On the website is a discussion group where I can answer questions at anytime. Misuse of the discussion group will result in its removal. Also posted on the website will be additional readings and questions for the case studies. All grades will be posted on the website by last four ID digits. 

Exams: There will be four 50-point exams during the regular semester. Three of the exams will occur during class time, and one will be during the scheduled final. Exams will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay format questions. Exams will cover material from lecture and text, as well as supplemental readings. Lecture will not cover all of the text or reading material. It is the student's responsibility to be knowledgeable in all three areas. The lowest exam grade will be dropped. There will be no make up exams. If a student is not satisfied with her or her grade, a re-grade will be available until 7 days after the test is handed back. 

Additional Grading: Tests account for 150 out of 200 possible points. 40 points will come from the completion of case study questions. A case study will be handed out at the beginning of each relevant major section of material. Learning objectives from the case studies will be material for testing on the exams. Questions from the case studies will be due roughly at the end of each major section. All questions will be answered on the computer and submitted for grading. Case studies are not collaborative. Any collaboration will constitute academic dishonesty. The remaining ten points will be based on class attendance and participation. 

Grades: Case studies will be graded point scale, without a curve. All test grades will be based upon the average of the top two scores being equal to 100%. This includes the individual exam grades as well as the cumulative final grade.

90% of average from top 2 and above = A

80% and above = B

70% and above = C

60% and above = D

below 60% = F

Academic Dishonesty: Any incidents of Academic Dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. Academic Dishonesty includes by is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, and falsifying records. Please visit the Student Judicial Services website for more information. 

Class Behavior: Any disruptive or rude behavior during lecture will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in the reduction of grade.