Biology of Addiction. 3 credits, 3 contact hours

Catalog description

Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 (or R120 201 and R120 202 ), and BIOL 205 and BIOL 206 (or R120 205 and R120 206) with grade of C or better, or Permission of Instructor. This course will explore Substance Use Disorder from a biological viewpoint. The psychological, epidemiological, social and economical aspects of addiction will be touched upon as needed. The course will consist of several Modules that would be taught in parallel. The Modules include: ‘Psychopharmacology’, ‘The Structure and Function of the Nervous System’, ‘Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators’, ‘Substances of Abuse’, and ‘What is Addiction?’ The goal is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of biological mechanisms, both in the body and in the brain, that lead to and underlie Substance Use Disorder.