Biological Basis of Behavior

Catalog description

This course focuses on biological determinants of behavior, including evolution, hormones, sensory systems, internal states, reproduction, emotions, learning, and memory. PSYC 524 Biological Basis of Behavior (3) PSYC 524Biological Basis of Behavioris intended for graduate students majoring in psychology. This course focuses on the biological determinants of behavior. Students will learn the major theories underlying research in biological psychology, including such topics as neuroanatomy and brain anatomy, evolution, behavior genetics, hormones and reproductive behavior, sensory systems, internal states, emotions, learning, and memory. Students will be taught to use critical thinking skills when interpreting and evaluating research in biological psychology. Students will use these skills and knowledge gained during the semester to develop a research proposal or integrative review paper on a biological psychology topic.Students will initially learn basic neuroanatomy and brain anatomy as a basis for understanding more complex biological behavior. The remainder of the semester will cover theories underlying more advanced topics in biological psychology. Students will learn how genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters determine some behaviors. They will also learn how biology interacts with the environment to produce behaviors such as reproduction, emotion, learning, and memory.Examinations will include questions designed to ascertain students' knowledge of the theories covered in class as well as critical thinking skills used to interpret and evaluate research in biological psychology. During the course of the semester, students will use the knowledge they have gained to a) formulate a research question based on a topic covered in class; b) perform a literature search on the topic; and c) design a research proposal or integrative review paper based on the topic. Writing the paper will give students experience in formulating research questions, evaluating research critically, and writing in APA (American Psychological Association) style.