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Textbook
Neuroscience:
Exploring the Brain (Second Edition)
By Mark F. Bear, Barry W. Connors, and Michael A. Paradiso
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2001
The
textbook is available in both hardcover w/CD and softcover. Either is fine.
Where to purchase: UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus Books (Campbell Rd.)
Course Content
The
course is divided into three sections:
- Foundations of the Nervous
System
- Functional Systems
- The Brain and Behavior
The
course begins with the study of nerve cells: their structure, the
propagation of nerve impulses and transfer of information between nerve
cells, the effects of drugs on this process, and the development of nerve
cells in the brain and spinal cord. We also examine the overall structure
of the nervous system and its development. We then move onto functional
systems such as vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and motor control. We
will discuss how physical energy such as light is converted into neural
signals, where these signals travel in the brain, and how they are
processed. Finally, we will study eating & drinking, language,
attention, sleep, consciousness, emotion, learning and memory. From this
course, you should obtain a solid understanding of the basics of brain
function and neuroscience.
Course Prerequisites
One
of the following courses should be completed prior to taking NSC 3361:
PSY
2301 Introduction to Psychology
CGS 2401 Cognitive Science BIO 2311
Introduction to Modern Biology I
Assessment
Exams (75%): There will be
three exams during the course. Each exam will be worth 25% of your final
grade and will cover the material from the third of the course preceding
the exam. The final exam will not be cumulative. Material covered on the
exams will be taken from the assigned readings and class lectures. Exams
will consist of multiple choice questions.
Quizzes (25%): During the course
of the semester, 9 quizzes will be given. Quiz dates will be announced in
the class prior to the quiz. A quiz will only cover material presented in
the lecture/reading assignment prior to the quiz. Each quiz will consist of
ten questions (multiple choice and true/false). Your lowest quiz grade will
be dropped and the remaining 8 will be used to calculate your total quiz
grade. As one quiz grade will be dropped, there is no make-up for a missed
quiz.
Missed Exams: Missed exams may
be made up only if you: 1) have a valid excuse, and 2) notified the
instructor or TA BEFORE the exam. Excuses must be accompanied by
valid documentation (documentation that you sought medical assistance, a
newspaper clipping of the obituary of your dead relative, or documentation
from AAA or an automotive garage proving that your car broke down). Make-up
exams will consist of short answer and essay-type questions, and are
designed to be more difficult (so don’t miss!).
Final Grades: Final grades will
be based on the three exams and 8 quizzes. As this is an undergraduate
course, pluses and minuses will be given in addition to letter grades. A
final grade will be submitted for every student in the course. If you do
not receive a final grade or an "NR", do not contact Dr. Cauller.
Please contact Kent Mecklenburg in Dean Buhrmester's office at x2360 (GR
4.528). Failure to receive a grade usually occurs when there is some
question regarding your participation in psychology experiments.
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A+
A
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100-97
96-93
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Grade ranges are provided to the left. If the class
average on any exam is below 80, then the exam grade is curved to raise
the class average grade to 80. If the class average on any exam is above
80, then no curve is applied. For final grades, fractions ≥ 0.5 are
rounded up to the higher whole number.
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A-
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90 - 92
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B+
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87 - 89
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B
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83 - 86
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B-
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80 - 82
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C+
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77 - 79
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C
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73 - 76
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C-
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70 - 72
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D
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60 - 69
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F
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≤ 59
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Attendance and Readings
Your
performance in this course will be greatly influenced by your attendance.
Some material covered in lecture is not covered in the textbook. In order
to help ensure attendance, occasional quizzes will be given at the
beginning of class. Therefore, don't be late to lecture.
Exam Reviews
Several
days prior to each exam, the teaching assistant will hold a review session
outside of class to review material that will be included on the exam and
answer any questions. Attendance at these reviews is not required and new
material will not be presented at these reviews.
Honor Code
A
student in this course is considered to be a mature adult whose attitude
and conduct are compatible with the ethical standards of the health
professions. All academic work is conducted under an honor code, which
states: “I have neither given nor received aid for this work, nor am I
aware of anyone giving or receiving aid for this work.” As standard
procedure during exams, place all coats, books, and other items at the
front of the room.
Cell Phones, Pagers,
Etc.
Cell
phones and pagers have no place in class. Please do not bring them to
class, or turn them off if you do. Any ringing cell phones will be answered
by Cherie, including yours Dr. Cauller!
Students with
Disabilities
Any
student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, vision,
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange for reasonable accommodations must
contact the instructor and Disability Services (Kerry Tate, 972-883-2098,
SU 1.610) during the first week of the semester.
Core-Course
Requirement: Participation in Psychology Experiments
NSC
3361 is a psychology core course and all students in this course
must participate in experiments during the semester. This is according to
the "Core Course Experiment Requirement". The requirement is
summarized below:
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1 core course
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Participate in 3 experiments
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2 core courses
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Participate in 5 experiments
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3 core courses
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Participate in 7 experiments
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Pick
up an experiment sheet and sign up for experiments. The Psychology Research
Participation Sign-up Bulleting Board is on the 4th floor of
Green Hall, around the corner from 4.714. Get the sheet signed by the
experimenter each time you participate in an experiment. Turn the sheet
into Kent Mecklenberg (GR 4.528) by the last day of classes (November
29th). It would be wise to make a Xerox of the sheet before you turn it
in! If you do not meet this requirement, your course grade will be
changed to an "NR" by the Psychology Program. This course has no
control over this fact. When you complete the requirement, your grade will
be changed back to the grade that you earned in the course. Plan to
complete this requirement several weeks before the end of the semester or
even sooner to avoid the rush/crunch at the end of the semester.
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