Vanguard University of Southern California Natural Science and Mathematics

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1 Vanguard University of Southern California Natural Science and Mathematics Course Information Biology Department BIOL 294 Principles of Neuroscience (4 Units) Instructor Information Wentsworth Kennedy, Ph. D. Telephone: (Please feel free to call and leave a message.) Virtual office hours: Monday 10:30 am - 3:30 am PST Course Description The course is an introduction to the human nervous system and how the brain processes sensory information, controls actions, and learns through experience and emotions. Each lesson provides a broad understanding of the fundamentals of brain structures and its role in behavior. The course also aims to introduce the student to brain science behind sensory development, language acquisition and learning. Biology Department Mission Statement The Biology Department seeks to provide training in a Christian environment needed to prepare students for careers in elementary and secondary education, provide the background in biology necessary for other areas of study such as biochemistry and the exercise sciences, prepare students for professional programs in areas such as dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, optometry, nursing, and physical therapy, and to prepare students for graduate studies in the biological sciences and to prepare students to enter positions in industry. Course Objectives Lecture: The student will identify the main structures of the brain. The student will gain a working knowledge of basic brain terminology. The student will discuss the effect of drugs on brain and behavior of individuals. The student will be able to value and appreciate the complexity of the brain and its parts. Laboratory: The student will complete online laboratory exercises and work sheets dealing with the structures of the brain. The student will view dissection videos. The student must demonstrate practical knowledge of scientific facts and principles. 1

2 Learning Outcomes Students should be able to: 1. Develop an appreciation for the structure, function and development of the nervous system. 2. List the functions of the major structures and functions of the nervous system. 3. Explain the functions of the basal ganglia and the limbic system. 4. Identify and describe the function of different types of neurons. 5. Identify and describe the major phases of neural conduction or a nerve impulse. 6. List and describe various methods used to investigate brain- behavior functions. 7. Explain the relationship between an enriched environment and intelligence. 8. Compare the functional and structural characteristics of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. 9. Demonstrate the ideals and principles of Vanguard University during this course. 10. Become exposed to and better understand the diversity of scientific thought, cultural impact and long- term socio- economic impact of scientific theories and practices related to human development. Resource Materials Kolb B., and Whishaw, I.Q. (2014). An Introduction to Brain and Behavior (4 th ed.). Worth Publishers. (ISBN- 13: ) Other resources In this course you will be using MasteringA&P, an online program that accompanies your lab textbook. If you have joined a MasteringA&P course before and can still log in: Save time by following the MasteringA&P access guide/registration found within the Moodle 2.7 portal. Technology Requirements 1. Computer (PC or MAC) 2. Connection to the Internet (Cable, DSL or other high speed connection) 3. Software: Microsoft Office or similar software Disabilities Act Statement: The Office of Disability and Learning Services provides reasonable accommodations for students who need assistance with learning, and for students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your professor(s) and Disability and Learning 2

3 Services. If you but have a temporary or permanent disability that requires accommodations (this can include but not limited to; attention- related, learning, mental health, vision, hearing, physical or other health impairments), please contact The Office of Disability and Learning Services at or disabilityservices@vanguard.edu. Please discuss any learning disabilities with the professor before any assignments are due or exams are given. Lectures Each week a video presentation will be available to guide you through the specific details of that week. Please use the presentations as a guide when reading/studding materials for that week. Labs There are several labs for this course. It is important that you access MasteringA&P and complete the lab assignments each week. Registration instructions are located within Moodle 2.7. You can also find a link to MasteringA&P within Moodle. Lecture Discussion Questions (DQ) Attendance and participation are rewarded in the discussion section. Each week you are required to submit a response to questions assigned by the instructor. Your response should clarify your understanding of the topic. Your response should be at least 200 words. Please see the posted rubric. In addition to the DQ rubric, attendance is rewarded with two points. Total attendance points will comprise 10% of your final grade. Grades and Evaluation in this Course (Lecture and Lab) Your grade in this course will be determined by your own achievement. are available to be taken anytime before Sunday of the upcoming week. Makeup quizzes are rarely given and in most cases require and institutional excuse. If for some reason you missed a quiz without prior arrangement to take a makeup, you are required to contact myself to schedule a makeup quiz. If you have not done so in a timely fashion, it is likely that you will not be eligible for a makeup quiz and you will receive a zero for the missed quiz. will only cover information indicated by your professor within Moodle 2.7. Students must demonstrate an understanding of course material by: 1. Actively participating in all aspects of the course 2. Thoroughly and accurately complete assignments, papers, projects, quizzes, exams etc. 3. All work must be received by the established deadlines. Late assignments will incur a penalty within the first 7 calendar days. Anything beyond 7 calendar days will not be accepted except in extraordinary circumstances. 3

4 4. Each graded assignment, will carry a weight that will be a fraction of 100 percent. 5. Students will receive a weekly progress and grade report. Late Work Guidelines In the learning environment due dates are essential. To avoid late penalty deductions, assignments should be submitted on or prior to the due date. You must contact me prior to the due date to discuss possible options, when circumstances beyond your control prevent you from completing the assignments on time. The following deductions apply when assignments are not submitted on time: Calendar Days Late Maximum Point Deduction 1 day Up to 10% 2 days Up to 20% 3 days Up to 30% 4 days Up to 40% 5 days Up to 50% 6 days Up to 60% 7 days Up to 70% More than one week No assignments will be accepted one week after the assigned due date. Grading Policy Method of Evaluation Lec. DQ/Attendance Laboratory Total 55% 30% 15% 100% Grading Scale (NO CURVE) The final grades will be based upon the percentage of points attained in the course. The scale is as follows: A 93% - 100% C 73% - 77% A- 90% - 92% C- 70% - 72% 4

5 B+ 88% - 89% D+ 68% - 69% B 83% - 87% D 63% - 67% B- 80% - 82% D- 60% - 62% C+ 79% - 78% F 59% and below Academic Dishonesty, Cheating, Forgery, and Related Offenses Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Vanguard s Academic Policy. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student's own work. Personal integrity is both expected and required on all papers and exams. Plagiarism is any form is unethical and will not be tolerated. Consequences of plagiarism may result in a failing grade for the course. Reference Citations should be done in American Psychological Association (APA) format. During examinations, you must do your own work. Talking or discussion (voice or text) is not permitted during the examinations, nor may you compare papers, copy from others, or collaborate in any way. Any collaborative behavior during the examinations will result in failure of the exam, and may lead to failure of the course and University disciplinary action. Attendance Students taking an online class must participate a minimum of two days each week. A student who fails to meet the attendance requirements for a week will be given an absence for that week. Excessive absences are grounds for automatic failure. Technology Issues Students experiencing technical difficulty should contact the Technical Support if the problem is related to the online learning platform. The appropriate technical support should be contacted if they are experiencing hardware or software related problem. Disclaimer The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Vanguard University, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques. 5

6 Proposed Course Schedule Weeks Weekly Topics for Lab and Lecture Chapters Assessments 1 2 Organization of the Nervous System Neuronal Function and Transmission 1, 2 3, 4 3 The Relationship Between Brain Structures, Behavior and Drugs 5, 6 4 The Study of Brain Structures and Development of the Nervous System 7, 8 5 Discussion of the Sensory System 9, 10 6 Stimulation of the Nervous System: Motivated Behavior 11, 12 7 Sleep, Learning and Memory 13, 14 8 Thought and Behavioral Disorders 15, 16 6