Basic Information

Basic Information

Although there are no organized class sessions to attend, meeting you personally is very important to me. If you live near the Odessa area, please try to drop by my office so I may meet you and put a face with a name.

Course Description

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  Critically examine the structures of the brain and understand their functions in both survival and flourishing
  
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  Differentiate between the understandings of the Mind/Body problem and the Nature/Nurture problem
  
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  Evaluate the various protections of the brain and the idea of adaptability, plasticity and homeostasis
  
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  Sequence all the steps in neural transmission and understand the effects of drugs on the nervous system
  
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  Compare and contrast the sensory systems and the way they transduce information and process it along with problems for each system
  
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  Evaluate and contrast the process of sleep in both humans and other organisms and understand the idea of body rhythms
  
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  Describe the development of the nervous systems and the attracter and repulser chemicals involved and how neurological abnormalities can occur
  
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  Define the way in which we learn and build memory on the cellular and structural level of the nervous system
  
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  Contrast abnormal behaviors with those considered normal and understand the characteristics of behavior pathologies and their origins
  

Communication Plan

Office hours during the semester will be totally online through e-mail 0n Canvas unless we have specifically set up an appointment for my office. You may send me an email and we will set up an in-person appointment. Since this is an online course, know that you can email me at any time. I check my emails several times a day and will respond as quickly as possible. This goes for questions or concerns about the course or about the material we are studying.

All UTPB students are provided with email accounts through the university server. You will have email availability in CANVAS and that is what you should use to contact me. I realize that there is the UTPB email also but contact me in Canvas as that is what I will check several times a day. I get so much advertising from publishers and other mail in the UTPB email that I do not what to take a chance on missing your email about the course.

All communications via email for this class should:

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  Use correct punctuation and capitalization. No "texting" language.
  
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  Emails must always be signed.
  
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  Contain the name of the class for easy identification in the "Subject" line.
  
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  Identify the exact assignment number if there is a question concerning an assignment.
  

It will be necessary for me to delete, before reading, all emails that are not signed. This is to protect my computer against fraudulent emails that carry viruses. I have gotten quite good at recognizing this type of email, but there are always new tricks being devised so my general policy is to delete all unsigned mail.

Email is a vital communication medium in online learning. It is important that you have a working email address to receive communications from your advisor, instructors, and classmates.

Classroom Chatter:

This will be an area that you can go in and chat with each other about anything and is found in the two ungraded discussions under Getting Started. The Classroom Chatter conversations do not have to be concerning any of the course work. You can talk about current events or tell everyone something great that just happened to you - like you just bought a car!. This will be a casual conversation area just for students, but it will be expected that everyone will be treated with politeness at all times. I will not be checking this area unless I get a complaint.

Be careful if you order from an online source that your book will come in a timely manner. It is not good to have the problem of having your book finally arrive 4 weeks after the class has started as this class moves very fast. Be sure you find out how long it will take to be sent. As you navigate through this course, you will find numerous websites to visit and online lectures that will supplement the readings in the text. This book is also easily found on Amazon and such.

Online Student Authentication

To take an online test, start LockDown Browser and navigate to the exam. (You won't be able to access the exam with a standard web browser.) This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and Monitor for online exams. Watch this short video (http://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml) to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and Monitor, the optional webcam feature (which may be required for some exams).

Then download and install LockDown Browser from this link: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=841715130

. Finally, when taking an online exam, follow these guidelines:

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  Setup web cam for exams using Monitor
  
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  Ensure you're in a location where you won't be interrupted
  
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  Turn off all mobile devices, phones, etc.
  
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  Clear your desk of all external materials — books, papers, other computers, or devices
  
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  Remain at your desk or workstation for the duration of the test
  
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  LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted
  

All graded assignment due dates are listed on the course calendar. Use the Calendar button on the course menu. For a quick look at all Weeks and what is due, scroll to the bottom of this syllabus.

Important UT Permian Basin dates for this semester can be found on the UTPB Academic Calendar (Links to an external site.).

UTPB Academic Calendar: http://www.utpb.edu/services/academic-affairs/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar

Course Activities

Home Page Announcements

I will be reading and commenting on your graded posts for the discussions. You will be making comments with posts for other students, but I will not be further commenting on those. The 8 for-credit discussions worth 20 points each will focus on interesting and possibly controversial issues in physiological psychology. All discussions are graded except the Introduce Yourself and the Classroom Chatter discussions.

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  If you only post your own post, that will be 10 points only.
  
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  If you post your own post about the subject and comment on one student's post, that will be 15 total points.
  
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  If you post your post on the subject and comment on 2 or more other student postings, you will earn all 20 points. You will see this rubric under each discussion.
  

There will also be a Special Discussion worth 30 points during the 5^th Module. You are expected to participate in all these discussions. The topics will be from the readings and your homework and often ask for your critical opinion based on what you have read. These are meant to help you, the student, think about some of the issues that are found in Physiological Psychology.

The first discussion is ready for you to do now as a way of introducing yourself to the class. You should go to Modules in the Course Navigation Bar to the left and when you open Modules, you will see the “Getting Started” area. That is where you will find the “Introduce Yourself” Discussion. Enjoy telling students a little about yourself and reading about those who are in the class.

A Few Rules to Remember When Posting on the Discussion Board:

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  Do not post anything too personal.
  
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  Do not use language that is inappropriate for a classroom setting or prejudicial in regard to gender, race, or ethnicity.
  
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  Do not use all caps in the message box unless you are emphasizing (it is considered shouting).
  
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  Be courteous and respectful to other people’s ideas and postings.
  
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  Do not overuse acronyms like you would use in text messaging. Some of the list participants may not be familiar with acronyms.
  
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  Use line breaks and paragraphs in long responses.
  
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  Write your full name at the end of the posting.
  
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  Be careful with sarcasm and subtle humor; one person's joke may be another person's insult.
  
  

There will be 2 paper homework assignments. The first is a 2-3 page paper based on the book The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It is a remarkable book and is a great way to start the course out. It will be due at the end of the second Module of class. The second paper is a 3 page paper that has to do with sleep patterns in organisms other than humans. It is really fun to discover that even the humblest of creatures do have sleep and wake even if not quite the way we as humans do. Both of these papers will be work 60 points each and if you follow the directions and proof well your writing, you should do quite well.

The Canvas course platform has a tracking feature. This feature measures how often students access different tools, pages, features, links, discussions, etc. in the course. I want you to know this because I will expect all students to be reading and participating fully in the course. I will expect that you are active on a weekly basis in this course. If you know you are going to have some constraints due to work or family please try to keep up or get a little ahead so that you do not fall behind. Always let me know any anticipated calendar problems due to work and such. I will try to work with you if I know ahead of time.

Course Assessment
Your grade will be figured in the following manner:

You are expected to put in between a minimum of 12 and 15 hours a week to study the readings in your book and online, do assignments and discussions and take tests. This is a time accelerated class you have chosen to take so the time must be put in to do it successfully.

You will receive feedback any time you loose points on essay tests and discussions will have comments to each student. Sometimes there is a part of the comment that has a common theme that we want all students to know. If you are ever confused about grading that has been done, send an email and we will be glad to explain and answer questions.

Incomplete “I”: All students are required to complete the course within the semester they are signed up for. Incomplete grades for the course are rarely given, will only be granted if the student provides a valid, documented excuse for not being able to complete the course on time, and has contacted the instructor prior to the scheduled last class to request an extension. Also an important component of the incomplete is the student must be up to date on assignments and then have something happen that does not allow them to finish the course.

Policies

All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. For complete information on UTPB student conduct and discipline procedures consult the university’s handbook at: http://ss.utpb.edu/dean-of-students/scholastic-dishonesty/

Find information and dates regarding drops and withdrawals at

For grade appeal process go to http://www.utpb.edu/campus-life/dean-of-students/grievances.

Students who have provided all documentation and are eligible for services will be advised of their rights regarding academic accommodations and responsibilities. The University is not obligated to pay for diagnosis or evaluations nor is it obligated to pay for personal services or auxiliary aids. Students needing assistance because of a disability must contact Testing Services & Academic Accommodations Department, 432-552-2630, Leticia Madrid, madrid_l@utpb.edu, no later than 30 days prior to the start of the semester.

Computer Skills, Technical & Software Requirements

Students can use cloud versions of Word, PowerPoint and other Microsoft products through use of their UTPB Outlook 365 and UTPB email address. For more information refer to Student Services below or visit: http://www.utpb.edu/services/ird/information-on-computer-accounts-e-mail/office-365

Preparation for Emergencies

End-of-Course Evaluation & Instructor Evaluation

Student Support Services

Disclaimer & Rights

Copyright Statement

Schedule for Physiological Psychology