Course Name: Introduction to Neuroscience 

Course Prefix: NEURO

Course Number: 2050

             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Matthew Schmolesky, mschmolesky@weber.edu

Current Date:  2/27/2009
College: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Department:   Psychology                              
From Term: Fall  2009 

New/Revised Course Information:

Course Title: Introduction to Neuroscience

Abbreviated Course Title: IntroNeuro

Credit Hours:  3  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 45  Lab    Other

Grading Mode:  standard

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

None

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience, which examines the function and dysfunction of the human and animal nervous system. The course spans the major areas of neuroscience including cellular/molecular factors, neuron physiology, brain structure and function, and medical/clinical applications. The topics addressed are critical to multiple fields of study (e.g. health sciences, psychology, and zoology) and provides the skills necessary for students to succeed in upper-division courses related to the brain and behavior. Prerequisite: none; recommend some background in basic biology, chemistry, or psychology.

The field of neuroscience has grown exponentially over the last twenty years, holds wide public appeal, and offers job opportunities in many sectors (e.g. teaching, research, medicine, and industries such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology). While Weber State University employs several formally trained neuroscientists and many faculty members with related expertise, there is currently no formal neuroscience presence on campus. Here we propose a new course, NEUR 2050 Introduction to Neuroscience to offer Weber State students formal education in this interdisciplinary topic. This course has now been taught experimentally twice under the cross-listed heading HTHS/PSY/ZOOL 2810 (see attached syllabus). Enrollment has been encouraging (30 in Fall 2008; 20 in Spring 2009), and many students have requested additional neuroscience coursework. In this regard, it must be highlighted that we intend the NEUR 2050 course to serve as the foundation for a Neuroscience Minor that we are also proposing at this time. However, we view this document as a stand-alone course proposal and request that it be judged on its own merits regardless of whether the Minor proposal is accepted at this time or not. It is also worth mentioning that the “WSU Neuroscience Initiative” was created two years ago with Hemingway, College, and Departmental funding (see attached Neuroscience Initiative Annual Report). Several of the key past activities (2007-2009) related to this proposal include: -Creation of the Introduction to Neuroscience course which was taught experimentally in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 under HTHS/PSY/ZOOL 2810 (syllabus attached) -Neuroscience Interest Survey (see attached) was administered to 598 students from over 20 courses, and revealed that: *30.6% students are moderately interested in an additional course that addresses neuroscience issues, and 18.9% have strong interest. *28.3% students are moderately interested in taking a sequence of courses that address neuroscience as a central component, and 13.5% have a strong interest. *25.1% students are moderately interested in a neuroscience minor and 17.4% have strong interest. *18.6% students are moderately interested in a neuroscience major and 10.5% have strong interest. *NOTE: While these numbers demonstrate strong student interest in neuroscience topics, it must be recognized that students were polled from selected classes that relate to mind or brain studies and that students often over-report their interest in such surveys due to social desirability bias. Thus, we conclude that genuine interest does exist, but the number of students who will actively engage in a Neuroscience Minor remains to be seen. -An ongoing WSU Neuroscience Seminar Series, has brought internationally recognized scientific experts to WSU to meet students, faculty, and present their research. -Regular Neuroscience Initiative meetings were held to promote the goals of the neuroscience initiative.

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

Note: The Psychology Department Curriculum Committee has voted unanimously in support of the proposal. All department members have seen the proposal, no objections have been raised, and the final departmental vote will take place Monday March 2nd.

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

We could not achieve the desired results by revising an existing course or by requiring an existing course from another department. While a number of existing courses (e.g. Introduction to Psychology, Human Physiology, Biological Psychology, Genetics) touch on neuroscience topics to one degree or another, most spend a great deal of time on issues unrelated to neuroscientific topics. In addition, none of the existing courses are designed to specifically address the interdisciplinary and integrative approach currently taken to study and understand nervous system function and dysfunction. To achieve the desired results, we have created an Introduction to Neuroscience course that addresses brain and nervous system function from the multiple key perspectives: genetic, molecular, cellular, systems, cognitive, behavioral, and medical. The course is designed to be team-taught by two professors of different, but overlapping, core expertise: cellular/molecular (currently drawn from Zoology or Health Sciences) and cognitive/behavioral (currently drawn from Psychology).

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

This course has minimal overlap with any existing courses except for Biological Psychology and Physiological Psychology. Even in these cases, Introduction to Neuroscience is substantially different in that it covers many genetic, cellular, molecular, and medical issues that these courses do not. At the same time, it integrates these issues with cognitive and behavioral ones in a way which neither Biological Psychology nor Physiological Psychology does. In regards to impact on enrollments in other departments, it is our expectation that this course will draw student interest to the field of neuroscience. As such, it may increase enrollments in additional courses related to neuroscience, such as those in health sciences, psychology, and zoology. The effects of this course on program requirements in other departments are listed here: a) The Department of Psychology has agreed that this course may be counted as an alternative to Biopsychology for the Psychology major or minor. If a student takes both Biopsychology and Introduction to Neuroscience, both may be counted towards the major or minor, with one treated as an Electives course. B) The Department of Zoology has agreed this course may be accepted as an alternative to one of the two Botany or Microbiology courses required to fulfill requirements for a Zoology major. C) The Department of Health Sciences has agreed that this course will be accepted as an elective course towards the Associates Degree.

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).

[[NOTE:  This is the syllabus and course number used in Spring 2009; Our proposal is to make the course a permanent addition to the catalog under the heading NEURO 2050]]

HTHS 2810  PSYCH 2810  ZOOL 2810

Introduction to Neuroscience

Spring 2009  TTh 10:00 – 11:15 AM

Location:  Social Science Building Room 317

Professors: Dr. Jim Hutchins and Dr. Lauren Fowler

Professor’s e-mail: jimhutchins@weber.edu  and lfowler@weber.edu

**(This is BY FAR the best way to contact us)

Office Phones: Hutchins: 801-626-8694   Fowler: 801-626-7620 

Office Hours:  Hutchins: By appointment, drop-ins welcome; Fowler: Mon and Wed 10-10:45; Tues and Thurs 9 – 9:45; and by appointment.

Office Locations: Hutchins:  Marriott Health 113; Fowler:  Social Sciences 368

Class Web Site:  http://online.weber.edu/

Which professor to contact?  Because neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field, this course will be led by two faculty members.  You may contact either professor during any part of the course, but the syllabus schedule (see below) indicates to you which professor will cover which topics and, therefore, whom would be best to contact regarding specific material or exams.

I.  Textbook:  Bryan Kolb and Ian Whishaw.  AN INTRODUCTION TO BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, 2^ND edition. NY, NY: Worth Publishers, 2006.  Note:  Supplemental reading materials will either be handed out in class or made available through the WSU Library e-reserve. 

II.  Course Objectives

1. To explore the structure-function relationship of the human central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
2. To explore the biological basis of human (and animal) behavior, thinking, emotion, memory, and perception.
3. To introduce students to the field of neuroscience, its different specializations and sub-areas, and methods used in research. This class covers a wide range of topics including: cellular and sub-cellular structures and processes, basic genetics as it applied to neuroscience, neuronal signaling, synaptic anatomy and physiology, function and dysfunction of the central nervous system, the biology of sensation and movement, cognitive functions and neurological disorders.
4. To integrate theories and research with real-life medical applications so as to make the study of neuroscience both interesting and meaningful to the students.
5. To encourage students to prepare themselves for the real-life application

of their degree if they focus upon the biological and physiological aspects of human function and dysfunction by educating them about different career paths (e.g. clinical, research, industry, etc.).

6. To appreciate the depth of knowledge currently available concerning the biological basis of behavior and the societal advantages provided by such knowledge in terms of understanding, prediction, and intervention (e.g. through biomedical and psychological treatment of diseases and disorders).

III.  Course Grade

            A.  Examinations

1.      Five exams will be taken during the course of this semester.  Each exam is non-comprehensive and constitutes 16% of your final grade.  Two additional assignments will be given (see below) and each will be worth 10% of your final grade.

2.      The fifth and final exam will be taken on April 25^th – April 30^th.  No exam will be given after April 30^th.

3.      All exams will be taken using at a Weber State testing center using Chi Tester.  You will have 4 days to take each exam.  Please note the testing center hours listed on the web site (currently listed as: 7:30am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, 7:30am-4:30pm Friday, 9am-4pm Saturday).  YOU MUST ARRIVE AT LEAST ONE HOUR before the testing center closes or they will not permit you to take the exam.  You must have your student ID to take the exam.

            B.  Make-up Examinations/Missing Exams

If you know of a conflict with the exam schedule, you may take ANY exam early but must notify one of us in writing of your intention to do so as early as possible.  IF FOR ANY REASON YOU MISS AN EXAM you must notify ONE OF US in writing immediately.  You may take the exam one day late (for a 10 point deduction) or two days late (for a 20 point deduction).  You will not be able to take an exam three or more “business days” (i.e. days the testing center is open, Mon.-Sat.) after the scheduled dates and will receive a zero for this exam.

C.    Additional Assignments

In addition to the five exams for this course, your course grade will also be determined by two additional assignments.

a.      Brain Awareness Week Poster

Groups of students will develop posters to present during Brain Awareness Week and to the Society for Neuroscience Intermountain Chapter in mid-March.  Posters will address specific topics of interest to neuroscientists, such as neurological disorders and treatments.  The group poster is worth 10% of your final grade.  Posters are due in class March 5^th.  More information will be given on a separate handout.

b.      Writing Assignment

One writing assignment (approximately 1000 words) will be given during the semester.  This assignment is not optional – you must complete it to finish the course.  Assignments are due by class time on the due date and should be provided both digitally and in hardcopy (typed, not hand-written).  The writing assignment is worth 10 % of your final course grade.  The writing assignment is due April 14^th. More information on this assignment will be given in an additional handout.

D.  Extra Credit Opportunities

Each exam will have an extra credit opportunity included with the questions.  These are questions that require you to integrate information and go above and beyond what you normally would learn for the exam.  You may earn up to 4 percentage points for each exam through the exam extra credit.  In addition, you have the option to do “Exam Corrections” for Exams One to Four (not Five); instructions on how to do these will be provided.

E.  Grading Scale

      The course grade will be assigned according to the scale indicated below:

Numeric Score                                   Letter Grade

93-100                                               A

90-92                                                 A-

87-89                                                 B+

83-86                                                 B

80-82                                                 B-

77-79                                                 C+

73-76                                                 C

70-72                                                 C-

67-69                                                 D+

60-66                                                 D

Below 60                                           E

F.  Honors Component

Subject to approval from the instructors and the Honors office, students may elect to take Introduction to Neuroscience as an honors course.  In addition to the regular course assignments, honors students will write three reports (3-4 pages each) tying the course material to a topic of their choice (e.g. Alzheimers) using primary research articles and other materials.  At the end of the semester they will  each give a 10-15 minute oral report on their topic, integrating information from their three written reports and additional materials.  Each of the four assignments will count as 25% of the Honors Component grade, which is entirely separate from the overall course grade. 

Schedule for Honors Component assignments:

Week 1 - pick a topic
Week 2 through 9 - write three reports, 1 report every 3 weeks
Week 10 to 14 – integrate information and prepare oral report
Week 14 - give oral report

IV.  Course Outline:

GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE:

CLASS DATES                                                                     TOPIC                                                     

***NOTE:  A detailed course schedule will be given separately.

V.  Additional Information

            A.  Attendance

Attendance is not required for this class but is STRONGLY encouraged and will be monitored.  Anything discussed in class may be included on an exam, even if that information is not found in the textbook or online resources.  Thus, it is in everyone’s best interest to attend.  **IF you miss class, there are two things you can do to get the material you missed.  You may get the outline from the PowerPoint on WebCT, and/or you may get notes from a classmate.  DO NOT email us or come to our offices to ask what you missed.  It is your responsibility to attend class or, if you cannot, contact a classmate to catch up.  Please DO email us or come to our offices for any other purpose if you think we can be of help.

            B.  Class Contact

Often it is necessary to miss a part or all of class.  When that happens, or when you have questions that you cannot answer on your own, it is helpful to have the name and number of another student in class that you can contact.  Please use the space below to write down the name, email, and phone number of at least two students in this class.  AND you can use WebCT to email anyone in the class.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CLASSMATES:

___________________________________   _____________________________

Name                                                               Phone or Email

___________________________________   _____________________________

Name                                                               Phone or Email

            C.  Class Courtesy

Please be courteous of others when coming late to or leaving early from class.  Do not make a habit of arriving late or leaving early as many (including your instructors) find it very distracting. The following behaviors are rude when they take place during class time: a) holding private conversations, b) sleeping, c) reading other material, or d) doing other work. Eating and drinking in class are permitted, so long as it is not disruptive to the learning environment.  **POLICY FOR CELL PHONES:  ALL CELL PHONES ARE TO BE OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT/REACH DURING CLASS. NO CALLS OR TEXT MESSAGING ALLOWED!  Any disruptive behavior will be addressed immediately, and if the behavior does not cease, you will be asked to leave class.  Students repeatedly engaging in rude behavior will be counseled to drop the course.    

D.  Grade Appeals

If, after receiving an exam back during class, you think a mistake has been made in the grading of your exam, please do not ask about this during class.  Write/type your questions/concerns, and provide reference to specific pages from the book to support your concern, and turn these questions in to one of your instructors at the end of the class period.  You will receive a response, and any grade adjustment necessary, within one week.  You may also do this with writing assignments.  THIS IS THE ONLY WAY that your concerns will be addressed.  ONLY written questions and comments THAT YOU SUPPORT will be evaluated.

E.  Academic Dishonesty/Plagarism/Cheating

We encourage students to work and study together whenever possible. However, students must hand in their own work.  Whenever you try to pass off someone’s work that is not your own, that is cheating.  If you cheat on ANY assignment (even extra credit), you will receive a grade of E (Failing) for the course.  Plagiarism is when you represent someone else’s ideas or words as your own.  For a very detailed description of plagiarism, please go to the web site and review the PLAGIARISM description.  You are responsible for knowing what constitutes plagiarism.  ANY plagiarism (even unintentional) will result in a

failing grade in the course.  Please refer to the following web site for a complete listing of infringements that constitute cheating:  http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm. 

F.  Completing all Work

All assignments must be completed in order for students to pass the course.  Students will receive a grade of I (incomplete) if any work is missing when the final grades are computed.  The grade of I will turn into a UW if the work is not completed in a timely fashion as determined by your instructors. 

G.  Students with Disabilities

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center.  SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

      H.  Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

       Please refer to the following web site for a complete listing of all WSU

       student rights and responsibilities:  http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm

VI. Testing Center Hours

            All exams may be taken in a Weber State Testing Center on Chi Tester.  In order to take an exam, you must show up on the correct date at the appropriate times (NOTE: you must arrive at least one hour before closing) with your student ID.  You will not be allowed to take the exam without a picture ID or if you show up after hours.  Please contact the testing centers to be sure of their current hours.

VII. Grade Record

Please keep a record of the grades you receive on each assignment.  You may also access your grades using the MY GRADES tool on WebCT.  Grades are updated within 1 week of the end of every exam.

NOTE:  The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course.  We are committed to following the syllabus but there is no guarantee that we will. Altering the syllabus may also mean changing the nature or timing of exams/assignments.  By continuing in the course after reading the syllabus, you are indicating that you accept the terms of the syllabus.