The Courses I teach:
125 Principles of Psychology
This course examines the basic principles and methods of psychological science from an evolutionary and cultural perspective. Students use critical thinking skills to examine fascinating topics: dreaming, cultural influences, identity, learning, thinking, and the biology of behavior. Applying basic research methods, students act as skeptical scientists. This course applies to almost any career choice in today’s world and provides insight into self and others. Offered each semester.
130 History and Methods of Psychology
This course introduces students to the history and research methods of psychology through lectures, primary source readings, and weekly labs. Labs in Psych 130 reflect current natural science and social science topics in psychology, but students also learn about the history of the areas covered in labs. By introducing applications of statistics in psychology, Psych 130 provides a foundation for other courses in the major, including Research Methods and other psychology courses with labs. Psych 130 also promotes socialization and community building among majors through early career exploration. Prerequisites: Completion of or co-registration in Psychology 125 OR AP Psychology exam score of 4 or 5. May be taken concurrently with Psychology 125 or Statistics 110, 212, or 263. Offered each semester.
238 Biopsychology
The student is introduced to the study of relationships between the brain and behavior which lie at the heart of modern neuroscience. Study of the brain and behavior from anatomical, physiological and biochemical perspectives will focus on neural factors which contribute to basic behavioral processes including sensation, movement, emotion, sleep and arousal, motivation, learning and behavior abnormalities. Prerequisite: Psychology 125 or Biology 123 or 125. Biology 123 or 125 strongly recommended. Offered each semester.
234 Introduction to Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing fields, with activity ranging from the fundamentals of behavior to molecular aspects of neuronal function. This course provides a foundation and overview of the important and extensive ways in which biological and physiological processes are involved in the regulation and maintenance of behavior. Among the topics students explore are: fundamental electrophysiology, sensory and motor systems, integration, learning and memory, and the mind-body connection. Prerequisites: Biology 125, or Chemistry 121 (or 125), or Physics 126, or Psychology 125. Biology 125 is strongly recommended. Counts toward major: Biology, Psychology. Offered Spring Semester.
Psych 337: The Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Memory is a fundamental part of human existence, but what do we currently know about the neurobiology that underlies this remarkable ability? In this seminar, students present and discuss recently published research that examines the neurobiology of learning and memory from molecular, cellular, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience perspectives. Prerequisites: Psychology 238 or Neuroscience 234. Offered most years.