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.
126 Investigative Explorations in Psychology
Students engage in hands-on laboratory experiments to (1) understand the experimental basis of current scientific theory in psychology; and (2) develop proficiency in using equipment, testing hypotheses, collecting data, and interpreting results. Phenomena selected for these introductory investigations are robust, central to introductory psychology, of interest to students, and relevant to psychological research. Prerequisite/corequisite: Psychology 125. 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.