SystemS and Behavioral Neurobiology
Neurobiology 403 – Winter 2016
MWF 9.30-10.20; MGH 231

This site will be periodically updated. Last update 01/03/15.

I.  Instructor
Jeansok J. Kim, GTH 321
 Office Hour: 8:00-9:00 AM, Friday
 E-mail: jeansokk@u.washington.edu

II.  Teaching Fellow
 Bethany Kondiles, HSB H423
 Office Hour: 4:30-5:30 PM, Monday
 E-mail: bkondiles@gmail.com

III.  Scope of Class
 This advance course offers a study in neuroanatomical, neurochemical, neurophysiological, and functional aspects of various behavioral and cognitive processes in vertebrate animals, with emphasis on mammals. Whenever appropriate, anatomical-morphological information will be emphasized to recognize the importance of structure in understanding function. The course will also introduce historical approaches (ethology vs. behaviorism) to studying animal behaviors.

IV.  Student Evaluation
Two examinations will contribute 70% to your course grade (midterm exam=35 points; final exam=35 points). All exams will consist of objective (i.e., multiple choices, true-false, matching) and short essay questions. Questions will be gleaned both from the reading assignments (~40%) and from the lectures and videos (~60%). The TA will hold review sessions prior to exams. The remaining 30% (30 points) of the grade will derive from the student’s paper on a topic relevant to neural substrates of animal behavior. The instructor MUST approve your paper topic by Feb 2 (read VII carefully!). The paper, via e-mail attachment, will be due March 7, Monday (before midnight).

V.  Class Policy
Students are expected to take exams on assigned dates/times. Makeup exams, consisting entirely of essay questions, will be granted only with PRIOR permission based upon DOCUMENTED emergency (such as severe illness, death in the family). If a student fails to arrange and take a makeup exam within a week of the original exam date, then he/she will receive zero credit. The term paper MUST be turned in by the prescribed date/time, and there will be absolutely no extension under any circumstances. NEITHER lecture notes nor powerpoint files will be provided. Students are expected to earn their grades through personal mastery of the course material. Any attempt to earn grades by cheating/dishonesty will result in disciplinary action and an automatic grade of “fail” for the course. The instructor will strictly follow university regulations concerning requests for incompletes.


VI.  Textbook
 Behavioral Neurobiology - Thomas J. Carew (available at the University Bookstore). Supplementary readings will be distributed via e-mail.

VII. Class Outline (tentative)

Week Date Topics Readings
1 Jan 4 Introduction to Study of Animal Behavior Ch 1
2 Jan 11 Classical Ethology Ch 9
3 Jan 18* Ethology (continued) Handouts
4 Jan 25 Behaviorism and Guest lectures
 Handouts
5 Feb 1 Learning & Memory

TERM PAPER TOPIC Due (Tues, 2/2)

Review (Fri, 2/5)		 Ch 10
6 Feb 8 MIDTERM (Mon, 2/8)

Learning & Memory (continued)		 Handouts
7 Feb 15* Cerebellum and Motor Learning Ch 11
8 Feb 22 Amygdala and Emotional Plasticity Handouts
9 Feb 29 Hippocampus and Spatial Learning Ch 12
10 Mar 7 Working Memory and Decision Making

 

PAPER DUE via E-MAIL (Mon, 3/7)

 

Review (Fri, 3/11)

 Handouts
11 Mar 16 FINAL EXAMINATION 8:30 - 10:20, Wed; MGH 231  

*Holidays: 1/18 Martin Luther King Day; 2/15 Presidents Day

VIII. Paper
Your paper topic must be PRE-APPROVED by the instructor (e-mail your paper topic by 2/2, Tues; one pt per day will be deducted after midnight), and your paper has to be UNIQUE to this class (no recycling or co-submission with another course). The paper due date is March 7, Monday via e-mail (format: Firstname_Lastname.DOC), and the paper should closely follow the format listed below:
1. The paper should be typed (1.25 inch margins all sides), double-spaced, left justified, and include a minimum of 5 references. The content of the paper should be a review in style, concluding with your personal viewpoint on the subject topic.
2. The references can be from research and review journal articles, books and book chapters; but NOT from internet and popular reading sources (such as newspapers, popular magazines).
3. A title page including your name and UW ID# (separate page, numbered page 1).
4. A brief abstract summarizing the paper (separate page, numbered page 2).
5. Approximately 8 to 10 pages of text (start on a new page, numbered page 3).
6. Each text citation should be listed alphabetically in the reference section (separate page).
Points will be deducted if the paper format is not satisfied. Late submission will be penalized 5 points per day (beginning March 8 12:00 am; verified by time-stamped e-mail).

IX. Grading

4 >= 95
3.9 94
3.8 93
3.7 92
3.6 91-90
3.5 89-88
3.4 87-86
3.3 85-83
3.2 82-80
3.1 79-78
3 77-76
2.9 75-74
2.8 73
2.7 72-71
2.6 70-69
2.5 68-66
2.4 65
2.3 64
2.2 63
2.1 62
2 61-60

SCORES

CLASS RESOURCES
EPost: https://catalyst.uw.edu/gopost/board/jeansokk/41363/