This course serves as an in-depth treatment of the biological approach to behavior. We will consider the significance of viewing the mind as a biological entity, wholly controlled by neural processes. All psychologists study behavior—Biological Psychologists are interested in the subset of questions regarding biological mechanisms and evolutionary adaptations. We will consider both types of explanations during the course of the semester.
Grading: Your grade will be based on your performance on two midterm exams, a final exam (cumulative--self-scheduled during finals week), a research project/presentation, and your participation and contribution to the class discussions.
Exam 1: 100 points
Exam 2: 100 points
Project/Presentation: 50 points
Course Evaluations: 5 points
TOTAL: 255 points
Grades assigned at the end of the semester will be based on the distribution of point totals, with adjustments made to the final grade based on my subjective evaluation of your contribution to class discussion. Generally, those with at least 95% of the total possible points receive 4.0, and those scoring less than 60% of the total possible points fail the course, however these are just rough estimates. Scoring near the median generally results in a grade of 2.7. A copy of the distribution of exam scores will be provided following each exam, giving you an idea of where your score falls in the distribution.
POLICY ON EXTENSIONS: Extensions will be granted only in the case of bona fide emergencies, such as illness or extenuating personal circumstances. Note that a great deal of work in other classes "par for the course" in college--it is not an extenuating circumstance.