Psychology 317d: Laboratory in Biological Psychology
Fall 2004
Instructor: Dr. Wendy Sternberg
Office: S408
Phone: x1237
e-mail: wsternbe@haverford.edu
This course is a laboratory course in biological psychology meeting 3 hours/week
for the first quarter of the semester. Through the lab exercises, students will
gain an understanding and appreciation of the complexities of nervous system
structure and function, and will carry out two experiments that attempt to illustrate
the range of approaches to understanding the biological basis of behavior. Click
here for a schedule of lab exercises. Readings that
are associated with lab meetings will be announced in class.
- Neuroanatomy: The first 2 weeks of the semester will be spent on neuroanatomy.
Through this exercise, students gain an appreciation for the 3-dimensional
structure of the brain, and learn detailed brain anatomy through sheep brain
dissection (4 lab sessions, followed by a practical examination). A wet-brain
practical exam will be given in which students identify the name, function,
or major projections to/from areas specified by numbered pins. The laboratory
manual is your study guide for this exam.
- Experimental component: Two experiments will be conducted during the quarter.
The first experiment will employ animal subjects and will investigate the
phenomenon of opiate tolerance. Through this exercise, students will learn
to handle laboratory animals, administer subcutaneous injections, and assess
pain and analgesia behavior. The second experiment will be designed by students
and will involve an experimental or quasi-experimental manipulation. The dependent
variable will be alterations in the secretion of the adrenal hormone, cortisol,
which can be readily measured in saliva. In addition to reinforcing concepts
learned in other classes in designing manipulations and carrying out experiments
using human subjects, students will learn principles of enzyme-linked immunoassay
(EIA) for detection of steroid hormones. Each student will conduct two such
assays during the quarter
Grading:
Your grade in this course will be based on performance on the wet-brain practical,
a brief (2 page) proposal for a manipulation that may affect cortisol levels,
and two experimental writeups (no more than 5 pages each), written in APA style.
In addition, your effort and individual participation in the laboratory exercises
will be counted in your grade. Attendance is mandatory unless an absence is
specifically arranged in advance.
Practical Exam: 20%
Proposal: 20%
Experimental Writeups: 40%
Participation: 20%