Mind, Brain and Behavior

Preliminary Syllabus

Spring, 2008

Psychology W1010

Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:40-3:55

Dr. Daphna Shohamy

ds2619 at columbia.edu

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to what we know, and what we are still figuring out, about the intriguing link between the brain, the mind, and behavior.

We will start with a basic review of the brain as a physical organ, and its basic operations. Next, we will discuss how this organ gives rise to a wide variety of complex behaviors, from the ability to sense and perceive what is happening in the world, to the ability to learn, think, remember, and control our environment.

Readings

A to-be-determined introductory textbook will provide the primary reading source, with additional supplements from articles and other book chapters.

Exams

Format: Multiple choice, fill-in and short essay questions.

Make-up exams: Will be allowed only with written medical justification. Make-up exams will be given only at the next exam time.

	Date	Topics Covered	% Grade
Exam 1	Feb. 12^th	Section 1: Basic neuroscience: how the brain works	20%
Exam 2	March 25^th	Section 2: Cognitive Neuroscience: how the brain supports cognition and behavior	35%
Exam 3		All sections covered in the course	45%

Course Schedule

Date	Topic	Readings
1/22	What is this course about? Introduction to the study of mind, brain and behavior
1/24	What is the brain? Introduction to the organ in our skulls, its architecture and basic functional features
1/29	What are neurons? From general architecture to cell structure and function
1/31	What do neurons do? Action potentials and neuronal firing
2/5	How do neurons communicate? Synaptic transmission
2/7	How do chemicals modulate neural activity? Neurotransmitters, hormones, drugs
2/12	Exam #1
2/14	How do we study the links between brain, mind, and behavior? Basic methods in neurochemistry, neurophysiology
2/19	How do we study the links between brain, mind, and behavior? Introduction to basic methods: Functional imaging, neuropsychology, brain stimulation
2/21	How is sensory information processed in the brain? Organization of sensory and perception
2/26	What are the neural processes underlying attention? Neural and cognitive mechanisms of attention
2/28	How does the brain create memories? Learning and memory systems
3/4	How do we make decisions? Rewards, feedback and decision making in the brain
3/6	How is cognition controlled? Executive function and the frontal Lobes
3/11	What neural mechanisms underlie social and emotional behavior?
3/13	How do we study consciousness and the brain?
3/18	Spring Break (no class)
3/20	Spring Break (no class)
3/25	Exam #2
3/27	How does experience change the brain? Cognitive and neural development
4/1	Is there something special about the adolescent brain? Understanding this developmental stage from a neural perspective
4/3	Neurogenesis and adult experience-dependent plasticity
4/8	How do hormones impact brain and behavior? Introduction (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
4/10	What is the link between stress, hormones and the brain? Behavioral and Physiological Effects (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
4/15	What is the neural basis of reproduction? (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
4/17	How does the brain regulate sleep? Biological Rhythms and Sleep I: Circadian Rhythms (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
4/22	What happens when the brain does not properly regulate sleep? Sleep, the Brain, and Health (physical and mental) (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
4/24	How does the environment impact neural modulation of rhythms? Seasonal Rhythms in Humans and Animals and their impact on stress, immune function and mental health. (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
4/29	Development and Ageing Effects on Hormones, Sleep, and Cognition (Dr. I. Karatsoreoes)
5/1	“Catch-up” Day and Review
5/6	Study Days
5/8	Study Days
	Final Exam