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Biological Bases of Human Behavior
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COURSE SYLLABUS: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR I

Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

Partner Institution: Universidad Latina Heredia (Latina University Heredia)

Course Title (English): Biological Bases of Human Behavior I (Anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of human behavior)

Course Title (Spanish): Bases Biológicas del Comportamiento Humano

Sessions Offered: Semester

Instruction in: Spanish

Classroom Contact Hours: 45

College Credit (Semester Credit Hours): 3 credit hours

College Credit (Quarter Units): 4 quarter units        

Prerequisites: Advanced Spanish I

Course Code: BPS10

Course description

Advances in genetic, anatomic, bioelectric, and biochemical research in the cerebral and endocrine systems and their functional relationship with the totality of the human organism, demand that the psychology student be equipped with current education about mental processes and strategies in the field of Psychology.

Course objectives

Program Schedule

Unit 1: Precedents in neuropsychology. Composition of current neuropsychology.  The neurosciences. Current research in cognitive neuroscience. Concepts in embryonic behavior.  

Unit 2: Theoretic framework of neuropsychology. Contributions and relationships between neurology and neuropsychology. Relationships between neurosciences and neuropsychology.

Unit 3: Structural and functional neuroanatomy of the nervous system.  The neuron and its properties. Systems of neuron communications. The neurotransmitters. The synapses. Other systems of the human body. The nervous system and its structures. The spinal medulla. The cranial nerves. The encephalon trunk. Sub cortical structures of the diencephalon. The limbic system.  The basal ganglion. The cerebral ventricles. The vegetative autonomic nervous system.  The cerebral cortex.  The peripheral, autonomic, and somatic nervous system.  

Unit 4: The cerebral hemispheres: the anatomic differences, studies, and recent research. The frontal lobes. The occipital lobe. The parietal lobe. The temporal lobes.

Unit 5: Neurological disorders. The neurological exam. Vascular cerebral disorders. Neoplastic disorders of the nervous system. Degenerative disorders: dementia, Alzheimer´s disease, Parkinson´s disease, vascular dementia, Craneoencefalitic trauma. Migraines and headaches. Epilepsy. Infections. Other disorders.

Unit 6: Introduction to biochemistry.  Methodology of neuropsychology. Neuropsychology evaluation methods, qualitative method, quantitative method. Neuropsychological tests. Neuro-imaging techniques. Current perspectives.

Unit 7: Neuropsychology in the processes and functions of attention. Neuropsychology of memory. Neuropsychology of language.

Unit 8: Psychological treatment of people with neuropathic charts. Brain injury, Turner Syndrome, epilepsy, ACV, etc.  

Course Activities

Guideline for the presentation of projects and grading breakdown:

  1. Participation, 5%: This item contemplates the student's professional attitude and homework. To obtain this item the student must: attend class regularly according to the rules. Complete all of the homework and reading assignments indicated in the program. Participate creatively and critically in classes as well as homework and written assignments.

  1. Exam I, 15%: During the semester and programmed dates according to the schedule, the student must complete 2 short exams, each with a value of 7.5%. Through these exams the material previously covered by the professor and student will be evaluated.

  1. Exam II, 20%: This partial exam, usually written, will be graded by the rules of the academy for university evaluation.

  1. Project, 20%:  The research Project will be carried out in subgroups of between 2 to 6 people, depending on the number of students in the course. Complete a written work backed up by a CD for the professor and a CD for the university library. The content of the research will be explained in the first week of class. 50% of the total grade of the research project is for the written work and the other 50% is for the presentation, with the support of multimedia and other didactic resources. The grade of each student is recorded according to the individual performance as well as the self-evaluation of the group.

  1. Assignments, 20%: Two FDE assignments representing 10% each will be presented on the indicated date, with the formality and punctuality. The FDE format will be clearly explained on the first or second day of class by the professor. It is strictly necessary to turn them in on the indicated date and with all of the required formalities.

  1. Final Exam, 20%: May be an oral or written exam. It can also be supported by other formats agreed upon and supported by an agreement with the students and professor. For example:  essay, dictionary, case study, etc.

Course Methodology

This course presents theoretic explanations with the support of multimedia, by the part of the professor and the students. There will be presentations with the support of images, visits to general anatomy and nervous system laboratories at medical research institutions and through the national healthcare system, to study the endocrine system in particular. Students will fulfill bibliographic research in the Virtual Library, as well as other documentary sources. In addition to the research bibliography, research will be conducted through related institutions, books, and the Internet.

Exams, as seen in the exam chart, are also a part of the methodological strategy, which will qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the student.  

Group research projects, backed up by oral and written material, are a requirement of this course, in addition to a power point presentation; the student will also create double-sided index cards (FDE).  

Course Evaluation

1- Participation.......................................   5%

2- Exam 1............................................... 15%

3- Exam 2.............................................. 20%

4- Project .............................................. 20%

5-Assignments........................................ 20%

6- Final Exam......................................... 20%

Rules, Conduct, Guidelines, Special Recommendations

Classes start on time.  Arriving more than 10 minutes late is equivalent to being tardy.  Three tardies equal one absence.  Students who arrive more than 30 minutes late are marked absent. A student who accumulates three (3) or more absences fails the course.

All assignments must be handed in on the due date.

Exams must be taken on the assigned date and will only be made up in case of documented emergencies.  If an emergency occurs, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor and make arrangements.

There is a 17,000 colon charge for make-up tests/activities which require the professor's presence.

The University provides, upon request, appropriate academic adjustments for qualified students with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) who requires academic accommodations should contact the Academic Coordinator as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. Approved accommodations will not change the basic elements of the course/class.

Bibliography (Text and Materials)

Contact Information:

SOL EDUCATION ABROAD

EMAIL: info@soleducation.com

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PHONE: 512.380.1003

FAX: 512.287.4886

MAIL: 503 Oakland Ave. Austin, TX 78703

(Translation of the syllabus from the Universidad Latina, Heredia)

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