RSCI302 Drugs, Brain and Behavior

Transcription

1 RSCI302 Drugs, Brain and Behavior Master Course Syllabus Course Overview (QM Standards 1.2) Course Description: The class will serve as an introduction to neuroscience and pharmacology of the central neural system through understanding the effects of various substances on brain function. We will focus on the biological mechanisms through which psychoactive drugs produce changes in behavior. We will take an in-depth look at commonly abused drugs such as amphetamine and alcohol, and discuss current theories of addiction. In the later modules, we will focus on drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression, and how the mechanisms of action of these drugs give us insight into the biological basis of mental illness. Online course materials may include outlines of the textbook chapters, videos, and links to the Web resources. The learning activities will include participating into the online discussion forums, completing individual or group projects, and taking quizzes. All tests are administered online. You will not need to visit the campus at any point of the class. Course Goals: Upon satisfactory completion of the course, the student will be able to: Apply basic principles of pharmacology. Describe principles of the behavioral analysis of drug effects in nonhumans and in humans. Discuss and explain how we adapt to drugs (tolerance, sensitization, withdrawal) and develop addiction. Describe how the drugs may alter the functioning of the nervous system. Identify, discuss, and explain mechanisms of actions, side effects, physical and psychological outcomes, potential for addiction, and current trends for illicit use of various drugs. Pre-Requisites (QM Standard 1.7) No pre-requisites are required for this course, however some background in human anatomy and physiology may be helpful. Minimum Technical Requirements and Online Resources (QM Standards 1.5 & 1.6) Page 1 of 8

2 In addition to a web browser (preferably Firefox) that is Blackboard compatible, you will need the following software in order to complete the activities in this class: 1. Word processing package capable of reading and creating.doc,.docx or rich text formatted (rtf) documents. 2. Adobe Acrobat Reader: If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it free from 3. PDF Creator Software: If you are using a MAC or do not have software capable of saving a file as a.doc or.docx file and do not have the capability on your campus to print files to PDF, you can download a free version of CutePDF at This software installs a virtual printer on your PC that allows you to print files to the PDF format. 4. Virus Protection Software: This course requires you to download and upload files from your PC. Virus protection software protects your computer and my computer. Online Resources: This course makes use of many online resources. I have made every effort to make sure the links I have are up-to-date. However, due to the changing nature of the web, you may find that a resource is temporarily unavailable or has been removed. If this should happen, please send me an and I will find an alternative resource or modify the assignment accordingly. Attendance Verification and Financial Aid (QM Standards 1.4) Federal Guidelines require colleges to verify attendance in class. Attendance in a fully online class is verified by active student engagement in an activity. You must complete the Learner Responsibilities Quiz found in the orientation in order to receive verification of attendance. If you have financial aid and/or scholarships and do not complete the activity your financial aid and scholarship checks may be withheld. In addition, you must complete this activity before the first module of your course can be accessed. Instructor Information (QM Standards 1.8 & 5.3) Individual instructors complete this information. Course Materials (QM Standard 4.1 & 4.4) You will find your required textbook information in the course catalog at All other required readings and videos are included in each of the modules. Grading Policy (QM Standard 3.2) The course includes multiple graded items. (Please see Course Schedule.) All grades will be posted in My Results. During the class, 3 points will have been attempted by each student. Final Letter Grades (FLG) will be determined based on the following table showing total points earned: Total Points Earned Final Letter Grade Page 2 of 8

3 288-3 A B C D Below 192 F List of Course Assignments with Point Values: Module Assessment/Assignment Points Possible Orientation Course Introduction Discussion 1 Bonus 1 M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion 2 M2A1: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance and Addiction Discussion 3 M3A1: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Discussion M3A2: Alcohol Quiz M3A3: First Topic Paper Assignment 4 M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedativehypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedativehypnotics, Nicotine Quiz 5 M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz 6 M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Quiz 7 M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz Page 3 of 8

4 8 M8A1: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Discussion M8A2: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Quiz M8A3: Second Topic Paper Assignment Total Points Possible (excluding possible bonus point) 3 Module Objectives and Assessments (QM Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 5.1) Module 1: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Define and classify various drugs. [M1S1: Self-Assessment: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Questions, M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion] Explain basic principles of pharmacokinetics. [M1S1: Self-Assessment: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Questions, M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion] Apply the concepts of the dose issues. [M1S1: Self-Assessment: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Questions, M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion] Describe drug development and testing.[m1s1: Self-Assessment: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Questions, M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion] Explain principles of behavioral analysis in humans. [M1S1: Self-Assessment: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Questions, M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion] Explain principles of behavioral analysis in animals. [M1S1: Self-Assessment: Pharmacology Basics and Behavioral Analysis of Drugs Questions, M1A1: Drugs and Ethics Discussion] Module 2: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Page 4 of 8

5 Compare and contrast tolerance and sensitization. [M2S1: Self-Assessment: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Questions, M2A1: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Discussion] Explain withdrawal effects. [M2S1: Self-Assessment: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Questions, M2A1: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Discussion] Define the addiction. [M2S1: Self-Assessment: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Questions, M2A1: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Discussion] List and explain different theories of addiction. [M2S1: Self-Assessment: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Questions, M2A1: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Discussion] Evaluate drug addiction treatments. [M2S1: Self-Assessment: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Questions, M2A1: Drug Adaptation, Tolerance, and Addiction Discussion] Module 3: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Describe neuron structure and function. [M3S1: Self-Assessment: Neuron, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Questions, M3A1: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Discussion, M3A3: First Topic Paper Assignment] Explain the structural and functional divisions of the nervous system. [M3S1: Self- Assessment: Neuron, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Questions, M3A1: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Discussion, M3A3: First Topic Paper Assignment] Identify and describe the effect of alcohol on the body and explain the mechanisms of these effects. [M3S1: Self-Assessment: Neuron, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Questions, M3A1: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Discussion, M3A2: Alcohol Quiz] Identify and explain short and long term harmful and beneficial effects of alcohol. [M3S1: Self-Assessment: Neuron, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Questions, M3A1: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Discussion, M3A2: Alcohol Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of alcohol. [M3S1: Self-Assessment: Neuron, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Questions, M3A1: Drugs, Alcohol, and the Nervous System Discussion, M3A2: Alcohol Quiz] Module 4: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Page 5 of 8

6 Identify and describe the effect of anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics on the body and explain the mechanisms of these effects. [M4S1: Self-Assessment: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Questions, M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion, M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedativehypnotics, Nicotine Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of anxiolytics and sedativehypnotics. [M4S1: Self-Assessment: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Questions, M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion, M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics. [M4S1: Self- Assessment: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Questions, M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion, M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Quiz] Describe the effect of nicotine on the body and explain the mechanisms of these effects. [M4S1: Self-Assessment: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Questions, M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion, M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of nicotine. [M4S1: Self-Assessment: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Questions, M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion, M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of nicotine. [M4S1: Self-Assessment: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics, Nicotine Questions, M4A1: Anxiolytics and Sedative-hypnotics Highly Addictive Drugs and Tobacco Discussion, M4A2: Anxiolytics and Sedativehypnotics, Nicotine Quiz] Module 5: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Identify and describe the effect of caffeine on the body and explain the mechanisms of these effects. [M5S1: Self-Assessment: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Questions, M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion, M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of caffeine. [M5S1: Self-Assessment: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Questions, M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion, M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of caffeine. [M5S1: Self-Assessment: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Questions, M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion, M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz] Identify and describe the effect of psychomotor stimulants on the body and explain the mechanisms of this effects. [M5S1: Self-Assessment: Caffeine and Psychomotor Page 6 of 8

7 Stimulants Questions, M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion, M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of psychomotor stimulants. [M5S1: Self-Assessment: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Questions, M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion, M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of psychomotor stimulants. [M5S1: Self-Assessment: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Questions, M5A1: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Discussion, M5A2: Caffeine and Psychomotor Stimulants Quiz] Module 6: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Identify and describe the effect of opioids on the body and explain the mechanisms of these effects. [M6S1: Self-Assessment: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Questions, M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion, M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of opioids. [M6S1: Self-Assessment: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Questions, M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion, M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of opioids. [M6S1: Self-Assessment: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Questions, M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion, M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Quiz] Identify and describe the effect of antipsychotic drugs on the body and explain the mechanisms of these effects. [M6S1: Self-Assessment: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Questions, M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion, M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of antipsychotic drug. [M6S1: Self- Assessment: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Questions, M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion, M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Quiz] Discuss life without antipsychotic drugs: schizophrenia. [M6S1: Self-Assessment: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Questions, M6A1: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drug Discussion, M6A2: Opioids and Antipsychotic Drugs Quiz] Module 7: Antidepressants and Cannibas Identify and describe the effect of antidepressants on the body and explain the mechanisms of this effect. [M7S1: Self-Assessment: Antidepressants and Cannibas Questions, M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion, M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz] Page 7 of 8

8 Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of antidepressants. [M7S1: Self- Assessment: Antidepressants and Cannibas Questions, M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion, M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz] Discuss life without antipsychotic drugs: depression. [M7S1: Self-Assessment: Antidepressants and Cannibas Questions, M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion, M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz] Identify and describe the effect of cannabis on the body and explain the mechanisms of this effect. [M7S1: Self-Assessment: Antidepressants and Cannibas Questions, M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion, M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz] Identify and explain harmful and beneficial effects of cannabis. [M7S1: Self-Assessment: Antidepressants and Cannibas Questions, M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion, M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz] Discuss the history and culture of cannabis. [M7S1: Self-Assessment: Antidepressants and Cannibas Questions, M7A1: Antidepressants and Cannabis Discussion, M7A2: Antidepressants and Cannabis Quiz] Module 8: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Identify and describe the effect of hallucinogens, phantasticants, and club drugs on the body and explain the mechanisms of the effect. [M8S1: Self-Assessment: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Questions, M8A1: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Discussion, M8A2: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Quiz, M8A3: Second Topic Paper Assignment] Identify and explain harmful effects of hallucinogens, phantasticants, and club drugs. [M8S1: Self-Assessment: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Questions, M8A1: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Discussion, M8A2: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Quiz, M8A3: Second Topic Paper Assignment] Discuss the history and culture of hallucinogens, phantasticants, and club drugs. [M8S1: Self-Assessment: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Questions, M8A1: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Discussion, M8A2: Hallucinogens, Phantasticants, and Club Drugs Quiz, M8A3: Second Topic Paper Assignment] Page 8 of 8