PSYC 2001 - Brain Science Foundations

Credits: 1
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This course is a description and discussion of the brain’s influence on behaviors and mental processes. The focus is on how the brain and nervous system contribute to psychological functioning, both normal and pathological. This course presents a brief introduction to the field of cognitive neuroscience, the multidisciplinary study of how the brain affects cognition and mental states. The topics of this course include the history and philosophy of brain research, how neurons and synapses work, fundamental brain anatomy and localization of function, the cerebral hemispheres and split-brain, brain development, and the role of genetics.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: PSYC 1020 .

Major Content

1. Brain anatomy localization of function
2. Brain cells neurons, synapses, neural networks
3. Brain evolution and brain development
4. The cerebral hemispheres and the corpus callosum (split-brain)
5. The history and philosophy of cognitive neuroscience
6. The influence of genetics on brain and psychological functions

1. describe the basic principles of brain evolution.
2. describe the role of heredity in brain development and psychological processes
3. identify the lateralized functions of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres and the brain’s basic anatomical parts.
4. describe the fundamental changes in brain that occur throughout the life span.
5. identify the major ideas and people in the history and philosophy of cognitive neuroscience.
6. describe the functioning of a neuron and the synapse.
7. list the basic parts of the limbic system and their primary functions.
8. list the cerebral areas for motor, somatosensory, auditory, and visual functions.

05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.

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