PSYC 2285 Behavioral Neuroscience
This course presents an introduction to the physiological basis of behavior. Basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology are presented, and the following topics are then discussed: neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, and the biological bases of mental illness; brain mechanisms of reward and reinforcement; hormones and behavior; an introduction to the development of the nervous system; brain mechanisms of learning and memory; and brain mechanisms of emotion.
Course overview
- Department
- Psychology and Neuroscience
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Catalog details
Requirements fulfilled
- Neuroscience B.S.: Foundation (24 Credits) — Any one of the following courses (3 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Applied Psychology and Human Development: Major electives — any Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOCY) course (no more than two electives from outside LSEHD) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Psychology B.A.: One course from the Biological/Cognitive cluster (3 credits) (Class of 2028 and After)
- Psychology B.S.: One course from the Biological/Cognitive cluster (3 credits) (Class of 2028 and After)
- Psychology B.A. (Class of 2027 and Before): Three 2000-level courses — Biological area (Class of 2027 and Before)
- Psychology B.S. (Class of 2027 and Before): Three 2000-level courses — Biological area (Class of 2027 and Before)
- Psychology: Courses That May Be Applied to the Minor (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.27 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.46 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 13
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Caroline J Smith | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4–6 hrs/week | 105 of 120 |
| Fall 2025 | Michael A McDannald | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 161 of 198 |
| Summer 2025 | John P Christianson | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | — | 8 of 11 |
| Spring 2025 | Caroline J Smith | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 52 of 61 |
| Fall 2024 | Michael A McDannald | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 122 of 146 |
| Summer 2024 | John P Christianson | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 5 of 8 |
| Spring 2024 | Michael A McDannald | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 4–6 hrs/week | 141 of 169 |
| Fall 2023 | John P Christianson | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 120 of 135 |
| Summer 2023 | John P Christianson | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 of 7 |
| Fall 2022 | John P Christianson | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4–6 hrs/week | 90 of 111 |
| Summer 2022 | John P Christianson | 4.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 7–9 hrs/week | 4 of 14 |
| Spring 2022 | Michael A McDannald | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 71 of 121 |
| Fall 2021 | John P Christianson | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 41 of 71 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 01
- Section 01