Syllabus
Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, Fall 2023
LSC 260
Instructor: Patrick Orr, Ph.D.
patrick.orr@scranton.edu
570-941-7896 (Office)
Office Hours:
M: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; R: 10:30 – 11:30 am
This lab is designed to complement and extend the knowledge you will gain in PSYC/NEUR231.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate competence at describing and studying both human and non-human animal behavior, and appropriately operationalize behavioral phenomena. Students should also be able to identify elements of gross brain neuroanatomy in preserved whole tissues and histologically prepared tissues. Students should become adept at describing, critiquing, and proposing contemporary experimental methods and be able to integrate knowledge of behavior, neuroanatomy, and experimental methodology.
Attendance:
There are no makeups for missed practicals. Attendance in lab each week is necessary for good performance.
Grade Determination:
Your grade will be determined by the following, (details below):
1) Lab Practicals
2) Assignments
3) Quizzes
4) Final Research Proposal
5) Attendance, Participation, Safety, and Technique
1) Lab Practicals - 25%
There will be 2 practicals. One on the sheep brain and another on lab skills and slide-based neuroanatomy.
2) Assignments - 15%
Throughout the semester, you will be given assignments (e.g. article critiques, measurement of mouse behavior, drawing of a histological section) to complete. This includes coloring plates from the Human Brain Coloring Book. All assignments are due before the beginning of lab.
3) Quizzes - 25%
Every week after the last lab section, I will post a brief multiple choice quiz on the Brightspace page for the lab. This is a quiz on the material covered in lab that day. You will have until the end of the night on Sunday to take this quiz.
4) Research Proposal - 25%
Over the course of the semester, you will develop a final research proposal which integrates your knowledge from across the semester. The final project is due by the end of Finals Week - you can hand it in early! There will be several milestones and presentations required for this throughout the semester, in order to encourage you to work evenly on the final project.
5) Attendance, Participation, Lab Safety, and Technique - 10%
Resources
Many students experience mental health challenges at some point in college. Struggles vary and might be related to academics, anxiety, depression, relationships, grief/loss, substance abuse, and other challenges. There are resources to help you and getting help is the smart and courageous thing to do.
· Counseling Center (6th Floor O’Hara Hall; 570-941-7620) – Free, confidential individual and group counseling is available on campus.
· Teletherapy – For students who wish to access therapy via video, phone, and/or chat, the University offers a teletherapy resource. Please contact the Counseling Center (570-941-7620) to inquire about teletherapy.
· Mental Health Screenings – Confidential, online “check up from your neck up” to help you determine if you should connect with a mental health professional.
· Dean of Students Office (201 DeNaples Center; 570-941-7680) – Private support and guidance for students navigating personal challenges that may impact success at the University.
Students with Disabilities
Reasonable academic accommodations may be provided to students who submit relevant and current documentation of their disability. Students are encouraged to contact the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) at disabilityservices@scranton.edu or (570) 941-4038 if they have or think they may have a disability and wish to determine eligibility for any accommodations. For more information, please visit www.scranton.edu/disabilities.
Writing Center Services
The Writing Center focuses on helping students become better writers. Consultants will work one-on-one with students to discuss students' work and provide feedback at any stage of the writing process. Scheduling appointments early in the writing progress is encouraged.
Students can make an appointment through the My.Scranton portal: my.scranton.edu -> Self Service -> Student & Financial Aid -> CTLE Menu.
For more information, please contact Amye Archer at amye.archer@scranton.edu or visit the Writing Center webpage.
My Reporting Obligations as a Required Reporter
As a faculty member, I am deeply invested in the well-being of each student I teach. I am here to assist you with your work in this course. Additionally, if you come to me with other non-course-related concerns, I will do my best to help. It is important for you to know that all faculty members are required to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct involving students. This means that I cannot keep information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence or stalking confidential if you share that information with me. I will keep the information as private as I can but am required to bring it to the attention of the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Elizabeth M. Garcia, or Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Diana M. Collins, who, in conversation with you, will explain available support, resources, and options. I will not report anything to anybody without first letting you know and discussing choices as to how to proceed. The University’s Counseling Center (570-941-7620) is available to you as a confidential resource; counselors (in the counseling center) do not have an obligation to report to the Title IX Coordinator.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests, and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Students who believe they have been subject to harassment or discrimination based on any of the above class of characteristics, or experience sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or gender discrimination should contact Elizabeth M. Garcia, Title IX Coordinator, (570) 941-6645 elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu, or Deputy Title IX Coordinators Diana M. Collins (570) 941-6645 diana.collins @scranton.edu, or Ms. Lauren Rivera, AVP for Student Life and Dean of Students, at (570)941-7680 lauren.rivera@scranton.edu. The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX. Information regarding OCR may be found at www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html