Course Syllabus

PSB3002 | Fall "B" 2021 Introductory Bio-Psychology

Accelerated Class

Accelerated classes require more work in a shorter amount of time. All of the content of the traditional 16-week semester is compressed into just 7 weeks. Completing the course requires self-motivation as well as excellent time management. It's important to see how the workload fits into your life before the key dates below. Try out assignments in the first week of the course!

Key Dates:

  • Oct 25: Add/Drop
  • Nov 15: Last Day to Drop with DR grade/Withdraw with WI grade

Professor Information

Dr. Eliza Nelson
Associate Professor of Psychology
elnelson@fiu.edu
She/Her/Hers (Why I share)

Guaranteed Reply: 24 hours

Coffee Hours

Drop in for virtual coffee hours with Dr. Nelson on Thursdays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm using the link go.fiu.edu/coffeehours. You don't need to have a question about class to join. You can ask about how to apply for a job, how to get into graduate school, meet her dog Berrin (she/her/hers), or just chat. Dr. Nelson also parents a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. All family members are welcome on zoom.

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Description

A study of the more important psychobiologic correlates of behavior in basic psychological phenomena. Translation: this course is all about linking the brain to behavior!

Course Objectives

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Recall key terms and concepts in biopsychology.
  2. Interpret facts and main ideas in biopsychology. 
  3. Apply facts and concepts to solve problems in biopsychology.
  4. Develop real life connections in biopsychology.  

Course Awards

This certification mark recognizes that this course meets Panther High Quality review standards.

Onboarding Requirement

There is an onboarding module in this course that must be completed to unlock the course content. You must view all the pages. Submitting the extra credit assignment is optional. Extra credit is due at the start of the course because Dr. Nelson wants to ensure that all students feel that they belong in biopsychology and get off to a good start in their gradebook. The assignment is a case study on diversity and inclusion in STEM. 

Participation in this Course

There is a cost to participate in this course via the Canvas course tool Yellowdig. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to purchase access to Yellowdig for our course, please reach out to me via email and I will do my best to accommodate you. 

  • Option 1: Yellowdig is included in the "Panther Book Pack" (PBP). Students are automatically enrolled in PBP. There is no additional cost for Yellowdig with this option.
  • Option 2: Students who opt-out of "Panther Book Pack" (PBP) can purchase Yellowdig separately for $14.21 from the campus bookstore. The fee is assessed per course per term. You will be mailed a physical card that has the access code on it. 

What is Yellowdig? Yellowdig is the online conversation platform for this course. You receive points for participating in Yellowdig conversations, and the points you receive in Yellowdig factor into your final grade. Each week, you can earn up to 1300 points. To get an "A" in Yellowdig, you must have at least 7000 points by the end of the course. If you reach the weekly max by the end of each week, you are guaranteed to get an "A" in Yellowdig. You cannot earn all the points in a single week.

**Note:  You can get credit for new Posts, commenting on another user's Post, receiving comments, receiving reactions, and receiving Accolades. Details are posted in the assignment on Canvas. 

Readings in this Course

Readings in this course are from the required textbook The Mind's Machine: Foundations of Brain and Behavior, Third Edition. (Authors: Watson & Breedlove, Publication Date: 2018, ISBN: 9781605357300). Purchase or rent the e-book so that you can get started on assignments right away. Each module corresponds to one chapter in the textbook. Reading only works if you retain the information. Structure your notes using the lecture (available in the modules) or the chapter outline (available on the free textbook companion website). Start off by taking notes in your own words as you read the chapter before starting the corresponding assignments.

**Note: Using the textbook is significantly more cost-effective than repeating the course.

Lectures in this Course

Lectures are available in a fully-accessible PowerPoint, and can be downloaded in alternative formats. I recommend writing notes by hand in your own voice. Reading/Listening to slides is not the same as sitting in a face-to-face lecture. Budget more time than you think you need to work through the material before starting the assignments. 

**Note: The publisher's textbook companion website (3e.mindsmachine.com) has free resources.

Assignments in this Course

Assignments in this course are graded on effort. Each module has three assignments: (1) a knowledge check quiz that you can retake as many times as you want; (2) a case study that will push you to go beyond the textbook and solve or analyze a real-world problem; and (3) a  newslink journal that asks you to find and evaluate a layperson article on a topic related to the module. The course is designed to scaffold learning across increasing levels. You should complete the assignments in the order they appear in the module. Each week assignments are due on one week day and one weekend day. However, you can work ahead (or catch up) on assignments until the corresponding unit exam. All assignments have a rubric that is available to students to review before starting the work.

**Note: It is better to earn partial credit on assignments than to take a "0".

Exams in This Course

Exams in this course are open-book and non-cumulative. No special browser or proctoring software is required. Each exam is available for 48 hours (1 weekend day and 1 week day). Once started, you have 4 hours to complete it. The majority of questions will be multiple choice (90%). These questions will be similar to the knowledge checks, and weighted equally across the modules on the exam. Two questions on each exam will be short answer (10%). These questions are based on the case studies. There is no curve or extra credit on exams. Students will be able to see their score when grades are posted but will not be able to review their exams.

**Note: No study guide is given since exams are open-book.

Understanding Your Grade in this Course

Grades are earned, not negotiated, in this course. To pass this course with a "C", you must earn at least 417 points across five types of graded activities:

  1. Yellowdig Participation (1 total; 60 possible points; 10% grade)
  2. Knowledge Checks (10 total x 6 points each; 60 possible points; 10% grade)
  3. Case Studies (10 total x 12 points each; 120 possible points; 20% grade)
  4. NewsLink Journals (10 total x 6 points each; 60 possible points; 10% grade)
  5. Non-Cumulative Exams (3 total x 100 points each; 300 possible points; 50% grade)

**Note: There is one extra credit assignment worth up to 12 points that is due at the start of the course in the onboarding module. 

Grading Scheme in this Course

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grading Scheme
Grade Range
A 100 % to 96.0%
A- < 96.0 % to 90.0%
B+ < 90.0 % to 87.0%
B < 87.0 % to 83.0%
B- < 83.0 % to 80.0%
C+ < 80.0 % to 77.0%
C < 77.0 % to 70.0%
D < 70.0 % to 60.0%
F < 60.0 % to 0.0%

Policies in this Course

Preferred Name Policy

Names and identity are important and valued in this course. Dr. Nelson earned her Ph.D. before she got married, and continues to use Nelson as her professional name. However, the Canvas app sometimes uses your legal name and you may see her replying as Eliza Eccles. If you have a preferred name that is not recognized by FIU, please let Dr. Nelson know. We want you to feel welcome in this space. 

Email Policy

Email is the fastest way to reach Dr. Nelson. It is helpful to put the reason for your email message in the subject line instead of leaving the subject line blank. You should also include your full name, the course name, and your Panther ID in the body of the message. Dr. Nelson likes an empty email inbox and will respond within 1 business day. If you have an ongoing hardship, contact Dr. Nelson when you are able to.  If you'd like to meet one-on-one outside of virtual coffee hours, just ask!

Late Policy

Module assignments (knowledge checks, case studies, and newslink journals) can be submitted late at no penalty until the corresponding unit exam. After the corresponding exam closes, no further assignments related to that unit will be accepted. Students must petition Dr. Nelson in writing to make up exams. All reasonable requests will be honored.

**Note: Canvas applies a "0" automatically if you miss the syllabus deadline. It will be replaced with your earned score once your assignment has been graded. 

Dr. Nelson only grades your first submission on assignments. Take care what you submit. It is your responsibility to ensure your assignment is complete and submitted in the correct place. Grades are posted within 2 business days of the recommended module due date or the unit closing date (whichever is applicable).  

**Note: Grades posted to Canvas may only be adjusted through the re-grade petition process. 

Re-Grade Policy

All of the assignments in this course are graded with a rubric that is available to students before starting the work. If you do not understand your grade, first check the rubric and any comments left for you. If you believe your work meets criteria for a higher score, you can petition Dr. Nelson for a re-grade. However, your grade could go up or down after an assignment is re-graded. 

**Note: All re-grading petitions must be received while the course is active. No grade adjustments will be made after 11:59 pm on December 4, 2021 when the course officially ends.

Extra Credit Policy

There is one extra credit assignment in the onboarding module worth up to 12 points. The assignment is available through the Add/Drop date. Bonus points can also be earned by completing course check-ins. There is no other way to improve your grade in the course.

Announcements Policy

You are responsible for logging into the course regularly, reliably checking your FIU email, and reading all course announcements. Each week Dr. Nelson posts a to-do list of required and recommended activities through the course announcement tool. Dr. Nelson will also occasionally post job openings and other opportunities that may be relevant to students in the course. 

Academic Misconduct Reporting Policy

All FIU faculty must report academic misconduct to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. Students can also report academic misconduct to this office. It will be up to this office, not the individual who reported it, to determine student responsibility and possible sanctions for academic misconduct.  Everyone is responsible for understanding what academic misconduct is and the process for how it is handled at FIU. 

Incomplete Policy

Students who have completed at least half of the assignments but cannot finish the course may petition Dr. Nelson in writing for an Incomplete. Students must be in good standing (i.e., passing the course) at the time the request is made. Requests are handled on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. An Incomplete may not be appropriate in all cases, and Dr. Nelson will work with you individually to decide the best course of action. 

Important Information

Before starting this course, please review the following pages:

Statement on Civility

FIU prides itself as a community of diverse backgrounds: ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, social, political, economic, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ability. The University encourages, supports and appreciates these differences, and discourages all forms of prejudice, bias, bigotry, discrimination, and intimidation in the process of learning.

Civility is an essential component of the core values of FIU and that includes classroom behavior, whether in-person or online. FIU believes in fostering a supportive, safe, and caring environment conducive to learning. When both faculty and students model civility in the classroom, it contributes to the growth of individuals and their role as concerned and enlightened citizens. All opinions and experiences, despite how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. Students are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but never to attack an individual.

Please consider that sarcasm and humor can be misconstrued in online interactions as well as in-person ones, and generate unintended disruptions. Working as a community of learners, we can build a polite and respectful course ambience. Students are discouraged from checking text messages, social media, playing games on a computer/phone, or carrying on conversations while the instructor is lecturing or a classmate is presenting.

This statement is provided as part of FIU’s Civility Initiative, for more information visit the Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution website at conduct.fiu.edu.

Statement on Inclusivity

This course will serve to embrace the diversity and inclusivity found within Florida International University. We appreciate and respect diversity, equality, equity, cooperativeness, community, and sustainability within our online courses. We are committed to the ongoing education of our students and their participation within the course regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, geographical location, religion, and disability. We strive in encouraging collaboration by preparing our students to value the differences in others. At the core of our intentions is the encouragement of acceptance and appreciation of differences within our student population and community.

FIU Panther Care and CAPS Services

If you are looking for help for yourself or a fellow classmate, Panthers Care encourages you to express any concerns you may come across as it relates to any personal behavior concerns or worries, for the classmate’s well-being or yours. You are encouraged to share your concerns with FIU’s Panthers Care website.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free and confidential help for anxiety, depression, stress, and other concerns that life brings. Learn more about CAPS. Professional counselors are available for same-day appointments. Don’t wait to call 305-348-2277 to set up a time to talk or visit the online self-help portal.

Staying Safe and Healthy

In collaboration with the Health, Safety, and Welfare Committee of the FIU Faculty Senate and the Healthy Panthers Council, the Provost encourages each faculty and student to take a proactive role in their safety, personal health, and well-being.

Through viewing the "Staying Safe and Healthy" video series, you will learn:

  • How to respond to an active shooter situation
  • Care of an unconscious person
  • Care of the bleeding person
  • Panther’s Care Initiative
  • How to enhance your personal health and wellbeing

These 3-5 minute videos and related resources can be found for:

  • On Campus Students in the Student Starter Kit in Canvas
  • 2.0 Fully Online Students in Panther Den in Canvas
This video series and related resources can make a difference in promoting the safety and protecting the health of all members of the FIU community. These resources are available any time you have a few minutes to watch them and you can refresh your memory about their content at any point in time. Staying safe and healthy requires the commitment of each of us as Panthers.

Course Schedule

**Note: Italics denotes optional bonus activity.

Course Schedule
Week Wednesday Saturday
1

[M0] Onboarding

Extra Credit Case; Welcome Check-in

[M1] Cells and Structures

Quiz -> Case -> Journal           
2

[M2] Neurophysiology

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

[M3] Chemistry of Behavior

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

Exam 1 Opens Sunday 10/31 and Closes Monday 11/1

**No work from M1-3 accepted after 11:59 pm on Monday 11/1**
3

 [M4] Sensorimotor System

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

[M5] Hearing, Balance, Taste, and Smell

Quiz -> Case -> Journal; Mid-Semester Check-in
4

 [M6] Vision                         

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

 [M7] Homeostasis

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

Exam 2 Opens Sunday 11/14 and Closes Monday 11/15

**No work from M4-7 accepted after 11:59 pm on Monday 11/15**
5

 SELF-CARE BREAK IDEAS:

Find creativity or Move your body

[M8] Biological Rhythms and Sleep

Quiz -> Case -> Journal
6

[M9] Memory, Learning, and Development

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

THANKSGIVING BREAK
7

[M10] Language and Lateralization

Quiz -> Case -> Journal

CLASSES END/Yellowdig Closes

End-of-Semester Check-in

Exam 3 Opens Friday 12/3 and Closes Saturday 12/4

**No work from M8-10 accepted after 11:59 pm on Saturday 12/4**

**No re-grade petitions accepted after 11:59 pm on Saturday 12/4**

**No Yellowdig participation after 11:59 pm on Saturday 12/4**

Brain art photo by Joachim Böttger.

Course Time Zone | Eastern Standard Time (EST). Due dates are according to this time zone.

If you encounter any technical difficulties, please contact the FIU Canvas Help Center .