Central Nervous System and Complex Nervous Activity
PSY 119
Spring 2015
Professor: Elena Molchanova, MD
Office: Main Building, 209
Office phone: 663309 (*239)
Email: molchanova_e@auca.kg, emolchanova2009@gmail.com
Office hours: by appointment
Course language: English
Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9.00 – 9.45
Credits: 6
Prerequisites: no
Course status: required
Course materials
Main textbook 1: Carlson, N. (2007). Physiology of Behavior, 9th edition (downloaded at e-course)
Main textbook 2: Gazzaniga, M & et al (1998). Cognitive neuroscience; the biology of mind. NY. P.550 (available in our library)
Additional materials:
1 Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A. Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2001).
2 Garrett, B. Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology, 2nd edition. Sage (2009).
3 Thompson, R. The Brain: A Neuroscience Primer, 2nd edition. W.H. Freeman and Company (1993).
You will also find all additional materials posted at www.e-course.auca.kg, code word: “brain2015”
Course description
From the human anatomy perspective we will study the nervous system and the structure of the brain, identify its different lobes and cortices, and analyze various tissues and organ systems within CNS in accordance to their functional and regional contexts.. You will learn about neuron development and plasticity, neurobiological systems, such as the sensory and motor systems, and the neural mechanisms of such complex phenomena, as memory, cognition, and emotions.
Course objectives
The main goal of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to examine the structural and functional features of human nervous system and higher nervous activity in the pursuit of deeper understanding of the biological basics of human behavior. Thus, core objectives of the course are:
Identification of the organization of the CNS and its anatomy alongside explanation of