Introduction to Clinical Neuroscience   [Archived Catalog]
2011-2012 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Revised Addendum
   

PF 731 - Introduction to Clinical Neuroscience


The field of human behavioral studies is entering a new age of inquiry.  Developments in human psychophysiology, endocrinology and imaging provide opportunities to study human behaviors based on objective physiological and neurophysiologic presentations.  This course will provide an overview of our current understanding of brain anatomy and physiology, as related to normal and abnormal behavior.  In the course students will learn the basic layout of the human brain, as well as central and peripheral nervous systems that will lead to an understanding of the basic functional pathways of perception as integrated into the concept of self.  The emphasis will be on the understanding of the cellular events that lead to complex behavioral presentations that are commonly observed in clients/patients presenting with psychological diagnosis. Students will begin to explore how the integration of the sensory inputs, in light of personal history/experiences, and the presentation of situational choices result in observable decisions that are expressed in the activation of neuronal networks. Examples of normal to abnormal behavior will also be discussed in respect to central and peripheral nervous system functions. (2 credits)