PSY350 - Brain and Behaviour

Subject Title
Brain and Behaviour

Subject Description
Your guide to the most complicated structure in the universe. How can a bunch of interconnected cells make each of us who we are? The brain holds the secrets to our personalities, our use of language, our love of music, and how we fall in love.
This subject provides an overview of the relationship between your brain and your behaviour.

Part anatomy, part psychology, and part every day experience, this subject investigates how your senses work, how you move, and how you think and feel. It answers questions like; Are men and women?s brains really different? What happens in your brain when you sleep? How does your brain recognize people? How does it make memories? Can you really improve how fast you learn?

This subject introduces you to the neuro-biological bases of behaviour; brain processes involved in sensation and perception, motivation, emotion, consciousness, learning, memory, personality and brain disorders. This subject will also provide insight into future innovations and applications of neuroscience.

Credit Status
One General Education elective credit in the Sciences and Social Sciences category.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1.   Identify the functions of a range of important brain structures to determine their connection to human behaviour.
2.   Analyze the reciprocal relationship  between brain and behaviour to explain how brain affects behaviour and how behaviour affects brain.
3.   Analyze the impact of a range of neurotransmitters, hormones and psychoactive drugs to describe their effect on human behaviour.
4.   Identify the brain processes associated with sensation and perception to explain how we experience the world around us.
5.   Describe the brain's role in social processes to explain its importance to emotions, personality, morality and language.
6.   Examine mental processes such as thinking, sleeping, dreaming and learning to identify the brain parts involved.
7.   Analyze brain dysfunctions to identify their long-term effects on human behaviour.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.