Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Neurobiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 4400-01

Course: BIOL 4400-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 31067

Course Description

The main goal of this course is for you to develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of neurobiology, while honing your critical thinking and communication skills. The course will be roughly divided into three sections: 1) General principles of neurobiology; 2) Sensory perception & motor control; and 3) Cognitive neuroscience. In addition to traditional lectures, we will utilize group-learning exercises to solidify topics discussed in lecture, discuss new research findings, and work on communication skills. My hope is that you will think critically about the material, apply what you have learned, and gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for how the nervous system operates.

An introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system. Topics will include cellular neurobiology, how organisms sense and respond to environmental stimuli, and cognitive neuroscience. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) or higher must be earned in this course before it can be counted in the biological sciences major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): [(BIOL 3270 and BIOL 3275) or (BIOL 3310 and BIOL 3315)] and satisfactory completion of the ETS Major Field Exam - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C 

Required Texts

There is not a required text for this course. If you would like a good reference text, I recommend Behavioral Neuroscience, 10th ed. by Breedlove & Watson, which you can rent for $64.99 from VitalSource or Redshelf.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate factual knowledge of neurobiology and apply this knowledge to answer novel questions.
  2. Collect, evaluate, and synthesize peer-reviewed research findings.
  3. Communicate scientific information in orally & in writing.

Course logistics

This course is listed as “Face-to-Face”, meaning we will meet together in the classroom every Tuesday and Thursday. Our class meetings will be a combination of lecture and activities that will get you actively engaged with the course material. This will make for a more productive and enjoyable experience for you than listening to me talk the whole time, and will help you learn more. All of our out of class work will be organized in Canvas, which you should check often to make sure you stay up to speed on everything.

While I won’t be live streaming class this semester, I will record each class and make the recordings available to you on Canvas. You can use these to review material, catch up on anything you may have missed, or stay up to speed in case there is a day you need to be absent. I wouldn’t recommend that you watch the recordings as a substitute for coming to class, though. The classroom microphone might not pick up everything that is said, and the camera might not pick up everything I draw out on the whiteboard. There will also be days when we have assignments that can only be completed in class. To do well in this class, it is important that you attend and participate. You should only miss class when it is absolutely necessary.

Finally, I am committed to providing an effective, flexible, and understanding learning experience for all of you. If anything comes up this semester that will make it difficult for you to come to class or complete your work, please let me know and we’ll figure something out together. 

Course Requirements

Assessments
In-class activities
Each day will include short activities that you will work on in class to help you learn the course material.

Application questions
These will allow you to apply what you have been learning to interesting questions and scenarios related to the course content.

NeuroBlasts
Communication skills are essential, no matter what your career goals are. To help improve your ability to speak in front of a group, you will present two “NeuroBlasts” throughout the semester. These will be short talks in which you present a recent finding in the field of neuroscience. Your classmates will provide you with anonymous feedback that you can use to hone your presentation skills.

Scientific literacy assignments
Being a biologist requires the ability to evaluate information published in both scientific journals and popular science outlets. To improve your ability to do this, we will read and discuss several peer reviewed articles throughout the semester.

Research project
This assignment represents the culmination of the skills you have developed prior to and during this course. You will do a thorough literature search on a topic of your choice, and write a review paper summarizing what is known about your topic. You will complete several small assignments that will help prepare you to write your paper. A peer-review component will provide you with anonymous feedback on a rough draft of your paper that will help you improve the final product.

Un-final exam
As you may have noticed, there are no traditional exams in this class, including the final. Instead, during our final exam period you will work on a writing assignment that will give you an opportunity to apply and reflect on what you have learned during the semester.

Grading
Course grades will be based on the following (700 points total):
  • In-class activities worth 100 points total
  • Application questions worth 100 points total
  • NeuroBlasts (120 points total)
    • 2 talks worth 25 points each (50 points) 
    • Peer feedback worth 50 points total 
    • 2 reflections worth 10 points each (20 points) 
  • Scientific literacy assignments (120 pts total)
    • 4 Figure Facts assignments worth 25 pts each (100 pts)
    • Discussion participation (20 pts)
  • Research project (260 points total)
    • Research question (5 points)
    • Synthesis matrix & synthetic paragraph (25 points)
    • 2 peer reviews worth 20 points each (40 points)
    • 2 reflections worth 20 points each (40 points)
    • Presentation (50 points)
    • Review paper (100 points)
  • Un-final exam worth 50 points
A: 651-700 pts
A-: 630-650 pts
B+: 609-629 pts
B: 581-608 pts
B-: 560-580 pts
C+: 539-559 pts
C: 511-538 pts
C-: 490-510 pts
D+: 469-489 pts
D: 441-468 pts
D-: 420-440 pts
F: 0-419 pts

Course Outline

8/28: Introduction
9/2: Electrical signals
9/4: Electrical signals
9/9: Electrical signals
9/11: Electrical signals
9/16: Information synthesis
9/18: Synaptic transmission
9/23: Synaptic transmission
9/25: Discussion 1
9/30: Sensory perception
10/2: Sensory perception
10/7: Sensory perception
10/9: Sensory perception
10/14: Fall break – no class
10/16: Discussion 2
10/21: Motor control
10/23: Motor control
10/28: Motor control
10/30: Motor control
11/4: Discussion 3
11/6: Learning & memory
11/11: Learning & memory
11/13: Drugs & the brain
11/18: Discussion 4
11/20: Presentations
12/2: Presentations
12/4: Presentations
12/9: Final Exam Period (9:00-10:50 am)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

I understand that life sometimes gets in the way of our best laid plans. Illness, family emergencies, and other challenges don’t always respect your course schedule. If something unexpected happens that will make it difficult for you to complete your work on time, please let me know and we can work together to come up with an alternative arrangement. Otherwise, my standard penalty for late work is a 5% deduction per day.

You will have a three-day grace period for submitting in-class activities and NeuroBlast feedback, after which they will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

I do not take attendance or give points just for coming to class. That said, every day will involve discussion, activities, and group work that can't be replicated if you aren't there. There will also be days when we have assignments that can only be completed in class. We can work things out if you need to miss class occasionally, but I strongly encourage you to commit to being present every day.

AI

Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) present both challenges and opportunities for this class. There are many ways in which AI could help support your learning. For example, you could use it to summarize a complex research paper so that you know what it is about and whether it would be a good resource to use for your research project. On the other hand, it could potentially be misused to look up answers to application questions or write sections of your review paper, which would bypass the learning process. This is new technology that is changing very quickly, so my policy on AI will be fluid as well. I will include clear instructions for each assignment on whether you will be allowed to use AI, and if so, in what capacity. In general, I will allow the use of AI if I feel it will support your learning, but not if it will undermine it.

Mental health resources

At SUU, we care about the well-being of our students. If you find yourself struggling with mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can also visit https://www.suu.edu/mentalhealth for resources.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.