Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Brain and Behavior (Face-to-Face)

PSY 4510-01

Course: PSY 4510-01
Credits: 2
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 12335

Course Description

This course will familiarize you with the basic theoretical foundations of and applications for the biological basis of behavior, and the reciprocal interactions between the two. We will learn about the methods and tools used by biopsychologists and the information these have yielded. Although the field has some limits in regards to understanding behavior, it is also a field within which remarkable discoveries have been made - and will continue to be made as long as there are students with curious minds!

Note: As a two-credit course, classes will be held for the first 6 and the last 4 weeks of the semester. There are no classes during the middle five weeks of the semester when the human and animal labs are held. Although these labs are optional, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in one or both. These labs teach skills not otherwise obtained through lectures and help to firmly solidify the material taught in the course.

(Fall [As Needed], Spring [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None 

Required Texts

Brain Facts: A Primer on the Brain and Nervous System. Available for FREE at www.brainfacts.org/the-brain-facts-book 

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to;
a.      explain and give examples of the reciprocal interaction between behavior and: genetics, neurotransmitters, neurotransmission, neuroanatomical structures, 
         and the nervous and endocrine systems. ​
b.      explain how researchers use surgical, pharmacological, and electrical techniques to manipulate the brain and explore their effects 
c.      explain how and why physiological measures advance our understanding of the brain-behavior relationship
d.      work effectively with learning pods to assimilate and present “Fun Facts” to the class

Course Requirements

Lecture video segment quizzes     45%
​Fun Facts projects                        20%
Class activities                             15%
​Public video quizzes                    10%
​Final exam                                   10%

* Each graded activity is described in detail on the website for the course: https://www.lynnwhite-suu.com/brain-and-behavior-class

Course Outline

Module 1: An Introduction to and the History of Brain and Behavior
Module 2: Functional Anatomy
Module 3: Neural Communication
Module 4: Genetics and Evolution
Module 5: Research methods
Module 6: The Brain-Gut Axis
Module 7: Toxic Effects of Negative Emotions
Module 8: The Biopsychosocial Effects of Digital Screens and Sounds

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

Lecture video segment quizzes:

The video segment quizzes are ALWAYS due by 11:59 pm the night before we talk about them in class. You can take them late for a 5% per day penalty regardless of the reason, but then you will not have much to contribute when we discuss them in class.

Class activities:

These activities are completed in class. There is no way to "make them up" if you are absent. However, if you earn enough bonus points, you can use some to drop up to three missed activities.

With each class activity you complete, you will submit a class activity form. You can be late on these. However, there is a 5% per day late fee - regardless of the reason you are late. But don't worry, you can always buy a late fee eraser using bonus points at the end of the semester.

Fun Facts Projects- Research and Presentations

Working together with your learning pod, you will complete 5 “Fun Facts” projects. For each one, you will be given one class 0period (a.k.a. a “project work day”) to work on them, and another day to present your Fun Facts to the class. If you miss one of these days, you will receive 50% credit for that project. If you miss both days, you will receive no credit for that project. If you have enough bonus points at the end of the semester, you can drop up to two Fun Fact projects.

Public video quizzes:

You will watch 10 short videos on the gut-brain axis, negative emotions, and social media. These are not the videos I created for the lectures - these are "professional", publicly available videos on the topic. If you miss a due date, you can take them late for 5% per day regardless of the reason. If you have enough bonus points, you can use them to drop up to three of these quizzes.

Attendance Policy

Class attendance is required. You cannot contribute if you are not there! Moreover, activities and most project work will be completed in class. If you are absent, you will not be able to do them. To sweeten the pot even more, you will earn 5 bonus points for attending. Note, however, if you are tardy, you lose 1 point. If you leave early, you lose 1 point.

Course Fees

$8

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.