Syllabus UGS 302. Stress: Biology and Behavior

Unique Number: 64155 Spring 2012 TTH 11-12:30 SEA 2.108

Instructor: Dr. Yvon Delville Office: SEA 5.234 Office Hrs: M 3:00-5:00 and by appointment. Phone: 232-5731 E-Mail: [email protected]

Text: Selected Readings

Prerequisites: Psychology 301 or equivalent is strongly recommended.

Grading: The grade will be based on an oral presentation (30% of total grade), and three papers (10, 25, and 30% of the total grade). The first paper (10%) will be a detailed outline and will be due 3/19. The second paper (25% of total grade) will be a draft of the final paper and is due 4/12. The final paper (30% of total grade) will be a proposal that can be based on the material covered for the oral presentation. The final paper is due for 5/3. These dates are final. Any paper turned in after these dates will be down-graded. Class participation will account for 5% of the total grade.

Midterms: There will be no midterm.

Final Exam: There will be no final exam.

Course Goals: The goal of the course is to approach all aspects of stress and develop an understanding of stress research and scientific studies in general. The class will cover multiple levels of explanation from the molecular to the organism.

Note for This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give Students: students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and to read and discuss your peers' work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work.

Grading Policy: Your final grade will be derived from the sum of your grades. The grading policy will be as follows. A = 92-100 A- = 90-91 B+ = 88-89 B = 82-87 B- = 80-81 C+ = 78-79 C = 72-78 C- = 70-71 D+ = 68-69 D = 62-67 D-= 60-61 F =0-59

Class Schedule:

Dates Topic T 1/15 Introduction Th 1/17 Science Reading T 1/22 Science Reading Th 1/24 Methods in Stress Research T 1/29 Neuroendocrinology of Stress Th 1/31 Neuroendocrinology of Stress T 2/5 Neuroendocrinology of Stress Th 2/7 Neuroendocrinology of Stress T 2/12 Neuroendocrinology of Stress Th 2/14 Guest lecture on stress T 2/19 Preparing an effective oral presentation Th 2/21 Student Presentation T 2/26 Student Presentation Th 2/28 Student Presentation T 3/5 Student Presentation Th 3/7 Biology of Stress, Summary and Discussion T 3/12 Spring break Th 3/14 Spring break T 3/19 Student Presentation Th 3/21 Designing an Experiment and Preparing Paper 3 T 3/26 Discussing Research Proposals Th 3/28 Student Presentation T 4/2 Student Presentation Th 4/4 Student Presentation T 4/9 Stress and Behavior, Summary and Discussion Th 4/11 Student Presentation T 4/16 Student Presentation Th 4/18 Student Presentation T 4/23 Student presentation Th 4/25 Student Presentation T 4/30 Student Presentation T 5/2 Stress and Health, Summary and Discussion

Examples of Topics for Student Presentations

Each student will select one of these topics for his/her presentation.

1. Neuroendocrinology of the stress response

2. Physiology and biochemistry of stress

3. Mechanism of action of stress hormones

4. Neural pathways involved in stress, fear and arousal

5. Neurochemistry and pharmacology of stress

6. Chronic vs. acute stress

7. Stress and neural plasticity

8. Perinatal stress and development

9. Stress and adolescence

10. Stress and aging

11. Animal models of stress

12. Stress, sex and aggression

13. Stress and reproduction in females

14. Stress and learning

15. Stress and PTSD

16. Stress and addiction

17. Stress and psychiatric disorders

18. Stress and immunity

19. Stress and health

20. Coping with stress

21. Therapies for stress Disabilities Statement: "The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY."