Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
2502443 Psychology | FB | 1 | 1 |
No prerequisites are required.
This subject is considered basic and compulsory within the Degree in Psychology at the UAB.
The course aims to provide the necessary knowledge of physiology of the neuron and neurochemistry to study the relationships between the behavioural processes and their biological substrate in the subsequent subjects of the area of Psychobiology. The purpose is that the students should be able to understand and correctly use the terminology of the subject, and demonstrate knowledge of:
1. The main characteristics of neurons and glial cells.
2. The characteristics of the nervous impulse and its conduction.
3. The characteristics of the synaptic transmission and of the neurotransmitters.
UNIT 1. The Cells of the Nervous System.
1.1. The neuron.
1.2. The glial cells of the CNS.
UNIT 2. Excitability and Neuronal Conductivity.
2.1. Transport through the membrane.
2.2. Resting potential.
2.3. Action potential.
2.4. Conduction of action potentials.
UNIT 3. Synaptic Transmission.
3.1. Definition and general characteristics.
3.2. Basic mechanisms of chemical synaptic transmission.
3.3. Synaptic modulation.
3.4. Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.
UNIT 4. Transmitting substances.
4.1. Differences between neurotransmitters and hormones.
4.2. General concepts of pharmacology.
4.3. Excitatory amino acids neurotransmitters: glutamate and aspartate.
4.4 Inhibitory amino acids neurotransmitters: GABA and glycine.
4.5. Acetylcholine.
4.6. Catecholamines: noradrenaline, dopamine and adrenaline.
4.7. Serotonin.
4.8. Neuropeptides: opioids and non-opioids.
4.9. Other types of neurotransmitters: nitric oxide, purines and endocannabinoids.
The teaching methodology is based on different training activities. Depending in the case, master classes, seminars, workshops, supervised and autonomous activities will be performed.
Type: directed
- Master classes (whole group): 31,5h.
- Seminars: 16h.
- Workshops: 4h.
Type: supervised
- Tutorials (on line and classroom attendanceed): 11h.
Type: autonomous
- Documentation: 11h.
- Study: 52h.
- Self-evaluation exercises: 2h.
- Reading texts, monographs and, articles: 10h.
- Unit 4 preparation: 9h.
N.B. The proposed teaching and assessment methodologies may experience some modifications as a result of the restrictions on face-to-face learning imposed by the health authorities. The teaching staff will use the Moodle classroom or the usual communication channel to specify whether the different directed and assessment activities are to be carried out on site or online, as instructed by the Faculty”
Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Type: Directed | |||
Master classes (whole group) | 31.5 | 1.26 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Practical sessions (1/2 group) | 16 | 0.64 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
Workshops (1/4 group) | 4 | 0.16 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
Type: Supervised | |||
Tutorials (on line and classroom attendance) | 11 | 0.44 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Type: Autonomous | |||
Neurotransmitters unit preparation | 9 | 0.36 | 1, 4, 6 |
Reading of texts, monographs and papers | 10 | 0.4 | 6 |
Reading of texts, monographs and papers | 10.5 | 0.42 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Self-evaluation exercises | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 4, 6 |
Study | 52 | 2.08 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Evaluation activities
The evaluation is continuous and is based on 4 learning evidences, which are written and individual. The final grade will be obtained based on the weighted average of the learning evidences:
- Learning evidence 1. EV1:
- 20% of the final grade.
- Open questions about the nervous system cells and the physiology of the neuron. Unit 1 and 2.
- Timing: First assessment period.
- Learning evidence 2, EV2:
- 20% of the final grade.
- Test questions of neurotransmitters. Unit 4
- Timing: In January, between week 17 and 19, before the second evaluation period. The specific day and time will be announced through the moodle classroom at least 15 calendar days in advance. The evidence will be made virtually.
- Learning evidence 3
- EV3a:
- 20% of the final grade.
- Test questions of all the units (unit 1, 2, 3 and 4).
- Timing: Second assessment period.
- EV3B:
- 40% of the final grade.
- Open questions to assess the comprehension and integration of all the units (unit 1, 2, 3 and 4).
- Timing: Second assessment period.
Subject passed: The subject is considered passed when the weighted average of the learning evidences is equal or greater to 5.
Reassessment tests
Reassessment test can be done only by those students who:
- have not achieved the established criteria to pass the subject and havea score greater than or equal to 3.5 points. That is, the final grade must be less than 5 and equal or equal to3.5 points.
- have previously been evaluated in activities whose weight equals to a minimum of 66.6% parts of the total grade of the subject.
Definition of “Not evaluable student”
Students who have not performed any of the assessment tests or have completed learniong evidences with a weight lower than 40% for the whole subject will be marked as “Nor evaluable”
Students registered for the subject for the second (or more) time
These students will have to follow the same evaluation system as those registered for the first time.
Only in exceptional cases, such as students who are studying abroad with the Erasmus programme, will the possibility of a final exam be considered, instead of continuous assessment. These students will take a single final exam, with no possibility to be reassessed. To be eligible for this type of assessment, students should contact the teachers during the first two weeks of the course. After this period, students will no longer be eligible for the final exam, and will be assessed by the standard continuous assessment system.
At this link the assessment guidelines of the Faculty of Psychology can be checked: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html
Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Learning evidence 1 | 20% | 1 | 0.04 | 2, 3, 5 |
Learning evidence 2 | 20% | 1 | 0.04 | 4 |
Learning evidence 3a | 20% | 0.5 | 0.02 | 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 7 |
Learning evidence 3b | 40% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 7 |
Basic bibliography:
Neil R. Carlson (2018). Fisiología de la conducta, 12 a edición. Madrid: Pearson Educación. (Tema 1, Tema 2, Tema 3 i Tema 4. Capítulo 2. Estructura y funciones de las células del sistema nervioso).
Juan Antonio García-Porrero Pérez, Juan Mario Hurlé González (2015). Neuroanatomía Humana. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana. (Tema 1: Capítulo 1: componentes celulares y organización funcional del tejido nervioso).
Eric J. Nestler, Steven E. Hyman, David M. Holtzman, Robert C. Malenka (2017). Neurofarmacología molecular. Fundamentos de neurociencia clínica, 3e. Madrid: McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de España. (Tema 3 i Tema 4. Parte I: Fundamentos de Neurofarmacología, Parte II: Sustratos Neurales de la acción farmacológica).
Dale Purves,George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, James O. McNamara, S. Mark Williams, 5 a edición (2015). Neurociencia. Madrid: Medica Panamericana. (Capítulo Tema 1: 1 Estudio del sistema nervioso. Tema 2, Tema 3 i Tema 4: Unidad I. Señalización neural).
Diego Redolar Ripoll (2018) Psicobiología. Madrid: Panamericana. (Tema 2: Capítulo 7: Potencial de reposo y potencial de acción).
Complementary bibliography:
Águeda del Abril, Ángel A. Caminero, Emilio Ambrosio, Carmen García, Mª Rosario de Blas, Juan M. de Pablo (2009) Fundamentos de Psicobiología. Madrid. Sanz y Torres.
James W Kalat (2004) Psicología Biológica. Madrid: Thomson Paraninfo.
Bryan Kolb, Ian Whishaw (2002) Cerebro y Conducta. Una Introducción. Madrid: McGraw-Hill/Interamericana.
John P.J. Pinel (2007) Biopsicología. Madrid: Pearson Educación.
Mark R. Rosenzweig, S. Marc Breedlove, Neil V. Watson, N.V. (2005) Psicobiología. Una introducción a la Neurociencia Conductual, Cognitiva y Clínica. Barcelona: Ariel
Stephen M. Stahl (2014) Psicofarmacología esencial de Stahl: bases neurocientíficas y aplicaciones prácticas. Madrid: Aula médica, Formación en Salud. (Tema 4).