COGS115: Neurological Development and Cognitive Change (Spring 2012)

Class: MWF 12-12:50, Peterson 104
Section: M 3-3:50, WLH 2204

Course website: http://thiscourse.com/ucsd/cogs115/sp12/

Recent Announcements (more)

Hi Everyone, Please don't panic!  I realize that the project guidelines said the grade was out of 80 points, but in fact paper/presentation grades are out of 40 points.  Sorry for the anxiety attacks I may have inadvertently caused.  -- melanie 

 (Thu Jun 14, 3:41 p.m.)
Review session, 6.30-7.30 tonight in Peterson Hall rm 104 (Mon Jun 11, 11:21 a.m.)
As per overwhelming request in lecture today, I am trying to secure a room for a review session 6 pm Monday. Probably won't know where, or even if we have a reservation until Monday, so check here again for update. At the very least I will offer extended office hours Tuesday late afternoon till early evening at Porter's Pub. Contact me via email for further details.

-Matt
 (Fri Jun 08, 1:04 p.m.)

Instructors

Melanie A Tumlin (Instructor)

Office Hours: M 1:30-3, F 10-11:30, and by appointment in CSB225

Matt Schalles (TA)

Office Hours: W 1-3 and by appointment in CSB125

Course Description

This course provides an overview of neurological development and explores the relationship between physiological and experiential factors as they impact the child from the prenatal period through adolescence.  

Books

Required

book cover
The Fundamentals of Brain Development: Integrating Nature and Nurture
Joan Stiles (2008)
Amazon

Additional Readings

Several guest lecturers have been invited to speak in this course.  At their discretion, they may assign supplemental readings prior to their lectures.  These readings will be announced in class and made available on our thiscourse website.

Course Details and Policies

Assigned Readings

The readings are intended to give you a framework to guide your understanding of lecture material.  As such, it is important that you complete the assigned readings before coming to class.  As an incentive to help you do the readings in advance, you may have pop quizzes on the assigned readings at any time.  

Assessment and Evaluation

Exams: Exams will comprise 80% of your grade in this course.  Two midterm exams (non-cumulative, first worth 20%, second worth 25%) and one final exam (cumulative, worth 35%) will be administered.  Every effort will be made to provide review sessions with the TA and/or instructor prior to each exam.  

Term Project: The remaining 20% of your grade will derive from your performance on either a paper or poster on a neurodevelopmental disorder.     

Pop Quizzes: Students will have the opportunity to earn extra credit points from pop quizzes.  These unannounced quizzes will take place in the first 5 minutes of class and will cover material from the reading assigned for the day or material previously discussed in lecture.  These quizzes can only help your grade; no penalty will result from failing to answer the questions correctly.  

Academic Integrity

UCSD guidelines on academic integrity require that I explicitly state my policy on cheating and what constitutes cheating in this course.

Exams will be administered in class.  During an exam, the use of notes or books, looking at the exam paper or notes of another student, and talking to another student are all considered instances of cheating.  Students caught cheating during an exam will automatically fail the exam and their case will be referred to the Academic Integrity Coordinator for adjudication and action.  

Any and all material presented in the term project must be the independent and original work of the student.  All references must be appropriately attributed according to APA guidelines.  Any suspected instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Academic Integrity Coordinator.  Because we recognize that the "rules" about plagiarism may not be entirely clear, students are required to complete an online tutorial on plagiarism (see Term Project Assignment for guidelines).  Any student who fails to complete this tutorial by the deadline will lose ten (10) points on the final project.  

Discussion Section

Discussion is scheduled for Mondays from 3-3:50p.  Your attendance is optional but highly encouraged.  Discussion section is an opportunity to discuss topics from lecture in greater detail, to clarify difficult or confusing material, and to interact with your classmates and TA in a less structured setting.   

Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disability or need for accommodations should feel free to approach the instructor for confidential discussion of their needs.  Accommodations for testing, note-taking, etc., will be happily made with appropriate documentation from ODS.  Please note: if you require extra time, a private room, or other accommodations for testing, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor at least one week prior to the scheduled test date to make arrangements.

Deadlines and Extensions

Students are expected to show up to class on time for exams and to complete assignments on or before the due date.  But sometimes, life happens.  Because I endeavor to be a fair and balanced person (just like Fox News!), I will consider requests for make-up exams or extensions on assignments on a case-by-case basis.  You must notify me before the class in which the exam occurs or the assignment is due and provide appropriate documentation of your circumstances.   

 


Course Schedule (subscribe)

Week Date Topic Readings Assignments Notes
1 Mon Apr 02 Course Introduction      
Wed Apr 04 Nature v Nurture  Chapter 1     
Fri Apr 06 Nature v Nurture, continued
Discussion of Term Project
 Chapter 2    
2 Mon Apr 09 Embryology: Gastrulation  Chapter 3    
Wed Apr 11 Embryology: Gastrulation and Neurulation  Chapter 4     
Fri Apr 13 Embryology: Neurulation       
3 Mon Apr 16 Embryology: Early Patterning Chapter 5    
Wed Apr 18 Embryology: Early Patterning      
Fri Apr 20 First Midterm Exam      
4 Mon Apr 23 Neuronal Development: Proliferation & Differentiation  Chapter 6 Project topic due at beginning of class.  
Wed Apr 25 Neuronal Development: Migration Chapter 7    
Fri Apr 27 Neuronal Development continued      
5 Mon Apr 30 Subtractive Events: Synaptic Exuberance & Pruning  Chapter 8 Plagiarism tutorial confirmation due at beginning of class.   
Wed May 02 Subtractive Events: Synaptic Exuberance & Pruning       
Fri May 04 Gyral Formation & Myelination Chapter 9    
6 Mon May 07 Gyral Formation & Myelination

      
Wed May 09 Tentative Guest Lecture: Dr Terry Jernigan       
Fri May 11 Second Midterm Exam      
7 Mon May 14 Role of Experience in Cortical Development Chapter 10    
Wed May 16 Guest Lecture: Dr Doris Trauner on The Pediatric Neurological Exam     with special guests!
Fri May 18 Role of Experience in Cortical Development      
8 Mon May 21 Brain Development and Cognitive Change Chapter 11     
Wed May 23 Guest Lecture: Dr. Frank Haist: Functional Imaging in the Pediatric Brain       
Fri May 25 Brain Development and Cognitive Change      
9 Mon May 28 NO CLASS! 
Memorial Day
      
Wed May 30 Poster Presentations   Final Project Due - electronic form by 11a, hard copy at beginning of class  
Fri Jun 01 Poster Presentations      
10 Mon Jun 04 Guest Lecture: Matt Schalles on Effects of Endocannabinoids on Brain Development      
Wed Jun 06 Wrap-Up and Integration      
Fri Jun 08 Final Exam Review -- in class with Matt      
11 Wed Jun 13 Final Exam
11:30a - 2:29p