Functional Anatomy of the Human Brain
NS&B 239
Spring 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
BIOL 239, PSYC 239 |
| Course Cluster and Certificates: Health Studies |
The human brain is an organ with the consistency of firm Jell-O, weighing about 2.5 pounds in an adult. It is made of 86 billion neurons and approximately the same number of non-neuronal cells. Contrary to common misconceptions, we use all the neurons in our brains, not just a small fraction of them from the regions dedicated to the function being performed. Brain cells organize in distinctive anatomical structures, which are interconnected through complex circuits that control nearly every function of the body, such as learning and memory, thinking, consciousness, and aesthetic appreciation. Its malfunction results in a variety of diseases, including senility, mood disorders, and motor/sensory dysfunctions. This course will examine in some detail the complex organization of the brain and how it performs some of its basic functions. The course will familiarize students with the medical terminology and neurological concepts for a general understanding of the human brain and spinal cord, being of special interest for pre-med students, NS&B, biology, and psychology majors; and anyone simply interested in how the brain works. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM BIOL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240] |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (BIOL)(NS&B)(PSYC)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Kiernan, J. A. (John Alan), Murray Llewellyn Barr, and Nagalingam Rajakumar. Barr's the Human Nervous System: An Anatomical Viewpoint. 10th edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014.
Haines, Duane E. Neuroanatomy: An Atlas of Structures, Sections and Systems. 7th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Q&A and quizzes will be graded to contribute up to 40% of final grade. The concept quizzes will be based on lecture material, course text readings and assigned videos.
One midterm exam to evaluate Section 1 will be graded to contribute 10% of the final grade.
One online test to evaluate Section 2 will be graded to contribute 10% of the final grade.
A final paper will contribute to 40% of the final grade. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course counts as a column 1 breadth or elective course in psychology.
Students are expected to participate actively in class by asking questions and inquire about any doubt or misconceptions they may have about human neuroanatomy. |
| Instructor(s): Martin Lopez,Eduardo Times: ..T.... 07:10PM-10:00PM; Location: SHAN201; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 20 | | SR major: 10 | JR major: 10 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 0 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 2 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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