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CS92PROD
Research Methods: Behavioral Methods in Animal Research
PSYC 215
Spring 2021 not offered
Crosslisting: NS&B 215

This is a research methods course that provides an understanding of the different approaches to animal research, particularly those using rodent models. It provides students with an understanding of the different techniques employed by researchers and the questions they address. This course provides students with HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH ANIMAL RESEARCH USING RODENT MODELS. Students will learn how to handle and inject rats and will also get a sense of how to design a behavioral experiment, including the use of control groups and counterbalancing. The course will follow a lecture/discussion/lab format where students will learn about different forms of conditioning (operant/classical) and how these apply to various behavioral tasks such as operant responding, autoshaping, decision-making, locomotion testing, etc. (see readings for more examples). One class each week will take place in the lab to provide students with hands-on experience with rats and the testing apparatuses. Students will be assigned a rat for the semester that they will use to collect and analyze data during lab classes. This will be combined with regular class discussion of research articles dealing with each topic, including some of the earlier reports and more recent applications. The focus of the course will be on trying to prepare students to design and carry out behavioral/animal research in a laboratory setting.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM PSYC
Course Format: Lecture / DiscussionGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: PSYC105 OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]
Fulfills a Requirement for: (NS&B)(STS)

Last Updated on DEC-08-2024
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