Biopsychology
Brain-behavior relationships — how the brain mediates learning, memory, language, emotion, and the disorders that arise when it doesn't.
Course Description
PSY 390 is the study of brain-behavior relationships — how the brain produces the experiences and behaviors that make up human life. The course works through learning, memory, language, emotion, and sleep as normal brain functions, then turns to how brain damage or neurochemical abnormalities can produce pathological behaviors.
Cross-listed in spirit between biology and psychology, the course suits biology majors looking for a brain-and-behavior elective, psychology majors building toward graduate work in neuroscience, and any student interested in how the most complex organ in the body actually works. Lab fee required.
Taught By
Offered 2026-2027: Fall Traditional · 2026-2027: Fall 2.
Acadeum Instructor
2026-2027: Fall 2
Zachary Sweat
2026-2027: Fall Traditional
Duplissis, D.C.
Associate Professor
2026-2027: Fall 2
Mark; Nelson, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
2026-2027: Fall 2
William
2026-2027: Fall 2
Prerequisites
- PSY 202: Introduction to Psychology (or equivalent)
Corequisites
- PSY 390L: Introduction to Neuroscience Lab
Learning Outcomes
Examine Brain Structure
Work through neuroanatomy at the working level neuroscience requires.
Study Learning and Memory
Trace how the brain mediates the processes of acquiring and retaining information.
Examine Language, Emotion, and Sleep
Engage the brain's role in producing language, emotional experience, and sleep cycles.
Study Brain Damage and Disorders
Address how brain damage and neurochemical abnormalities produce pathological behaviors.
Apply Neuroscience Methods
Practice the lab techniques that neuroscience research uses.
Biblical Worldview Connection
A Biblical Worldview takes the human brain seriously as part of what makes us image-bearers of God — and takes brain disorders seriously as conditions affecting real people who matter. PSY 390 builds working neuroscience literacy with both the scientific rigor and the human attention the subject deserves.
Explore Programs With This Course
PSY 390 brings neuroscience into biology majors' elective shelf. Explore the programs that include it.
