Physiological and Comparative Psychology

Physiological and Comparative Psychology	Fall 2024 ONLINE ONLY
Text: Kalat, J. W. (2024). Biological psychology,(14th.Ed). Boston: Cengage	Instructor: Edward Kardas Office: Peace 109 or Nelson 200 Campus Telephone: 235-4231 E-mail: epkardas@saumag.edu Web Page: http://peace.saumag.edu/faculty/kardas/ Updated: 2024-11-10 11:19 AM CST

The course has two foci: physiological psychology and comparative psychology. These two areas are related but are also independent. You will have both to see relationships between the two areas and to discriminate between them. Throughout, the course treats physiological topics while always linking to the study of animal behavior (e.g., comparative psychology). Tests are primarily objective, and they count equally towards the final grade. Make up exams will be given for good cause and when notice is given beforehand.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO ANY MEANS NECESSARY TO FIND MATERIALS INCLUDING ChatGPT OR SIMILAR LLMs

Students With Disabilities

SAU's policy is to provide educational opportunity to students with disabilities to the full extent of federal, state, and SAU's own commitment to equality of education for all. Any disabled students requiring accomodations should inform their instructor at the beginning of the course. Such students should also contact the SAU Office of Disability Support Services/Office of Counseling and Testing, located in Nelson Hall 203, or they may call that office at x 4145.

Counseling Services

Positive and negative experiences can cause stress, and it is normal for a college student to experience stress. It is also normal to seek out someone to talk to about your stress or other issues hindering your progress in college (or other areas of your life). SAU offers free and confidential* counseling services to its students. If you have questions or feel uncomfortable scheduling an appointment on your own, please feel free to reach out to me so I can help you connect to services.
- SAU Counseling Center
- Reynolds 218
- (870)235-4911
- *Information on the limits of confidentiality: https://web.saumag.edu/counseling/counseling-center/forms-and-email-policy/

Week of:	Chapter and Text:	Topic:
8/21	Kardas & Kalat Introduction	An Introduction to Biological and Comparative Psychology Monarch Butterflies (read or watch the following) Why? Migration is a big topic in animal behavior. Monarch butterflies only migrate once, so unlike in other migrants (e.g., geese) learning plays no role. Lifecycle: Monarch Butterfly Monarchs in trouble Lincoln Brower video Monarch Info Monarch Movie Past traditional classes would deploy across the mall and look to NW for migrating monarchs and track their paths to the SW You will be asked to look in your area after the fall equinox Monarchs Feeding at SAU 2012-10-09 Recorded in 2009 as students were tracking monarchs crossing SAU campus Gene points to evolutionary change in monarchs NBC News The gene Collagen IV alpha-1, found in monarchs, confers a more efficient metabolism in migratory butterflies Butterfly Grove, CA Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to sites in California Monarch sightings by students You will get a similar page after you report sightings later in the semester Threats to Monarchs Discusses the factors contributing to the decline in numbers of monarchs migrating: Habitat loss Pesticides Climate change
8/28	Kardas & Kalat Introduction	Essential Animal Behavior: An Introduction The links below are to Kalat's Intro in case you have yet to purchase the book 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
8/30	Kardas & Kalat Introduction
9/4 (Labor Day)	Kardas & Kalat Introduction	Test 1 covers the material above. Use the text and these web pages to FIND the correct answers on the test. Remember, the test is OPEN BOOK & OPEN NOTES. Unlike a typical test you don't need to REMEMBER the answers, instead you need to FIND them.
9/11	1	Cellular Foundations of Behavior
9/18	2	Synapses Test 2 covers chapters 1 and 2
9/25	3	Anatomy and Research Methods Test 3 covers chapter 3
10/2	4	Genetics, Evolution, Development, and Plasticity Human Genome Project Test 4 covers chapter 4
10/9	5	Vision Test 5 covers chapter 5
10/16	6	Other Sensory Systems Test 6 covers chapter 6 FALL Break 10/12 &13 ( Midsemester Grades due on 10/16)
10/23
10/31	Kardas	Animal Movements and Migration Drop Day is 11/01
11/6	Kardas
11/20	Kardas	Thanksgiving (11/21 to 11/27)
11/22		Eating and Not Being Eaten/Domestication
11/29
12/6	Final Exams	Test 7 covers links above

Southern Arkansas University affirms its commitment to academic integrity and expects all members of the University community to accept shared responsibility for maintaining academic integrity. Students in this course are subject to the provisions of the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, approved by the president and published in the Student Handbook. Penalties for academic misconduct in this course may include a failing grade on an assignment a failing grade in the course. Continued enrollment in this course affirms a student’s acceptance of this University policy.https://web.saumag.edu/academics/dishonesty-and-integrity/

Web Materials

		Hormones/Thermostat Analogy
	Bombykol	Positive Feedback
		Negative Feedback Loops

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Physiological and Comparative Psychology

Fall 2024 ONLINE ONLY

Counseling Services