PSYC 380 is Liberty's undergraduate course in physiological psychology. Its written work is an 8 to 10-page research paper on the psychophysiological aspects of an issue from the textbook, using at least five recent journal articles and submitted in two parts, plus four forums (a 250-word thread with two citations and two 100-word replies).
Liberty's catalog lists the course as PSYC 380 Physiological Psychology, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as PSYC380.
What PSYC 380 covers
The catalog description: Students will learn the molecular components of cellular communication within and between neurons. Topics of study will include the neural mechanisms responsible for development, plasticity, cognition, learning and memory, sleep, emotion, and psychoactive drugs.
The course examines the biological bases of behavior: neurons and neural communication, the structure of the nervous system, psychopharmacology, research methods, movement, sleep, emotion, motivation, learning and memory, language, and neurological and psychological disorders. The text is Carlson, Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience.
Four exams (500 points) have no guide here. Each week after Week 1 runs Tuesday to Monday, and the final week ends Friday.
Textbook named in the published guide: Carlson, Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience (2014). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
PSYC 380 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 50 | Thread at least 250 words; replies at least 100 words |
| 3 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 50 | Thread at least 250 words; replies at least 100 words |
| 3 | Research Paper: Title Page, Abstract and References | 50 | Title page, abstract and reference page |
| 5 | Discussion Board Forum 3 | 50 | Thread at least 250 words; replies at least 100 words |
| 7 | Discussion Board Forum 4 | 50 | Thread at least 250 words; replies at least 100 words |
| 7 | Research Paper | 250 | 8 to 10 pages |
Week 1: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 250-word thread supported by 2 APA citations, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 380 Week 1 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 3: Discussion Board Forum 2
A 250-word thread supported by 2 APA citations, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 380 Week 3 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 3: Research Paper: Title Page, Abstract and References
The first part of your research paper: the APA title page, abstract and references for at least 5 recent journal articles. How to write PSYC 380 Week 3 Research Paper: Title Page, Abstract and References.
Week 5: Discussion Board Forum 3
A 250-word thread supported by 2 APA citations, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 380 Week 5 Discussion Board Forum 3.
Week 7: Discussion Board Forum 4
A 250-word thread supported by 2 APA citations, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 380 Week 7 Discussion Board Forum 4.
Week 7: Research Paper
An 8 to 10-page APA paper on the psychophysiological aspects of an issue from the textbook, based on at least 5 recent journal articles. How to write PSYC 380 Week 7 Research Paper.
How PSYC 380 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The four forums are 50 each (200), the research paper title page, abstract and references 50, the completed research paper 250, exams 500 and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Board Forums (4) | 200 |
| Research Paper Title Page, Abstract and References | 50 |
| Research Paper | 250 |
| Exams (4) | 500 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 900 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach PSYC 380
Choose an issue from the textbook with a clear biological dimension, such as sleep deprivation, addiction or depression, by Week 2; the title page, abstract and references are due in Week 3.
Use the Liberty online library to find at least five recent journal articles on the brain mechanisms involved.
Questions students ask
What is the PSYC 380 research paper?
The course's capstone: an 8 to 10-page APA paper on the psychophysiological aspects of an issue chosen from the textbook, based on at least 5 recent journal articles, submitted through SafeAssign in two parts (title page, abstract and references in Week 3; the completed paper in Week 7).
How many sources do PSYC 380 forum threads need?
At least 2 citations in each thread of at least 250 words.
Working through PSYC 380 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.