ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
Areas: Psychobiology
Center Faculty of Psychology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The objectives of this subject are that students are able to:
- understand the concept of Psychobiology and know the methods and techniques used by this discipline for understanding human behavior.
- acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge about the biological bases (genetic, evolutionary, sociobiological, neuroanatomical and neurofunctional ones) of the human behavior.
- begin to develop a scientific attitude of understanding of human behavior.
- develop a balanced and rational attitude about the role that the human biology plays in the behavior.
SYLLABUS OF THEORY SESSIONS (expository classes)
Unit 1. Concept, object, methods and work techniques in Psychobiology.
Concept and object of the Psychobiology. Disciplines of the Psychobiology. Methods and work techniques in Psychobiology. Work techniques used with animals and/or preparations. Work techniques used with humans.
Unit 2. Genetic bases of behavior
Genes and inheritance. Polygenic model. Behavior Genetic. Quantitative Genetic of the behavior.
Unit 3. Evolutionary bases of the behavior.
Concept of Evolution. Evolution of the hominids. Etology. Sociobiology.
Unit 4. Nervous and glial cells, signals in the nervous system and inter-neural communication.
Neurons and glia. The neuronal potentials: rest potential and action potential. Synapse and postsynaptic potentials. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators.
Unit 5. Anatomic and functional organization of the nervous system (NS).
Phylogenetic development. Ontogenetic development. Main anatomo-functional divisions of the NS. Axes and planes of reference of the central nervous system (CNS).
Unit 6. Meninges and vascularization.
Covers of the nervous system. Ventricular system. Irrigation blood. Hemato-encephalic barrier.
Unit 7. Cerebral hemispheres or telencephalon.
General description. Cortex: Laminar and columnar structures of the cortex, fibers of the cortex and cortical areas. Basal ganglia or nuclei. Limbic system.
Unit 8. Diencephalon: Thalamus. Hypothalamus. Neuroendocrine system.
Unit 9. Brain stem and cerebellum.
Longitudinal organization of the brain stem. Reticular formation. Local circuits of the brain stem. Cerebellum.
Unit 10. The spinal cord.
Gray matter. White matter.
Unit 11. Peripheral nervous system.
General description. Craneal nerves. Spinal nerves. Autonomic nervous system: sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS.
(Mónica Lindín will teach Units 1-4, and Montserrat Zurrón will teach Units 5-11).
SYLLABUS OF PRACTICAL SESSIONS (interactive classes)
Practice 1. Concept of Psychobiology.
Procedure: Individual reading of a text and discussion in groups about related questions.
Practice 2. Genetic.
Procedure: Resolving problems of genetic.
Practice 3. Human evolution and Etology.
Procedure: Reading texts and discussion in groups about related questions.
Practice 4. Neuron.
Procedure: Working with a model of a neuron and visualization of neural tissue with microscopes.
Practice 5. Neuronal physiology I
Procedure : Working with a computer program about simulation of neural functioning.
Practice 6. Neuronal physiology II
Procedure : Resolution of problems about neural physiology.
Practice 7. Neuroanatomy I: Anatomical observation of the nervous system and terms of orientation
Procedure: Working with models.
Practice 8. Neuroanatomy II: External structure of the encephalon.
Procedure: Working with models.
Practice 9. Neuroanatomy III: Internal structure of the encephalon in sagittal section.
Procedure: Working with models.
Practice 10. Neuroanatomy IV: Internal structure of the encephalon in horizontal and coronal sections I.
Procedure: Working with models.
Practice 11. Neuroanatomy V: Internal structure of the encephalon in horizontal and coronal sections II.
Procedure: Working with models and with a computer program.
Practice 12. Neuroanatomy VI: External and internal structure of the encephalon in sections of human encephalic tissue.
Procedure: Working with sections of human encephalic tissue.
Montserrat Zurrón, Mónica Lindín, Rocío Martínez and Santiago Galdo will teach the practical sessions. Benxamín Varela and Sara Basanta will also collaborate in teaching.
Basic:
Abril Alonso, A., Ambrosio Flores, E., Blas Calleja, M.R., Caminero Gómez, A. A., García Lecumberri, C., Pablo González, J.M. and Sandoval Valdemoro, E. (2005). Fundamentos biológicos de la conducta (2ª ed., Vols. I y II). Sanz y Torres.
Abril Alonso, A., Ambrosio Flores, E., Blas Calleja, M.R., Caminero Gómez, A. A., García Lecumberri, C. and Pablo González, J.M. (2009). Fundamentos de Psicobiología. Sanz y Torres.
Carlson N.R and Birkett, M.A.. (2018). Fisiología de la conducta (12ª ed.). Pearson. Electronically accessible through the USC library
Crossman, A.R. and Neary, D. (2020). Neuroanatomía: texto y atlas en color (6ª ed.). Masson.
Felten, D.L. O`Banion, M.K. y Maida, M.S. (2022). Netter, Atlas de Neurociencia (4ª ed.). Elsevier.
Electronically accessible through the USC library.
Mtui, E.; Gruener, G. y Dockery, P. (2022). Fitzgerald. Neuroanatomía clínica y neurociencia. (8ª ed.). Elsevier. Electronically accessible through the USC library
Complementary:
Abril, A., Ambrosio, E., Blas, M.R., Caminero, A., Claro, F., Ortiz-Caro, J., Pablo, J.M. and Sandoval, E. (1999). Cuestiones resueltas de fundamentos biológicos de la conducta I (2ª ed.). Sanz y Torres.
Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W. and Paradiso, M.A. (2016). Neurociencia: la exploración del cerebro (4ª ed.). Wolters-Kluver.
Curtis, H., Barnes, N.S., Schnek, A. and Massarini, A. (2016). Invitación a la Biología (7ª ed.). Panamericana.
Felten, D.l. and Maida, M.S. (2019). Netter. Cuaderno de neurociencia para colorear. Elsevier
Friedrich, P. and Jens, W. (2012). Sobotta. Atlas de anatomía humana (Vol. 3). Elsevier.
Haines, D.E. (2019). Principios de neurociencia (5ª ed.). Elsevier
Kalat, J.W. (2008). Psicología Biológica. (10ª edición). Wadsworth Publishing
Maier, R. (2001). Comportamiento animal. McGraw-Hill.
Mora, F. (2008). El reloj de la sabiduría. Tiempos y espacios en el cerebro humano. Alianza Editorial.
Mora, F. and Sanguinetti, A.M. (2004). Diccionario de neurociencia. Alianza Editorial.
Nolte, J. and Angevine, J.B. (2009). El encéfalo humano en fotografías y esquemas. Elsevier Mosby.
Peláez del Hierro, F., Gil Burman, C. and Sánchez Rodríguez, S. (2002). Introducción a la Etología: el estudio comparado del comportamiento animal. Biblioteca Nueva.
Plomin, R., DeFries, J.C., McClearn, G.E. and McGuffin, P. (2002). Genética de la conducta. Arial.
Purves, D. Augustine, G.J., Fizpatrick, D., Hall, W.C., LaMantia, A.S, McNamara J.O. and Williams, S.M. (2021). Neurociencia. (5ª edición). Panamericana.
Redolar Ripoll, D. (2023). Neurociencia cognitiva. Panamericana. (2ª edición) Accesible electrónicamente a través de la página de la biblioteca de la Universidad
Schünke, M., Schulte, E., Schumacher, U, Voll, M. and Wesker, K. (2021). Prometeus: texto y atlas de anatomía. (Vol. 3). (5ª edición). Panamericana.
Electronic resources to learn neuroanatomy:
- Some APPs:
3D Brain
Brain Tutor 3D
iSurf BrainView
Complete Anatomy 2021. Atlas de anatomía humana en 3D (Elsevier)
- Free software:https://webpath.med.utah.edu/HISTHTML/NEURANAT/NEURANCA.html
- Competences of the degree to which the subject contributes:
Competences related to the knowledge:
To know the basic laws of psychological processes.
To know and to understand the biological basis of human behavior and the psychological functions.
Competences related to the skills:
To be able to identify the most relevant traits of individuals, groups, organizations and contexts by using appropriate psychological techniques and instruments.
To promote health and life quality through professional psychological methods in individuals, groups, communities and organizations in the different fields of Psychology: educational, clinical and health, work and organizational, group and community contexts.
To be able to select and apply adequate and specific psychological intervention procedures and instruments.
To conform with the deontological duties of Psychology.
- Specific competences of the subject:
To know and to understand the concept of Psychobiology, as well as the method and the techniques used by this discipline for understanding human behavior.
To know and to understand the biological basis of human behavior and the psychological processes.
- Cross-curricular competences:
Ability to analysis and synthesis.
Ability to manage information.
Ability to solve problems.
Ability to do critical reasoning.
Ability to work independently, as well as in a team collaborating effectively with others.
Ability to take responsibility.
Ability to effectively obtain information from books and journals, as well as from other documentation.
Theory: oral presentation of the units, supported by the technical means available in the classroom (computer, projector). The students will be provided previously with the graphic material that will be showed in the sessions, with the aim to facilitate the comprehension of units. This material will be accessible in the web page of the subject in the virtual campus of the USC.
Practices:
- Working in small groups, by using the necessary material for the different contents of the subject (microscopes, computer programs, models of the neuron, the encephalon and the cord, sections of human tissue).
- Individual work for the production of reports from reading texts or watching videos, according to the scheme provided by the teacher, reflecting the degree of understanding, knowledge integration and critical analysis of the student, with posterior discussion in groups.
- Performance of exercises and questions, both individually and in groups, and correcting them in class.
Tutorials to small groups of students: they will be led by teachers with the aim of the students acquire a greater understanding of the knowledge, resolving doubts and difficulties. The dates of these tutorials will be informed in the calendar of the dates of the practice lessons in the web page of the subject in the virtual campus of the USC, in the beginning of the course.
Tutorials for solving individual doubts and problems related to the subjects: The tutorials time of each teacher is showed at the door of his/her office, in the “Recommendations for the study of the subject” of this program, in the teaching guide (in the web page of the subject, at the virtual campus of the USC, from the beginning of the course), and on the website of the faculty.
The contents of this course are available on the virtual campus of the USC. Students are encouraged to use this tool provided by the USC and the teachers of the subject.
Continuous assessment:
The progression of the student will be evaluated by means of two formative evaluations, throughout the quarter, that will involve the 20% of the grade. These formative evaluations do not remove contents for the final exam. Besides, if the student attends all lectures, practices and tutorials to small groups of students, he/she get 0.5 points, i.e. 5% of the grade. So, there will be a control of attendance to all interactive classes and, randomly, to some expository classes. In order to justify the lack of attendance, the USC regulations will be applied (“Class attendance regulations in teaching adapted to the European Higher Education Area”, agreement of the USC Governing Council of March 25, 2010).
Final assessment:
There will be a final exam in the official date and this will involve the 75% of the final grade.
The student will appear as "Not Presented" only when he/she appears as "not presented" in the final evaluation and in the two formative evaluations.
This subject cannot be taken without class attendance.
Theory sessions: 35 h
Practice sessions: 15 h
Formative assessment: 1h.
Tutorials to small groups: 1 h.
Final exam: 2h.
Personal study: 80 h (estimated)
Performance of reports and exercises by the student: 20 h. (estimated)
- To study regularly as the units are being presented.
- To attend the tutorials for solving doubts.
- To use the recommended bibliography.
Tutorials:
Galdo Álvarez, Santiago:
https://www.usc.gal/gl/departamento/psicoloxia-clinica-psicobioloxia/di…
Lindín Novo, Mónica: Wednesday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (office 58).
Zurrón Ocio, Montserrat (coordinator): Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (office 77).
Attendance to the theory and practice sessions, and tutorials to small groups are compulsory.
For the cases of fraudulent realization of exercises or proofs will be of application the collected in the: “Regulations of evaluation of the academic performance of the students and of revision of qualifications”.
Montserrat Zurrón Ocio
Coordinador/a- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813707
- montserrat.zurron [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Monica Lindin Novo
- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813910
- monica.lindin [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Santiago Galdo Alvarez
- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813701
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Rocio Martinez Regueiro
- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813732
- rocio.martinez.regueiro [at] usc.es
- Category
- Posdoutoral USC
Sara Basanta Torres
- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813915
- sara.basanta.torres [at] usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Pre-doctoral Contract
Benxamin Varela Lopez
- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813915
- benxamin.varela.lopez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Pre-doctoral Contract
Antonio Gil Ugidos
- Department
- Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
- Area
- Psychobiology
- Phone
- 881813949
- antonio.gil.ugidos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Ministry Pre-doctoral Contract
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:15 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 1 |
| 10:15-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 09:00-10:15 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| 10:15-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 1 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 3 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 5 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 5 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 6 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 6 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 7 |
| 01.24.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 7 |
| 06.25.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 06.25.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 3 |
| 06.25.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 6 |
| 06.25.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 6 |
| 06.25.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 7 |
| 06.25.2025 09:30-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 7 |