Neuroscience 1

From: $80.00 / month for 5 months

Grades:  9th–12th

Class:  Tue/Thu 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET (meets twice a week)

Dates (1st Sem):  Aug 21–Dec 15

Price:  $349

Instructor:  Bonnie Gonzalez M.ED.

See Reviews of Instructor Bonnie Gonzalez

Enrollment in this class is currently closed.

Course Description

See Reviews of Instructor Bonnie Gonzalez

Course Syllabus

This is the first semester course of the combined, year-long Neuroscience 1 & 2 course which is available at a discounted price.

This is a highly interactive class which includes participation in two live components per week. These live components include a one-hour live lecture (Tuesdays) where the instructor will present concepts that are covered in corresponding chapters of both the class textbook and other suggested books for the class, and a one-hour lab (Thursdays) where students will explore the neuroanatomy of the brain and nervous system and survey many topics in neuroscience. During the labs students will view videos and websites on neuroanatomy. We will also complete labs on topics in neuroscience such as learning, memory, artificial intelligence, morality, emotions, perception, sleep, addiction and decision-making. Material in this class will also cover the neuroscience of psychological disorders and treatment. Students will have opportunity to ask questions and interact with the instructor during both live sessions. Discussion is encouraged. Although both live components will be available throughout the year for downloading, students are encouraged to participate in the live sessions.

Assignments for the class will include chapter tests and essays, in-class labs, 5 final lab reports for each semester, and a final project for each semester. This final project will incorporate many of the concepts we learned during the semester and teach the student to incorporate their knowledge into a working model of how neuroscience effects thinking and behavior. These projects may include but are not limited to the topics of a study of artificial intelligence, measuring and regulating sleep, teaching yourself a new skill (studying brain plasticity), completing an analysis of decision-making and creating a virtual brain. Students will be required to present these projects to the class during the last week of each semester.

Students can expect to spend about 4-6 hours per week on this course. This includes reading the assigned texts, writing lab reports, writing essays, discussing class work, and participating in the weekly online live lectures and labs.

This semester class will focus on the anatomy and physiology of the brain and the nervous system. Students will be introduced to the various brain regions and their functions. We will explore  the neurons, (the basic building blocks of the nervous system), and the neurotransmitters that both allow neurons to communicate and control our various behaviors, and emotions. We will  examine the topics of brain plasticity, artificial intelligence and the explore the neuroscience of many of our behaviors. Specific topics for this class will include, but not limited to:

  • Neurons: The Building Blocks of the Brain and Nervous System
  • Neurotransmitters: Chemical Messengers in the Brain and Body
  • Brain Anatomy: The hindbrain, and cerebellum
  • Brain Anatomy: The midbrain, and the limbic system
  • Brain Anatomy Lobes and areas of importance in the cerebral cortex
  • Measuring the Brain: EEG, MEG, CT scan, MRI, fMRI, PET Scan, DTI
  • Artificial Intelligence: How to Build Your Own Robot
  • Braining Wiring: The Outside Comes Inside
  • Rewiring You Brain: The Art of Working with Plastic
  • How the Brain Remembers and Sometimes Forgets
  • Ways to Improve Memory Using Neuroscience
  • Attention, Awareness, and Multitasking
  • How the Brain Learns: Conditioning and Modeling
Course Structure

Students in Neuroscience 1 will receive a weekly email on Monday morning with directions for weekly readings, assignments and any lab preparation for the week. A complete list of lab materials will be sent prior to the beginning of class. Tuesday’s class will be a lecture format where will explore the topics for the week. Videos and websites will be used to enhance learning. Our Thursday session will be a lab format with videos, and virtual experiments in collaboration with other students in the class. The first half of the year will feature more content in neuroanatomy: neurons, neurotransmitters and brain structure and function. Topics in neuroscience such as memory, sleep, decision-making and the neuroscience of psychological disorders, will be presented in both the latter half of the first semester and all throughout the second semester.

Students will be required to complete most assignments, tests and essays within one week of the assignment being posted. Discussion boards will be used for class discussions of topics that we are covering during a particular week, or for collaboration with other students on assignments, and labs.

Who should enroll?

This class is for high school students in grades 9-12 who are looking for an interactive class where they can learn about neuroanatomy and neuroscience. A background in biology is suggested but not required. This class also has a lab requirement where we will work as a class to complete assignments. Students should be willing to work with others in a virtual environment.

Technology Requirements

  • High speed, broadband Internet
  • Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
  • Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures

Evaluation and Feedback

Students and parents will receive weekly email updates regarding topics covered, assignments, and readings due that week. Semester grades will be sent to each student with comments on progress in the class. Work will be graded within a week from the due date of the assignment. In addition to the regular work for the class, there are also several optional assignments where students can earn extra credit. Since there is a lab component to this class, students will be required to complete a lab write-up for at least 5 of the labs each semester.

Communication

Communication with parents and students will occur via email. My virtual office door is always open. Students and parents are encouraged to email me with questions and requests at any time. I respond to email communication within 24 hours.

Required Texts

Required text:

  • Neuroscience for Dummies, 2nd edition by Frank Amthor, Ph.D.; ISBN-10 1119224896, ISBN-13 978-1119224891

Suggested Books:

  • Brain Rules by John Medina; ISBN-10: 098326337X, ISBN-13: 978-0983263371

*A lab materials list will be sent over the summer to enrolled students.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Neuroscience 1”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Instructor Bio

Bonnie Gonzalez

The field of psychology is not only my career; it is also my passion. You might even call me a “psychology nerd.” Much of my free time is spent reading about new and interesting developments in the field. I have taught Introductory Psychology classes to homeschool students and college students and have taught AP Psychology for the past 13 years. Over the past four years, I also developed a series of self-improvement classes for junior high and high school students on the topics of GRIT, Growth Mindset, Getting Things Done for Teens, and Conquering Procrastination.  My teaching has also taken me into the corporate world where I have developed online seminars for healthcare providers on the topics of stress, communication, job burn-out, anger assessment and management, and boundary setting. I have 39 years of experience as a counselor in the field of individual, marriage, and family counseling where I had the opportunity to instruct individuals in developing new and more productive behaviors.  When I am not reading something new about psychology I enjoy gardening, running, and taking care of my dogs and fainting goats.  My degrees include an M.ED. in Counseling Psychology and a B.A in Psychology, both received from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

View Classes

View Reviews

Email: bgonzalez[at]aimacademy.online

All classes taught by Bonnie Gonzalez