Course Descriptions
Proseminars
HCS 6302 Issues in Behavioral and
Brain Sciences - Part I (3 semester
hours) Doctoral proseminar on current theory and research in Cognition and
Neuroscience, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Psychological Sciences.
Pass/Fail only. (Open only to HCS doctoral students) (3-0) Y
HCS 6303 Issues
in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part II (3 semester hours) Continuation of the doctoral proseminar
on current theory and research in Cognition and Neuroscience, Communication
Sciences and Disorders, and Psychological Sciences. Pass/Fail only. (Open only to HCS doctoral students)
(3-0) Y
Research Methods Courses
HCS
6312 (ACN 6312, PSYC 6312) Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences -
Part I (3
semester hours) Applying, understanding, and interpreting various statistical
techniques in behavioral science context.
Participants have the opportunity to learn appropriate statistical details for
basic descriptive and inferential statistics, the interrelationships among techniques,
and computer skills required for data analyses. Students without the
necessary background knowledge of basic statistics and experimental design will
be required to take PSY 3392 before registering for HCS 6312. (3-0) Y
HCS 6313 (ACN 6313, PSYC 6313) Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain
Sciences - Part II (3 semester hours) Topics in general linear modeling
including regression analysis correlation, simple analysis of variance,
factorial analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, between and within
subject designs, and multiple regression. Prerequisite: HCS 6312 or consent of
instructor. (3-0)
Y
HCS 6314
Instrumentation
(3 semester hours) Basic principles of electricity, signal processing,
instrumentation, and laboratory safety.
(3-0) R
HCS 6316 (ACN 6316, PSYC 6316) Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain
Sciences–Part III (3 semester hours) Applying, understanding, and
interpreting various advanced multivariate statistical techniques in brain
and behavioral science contexts. Includes principle component
analyses, simple and multiple correspondence analyses, partial least square
regression, discriminant analyses, and structural equation modeling. (3-0) R
HCS 6319 (ACN 6319, PSYC 6319) Scientific Writing (3 semester hours) Scientific writing of articles for
publication. (3-0) Y
HCS 6399 (ACN 6399, PSYC 6399)
Research Ethics and Scientific Integrity (3
semester hours) An interactive, intensive course designed to cover critical
issues related to human subjects, animal welfare, research design,
accountability of scientific actions and fraud. Course designed for
individuals intending research careers in academia or industry. (3-0) Y
HCS 7310 Advanced Research Methods (3 semester hours) Advanced methods of inquiry and analysis unique to Cognition and
Neuroscience, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or Psychological Sciences.
Prerequisite: HCS 6313. (May be repeated for credit.) (3-0) Y
HCS 7312
Applied Research Design: Growth Modeling (3 semester hours) Practical application and
interpretation of individual growth modeling, an analytic strategy for
analyzing longitudinal data.
Introduction of basic concepts underlying the models, describing computer
programs for conducting analyses, and interpreting results. Students will be
required to complete weekly assignments. Permission of the instructor is
required. (3-0) R
HCS 7315 Grant Writing for Researchers (3 semester hours) Identifying
funding sources appropriate to research needs, formulating a research plan,
generating specific aims and a methodological design to address those aims,
presentation of preliminary results to show the feasibility of the proposed
work, and use of appropriate reference citations. Prerequisite: Permission of
instructor. (3-0 ) Y
Cognition and Neuroscience
HCS
5314 (ACN 5314) Cognitive and Neural Modeling Lab (3 semester hours) Auto-associative,
associative, competitive learning, recurrent, and back-propagation artificial
neural network architectures in a "hands-on" micro-computer laboratory
environment using special simulation software. Applications to perceptual, cognitive, computational, and
neuroscience modeling problems.
Prerequisites: Linear Algebra and Computer Programming Experience is
recommended but not required. (3-0) T
HCS 6310 (ACN 6310) Fundamentals of Functional Brain Imaging (3 semester
hours) This course covers topics such as principles of tracer techniques, neuroimaging instrumentation, fundamentals of SPECT, PET, and fMRI,
brain physiology (perfusion, metabolism, and receptor function), image
processing and analysis, critical evaluation of the functional neuroimaging literature and safety issues. (3-0) Y
HCS 6322 (ACN 6322) Computational
Models of Language Understanding (3
semester hours) Probabilistic methods for natural language understanding. Use of the
MATLAB computer language for instantiating specific knowledge-based
computational theories of natural language understanding. Prerequisites: Computer programming experience is
recommended but not required. (3-0) T
HCS 6330 (ACN 6330, PSYC 6330) Cognitive Science (3 semester hours)
Cognitive, computational, and neural processing approaches to understanding
perception, memory, thought, language and emotion. (3-0) Y
HCS 6332 (ACN
6332, PSYC 6332) Perception (3 semester hours) Psychophysical,
neurophysiological, and computational foundations of sensation and perception. Basic senses of vision, audition, chemoreception, and
tactile processing, with emphasis on understanding the processes that take us
from neurons to perception and action.
(3-0)
T
HCS 6333 (ACN
6333, PSYC 6333) Memory (3
semester hours) Research and theory on the acquisition, representation
and retrieval of information by the mind/brain. Includes information processing and neuropsychological
perspectives. (3-0) T
HCS 6334 (ACN
6334) Attention (3
semester hours) Theory and evidence on the study of attention especially
in human vision and audition. Includes
perceptual learning, information processing, and neuropsychological approaches. (3-0) R
HCS 6336 Principles of Developmental Neuroscience (3 semester hours)
Molecular and cellular events underlying neuronal differentiation, axon
guidance, synapse formation, neurotrophic factors, and neural death, with special emphasis on
activity-dependent plasticity and its role in generating and maintaining the
extraordinary precision of connections found in the nervous system. Prerequisites:
Consent of Instructor or two of the following: HCS 6340, HCS 6346, HCS 6344 (3-0) T
HCS 6340 (ACN
6340) Cellular Neuroscience (3 semester hours) Basic neural biology and
physiology and principles of synaptic transmission. (3-0) Y
HCS 6343 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (3 semester hours) Current
research and theory on modifications in the central nervous system that contribute
to the processes of learning and memory. Includes an overview of different
forms of learning as assessed in model systems, with extensive review of
anatomical, cellular, and molecular changes underlying neuronal and behavioral
plasticity. Prerequisite: HCS 6346 (3-0) T
HCS 6344 (ACN 6344, PSYC 6344) Functional Human Neuroanatomy (3 semester hours) Function of each
major brain system as related to the organization and synaptic connections of
their principal nuclei. Function of
each system related to the neurological disorders associated with disease or
lesions at specific locations. (3-0)
T
HCS 6346 (ACN 6346, PSYC 6346) Systems Neuroscience (3 semester hours)
Integrative systems level study of the nervous system. Aspects of
neural mechanisms and circuitry underlying regulation of motor behaviors,
sensory and perceptual processing, biological homeostasis, and higher cognitive
functions. (3-0) Y
HCS 6347 (ACN 6347) Intelligent Systems Analysis (3 semester hours)
Mathematical tools for investigating the asymptotic behavior of both
deterministic and stochastic nonlinear dynamical systems for the purposes of
building computational models in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and
artificial intelligence. Topics include: artificial neural network architectures,
Lyapunov stability theory, nonlinear optimization theory, stochastic
approximation theory, and the Gibbs Sampler. Prerequisites: HCS 6348 (or
equivalent) or consent of instructor. (3-0) T
HCS 6348 (ACN
6348) Neural Net Mathematics (3 semester hours) Vector calculus and vector
calculus-based probability theory with artificial neural network modeling
applications. Intended to provide mathematics
preparation for HCS 6347 and HCS 6349.
Prerequisites: (1) Linear algebra, multivariable calculus, STAT 5351, and HCS
5314, or (2) consent of instructor. (3-0) T
HCS 6349 (ACN 6349) Intelligent Systems Design (3 semester hours) Mathematical
tools for the design and evaluation of artificially intelligent deterministic
and stochastic nonlinear dynamical systems for the purposes of building
computational models in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and artificial
intelligence. Topics include Markov Random Field probability representations
and asymptotic mathematical statistical theory for parameter estimation, model
selection, and hypothesis testing. Prerequisites: HCS 6347 or consent of
instructor. (3-0) T
HCS
6351 (ACN 6351) Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience (3 semester hours) Data analysis techniques
relevant to neuroscience. Topics may include: fourier/wavelet analysis, differential
equations, and statistical data analysis methods. May
be repeated for credit with permission of the instructor. Prerequisite:
ACN/HCS 6312 or consent of instructor (3-0) R
HCS 6355 (ACN 6355, PSYC 6355) Judgment and Decision Making (3 semester
hours) This course examines human inferences, judgments, decisions, and the
processes by which we arrive at them. It will focus on the fact that our social
judgments are not based on the laws of probability and chance, but on other cognitive
processes that may have serious shortcomings in important inferential and
decision-making tasks. We will also see that these processes, while
ecologically efficient, systematic and often predictable, are imperfect in
today’s data-rich environment. (3-0) T
HCS
6363 (ACN 6363) Text Comprehension Seminar (3 semester hours) Current readings in the field of text
comprehension and memory. May be repeated
for credit with instructor’s permission.
(3-0) T
HCS 6372 (ACN 6372) The
Neuroscience of Pain (3 semester hours A systems-oriented course
covering the anatomical and physiologic basis of pain. The course emphasizes the similarities and
differences between the different forms of pain and describes the basic
features of neural processing of pain signals in the spinal cord and brain, the
anatomy and the function of the descending systems that can control transmission
of pain signals, and peripheral and central sensitization. The physiological
and molecular basis for treatment of pain is discussed..(3-0)
Y
HCS 6373 (ACN 6373) Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring I (3
semester hours) The anatomical and
physiological basis for the use of electrophysiological techniques in intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring and in diagnosis of disorders
affecting the nervous system. (3-0) Y
HCS 6374 (ACN 6374) Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring II (3
semester hours) The use of recordings of neuro-electric brain potentials and their
interpretation for diagnostic purposes and for intraoperative
monitoring. Prerequisite: HCS 6373 (ACN 6373) (3-0) Y
HCS 7309 (COMD 7309) Neural Correlates of
Human Cognition: Lesion-Deficit Models (3 semester hours) A framework of how the
correlation of brain lesions with behavioral deficits provides a key map
associating cognitive functions with specific brain regions in humans. These findings provide a key model to combine
with the findings of functional neuroimaging (fMRI, PET) in understanding how
humans think. The areas of cognition to
be covered include language, episodic memory, semantic memory, working memory,
aspects of visuospatial functions, and higher-order motor planning. Cognitive deficits in patients (e.g.,
amnesia, aphasia, etc.) will be explained within this framework. (3-0)
HCS 7315 Statistical Analysis of
Brain Imaging Data (3 semester hours) Covers analysis
of brain imaging data obtained from diverse techniques such as PET, SPECT, fMRI,
or EEG. Includes "standard analyses" with packages such as SPM02 or AFNI as
well as pattern analyses approaches (e.g., partial least squares regression,
correspondence, discriminant, and principal component analyses). (3-0) R
HCS 7329 Functional Brain Imaging Practica (3 semester
hours) Application of learned skills to short research projects in a small
group format. Projects include: 1) acquisition of new data in SPECT, PET or fMRI
in association with ongoing funded research; 2) mentored analysis of existing
data sets; and 3) experimental design projects with a full experimental
protocol, including informed consent procedures, acquisition parameters and
data analysis plans. All projects are reviewed in a biweekly group meeting to
facilitate learning across groups. (3-0) R
HCS 7330 (ACN 7330) Advanced Functional Brain Imaging (3 semester hours)
Exploration of topics such as neuroimaging detection systems, experimental design, statistical
techniques in image analysis, reviews of pertinent literature using functional
brain imaging to illuminate various cognitive/perceptual processes, such as
language, memory, hearing and vision and clinical applications of functional neuroimaging. (3-0) R
HCS 7333 (ACN
7335) Computational Neuroscience (3 semester hours) Construction of biologically realistic
simulations of neurons and small neural circuits using state-of-the-art
simulation software. Students will
construct simulations that shed light on the neural basis of higher functions
such as visual contrast enhancement, perceptual oscillation, sensory
localization, and motor pattern generation. (3-0) R
HCS 7334 Affective Neuroscience (3 semester hours) The current state of studies and theories of the biological
basis of emotion and affective behaviors. The interactions of emotional
processes with other brain functions will be discussed. Topics covered may
include anxiety, depression, stress, and fear as well as hedonically positive
emotional states. Prerequisite: ACN/HCS 6346. (3-0) R
HCS 7337 Advanced Neuroscience Lab Methods (3 semester hours) An intensive hands on focus upon widely used neuroscience
laboratory methods, with particular emphases on neurophysiological,
neurochemical, and biobehavioral approaches. Prerequisites: HCS 6346 and HCS
7343 or instructor's permission. (3-0) R
HCS 7343 (ACN 7343) Neuropharmacology (3 semester hours) Biology
of neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Includes ionotropic and metabotropic coupling of all known
classes of receptors to both their cellular and systemic effects. Clinical efficacy, side effects, and other issues related
to drug use and abuse are covered. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor or
either: HCS 6340 or HCS 6346. (3-0) T
HCS 7351 Aging and the Nervous
System (3 semester hours)
Critical evaluation of research and theory concerning the impact of aging
on neuronal function. Cognitive dysfunctions, dementias,
and underlying neuropathologies, as well as neurophysiological and
neurochemical changes that accompany normal aging. (3-0) R
HCS 7335 Seminar in Auditory
Cortical Processing (3 semester hours) Basic
principles of neural information processing with special emphasis on the
central nervous system processes underlying hearing and speech perception. May be repeated
for credit. (3-0) T
HCS 7372 Seminar in Cognition and Neuroscience (3 semester hours)
Selected topics and current research in cognition and neuroscience. (May be
repeated for credit.) (3-0) R
Communication Sciences and Disorders
HCS
6339 (ACN 6339, PSYC 6339) Psycholinguistics (3 semester hours) Classic and current research in
psycholinguistics. Includes concepts from linguistics,
the biological bases of speech and language processing, and child language
acquisition. Hands-on exercises include labs on
speech perception, language acquisition, and language comprehension. (3-0) R
HCS
6367 (ACN 6367, PSYC 6367) Speech Perception (3 semester hours) Current topics and theories in
speech perception. Topics include the acoustic
correlates of speech sounds and the problem of invariance, the perception of
speech under adverse conditions, the effects of hearing impairment, and models
of speech perception. (3-0)
T
HCS 6368 (ACN
6368, PSYC 6368) Language Development (3 semester hours) Advanced study of normal oral
language development. Focus on research in child language
and recent theories of language acquisition. Prerequisite: Consent of
instructor. (3-0) Y
HCS 6379 Neurological Basis of Language Development (3 semester hours)
Study of the developing brain and how it relates to the acquisition and
development of language throughout the lifespan. (3-0) R
HCS 6391 Seminar on Preliteracy Development (3
semester hours) Selected topics and current research in preliteracy development (May be repeated for credit). (3-0) R
HCS 6392
Seminar in Theories of Language Acquisition (3 semester hours) A survey and critical exploration
of current theories of language acquisition and more general theories of
cognitive development that have been applied to language development. (3-0)
R
HCS 7352 Seminar in Language Impairments in Children (3 semester hours) Advanced study of language impairments in children emphasizing
research issues related to these diverse clinical populations. Topics may
include SLI, SCI, SELD, hearing loss, and Autistism Spectrum
Disorders among others. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: COMD 6307 or HCS 6368 and COMD 7378 or
consent of instructor. (3-0) T
HCS 7367 (ACN
7367) Speech Perception Laboratory (3 semester hours) Introduction to the field of speech
processing by computer, with primary application to research techniques in the
study of speech perception.
(0-9) T
HCS 7379 (COMD 7379) Current Research in Autism (3 semester hours) Exploration
of research and theories related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and the
implications the disability has on an individual’s learning, behavior and
ability to process information. Topics may include: diagnostic classification, the evaluation process, current theoretical
models, intervention models, research on potential causes and treatments,
provisions for service delivery and areas of impairment. (3-0) Y
HCS 7V71 Topics
in Communication Sciences and Disorders (1-6 semester hours) Selected topics and current research in
communication sciences and disorders. (May be
repeated for credit.) ([1-6]-0) R
Psychological Sciences
HCS 6327 (PSYC 6327) Personality (3 semester hours) Survey of cognitive, analytic, and
learning theory approaches to study of personality. Emphasis
on intensive exploration of selected concepts and related research (3-0) R
HCS 6331 (ACN 6331, PSYC 6331) Cognitive Development (3 semester hours) Survey
of cognitive development theories and research in a variety of domains
including perception, memory, language, and intelligence. (3-0) Y
HCS 6350 (PSYC 6350) Social
Development (3 semester
hours) Foundations of social and personality development. Includes survey
of psychodynamic, social learning, behavior genetic, family systems, and
social-cognitive approaches to the study of attachment, parenting, aggression,
peer relationships, sex typing, and other contemporary issues. (3-0) Y
HCS 6357 (PSYC 6357, HDCD 6319) The Developing Child: Infants and Toddlers
(3 semester hours) Relevant developmental theories and processes as well as
skills acquired in motor, sensory-perception, cognitive, and social domains
from the prenatal period through two years of age. (3-0) Y
HCS 6359 (PSYC 6320, HDCD 6320) The Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool
Years (Two to Five Years) (3 semester hours) Relevant developmental
theories and processes as well as skills acquired in motor, sensory-perceptual,
cognitive, and social domains from 2 to 5 years. Prerequisite: HCDC 5311 or HCS
6357 (3-0) Y
HCS 6376 (PSYC 6376) Social Psychology (3 semester hours) Overview of the social bases of
behavior. Topics may include social cognition and self justification,
biases in judgment, attitudes and persuasion, conformity, compliance, group
dynamics, prejudice and stereotyping, interpersonal attraction and
relationships, aggression and altruism, cultural diversity, and applications
relevant to these aspects of the human experience. Special
attention to research paradigms of interest to students developing their own
empirical work. (3-0) Y
HCS 6395 (ACN 6395, PSYC 6395)
Cognitive
Psychology (3 semester hours) Theory
and research on perception, learning, thinking, psycholinguistics, and memory. Prerequisites: CGS 3361 (PSY 3361) or consent of
instructor. (3-0) Y
HCS 7311 Family Psychology (3 semester hours) Theory and research on family systems,
including topics related to family interactions and relationships within the
family. (3-0) R
HCS 7355 Seminar in Psychological Sciences (1-6 semester hours) Selected topics of current research in social or cognitive
development. (May
be repeated for credit.) (3-0) R
HCS 7376 (HDCD 6385, PSYC 6335) Child Psychopathology (3 semester hours)
Major classes of childhood psychopathology manifested during infancy
through adolescence. Normal personality development as a basis for identifying
psychopathology. Issues of etiology, diagnosis,
prognosis and social policy.
(3-0) R
HCS 7382 Health Psychology (3 semester hours) This course examines
current theory and research concerning the social, cognitive, behavioral, and
biological processes that shape our experiences of physical health. The
importance of these concepts for health behaviors, psychosomatics, and
psychological adjustment to illness will be discussed. (3-0) T
Other Courses
HCS 7380 Practicum in Communication
Sciences (3 semester hours) Supervised research
or practice-based activities in applied contexts or evaluation and therapeutic
management of communication disorders. Weekly conference may be required.
Pass/Fail only. (May be repeated for credit) (3-0)
HCS
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