The Essentials
Dates
The course runs from August 28 through December 10, followed by final exams week
D2L will open on August 25.
Fall break days are October 23 and 24.
Course Structure
All students can choose how to engage with the course. All course components can be completed via any of the three modalities. These choices are not permanent; students can change format at any time.
- Sections 1 and 2: In person, Tuesday and Thursday, 12:40 – 2:00, Room 224 Erickson
- Section 730: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:40 – 2:00, Zoom
There are four two-week units. Each exam covers one unit.
View details about course structure
Graded Work
The only graded assignments in the course are the exams and the end of semester reflection. However, there is scheduled assigned work throughout the semester. This work, which includes textbook reading and quizzes, application questions, synthesis questions, and reflections, have all be designed to scaffold learning and prepare students for the exams.
Work Submission Expectations
Application questions and synthesis question deadlines are for guidance only. However, completing these assignments are necessary to open each exam and be successful on those. Self-awareness about your personal learning strengths / weaknesses is useful:
- Are you a student that is strong with time management and can stay on track without a strict schedule? Then complete the assignments as you see fit.
- Are you a student that needs a schedule to manage course work and not get behind? Then complete assignments according to the course schedule.
It is expected students will meet deadlines for graded assignments, exam learning reflections, introductory assignments, and end of semester reflection.
Learn more about course scoring
Required Textbook
Henley, C. Foundations of Neuroscience. Open Edition. (Free online text. Links to assigned readings will be provided each week).
Required Technology
Students will need access to a laptop or tablet and reliable internet.
We will use Desire 2 Learn (D2L). Learn more about this technology.
Within D2L, we will be using Microsoft Word documents. You will download the documents to your computer, edit them, and then upload them for submission. Please make sure you have installed Word through spartan365.msu.edu. I also recommend saving all course documents in Microsoft OneDrive to avoid any accidental loss of work due to computer issues. Microsoft OneDrive is available to all students and automatically saves your work to the cloud as you edit.
Communication
You can contact me via the private discussion forum in our D2L class or by email. If you choose to email, please put “NEU 300” in your subject line.