PSY 250 - Drugs & Behavior

3 Credit(s)

This course will address the many issues related to the use of psychoactive drugs. Students will learn about the biopsychological factors that underlie drug use and abuse while they examine specific individual drugs therapeutic psychoactive properties but also how long-term and/or excessive use modifies brain function. Students will learn how to distinguish between the science of psychopharmacology and the unsubstantiated claims of media, advertising and/or drug culture.

Prereqs: PSY 101 with a passing grade
Course Type: Lecture
Tuition Tier: Base
Delivery Method:
In-Person, Remote, Online, Service Learning
Course Learning Outcomes:
CLO 1) Students will define psychopharmacology and explain the areas of study including the biological and behavioral impacts in multiple avenues of drug use.
CLO 2) Students will describe how acute and chronic drug-use affects the nervous system.
CLO 3) Students will explain the basic principles of psychopharmacology research including ethical issues surrounding modern and historic drug use.
CLO 4) Students will identify the history, mechanism of action, medical and recreational uses of several specific drugs as exemplars of broader drug categories, such as opiates, hallucinogens, depressants, dissociatives, stimulants, and anti-psychotics.