Pharmacology of Illicit Drugs (BIO 113)

 

Instructor: Donald F. Slish                                 http://www.plattsburgh.edu/faculty/slishdf

Phone: 546-5160

Email Address: donald.slish@plattsburgh.edu  

 
Textbooks:   

A Primer of Drug Action  by Dr. Robert M. Julien M.D. Ph.D. 11th Edition

Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (3rd  Edition) by Cynthia Kuhn Ph.D., Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson Ph.D.

 

Syllabus:

Introduction

Pharmacokinetics: How does the body handle drugs?

Pharmacodynamics I: How do drugs act?  Neuron structure & Function

 

Exam I (Sept. 14th)

 

Pharmacodynamics II:  Drug / Receptor interaction 

Pharmacodynamics III:  Neurobiology – the structure of the brain

 

Exam II (Oct. 7th)

Ethyl Alcohol

Opiates

CNS Stimulants (Cocaine, amphetamines)

                                   

Exam III (Nov. 4th)

Marijuana

Hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, anti-cholinergics, PCP, ketamine, detromethorphan)

Stimulant Hallucinogens - (Ecstasy, mescaline)

 

Final Exam (TBA)

 

Objectives of the course

 After taking this course, the students will:

  1. have a basic understanding of neurobiology and the way that drugs effect this to produce changes in the human body.
  2. improve their critical thinking skills through analysis of case studies and experimental design.
  3. develop an understanding of recreational and illicit drugs and their physical and psychological effects.

 

 


 

Grading                                                                                   Grading Scale:

The final grade will be based on the three                                  A       > 93

exams during the semester, the final exam                                  A -        90 – 92

quizzes given during class, and attendance                                  B +       87 - 8

                                                                                                 B          83 - 86

            100 pts.            Exam #1                                               B -       80 - 82

            100 pts.            Exam #2                                               C +      77 - 79

            100 pts.            Exam #3                                               C         73 - 76

            100 pts.            Final Exam                                            C -       70 - 72

              50 pts.            Quizzes                                                 D +      66 - 69

            100 pts.            Attendance                                            D         62 - 65

            550 pts.÷5.5 =  Final grade                                            E            < 62

                                               

Attendance

Attendance in the class is an easy way to improve your grade.  Also, tests will be based the on material presented in class and may differ from the way it is presented in the books. You are allowed 3 free absences and every absence after that (excused or not - please don’t bring me your excuse slips) will cost you 10 points of your Attendance grade.  

Absence from an exam for sickness will only be excused when documented by infirmary staff or physician. Absence from an exam because of death in the immediate family will be excused when documented by the Office of Student Affairs. Absence because of religious observation must be brought to my attention before that test date.  Do not schedule yourself to be out of town the Monday before Thanksgiving break. There may be quiz or test that day and you will not be excused. If an exam is missed, notify me, preferably before, but within 5 days after the exam date. Students without a test grade after this period will receive zero for that test.

Cell Phone Policy

When you enter a classroom, you should turn off your cell phone, as a matter of respect both for the instructor and the students around you.  If your cell phone goes off during class I will stop lecturing and call attention to you.  Texting while in class is strictly forbidden.  No electronic devices (phones, IPods, etc.) will be allowed during exams.

 

Withdrawal Policy

My withdrawal policy in this class is the same as the University's policy, i.e., withdrawal from a class is permitted until the last day of course selection for the fall semester. Withdrawal after this time will only be allowed for grave illness or other serious difficulty. Withdrawal after this point will not be given due to poor grades. If you have failed the first two tests, seriously consider whether or not you can pass the course with a reasonable grade. There's no penalty for dropping before fall registration is over.

 


 

Writing Standards for Department of Biological Sciences

 

The goal of the department is to produce graduates who both understand the important concepts in biology and are able to communicate their knowledge effectively. To increase awareness of writing skills, written answers on tests as well as written reports will be graded for spelling, grammar, syntax, organization, and other standards of good writing. 

 

 Honor Code Pledge

 

It is expected that all students enrolled in this

class support the letter and the spirit of the

Academic Honesty Policy as stated

in the college catalog.

 

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the willful representation of another’s work as your own. The Internet has made plagiarism very easy and it is tempting to copy instead of actually doing to work.  I will award a 0 to the first assignment that I can prove has been plagiarized. A second offense will result in failure for the class. There will be no discussion of or exceptions to this rule.

 

 

 Assessment of Student Learning:  Analytical skill development

and understanding of fundamental biological principles

 

 

The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences are committed to providing students with a first-rate educational experience as articulated in the Departmental Mission Statement:

 

            “The Department of Biological Sciences strives to provide students with the fundamental understanding of the principles and methods of the life sciences within the context of a sound liberal arts education.  Emphasis is on the development of the student’s ability to analyze problems, apply scientific method, communicate biological information, and interpret current advances in research.”

 

Student progress toward attaining the goals set forth in the Departmental Mission Statement will be assessed in part by an exam or quiz question that has been selected for this purpose by the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences.