Texts: Domjan, M. J. (2003). The Principles of Learning and Behavior, 5th Ed. New York: Brooks/Cole.

         Manual for Sniffy the Virtual Rat, Pro Version

Course Web Page: http://academic.uofs.edu/faculty/cannon/cl/04/

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course will provide a broad survey of the fields of conditioning and learning. We will examine historical and current perspectives on a range of topics including:  habituation, sensitization, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and learning.

CLASS ATTENDANCE: You are responsible for all announcements made in class, you may be tested on any lecture material.  You (or someone dear to your heart) paid a bunch of money so you could take this class. I feel no need to impose additional contingencies for missed lectures.  I recommend that everyone find one, or more, buddy in the class who can help you with missed lecture material, should disastor strike.

GRADING:

Examinations --

The results of each test  will be "curved" (see below) on a 4.67 point scale. Typically, the top grade on each defines "4.67." Chance performance (that which could be earned merely by stabbing a pencil at the answer sheet) defines "0.0". For each test, additional raw scores will be announced that determine "1.0", "2.0", "2.67", "3.67", and "4.67". You can calculate your precise curved score by interpolation. For example, if 40= 2.67, 45 = 3.67, and you earned a score of 44 on Exam I, then your curved test score would be 3.47 (that is 2.67 + 4/5 = 3.47).

Note: My curve is not based on number of people, rather, on percentage of earned points. Therefore, there is no limit to the proportion of students who can earn A's (or any other grade).  The curve will be no more harsh than the following:  100% = 4.67, 90% = 3.67, 80% = 2.67, 60% = 2.0, 50% = 1.0.

At the end of the course, your final grade will be converted from averaged number to letter grade based upon the numeric values of letters in calculating the GPA. For example, a B+ = 3.33 and an A- = 3.67; therefore, the A- range would be from 3.67 to 3.99. A grade of A would be earned for a course average of 4.0 and above. The 3.47 you received in the earlier example would be a B+, leaving you .2 below the A- range and .14 above the B range.

This grading procedure may at first glance seem a bit complex, but it is to your benefit. You know precisely what grade you have at any given point in the course--you don't have "about a B+," rather, you have a 3.47. Once you've gotten an exam back, you've got a grade that you can put in the bank, not an approximate value that may shift based on a final "mystery" grade distribution that won't come into existence until the end of the semester. Knowledge is power.
 

The final examination will be subdivided into 4 major sections. Three of the sections will correspond to materials covered in each of the 3 semester exams, the fourth section will deal with material covered since the third exam. Your curved grade for the final will be defined by the total number of correct answers on the test overall. In addition, curved scores will be calculated for each of the three subsections of the final that dealt with semester exam material. You may opt to challenge (i.e., replace) one and only one semester exam grade with the appropriate curved score from the final. The midterm and final sub-part grades will be compared and the HIGHER used in calculating your course grade. The challenge option cannot lower your score. If you have missed a semester exam, you must use your challenge to replace this grade.

Testing Procedure: There will be 3 semester exams (50 min each) and a comprehensive final (full period). All students must take the final in its entirety. Examinations will be given during the designated class periods, no exceptions. Check your personal schedules now!!  Your overall examination grade will be defined by these tests--67% for the semester exams and 33% for the final.  There will be no extra credit assignments, nor will there be any make ups for midterms. Should you miss a midterm, the procedure outlined above will allow you to replace this grade. Do not miss the final.

Tests will consist of: text figures, your reproductions of drawings, multiple choice, fill-in, and short answer essay questions drawn from both lecture and ALL assigned readings. Students should not overlook the latter source of information.  NOTE WELL, there will be a comprehensive component to exams 2 and 3.  As the semester progresses, I will identify material that is so fundamental to the course that it may appear on every subsequent exam.  By the end of the course, this fundamental information should be second nature to you.  This net effect of this Rolling Thunder cumulative testing procedure is that it will make the overall course much easier because you will remain fluent in the basic concepts necessary to understand all course content. It should also make the final examination much easier to prepare for.  Trust me, you'll like it!

 BLACKBOARD-BASED-THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE EXAM QUESTIONS: No exam is perfect and I hate to think that you've labored to master some difficult concept only to find that the concept doesn't/didn't show up on an exam.

Within 48 hours after each exam, you will put  in the appropriate discussion board thread a fully formed question (multiple choice questions should include options) that you wish had been asked. Include the correct answer and relevant text page(s), if appropriate. I'll browse through the above questions and use as many as possible on relevant exams. Of course, your peers can also browse through them, knowing that some of these questions will be on the exams.

SNIFFY:  Most weeks you will be assigned projects to do with Sniffy the virtual rat.  Sometimes you'll be working as part of a team, but mostly you'll be working on your own.  These projects will be matched to the lecture content of the course and are intended to give you a a more "real life" exposure to course material.  Deadlines for submitting your Sniffy computer files through the Blackboard Drop Box will be announced.  Failure to submit on time will result in a .33 grade reduction, for each day late that classes are in session, on the appropriate test up to a maximum of 1.0.  Should Blackboard develop a technical problem on any day, you can simply bring in paper copies of your assignment to class, or email the files, without penalty.  These assignments will be graded pass/fail.  

WEATHER:  Regardless of pre-exam snow-induced class cancellations, if classes are held on the day of a scheduled exam, the exam will be given on the scheduled day and the assigned reading for that exam will NOT be reduced.  If classes are canceled on an exam day, the exam will be given in the next available class period.  If weather interferes with posting on Blackboard, the posting deadline will be extended to the next class day, even if that class day has an examination scheduled.  If an examination is delayed until a date that already has a Blackboard posting assignment, the Blackboard posting deadline will NOT be delayed.