FRS 001 — Sec. 012 — (1 unit) — CRN 92603 — W 4:10 – 5:00 pm — 197 Briggs
Addiction and Addictive Drugs

Instructor: Dorothy Woolley, Section of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, College of Biological Sciences

Description: The objective of the course is to try to understand what addiction is and which brain mechanisms and pathways are involved. Is addiction really a brain disease? Besides the brain, what other physiological systems (pupil size, blood pressure, digestion, respiration) are involved and how? What are the basic effects and mechanisms of action of different types of addictive drugs. Knowledge is power. Understanding addiction and addictive drugs will help students deal with such problems.

Format: The seminar will meet for 1 hour each week during the quarter. Informal lectures, discussions and student group presentations on topics developed by the students will be based on handouts, computer searches and current events. There is no text. A video on addiction will be presented. Handouts will be distributed in class or sent out as e-mail attachments. Take-home questions will require about a page per assignment to answer. There will be 3 take-home question sets. Grading: The course grade will be based on the quality of the written homework (1/3), discussion and informal presentation of topics of interest developed by the students (1/3), and attendance (1/3, required).

About the Instructor: Professor Woolley is a professor emerita in both the Section of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior in the College of Biological Sciences, and the Department of Environmental Toxicology in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Her research interests include the neurotoxicological effects of environmental toxicants and neuropharmacology.