Course Syllabus

Independent Study in Idaho

ISI Website| indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641

PSYC 4720 - Introduction to the Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs

Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho

3 Credits

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Steve Meier, PhD, ICPS

Your course instructor is Dr. Steven E. Meier, an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Idaho. Dr. Meier received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Washington State University. His specialty of training was in experimental psychology with specialties in Learning (Applied Behavior Analysis), Addictive Behavior (Primarily Alcoholism), and Physiological Systems.

Course Description

Welcome to the Psychology 4720!

This course is designed to provide an overview of information related to various psychoactive drugs.  This course is not designed to discuss psychotropic medications that are prescribed to individuals with a variety of Psychiatric / Psychological disorders.  The class that discusses those topics is Psychology 490/590 (Psychopharmacology).  The primary focus of this course is on the biological aspects of illicit drugs and how they work.  The course will also discuss aspects of the addiction process and how drugs alter brain functioning that ultimately results in behavioral changes.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101/1101 Introduction to Psychology

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning objectives are listed on each topic section found under the schedule button.

Required Materials

Julien, R.M.  (2023).  Julien's Primer of Drug Action (15th Ed.).  Worth Publishing, Macmillan Learning.    ISBN-13:  978-1-319-24486-6

Additional reading materials will be listed under the readings section.

Optional Readings and Resources

Course Rules and Requirements

Guidelines

  • You will need to complete the lessons in order. Generally, work 10 hours per week or more on the class.  Consider it lecture and some study time but at your convenience.
  • Assignments and exams must be submitted consecutively, in the order outlined in the course. Other than that, there is no limit on the number of assignments that can be submitted per week. 
  • Submit assignments and receive grades via Canvas.
  • Keep a copy of every assignment submitted. Write your name, V number, course subject and number, and assignment number on every submission.
  • An instructor may take up to three weeks to grade, so plan accordingly to meet personal deadlines.
  • The final course grade is issued after all assignments and exams have been graded. 
  • Acts of academic dishonesty, including cheating or plagiarism, may result in a grade of “F” for the course.

Writing Assignment Papers

Located within the lessons are assignments you will need to complete. You will be required to complete brief (1-2 pages) papers on various topics you will encounter throughout the course.  Some of these papers may be related to materials, webinars, or websites identified by your instructor.  All materials will be submitted through Canvas and will be plagiarism and AI checked.  Directions will be provided for each topic to be submitted.  Papers should be in APA style and single spaced (I recognize there is a contradiction here).

Total:  115 Points  

Exams

There will be four exams to examine and develop your knowledge of the material. Each exam will cover only the material for that section.  Each exam is open book and open note. That is, you can use any information you wish to help you.  You will not be able to drop any questions.  The final will not be comprehensive.

Note:  Pharmacology exams are difficult.  Many of the questions are integrative and will not be found directly from the text or the notes. So, make sure you are studying like you would study for any hard, in-class, non-open-book test. Use an outline, take notes while reading the text, etc. Do not expect to have time to look up things while taking the exam or you will get a poor score.  Essentially, open book exams allow you to do some minor checking, not trying to read and understand a concept.  Generally, you should be studying at least one to two hours per night for this class. Finally, all exams are randomly generated.  Thus, the exam you receive will not be the same as another students. To help you understand how I test, I will allow you to take the First Exam twice.  The other exams you will only have one opportunity.

Total:  400 points (100 points per exam)

Extra Credit

There are two options for Extra Credit.  You can do both options, but you can only receive a maximum of 32 points.

Option 1, Term Paper:

  • The extra credit term paper will be an original work (not a revision) of a major empirical or literature review of an illicit drug.  It should include the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug and any other things you believe are important. The paper must be in APA style and have a minimum of 10 professional journal (paper or web-based) or book citations (not general websites).  Do not use Wikipedia as a source.  General websites also do not count as a source, only professional journals or websites from government agencies that focus on substance abuse (e.g., NIDA, NIH, DOJ, CDC, NIMH, etc.)
  • Each paper will be graded on APA format, clarity, discussion of the topic area, reference quality, and general approach to your presentation. You should make a copy of the paper for your records in case anything disastrous happens to mine. Once completed, you will submit your paper through the Canvas portal. 
  • Do not use google word processing products unless it is formatted to pdf format. Often after uploading, instructors cannot open the document. They do not open in Canvas. 
  • NOTE: This paper must be your own work.  Use of AI and/or other student's papers, cutting and pasting material from the web without giving the author credit, etc. is considered plagiarism will result in an "F" grade in the class and referral to the Dean of Students for additional sanctions.
  • Minimum length = 5 pages, Maximum length = 7 pages.  (Does not include the cover sheet, abstract page or references). 

Option 2, Extra Assignments: 

  • There is a second extra credit option.  Periodically, during the semester an assignment in Canvas will be available related to a topic in pharmacology. You will complete the assignment and submit it via Canvas.  These topics will be different than the discussion items you will complete.

Total for Option 1 or Option 2 = 32 Points (You can only receive a maximum of 32 points of EC)

Email Standards

  • Subject line: include your name, V number, course subject and number, and assignment number(s)
    • Example: Joe Vandal, V01234567, BUS L321, Assignments 1, 2
  • Email body: place questions or comments for the instructor
  • Copy the ISI office at indepst@uidaho.edu

Lesson Plan

  • Lesson 1:  Overview of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Neurobiology and Epigenetics
    • Submit Assignment 1    
  • Lesson 2:  Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain and Body
  • Exam 1  
  • Lesson 3:  Alcohol
  • Lesson 4:  Barbiturates and Other Sedative / Hypnotic Drugs
    • Optional Extra Credit (EC) 1    
  • Lesson 5:  Benzodiazepines and Other Anxiolytic Drug
    • Submit Assignment 2      
  • Exam 2
  • Lesson 6:  Opiates
    • Submit Assignment 3   
    • Optional EC-2 
  • Lesson 7:  Stimulants
  • Lesson 8:  Psychedelics
  • Lesson 9:  THC and THC Synthetic Products
    • Submit Assignment 4  
  • Exam 3 
  • Lesson 10:  Other Synthetic Drugs
    • Optional EC 3 
  • Lesson 11:  Steroids
  • Lesson 12:  Other Drugs of Abuse/Herbal Substances
    • Optional EC-4 
  • Lesson 13:  Geriatric and Adolescent Issues
    • Submit Assignment 5  
    • Optional Extra Credit   
  • Exam 4 

Grade Information

Total Points Possible: 515 (+32 extra credit)

All grades will be based on the following scale:

  • >90%=A
  • >80%=B
  • >70%=C
  • >60%=D
  • <60%=F

Course Policies

Refer to the ISI website's Current Students page for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services. 

Cheating and Plagiarism:

If you use AI, cheat, or plagiarize someone else's material and I catch you, you will receive an "F" grade for the class and be referred to the Dean of Student's Office.  Note:  Copying and pasting material from the web and not citing that information or using AI is considered plagiarism.  Canvas also has plagiarism and AI checking capabilities.  Do not even consider cheating in this class.  

AI Use Prohibited

As artificial intelligence tools become more widely available, it is important to clarify how they may or may not be used in this course. The following policy is designed to support your learning and ensure academic integrity.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, Grammarly, image generators, and automated coding/writing assistants—is not permitted in this course.  

Unauthorized use of AI tools is considered a form of unauthorized assistance and undermines the core learning objectives of the class. This course is intentionally designed to build foundational skills—such as critical analysis, discipline-specific reasoning, original writing, and independent problem-solving—that require your direct engagement. Using AI tools to generate or revise work may hinder the achievement of these objectives and may compromise the integrity of your academic development.

Any use of AI tools for coursework, unless explicitly allowed by the instructor for a specific assignment, will be treated as a violation of academic integrity and may result in sanctions as outlined in the University of Idaho Student Code of Conduct. Students are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all university policies regarding academic honesty and should consult the Student Code of Conduct for further guidance.

University Disability Support Services:

Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have documented temporary or permanent disabilities.  “Students with disabilities needing accommodations to fully participate in this class should contact the Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR). All accommodations must be approved through CDAR prior to being implemented. To learn more about the accommodation process, visit CDAR's website at www.uidaho.edu/cdar or call 208-885-6307.”