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Psychology 197: Special Topics (Sleep Research)
Professor Mary A. Carskadon, Section 05
Permission Required This class is intended to provide students the experience of working in a laboratory doing human sleep and chronobiology research with adolescent and young adult participants, to participate in the research activities of the lab (seminars, lab meetings, journal club, special talks), and to prepare and give a presentation on a relevant sleep research topic. Because the research studies in the lab involve large projects, the data collected in the course of the lab’s research are not amenable to be used by students for independent analyses. The group meets weekly (Thursday noon in Hunter Lab room 206 (lunch provided)) to review the lab protocols and projects. Students attend a monthly Sleep Research Interest Group (PSRIG) seminar on Monday evenings at 5:30 to 7:00 pm (usually the third Monday of the month) at the Sleep Lab on the Butler Hospital Campus. A 2-page paper providing the student’s summary of the seminar is due one week after the seminar. Students attend a monthly video cast of the Harvard Sleep Grand Rounds, Monday at noon (usually the first Monday) at locations at or near Brown. A 2-page summary paper is due a week later. Students read articles and attend Journal Club at the Sleep Lab at 5:00 pm on Mondays. Students receive training on in-lab techniques throughout the semester as needed. Lab commitment: students must commit 8 hours a week (Wednesday-Saturday), as needed for research projects throughout the semester to participate as a member of the in-lab crew. In summary, to enroll in this course you must be able to commit… - One Monday (usually the first) noon hour each month (at Brown): Harvard Sleep Grand Rounds - One Monday (usually the third) evening (5:30 to 7:00) each month (at Sleep Lab): PSRIG seminar - Every Thursday noon hour (at Brown): Lab Meeting - Mondays at 5:00 pm (at Sleep Lab): Journal Club - At least 8 hours a week at Sleep Lab: Work in the lab Permission Required. Contact Professor Carskadon: Mary_Carskadon@brown.edu or 421-9440 back to top Psychology 55: Introduction to Sleep, Professor Carskadon. NOT OFFERED 2006 Offered in Fall Semester, this introductory course (unlimited enrollment) has two primary goals: (1) to provide a basic introduction to the study of sleep and an overview of sleep including measurement, regulation, ontogeny, phylogeny, physiology, psychology, and sleep disorders; (2) to provide a basic introduction to methods of studying behavior using modes of analysis common to experimental psychology. Classes are largely lecture style, with give and take principally in the context evaluating required problem sets and study guides. To facilitate the learning process, research articles are dissected throughout the semester, identifying such important components as hypothesis or specific aim, dependent and independent variables, data collection methods and measures, and statistical methods, as well as a critical assessment of conclusions. These exercises are complemented by a laboratory tour to introduce critical measurement tools and by problem sets involving gathering and evaluating data on yourself or your classmates. Students cap off the class by creating a "virtual poster" on a sleep disorder. back to top Psychology 106: Sleep and Chronobiology Research, Professor Carskadon and Sleep Laboratory staff.  This course and the companion research apprenticeship provide students a fully textured research and academic experience in human sleep and chronobiology research. The course addresses the direct technical instruction for research procedures that enable students to participate in the apprenticeship projects. In support of the technical skills learning, students learn background in the physiological, theoretical, and conceptual bases of the methodologies and the research program. This information provides a framework for understanding the methods and the research projects' design and rationale. In-depth appreciation of a research topic is acquired through preparing a research presentation. Career modeling opportunities are offered through a seminar series with young scientists in the areas of sleep and circadian rhythms research. Students have further career modeling and learning opportunities attending the annual meeting of the Association of Professional Sleep Societies, which has a rich program for trainees. In summary, students who take part in this course and the research apprenticeship are given a thorough introduction to behavioral science research while at the same time learning about sleep and circadian rhythms physiology, acquiring lab skills, participating in ongoing research, and having the opportunity to consider a career in behavioral research through spending a summer participating in research at the sleep and chronobiology lab. Students wishing to enroll in Psychology 106 must apply to the summer apprenticeship program; the application deadline is usually mid- or late February. For more information and an application, click on the summer apprenticeship tab above. back to top Psychology 102: Psychophysiology of Sleep and Dreams, Professor Carskadon.
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