Cognitive Science 0296 - The Form and Function of Sleep

Sleep is the single most common form of human behavior - you spend nearly a quarter of a century asleep across your lifespan! Why do we, and almost every other animal, spend so much time in this behavioral state? What happens neurologically during sleep? What constitutes healthy sleep? What happens when sleep is disrupted or disordered? Throughout this course, you will gain knowledge about sleep, in all its form and function. Sleep will be examined from the level of the neuron to the level of behavior, and we will discuss how these change across the lifespan. You will also learn to think critically about scientific research articles, and will improve your scientific writing skills. Ultimately, you will learn to understand why sleep is so critical, and why so much of your life is dedicated to this one behavior. Prerequisite: at least one prior neuroscience or cognitive/experimental psychology course.

Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.