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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - GMS6753
Tracking Number - 2649

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Current Status: Approved by SCNS - 2012-04-09
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only): NA
Comments: GC review 11/28/11. Need revised catalog copy. Emailed 11/28/11. for Metabolic Conc MSMS. To gc 1/13/12. ok to GC 1/23/12. to USF Sys 1/24/12. to SCNS 2/1/12. appd eff 4/15/12

Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2011-10-27
  2. Department: Deans Office
  3. College: MD
  4. Budget Account Number: 6108
  5. Contact Person: Michael J. Barber, D.Phil.
  6. Phone: 8139749908
  7. Email: mbarber@health.usf.edu
  8. Prefix: GMS
  9. Number: 6753
  10. Full Title: The Basics of Brain Fitness and Memory Management
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: Y
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?:
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Basics of Brain Fitness
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites: None
  23. Corequisites: None
  24. Course Description: Provides an in-depth discussion of the central roles that brain fitness and memory management contribute to the function of cognition and the various therapies applicable to treat cognitive decline.

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Replacing Selected Topics with Permanent number; already listed in program
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? Metabolic & Nutritional Medicine represents a new and evolving discipline in the medical sciences that deals with an integrative and functional medicine approach to healthcare and disease prevention. The discipline combines evidence-based medicine with new approaches to therapeutics.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times?
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) All instructors will possess PhD, MD or PharmD degrees and have experience in functional medicine and patient care.
  29. Objectives: At the completion of this course, the students will be able to: Discuss the neuroscience literature with particular emphasis on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, causes of cognitive decline and potential therapies to treat memory decline and to maintain cognitive efficiency. Examine selected case studies in depth and link the presentation to underlying physiologic processes framed in a neuroscience and cognition context. Describe clear therapeutic actions to treat clinical cases. Review the pathophysiology of the brain. Discuss the use of medications and nutritional supplements to maintain and enhance cignitive function and the rationale for use. Discuss the new medical treatments for cognitive decline. Describe CAM treatments for cognitive decline. Compare and contrast the various imaging techniques for brain function mapping.
  30. Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this course, the students will be able to:

    • Identify and evaluate genetic markers for memory loss

    • Discuss the role that toxins have in memory loss

    • Discuss how exercise helps maintain cognition

    • Compare and contrast commonly used medications that may cause memory loss

    • Identify nutrients that help maintain memory and focus

    • Identify and discuss exercises that help maintain memory

    • Discuss cognitive testing

    • Discuss the affect that psychotropic and pain medications have on memory

    • Discuss the role recreational drugs have on memory loss

    • Examine the role sex hormones have in maintaining memory and focus including pregnenolone, estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA

    • Discuss how optimal thyroid function helps maintain memory and focus

    • Discuss how stress affects memory

    • Critically examine the role that insulin dysfunction plays in memory loss

    • Identify, compare and contrast the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease

    • Discuss the effects of fluoride on the brain

    • Discuss how elevated plasma homocysteine levels are a risk factor for dementia

    • Discuss the value of sleep hygiene and its effect on memory

    • Examine the key role stress has on cognition

    • Discuss the relationship between health status and cognitive functioning

    • Identify the fatty acids that aid in memory maintenance

    • Discuss the role that inflammation plays in memory loss

    • Discuss how the level of education affects memory

    • Discuss the rationale that intake of foods that the patient is allergic to can affect cognition

    • Examine how dysbiosis can affect memory

    • Identify toxic metals that can affect cognition

    • Discuss the role neurotransmitters have on memory

    • Identify the parts of the brain that affect memory

  31. Major Topics: Major course topics include:

    Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity & Your Future Brain

    Understanding the Brain & How it Heals

    Quantifying Brain Performance in Clinical Practice

    Neurogenesis: An Enzymatic Cascade to Make Your Brain Young Forever

    Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback

    Electrophysiological & Neuropsychological Predictors of Brain Metabolism on PET Scans

    Optimizing Brain Structure, Function & Performance using Fatty Acids & Phospholipids

    Introduction to Brain Fitness and Memory Maintenance

    Head Injuries and Toxins to the Brain

    Hormones and the Brain

    Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: The Neuroscience of Enhancing Your Mind & Body

  32. Textbooks: The course features three recommended textbooks that provide expert coverage of the course material:

    • Making a Good Brain Great - New York: Three Rivers Publishing – 2005 - Amen, D. – ISBN: 978-1400082094 / 1400082099

    • The Better Brain Book, Perlmutter, D. – ISBN: 978-1594480935 / 1594480931

    • Power Up Your Brain: The Neuroscience of Enlightenment. NY; Hay House, Inc. 2011. - Perlmutter, D. – ISBN: 978-1401928179 / 140192817X

  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: Additional and appropriate readings will be identified and posted on Blackboard.
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: 3 case studies (research papers) 15% each, 45% of grade Comprehensive midterm exam 23% of grade Comprehensive final exam 23% of grade 5 webcasts 9% of grade.
  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: The course requires completion of: 4 unit quizzes (self-assessment) 3 case studies (research papers) Comprehensive midterm exam Comprehensive final exam 5 webcasts.
  36. Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,

    http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work: For documented student absences, such as for illness, students will be allowed to make up any missing case reports or exams. Students will be required to abide by USF policy on academic integrity as described in course syllabus.
  38. Program This Course Supports: MS in Medical Sciences-Metabolic & Nutritional Medicine Concentration
  39. Course Concurrence Information: None


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.