Class Description Psychobiology of women is the study of the way in which physiology and behavior interact in women's lives. It deals not only with the ways in which physiology affects behavior but also with the often less thought about ways in which behavior affects physiology. The first section of this course is designed to establish a basic foundation of understanding of women's anatomy and physiology.
Heavy emphasis is placed on the role of hormones in women's lives.
The course assumes that the students have limited or no background in biology at the outset but progresses in its discussion to include complex interactions between various hormonal systems important to female functioning. The second section of this course is an exploration of the physiological and behavioral changes associated with major events or experiences in women's lives. Others events discussed are experienced by some women but should be understood by all people. In each of these cases, the course concentrates on the physiological causes or effects of the event and examine, as much as possible, the behavioral implications of the event. Interestingly, in some cases, the biology will be well understood but the behavioral effects not well understood.