Sleep and Health

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

While humans spend nearly a third of their lives sleeping, the nature and function of sleep is still very much unknown. This said, one point is clear: sufficient and good quality sleep is critical for mental and physical health. This seminar is designed to provide an overview of sleep and related processes, especially as they relate to clinical health outcomes. Specific topics include the history of sleep science, biological underpinnings of sleep, sleep across the lifespan, the nature and etiology of sleep disorders, environmental and cultural influences on sleep, and the relationship between sleep and various clinical disorders. Finally, we will explore ways to improve sleep in a variety of populations via intervention, psychoeducation, and public policy. The overall student objective is to be able to discuss and apply (in a preliminary way) the principles and practice of sleep science.