University of Alberta
PSYCO 104: Basic Psychological Processes Section B1
WINTER 2018
Instructor: Deanna Singhal Office: BS P263
E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (780) 492-0970
Web Page: Course information provided on eClass Office Hour: M 12:00 – 1:00, or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Ryan Moukhaiber Office: TBA
Email: [email protected] Office Hour: TBA
Scientific Research Methods Modules Research Assistant: Brandon Hauer Email: [email protected]
Lecture Room & Time: CCIS 1 440, MWF 10:00 – 10:50
Course Description: Principles and development of perception, motivation, learning, and thinking and their relationship to the psychological functioning of the individual.
Fulfillment of the 1/4 laboratory credit typically entails serving as a research participant, but can be fulfilled through the completion of alternative assignments. The course is a prerequisite to all courses in the department and is normally followed by PSYCO 105
Course Objectives: This course is designed to introduce students to the scientific study of psychology and some of the key elements involved in basic perceptions, cognitions, behaviours, and emotions. Of particular interest is the study of the brain and the
structures and mechanisms underlying basic daily processes that are generally taken for granted, such as seeing, hearing, thinking, sleeping, learning, remembering, and feeling.
Required Textbook: Passer, M. W., Smith, R. E., Atkinson, M., & Mitchell, J. (2017).
Psychology: Frontiers and Applications (6th Canadian edition, custom publication for the University of Alberta). Toronto: McGraw-Hill. [ISBN 9781260183238]
Optional Learning Resource:
The textbook comes with the option to register for the CONNECT online study guide resource. To register your access code, use the following website:
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/d-singhal-psyco-104-winter-2018
More information regarding CONNECT has been provided by the publisher and is posted on eClass.
Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:
Week Dates Topic Readings
1 Jan. 8 – 12 Psychology: The Science of Behaviour Ch. 1 2 Jan. 15 – 19 Studying Behaviour Scientifically Ch. 2
Statistics in Psychology Appendix
3 Jan. 22 – 26 Genes, Evolution, & Behaviour Ch. 4 4 Jan. 29 – Feb. 2 Biological Foundations of Behaviour Ch. 3 5 Feb. 5 – 7 Ch. 3 con’t
Feb. 9 Midterm #1
6 Feb. 12 – 16 Sensation & Perception Ch. 5 7 Feb. 19 – 23 READING WEEK
8 Feb. 26 – Mar. 2 Ch. 5 con’t
9 Mar. 5 – 9 States of Consciousness Ch. 6
10 Mar. 12 Midterm #2 Mar. 14 – 16 Ch. 6 con’t
11 Mar. 19 – 23 Learning & Adaptation Ch. 7
12 Mar. 26 – 28 Memory Ch. 8
Mar. 30 GOOD FRIDAY
13 Apr. 2 EASTER MONDAY
Apr. 4 – 6 Ch. 8 con’t,
14 Apr. 9 – 13 Motivation & Emotion Ch. 11
________________________________________________________________________
Grade Evaluation:
Component Weighting Date
Midterm #1 25% Feb. 9
Midterm #2 25% Mar. 12
Research Participation/Lab* 10%
Scientific Research Methods Modules* 4%
Final Exam 36% TBA**
*See handout associated with this component for detailed information.
** WARNING: Students must verify this date on BearTracks when the Final Exam Schedule is posted.
Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Format of Exams:
Both midterms and the final exam will consist of multiple choice questions. These quesitons will vary in level of difficulty, from lower order (e.g., basic recollection of a deifnition) to higher order (e.g., practically applying theoretical knowledge to solve a problem).
Representative Evaluative Material:
Prior to each test assessment, a sample test file, containing representative questions for the upcoming assessment, will be posted on eClass.
Missed Term Exams and Assignments:
For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor within two weeks of the start of classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate
documentation to substantiate the student request.
A student who cannot write a term examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction, or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred midterm examination. The student must contact the instructor, via email, within 48 hours of the missed examination. The instructor will decide if the reasons are valid and will
determine the scheduling of the deferred test. In all cases, the instructor may request adequate documentation, at their discretion, to substantiate the reason for the absence.
Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Deferred Final Examination:
A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction, or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final
examination. Students who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process.
Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within two working days of the missed examination and must be supported by appropriate documentation or a Statutory Declaration
(http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=4939#Attendance).
Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Grading Distribution 95-100: A+
86-94: A 80-85: A- 75-79: B+
71-74: B 69-70: B- 66-68: C+
63-65: C 60-62: C- 55-59: D+
50-54: D <50: F
Student Responsibilities:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: "The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the
provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University."
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken.
Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offences. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.
EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes.
Students must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars.
Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED
ACCOMMODATIONS (students registered with Student Accessibility Services - SAS): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility- related accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations. Contact
SAS (www.ssds.ualberta.ca) for further information.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).
RECORDING AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF COURSE MATERIALS: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose
without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer:Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over any final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Copyright: Dr. Deanna Singhal, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2018)
