Psychology 275, Section A1
Tentative Course Syllabus Fall session, 2018
Tuesdays & Thursdays 14:00-15:20 Location: CCIS L2-190
Contacts:
Instructors:
Dr. C.T. Dickson
Office: P439 Biological Sciences Phone: 780-492-7860
Office Hours: Thursdays 11-12, or by appointment.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. K. E. Mathewson
Office P455 Biological Sciences Phone: 780-492-2662
Office Hours: twitter: @MathKyle, or by appointment.
Email: [email protected]
TA:
Christopher Donoff Office: TBA Office hours: TBA Phone: (780) 492-5262 Email: [email protected]
Please note: for email communications, the following link will serve you well:
How to email your instructors effectively
Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
Description:
This course is an introduction to brain mechanisms involved in sensation, perception, movement and cognition, as studied in both animals and humans.
Objectives:
This course is the flagship of the neuroscience stream in Psychology. It begins with an introduction to Biopsychology and its methods, followed by an extensive review of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. This includes how the nervous system (particularly the forebrain) is involved in sensation and perception and its potential for modification (neuroplasticity) following learning. Brain circuits associated with higher order cognitive functions, such as attention and memory, will also be discussed as will the mechanism of biological rhythms like sleep.
Our goals as instructors are to facilitate your comprehension of, and to inspire your interest in, this most fascinating field of study.
Student's goals should be to develop an understanding of the fundamental elements of biopsychology and to acquire critical thinking skills. The latter can be only achieved through a detailed comprehension of the subject matter combined with active participation.
Required Text:
Kolb, Whishaw, Teskey (2016) An Introduction to Brain and Behavior (5th edition) New York, Worth
This textbook comes with optional online resources. These include practise questions/exams.
Schedule:
See attached.
Prerequisites:
PSYCO 104 or SCI 100, and Biology 30 (or equivalent). Note that if you do not have the required prerequisites, your registration in this class will be in jeopardy.
Lectures:
The lectures are meant to provide a forum to enhance understanding of the general principles outlined in the text and are not simply a reiteration of the text. In fact, some of the topics in the text may not be covered in class time, although the student's understanding of this material will be tested in the exams.
Moreover, material may be provided in class that may not covered in the textbook. Knowledge of this material will also be tested in the exams. The lectures will proceed at a quick pace. This requires that students read the chapter before the lecture, to the point that they will be able to answer questions put forth by the instructor during the lecture period.
Course Website: eClass
Students will find the course web site necessary for two reasons. First, exam scores and final grades will be posted on the site. Second, class information and lecture notes will also be made available via the website. These can be viewed and printed out before class so that you can spend the lecture time listening rather than writing constantly. If you are unfamiliar with operation of the Internet, contact any library for instruction, or call the Computing and Network Services Help Desk at 492-9400.
Expectations:
We expect students to be familiar with and to follow University Regulations (Sections 20-26 in the
University Calendar:http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/calendar/Regulations-and-Information/). We expect a high degree of decorum in our relationship. Students can expect to be treated politely, professionally and honestly. We expect no less in return. We and your fellow students will appreciate your prompt
attendance, preparation, attention, and quiescence in class. We also look forward to our interaction, which will require active participation on your part.
Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated through a series of exams: two in-class midterms, each worth 31% and one final exam worth 38% of your final grade.
Midterm 1: 31% in class, October 11, 2018
• 70 multiple choice questions
• Chapters 1-7 and any additional information covered in class Midterm 2: 31% in class, November 8, 2018
• 70 multiple choice questions
• Chapters 9-11 and any additional information covered in class
Final Exam: 38% 09:00 Friday December 14, 2018, location to be announced
• This date will be confirmed later in the term by the registrar and will be posted on Bear Tracks, along with the location
• 2 hours
• 105 multiple choice questions
• ~65 questions from chapters 12-14, and any additional information covered in class
• ~40 questions from previous chapters (1-7; 9-11), and classes FOR ALL EXAMS:
• BRING NOTHING ELSE but an HB pencil and your student photo I.D.
• DO NOT BRING ANY electronic equipment (e.g. no cell phones).
• 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.
Grading:
Throughout the course you will be given marks in terms of your percentage correct. The final grade will be computed according to the letter grade system used at the University of Alberta system and will be based upon your raw mark. The table below is approximate and the cutoffs may be adjusted depending on the relative difficulty of exams. In cases of adjustment the thresholds may be lowered but will not be raised. That being said, at least 50% is required for a passing grade.
Grade Grade
points Approximate Percentage Mark
A+ 4.0 90-100
A 4.0 86-89
A- 3.7 82-85
B+ 3.3 78-81
B 3.0 74-77
B- 2.7 70-73
C+ 2.3 66-69
C 2.0 62-65
C- 1.7 58-61
D+ 1.3 54-57
D 1.0 50-53
F 0 0-49.99
Academic Offences:
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 http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/governance/ - under “Student Appeals”) and to avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. More information is available in the Regulations and Information section of the University Calendar (as above).
Academic dishonesty is a serious offence
and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
For a quick review of the types of behaviour that constitute academic dishonesty please review the leaflet
“Don’t do it”. This can be found in eClass or by searching the U of A site.
For a truly sobering look at real-life examples of breaking the code (and most importantly, their impact) type:
“Hall of Shame” on the U of A’s web search engine.
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offense will be reported to the Senior Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. Anyone who engages in a sanctionable behaviour will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam 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. Again, you should review the attached leaflet and the following:
Cheating: No student shall, in the course of an exam, obtain information from another student or
unauthorised source or have someone else represent them. It is an equal offence to deliver information to another student in any form or to represent another student during the course of an exam.
Missed Midterm Examinations:
All students must write the midterm exams in class on the assigned day. When a student is absent from a midterm exam a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for the exam missed. See deferred examinations below for exceptions.
Missed Final Examination:
All students must write the final exam on the assigned day. When a student is absent from a final exam a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for this exam. See deferred examinations below for exceptions.
Deferred Examinations:
Students who miss exams will be assigned a zero as described above. However, there are some limited exceptions as outlined in the university regulations (see link above). In brief, only those students who are incapacitated because of severe illness (which does not include mild colds, sore throat, headache, general malaise, hangovers and the like), or who are suffering from severe domestic affliction, or who have other compelling reasons (including religious convictions) may apply for an excused absence for the missed exam. These procedures differ for MIDTERM versus FINAL examinations (see below).
Regardless, for an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) 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. Please note that Misrepresentation of facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. Also note that excused absences for missed exams is a privilege, not a right, and is granted at the discretion of the instructor or faculty. For further information on University Regulations concerning examinations please consult the University Calendar (again, see links above).
For missed MIDTERM exams, the instructor(s) must be contacted within two working days following the missed exam. We reserve the right to refuse requests deemed to be unsubstantiated. For those granted an excused absence, the student will typically be required to write a make-up exam (at the instructor’s discretion). If this is missed, a raw score of zero will be assigned for the make-up exam. If the instructor decides against a make-up, the weight will be shifted to the final exam.
For missed FINAL examinations, students applying for a deferred exam for valid reasons (as above) must present themselves to their Faculty's Undergraduate Office: the instructor is NOT involved in this process. Note thatstudents who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process. If granted by the Faculty office, the deferred final exam will be written on Friday January 11, 2019 at 09:30. Missing the deferred exam will result in a raw score of zero being assigned.
Past (or Representative) Evaluative Material:
We both have different ways to provide example questions. Dr. Dickson provides examples in class at the end of each section. He also provides the opportunity for students to make up their own exam questions for which he provides assessment. This is a great way to study and can actually influence the content of the exam since he often uses good questions that students provide. Please note that if you buy a new copy of the textbook, you already have access to practise questions/exams. Dr. Mathewson may provide electronic versions of questions.
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. Please make your requests using the appropriate form which we can provide. 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).
About your Instructors:
Please see our departmental and research web pages Clayton Dickson: http://www.psych.ualberta.ca/people/showperson.php?id=38Kyle Mathewson: http://www.psych.ualberta.ca/people/showperson.php?id=311
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 reported in BearTracks and takes precedence over the tentative final examination date reported in the syllabus and schedule.
