PSYCHOL 3023 - Perception & Cognition

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Perception and Cognition builds upon PSYCHOL 2006 Foundations of Perception and Cognition. Lectures will focus on advanced topics in visual perception, such as depth perception, object recognition, face perception, and the relationship between vision and action, as well as on theories of cognition covering metacognition, learning, categorisation, and language. Tutorials and self-directed learning sessions will introduce students to methods and skills in each of these areas, and will encourage students to evaluate and engage with primary sources.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 3023
    Course Perception & Cognition
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 2004, PSYCHOL 2005, PSYCHOL 2006 and PSYCHOL 2007
    Incompatible PSYCHOL 3018 & PSYCHOL 3019
    Assessment Online exercises, written report, written exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Anna Ma-Wyatt

    Additional Academic Staff:
    Dr Amy Perfors: Ph - +61 8313 5744; Email amy.perfors@adelaide.edu.au
    Dr Matthew Dry: Ph - +61 8313 3856; Email matthew.dry@adelaide.edu.au
    Dr Carolyn Semmler: Ph +61 8313 4628; Email carolyn.semmler@adelaide.edu.au


    School of Psychology Office:
    Ph - +61 8313 5693; Email - psychologyoffice@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1.    Understand of how the brain processes sensory information to create a coherent representation of the environment  to allow individuals to perform daily activities
    2.    Understand the principal research questions and theories in the study of human cognition
    3.    Apply experimental methods and techniques to address theoretical questions in perception and cognition
    4.    Apply their knowledge and understanding to relevant real world problems
    5.    Read and discuss critically  journal articles relevant to the principal research questions.



    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    For additional information regarding required resources please refer to the relevant Program Handbook at the following link:

    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/current-students/forms-handbooks/
    Recommended Resources
    The Library is a major resource centre for students. The Research Librarian for Psychology, Maureen Bell, provides some useful information through the Internet at http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/psychology. The website contains a list of databases, links to tutorials and help with searching methods.

    For additional information regarding recommended resources please refer to the relevant  Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/current-students/forms-handbooks/
    Online Learning
    This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:
    •    Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board
    •    Submission of summative assessment
    •    Access to resources such as forms, templates and additional readings
    •    Self-directed learning activities

    Link to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures are supported by summative exercises that test course content and tutorials that extend material covered in lectures. Core curriculum, including the research practical, is taught within a structure that reflects the research strengths of the School of Psychology so that topics covered can be explicitly linked to research conducted within the School.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Lectures: 23 x 1 hour = 23 hours
    Tutorials: 4 x 1 hour = 4 hours
    Online quiz and preparation: 14 hours
    Practical preparation: 40 hours
    Poster preparation: 20 hours
    Conference attendance: 2 hours
    Exam preparation: 50.5 hours
    Exam: 2.5 hours

    Total=156 hours


    Learning Activities Summary

    Week Topic Lecture
    Week 1 Perception Perception
    Week 2 Perception Perception
    Week 3 Perception Perception
    Week 4 Language Language
    Week 5 Language Language
    Week 6 Language Language
    Week 7 Categorisation Categorisation
    Week 8 Categorisation Categorisation
    Week 9 Public Holiday Categorisation
    Week 10 Metacognition Metacognition
    Week 11 Metacognition Metacognition
    Week 12 Metacognition Metacognition
    Disclaimer: This program is provisional and subject to change.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Several SGDE sessions will be held during semester. These sessions will be an opportunity for students to interact in small groups with all of the lecturing staff to discuss their topics for their poster presentations at the Perception and Cognition Conference.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning outcome(s) being addressed
    Exam consisting of multiple choice questions and short answer questions (150 mins) Summative 50% 1-4
    Practical report Summative 20% 2-5
    Poster presentation Summative 10% 3
    4 quizzes Summative 16% 1-4
    Tutorial attendance and participation Summative 4% 1-5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    For additional information regarding assessment please refer to the relevant Program Handbook at the following link:

    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/current-students/forms-handbooks/
    Assessment Detail
    Please refer to the relevant Program Psychology Handbook and the General Handbook for Undergraduate Psychology students (available at the link below) for further details relating to assessment:

    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/current-students/forms-handbooks/
    Submission
    Please refer to the General Handbook for Undergraduate Psychology students (available at the link below) for details on submission process/requirements, penalties for late submission, the process of applying for extensions, and the staff “turn-around” timeline on assessments and the provision of feedback and policy relating to re-submission/redemptive work.

    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/current-students/forms-handbooks/
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.