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Honours Psychology (60 credits)

Offered by: Psychology     Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Program Requirements

Honours Psychology prepares students for graduate study, and so emphasizes practice in the research techniques which are used in graduate school and professionally later on. Students are normally accepted into Honours at the beginning of their U2 year, and the two-year sequence of Honours courses continues through U3.

Admission to Honours is selective. Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better are eligible to apply; since enrolment is limited the usual GPA for admission to this program is 3.50. Students must complete a minimum of 27 graded credits in two terms in their U1 year to be eligible to apply to the Honours program. These credits must include: PSYC 204, PSYC 211, PSYC 212, PSYC 213, and PSYC 215. Students are advised to complete PSYC 305 in their U1 year to apply to the Honours program. Once in the Honours program, the student must obtain a GPA of 3.00 in the U2 year in order to continue in the program for U3. Students in the Honours program are encouraged to complete a minimum of 27 graded credits per academic year. This is also the minimum number of credits required to be eligible for fellowships and awards.

The application is available on the Psychology Dept website at: . The deadline is specified on the application form. Candidates will be informed of the Department's decision via email before classes begin in September.

Students should note that awarding of the Honours degree will depend on both cumulative grade point average and a minimum grade of B on PSYC 380D1/PSYC 380D2, PSYC 482. "First Class Honours" is awarded to students who obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.50 and a minimum grade of A- in the required honours courses, namely PSYC 380D1/PSYC 380D2, PSYC 482. "Honours" is awarded to students with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 and a minimum grade of B in the required honours courses, namely PSYC 380D1/PSYC 380D2, PSYC 482. Moreover, the awarding of the Honours degree normally requires completion of two full years of study, U2 and U3, in the Honours program in the Psychology Department. Students with particularly strong academic records may be admitted for the U3 year only on the basis of their marks and research experience. These students must complete all Honours program requirements.

Program Prerequisites

Students planning on entering the Honours Psychology program are required to complete Introductory Psychology at the collegial level or in their first year of study at McGill University. Students are also strongly encouraged to complete a course in Human Biology.

Students who have completed 350-101 or 350-102 in CEGEP are exempt from the PSYC 100 requirement.

Bachelor of Arts students should complete BIOL 115 or BIOL 111 or BIOL 112 during their first year, unless they have already completed one of Biology 101-301, 101-401, 101-911, or 101-921 in CEGEP.

  • BIOL 111 Principles: Organismal Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the phylogeny, structure, function and adaptation of unicellular organisms, plants and animals in the biosphere.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Hargreaves, Anna; Bell, Graham; Green, David M; Cristescu, Elena (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UK or equivalent; or BIOL 115.

    • This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00UK

    • Labs are held weekly, starting from the second week of term. Attendance at the first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.

  • BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : The cell: ultrastructure, division, chemical constituents and reactions. Bioenergetics: photosynthesis and respiration. Principles of genetics, the molecular basis of inheritance and biotechnology.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Schöck, Frieder (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory

    • Labs are held weekly, starting from the second week of term. Attendance at the first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.

    • This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00XU

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CEGEP objective 00XU or equivalent;or BIOL 115; or AEBI 122

  • BIOL 115 Essential Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to biological science that emphasizes the manner in which scientific understanding is achieved and evolves and the influence of biological science on society. Topics will include cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, organ physiology, ecology and certain special topics that change from year to year.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Woolley, Sarah; Vogel, Jacalyn (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisites: none.

    • Restrictions: Open only to non-Science students; not open to students who have had BIOL 111, BIOL 112, or equivalents.

  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to the scientific study of mind and behavior, including basic concepts and methods in psychology while also highlighting the relevance of psychology to everyday life; attachment, aggression, depression, parenting and personality change.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Hardt, Oliver (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures; 1 conference

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have passed an Introductory Psychology course in CEGEP: 350-101 or 350-102 or equivalent

U1 Required Courses (18 credits)

* Advising note for PSYC 204: Students who have completed in CEGEP either Mathematics 201-307 or 201-337 or equivalent, or the combination of Quantitative Methods 360-300 with Mathematics 201-300, and who obtained a minimum grade of 75%, are exempt from the U1 required course PSYC 204.

Bachelor of Arts students will replace this requirement with 3 credits at the 300 level in one of the following disciplines: Psychology (PSYC), Anthropology (ANTH), Linguistics (LING), or Sociology (SOCI).

Bachelor of Arts and Science students will replace this requirement with 3 credits in Psychology at the 300 level or above.

** Note: PSYC 305 may be taken in U1 or U2.

  • PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The statistical analysis of research data; frequency distributions; graphic representation; measures of central tendency and variability; elementary sampling theory and tests of significance.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023

    Instructors: Flake, Jessica (Fall) Kreitewolf, Jens (Winter) Kreitewolf, Jens (Summer)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have passed a CEGEP statistics course(s) with a minimum grade of 75%: Mathematics 201-307 or 201-337 or equivalent or the combination of Quantitative Methods 300 with Mathematics 300

    • This course is a prerequisite for PSYC 305, PSYC 406, PSYC 310, PSYC 336

    • You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.

  • PSYC 211 Introductory Behavioural Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to contemporary research on the relationship between brain and behaviour. Topics include learning, memory and cognition, brain damage and neuroplasticity, emotion and motivation, and drug addiction and brain reward circuits. Much of the evidence will be drawn from the experimental literature on research with animals.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Summer 2023

    Instructors: Britt, Jon (Fall) Graham, M. Dean (Summer)

  • PSYC 212 Perception (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Perception is the organization of sensory input into a representation of the environment. Topics include: survey of sensory coding mechanisms (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory), object recognition, spatial localization, perceptual constancies and higher level influences.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Gaskin, Stephane (Winter)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures; 1 conference

  • PSYC 213 Cognition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Where do thoughts come from? What is the nature of thought, and how does it arise in the mind and the brain? Cognition is the study of human information processing, and we will explore topics such as memory, attention, categorization, decision making, intelligence, philosophy of mind, and the mind-as computer metaphor.

    Terms: Winter 2023, Summer 2023

    Instructors: Sheldon, Signy (Winter) Gaskin, Stephane (Summer)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures, 1 conference

    • Prerequisite: One previous course in Psychology.

  • PSYC 215 Social Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course offers students an overview of the major topics in social psychology. Three levels of analysis are explored beginning with individual processes (e.g., attitudes, attribution), then interpersonal processes (e.g., attraction, communication, love) and finally social influence processes (e.g., conformity, norms, roles, reference groups).

    Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023

    Instructors: Tchalova, Kristina (Fall) Lydon, John (Winter)

  • PSYC 305 Statistics for Experimental Design (3 credits) **

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to the design and analysis of experiments, including analysis of variance, planned and post hoc tests and a comparison of anova to correlational analysis.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023

    Instructors: Sajjad, Alia (Fall) Miocevic, Milica (Winter) Darainy, Mohammad (Summer)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 204 or equivalent

    • This course is required of all students who propose to enter an Honours or Major program in Psychology

    • You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.

U2 Required Courses (9 credits)

U3 Required Course (3 credits)

  • PSYC 482 Advanced Honours Seminar (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Ethical issues in scientific and clinical psychology, scientific psychology and social policy; and other issues.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023

    Instructors: Ristic, Jelena (Fall) Palmer, Caroline (Winter)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures, plus student presentations, debates, and discussions.

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken 204-480D. For Honours students only.

Complementary Courses (30 credits)

30 credits of complementary courses with the following specifications:

12 credits to be selected from the list below and any Psychology course at the 500 level.

List A - (Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognition and Quantitative Methods)

6 credits in Psychology from List A:

  • NSCI 201 Introduction to Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : An introduction to how the nervous system acquires and integrates information and uses it to produce behaviour.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Darainy, Mohammad; Pérez Gay Juárez, Fernanda (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: NSCI 200 or PSYC 211 or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PSYC 308.

  • PSYC 301 Animal Learning and Theory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Contemporary and historical research and theory on animal learning approached from a behavioural, cognitive and biological perspective. Classical and instrumental conditioning, cognitive learning, and biological constraints. The status and history of North American behaviourism will be discussed and compared with cognitive and other approaches.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite(s): PSYC 211 or PSYC 213 or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PSYC 211 prior to the 2000-01 academic year

  • PSYC 302 The Psychology of Pain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to pain research and theory, with emphasis on the interactions of psychological, cultural and physiological factors in pain perception. The role of these factors in clinical pain and its management by pharmacological and non-pharmacological means will be discussed.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Mogil, Jeffrey (Winter)

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures

    • Prerequisite: any of the following: NSCI 201, PSYC 211, PSYC 212 or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken PSYC 505.

  • PSYC 306 Research Methods in Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The philosophy of science, the methods psychologists use, and how to interpret and evaluate psychological research. The ethical issues in psychological research and how to communicate psychological research in written and visual forms. How to become consumers of psychological science, and to provide building blocks to become expert producers of psychological science.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Graham, M. Dean (Winter)

  • PSYC 310 Intelligence (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to the evolution and assessment of intelligence. Emphasizes measurement and correlates of the human intellect and the role of environment and heredity in social and race differences in intellectual and adaptive functioning. Evolution of intelligence in vertebrates and other intelligences including practical and emotional intelligence will be covered.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 311 Human Cognition and the Brain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course is an introduction to the field studying how human cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, language, learning and memory, planning and organization, are related to brain processes. The material covered is primarily based on studies of the effects of different brain lesions on cognition and studies of brain activity in relation to cognitive processes with modern functional neuroimaging methods.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Brochu Barbeau, Elise; Hadid, Vanessa (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures; 1 conference

  • PSYC 315 Computational Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Application of computational methods to the simulation of psychological phenomena. Comparison of natural and artificial intelligence. Symbolic and neural network techniques. Methods for evaluating simulations.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Johns, Brendan (Winter)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: 15 credits in any of Psychology, Cognitive Science, Biology, Mathematics and Statistics, Computer Science, or Neuroscience.

    • Restriction: Not open to U0 or U1 students.

  • PSYC 317 Genes and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Focuses on current techniques employed to study which genes influence behaviour, and how they do so.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 318 Behavioural Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The physiological bases of motivational states, with respect to feeding, drinking, sexual behaviour, drug use, and aggression. Physiological bases of learning and memory.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Britt, Jon (Winter)

  • PSYC 319 Computational Models - Cognition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to the purpose, design, and role of computational modeling in the cognitive sciences. Domains examined will include memory, categorization, and language. Focus will be on computational models to attain a better theoretical understanding of human behaviour. New trends, including the use of big data and machine learning.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Johns, Brendan (Fall)

    • Restrictions: U2 or above. Restricted to students in Psychology, Linguistics and Cognitive Science.

  • PSYC 329 Introduction to Auditory Cognition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Listener's response to sound. Higher-level mental principles including perception, attention, memory, motor control, and emotion. Sensation and perceptual organization of sound. Perception/production of speech, music, and other auditory events.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • 3 lecture hours per week.

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 212 or PSYC 213 or permission of the instructor.

  • PSYC 340 Psychology of Language (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : A survey of issues in psycholinguistics, focusing on the nature and processing of language (e.g., how we understand speech sounds, words, sentences, and discourse). Also surveyed: language and thought, the biological foundations of language, and first language acquisition.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 341 The Psychology of Bilingualism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course will examine issues in bilingualism, including second language acquisition in children and adults, critical period hypothesis, cognitive consequences and correlates of bilingualism, social psychological aspects of bilingualism, and bilingual education.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisites: Introductory Psychology, and PSYC 340 or introduction to linguistics; or permission of instructor

  • PSYC 342 Hormones and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The role of hormones in organization of CNS function, as effectors of behaviour, in expression of behaviours and in mental illness.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: de Mendonça Filho, Euclides José; Barth, Barbara (Winter)

  • PSYC 352 Cognitive Psychology Laboratory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to research methods and experimental techniques in cognitive psychology for exploring topics such as attention, memory, categorization, reasoning, and language processing.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Farivar-Mohseni, Reza (Fall)

    • Winter

    • 1 hour lecture, weekly lab

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 213 and PYSC 305.

    • Corequisite: PSYC 305 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Requires departmental approval.

  • PSYC 353 Laboratory in Human Perception (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Students will be introduced to standard psychophysical procedures and data analysis techniques, and will have the opportunity to design and carry out their own experiments. Research topics include: visual acuity, form and motion perception, and visual search. Evaluation based on individually written reports on lab experiments.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Kreitewolf, Jens (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 1 hour lecture plus 3 hour lab

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 212, U2 level or above. Requires departmental approval.

  • PSYC 403 Modern Psychology in Historical Perspective (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : A survey of the scientific and ideological influences on psychology from its philosophical beginnings through the period of the schools to its modern situation.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Pleszewski, Zbigniew (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures

  • PSYC 406 Psychological Tests (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to the theory and practice of psychological measurement in health, educational, clinical and industrial/organizational settings. Attention to procedures for developing and validating tests and questionnaires. Techniques include: intelligence tests, projective tests, questionnaires, structured interviews, rating scales, and behavioural/performance tests.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Sadikaj, Gentiana (Fall)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 204 or equivalent

  • PSYC 410 Special Topics in Neuropsychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Developments in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychiatry via readings from primary sources. Topics include the neural bases of memory, emotion, social cognition and neuropsychiatric diseases. Integrating knowledge from studies in clinical populations and functional neuroimaging studies.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Ristic, Jelena (Winter)

    • Fall

    • Two lectures per week.

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 213 and PSYC 311 (or NSCI 201). Knowledge of basic neuropsychology at the level covered in PSYC 311 is assumed.

  • PSYC 413 Cognitive Development (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : In-depth exploration of cognitive development in infants and children including knowledge representation and processing, conceptual development, language development, and theories and principles of cognitive development.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Onishi, K (Winter)

  • PSYC 415 Electroencephalography (EEG) Laboratory in Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to the use of electroencephalography (EEG) for measuring brain function in behavioural neuroscience experiments. Recording and analyzing EEG data, as well asin designing experiments and interpreting findings using this method. Topics include the neural basis of EEG, recording principles and techniques, EEG data analysis (frequency bands, averaging, sources of noise, filtering, signal to noise), event-related potential analysis (ERP), spectral analysis and time-frequency analysis, data visualization, topographical maps.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 427 Sensorimotor Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : A systematic examination of the sensorimotor system, drawing on models and data from both behavioural and physiological studies. Topics include: cortical motor areas, cerebellum, basal ganglia, spinal mechanisms, motor unit properties and force production, prioception, muscle properties.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 433 Cognitive Science (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The multi-disciplinary study of cognitive science, exploring the computer metaphor of the mind as an information-processing system. Focus on levels of analysis, symbolic modeling, Turing machines, neural networks, as applied to topics such as reasoning, vision, decision-making, and consciousness.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Otto, Ross (Fall)

  • PSYC 443 Affective Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Focus on the neurobiology of emotion, the links between emotion and cognition, and the role of experience and individual differences in emotional states associated with psychopathology.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Bagot, Rosemary (Winter)

  • PSYC 444 Sleep Mechanisms and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course covers basic biological mechanisms, possible functions and behavioural aspects of sleep. Additional topics include: disorders of sleep, their effects on behaviour and cognition, and treatment approaches; as well as medical, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and drugs, that affect sleep.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Solomonova, Elizaveta (Fall)

  • PSYC 470 Memory and Brain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Memory systems are studied with an emphasis on the neural computations that occur at various stages of the processing stream, focusing on the hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, cerebellum and cortex. The data reviewed is obtained from human, non-human primates and rodents, with single unit recording, neuroimaging and brain damaged subjects.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 502 Psychoneuroendocrinology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This advanced seminar course offers an in-depth introduction to current topics in psychoneuroendocrinology. Students will read and discuss original scientific literature from human and animal research interrogating the mechanisms by which hormones act in the brain to influence behaviour in health and disease. Students will gain a refined understanding of key concepts in psychoneuroendocrinology, such as negative feedback control and the key neuroendocrine axes and their role in behavioural control. They will apply this knowledge to critically evaluate original scientific literature and generate hypothesis-driven research questions from the scientific literature.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall Please note that a B- in the prerequisite course(s) is recommended.

    • Prerequisite: One of PSYC 311, PSYC 318, PSYC 342, NSCI 201, or permission of the instructor.

  • PSYC 506 Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to cognitive properties and neural mechanisms of human attention. The material will include an overview of the history of attention research, contemporary theories of attention, the varieties of attention, behavioral and neuroimaging experimental methods, the nature of attentional dysfunctions, and the links between attention and other cognitive functions including memory and consciousness.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 213 and PSYC 311, and one of PSYC 305 OR BIOL 373, or permission of instructor.

    • Restrictions: Open only to Psychology, Cognitive Science and Neuroscience students. Not open to students who have taken PSYC 365.

  • PSYC 513 Human Decision-Making (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Interdisciplinary study of decision-making, covering contemporary approaches to understanding how humans compute values and make choices. Measurement of and techniques for assessing variables such as risk and uncertainty, utilities and preferences, reinforcement learning, heuristics and biases, and self-control. Emphasis on quantitative models of decision-making.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): PSYC 212 or PSYC 213 and U3 standing; or permission of instructor

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PSYC 562 in Winter 2017.

  • PSYC 514 Neurobiology of Memory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Advances in the understanding of the neurobiological bases of fundamental memory processes, such as memory consolidation maintenance, retrieval, and forgetting. The contribution of their dysregulation to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Consideration of findings from a variety of species, spanning insects to humans.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 522 Neurochemistry and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Anatomical, biochemical and physiological aspects of neurotransmitter systems in the brain, current theories of the function of these systems in normal and abnormal behaviour, and the actions of psychotropic drugs.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 526 Advances in Visual Perception (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : We examine in detail the structure of the visual system, and its function as reflected in the perceptual abilities and behaviour of the organism. Parallels are also drawn with other sensory systems to demonstrate general principles of sensory coding.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Mullen, Kathy T; Reynaud, Alexandre; Baldwin, Alexander (Fall)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

  • PSYC 529 Music Cognition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Interdisciplinary study of music cognition, with an emphasis on psychological, computational, and neuroscientific approaches. Focuses on listeners' response to sound, including perception, attention, memory, motor control, skilled performance, and emotional response.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 531 Structural Equation Models (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course introduces basic concepts underlying structural equation models (SEM). SEM, which combine regression analysis and factor analysis, are quite useful and are currently very popular in analyzing data that arise in social, developmental and clinical psychology. The students are expected to get first-hand experiences in fitting SEM, and learn how to interpret and report the results from SEM.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • one 2-hour lecture plus one lab

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 305and (PSYC 439 or PSYC 536) or permission of the instructor

  • PSYC 537 Advanced Seminar in Psychology of Language (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Topics may include: the neural basis of language, evolutionary approaches to language, pragmatics and figurative language processing, disordered language processing, models of spoken word recognition.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 213 and one of: PSYC 340, LING 200, or LING 201.

    • Note: Prior background in the psychology of language, cognitive psychology, or linguistics is essential.

  • PSYC 538 Categorization, Communication and Consciousness (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The main challenges that cognitive science faces today, focusing on the capacity to learn sensorimotor categories, to name and describe them verbally, and to transmit them to others, concluding with cognition distributed on the Web.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Harnad, Stevan (Fall)

    • Prerequisite(s): Student must have completed a 300 level course in one of the following: Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Computer Science, or Neuroscience.

    • Restriction(s): Restricted to U2 students or above.

  • PSYC 541 Multilevel Modelling (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Basic concepts of multilevel linear and nonlinear models and applying these methods to empirical data.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Flake, Jessica (Winter)

  • PSYC 545 Topics in Language Acquisition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Psychological mechanisms and theories of first language acquisition in infancy and early childhood. Topics such as: infant speech perception, acquisition of grammar, word learning, pidgin and Creole languages, critical and sensitive periods, genetic and evolutionary bases of language.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Onishi, K (Fall)

    • Fall

  • PSYC 560 Machine Learning Tools in Psychology (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An overview of various methods for understanding and predicting complex and often large datasets, which have been developed in machine learning and statistics. It focuses on the conceptual underpinnings of popular supervised and unsupervised learning methods and the applications of the methods to various datasets from psychology and closely related disciplines (e.g. neuroscience, consumer behaviour, psychiatry) using existing software packages for the methods.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Hwang, Heungsun (Winter)

    • 1. Students who have taken COMP 202 or COMP 204 and who have taken freshman linear algebra and calculus might instead consider taking COMP 551

    • 2. Students in both psychology and computer scienceare strongly encouraged to take COMP 551 over PSYC 560.

    • Open to U2 students or above. Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 551.

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 305

  • PSYC 562 Measurement of Psychological Processes (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Intermediate level theory and methods for the measurement of latent variables in psychology and related fields. In-depth coverage of theories of validity and psychometrics as applied in psychology. Introduction to quantitative methods for scale development, use, and evaluation. Discussion of current topics and challenges in psychological measurement and psychometrics.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

* 1. Students who have taken COMP 202 or COMP 204 and who have taken freshman linear algebra and calculus might instead consider taking COMP 551.
2. Students in both psychology and computer science are strongly encouraged to take COMP 551 over PSYC 560.

List B - (Social, Health and Developmental Psychology)

6 credits in Psychology from List B:

  • PSYC 304 Child Development (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Psychology of children, covering critical issues, theories, biological underpinnings, experimental methods, and findings in perceptual, cognitive, language, emotional, and social development.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Summer 2023

    Instructors: Krol, Sonia (Fall) Krol, Sonia (Summer)

  • PSYC 328 Health Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : A survey of major issues in health psychology: historical perspective; health effects of stress and stress management; pain mechanisms and management; prevention and management of chronic diseases, hypertension, coronary heart disease, cancer, and immunological disorders. Behaviour change strategies for smoking, weight regulation, physical inactivity, and sexual risk behaviour.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Elgar, Frank (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 213 and PSYC 215.

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken PSYC 429.

    • Available only to U2 and above.

  • PSYC 331 Inter-Group Relations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course focuses on the social psychology of societal groups such as racial minorities, aboriginal groups and women. The ideological biases of current theories is first established. This is followed by a review of current theories and finally current controversies are explored including new forms of racism and affirmative action.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Axt, Jordan (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 215

  • PSYC 332 Introduction to Personality (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course examines some of the major theories of personality, e.g., those of Freud, Rogers, and Bandura. Empirical research inspired by these theories will also be examined. Topics include the nature of human motivation, the role of the self-concept, and the consistency and stability of personality.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Koestner, Richard (Fall)

    • Winter

    • 3 lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 100

  • PSYC 333 Personality and Social Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course builds on and is an extension of Social Psychology (PSYC 215). Traditional approaches to person-situation interactions and a more dynamic approach based on recent research on goals and social cognition.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Krol, Sonia (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 215

  • PSYC 337 Introduction to Psychopathology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to major concepts and issues in the study of psychopathology in humans, including major models of etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, assessment, and treatment.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Summer 2023

    Instructors: Sullivan, Michael John L (Fall) Ravary, Amanda (Summer)

    • Two lectures

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken PSYC 338.

  • PSYC 351 Research Methods in Social Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Designed to introduce students to the issues, strategies, and applications of various research methodologies in social psychology. Through demonstrations, exercises, and pilot studies, students will gain experience with lab and field methods using both correlational and experimental procedures. Classic and contemporary approaches will be examined.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • 1 hour lecture, 6 hour lab and/or field work

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 215. Pre-/Co-requisite: PSYC 305.

    • Restriction: U2 level and above. Requires departmental approval.

  • PSYC 408 Principles and Applications of Psychotherapy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to the theories, research, and practice of psychotherapy, with a particular focus on cognitive behavioural and related therapies. Discussion of broad topics such as historical perspectives on psychotherapy, the empirical study of psychotherapy, and ethical issues related to psychotherapy. Traditional and contemporary cognitive-behavioural therapies and their application to mood, anxiety, eating, and personality disorders will be reviewed. Current interest topics in psychotherapy (e.g., neurocognitive correlates of change, technology in treatment) will be highlighted.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite(s): PSYC 337

    • Restriction: U2 and above

  • PSYC 409 Positive Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Didactic instruction and experiential learning in its coverage of three issues central to this field: positive emotions, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. Topics covered include sensory savoring, expressing gratitude, optimism, identifying and building strengths, kindness, and meaning.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 215 Social Psychology

    • Note: Permission from instructor is required.

  • PSYC 412 Child Development: Psychopathology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Introduction to the field of behavior disorders of childhood and adolescence, including core issues, theoretical and methodological underpinnings, descriptions and discussions of many disorders, clinical and research data, and treatment approaches. Three major assumptions will be woven through the course.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Christophe, Noah Keita (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Two lectures and one conference weekly.

    • Corequisite: PSYC 304 or PSYC 337 or permission of instructor

  • PSYC 414 Social Development (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Advanced study of the development of social behaviour and social cognition in children. Topics include: socialization, attachment, aggression, exploration, role taking, communication, family and peer relations, self and person perception. The development of these social processes within the framework of three general theories of development: behaviour genetics, learning, and cognitive-developmental.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 436 Human Sexuality and Its Problems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course will deal with typical sexual behavior and its variations. Topics will include the history of sex research, the sexual response cycle, sexual dysfunction, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. Current research and theory will be emphasized.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Binik, Irving Michael (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: either PSYC 337 or permission of the instructor

  • PSYC 471 Human Motivation (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course is designed to explore questions such as "Why do people often fail to reach their personal goals?" Current goal-based and need-based theories of human motivation will be reviewed. The instructor will highlight the relevance of motivation research to the domains of education, sports and management.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Koestner, Richard (Winter)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 215

  • PSYC 473 Social Cognition and the Self (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course examines the social psychological literature emphasizing a) social cognition - how people think about and make sense of their social experiences; and b) self theory - how people create and maintain a sense of identity. These frameworks will be applied to social psychological topics including close relationships, attitudes and self-esteem.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 474 Interpersonal Relationships (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Psychological science approach to interpersonal relationships. Organized in terms of the development of relationships, focusing first on impression formation as a platform for the development of relationships. Then we focus on close relationships, examining interpersonal constructs (intimacy, trust, commitment) and reconsidering social cognitive constructs (attributions, schemas) in an interpersonal context.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 475 Neuroscience of Social Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The biological underpinnings of human social cognition and behavior, including neural, hormonal, and genetic mechanisms. By integrating multiple levels of analysis (biological, psychological), as well as different perspectives (basic, clinical, applied), the aim is to gain a deeper understanding of classic social psychological processes. Topics will include social cognition/theory of mind, empathy and understanding others, cooperation and prosocial behavior, interpersonal relationships, the self/agency, morality and anti-social behavior as well as basic methodological approaches to the study of social neuroscience and emerging issues in the field.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 483 Seminar in Experimental Psychopathology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Design of experiments in psychopathology, interviewing techniques and clinical diagnosis.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 305 and PSYC 337, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: For U3 students only.

  • PSYC 491D1 Advanced Study: Behavioural Disorders (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : A critical examination of topics in abnormal and clinical psychology. Emphasis will be on analysis of theoretical positions and empirical findings as they relate to both etiology and treatment.

    Terms: Fall 2022

    Instructors: Bradley, Ian (Fall)

    • 3 hours of seminar per week plus a placement at a clinical or specialized educational site.

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 337

    • Students must register for both PSYC 491D1 and PSYC 491D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both PSYC 491D1 and PSYC 491D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • PSYC 491D2 Advanced Study: Behavioural Disorders (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : See PSYC 491D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2023

    Instructors: Bradley, Ian (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 337

    • Students must register for both PSYC 491D1 and PSYC 491D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both PSYC 491D1 and PSYC 491D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

    • 3 hours of seminar per week plus a placement at a clinical or specialized educational site.

  • PSYC 507 Emotions, Stress, and Illness (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Emotional effects on peripheral physiology and the development, course, and outcome of physical disorders such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, ulcers, asthma, and cancer.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

  • PSYC 509 Diverse Clinical Populations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Poverty is a significant risk factor for psychological disorder. In this class, we will examine critically research focused on this association, with an emphasis on (a) mechanisms underlying the link between poverty and psychopathology, and (b) development and dissemination of evidence-based treatments for individuals living in poverty. Particular attention will be paid to the research methodologies used to address these questions.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 204 and PSYC 337

    • Restriction: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology and to U3 students enrolled in one of the following programs: BSc; Major in Psychology, BSc; Honours in Psychology, BA; Major Concentration in Psychology, BA; Honours in Psychology, BA; Joint Honours - Psychology Component, or by permission of the instructor.

  • PSYC 512 Advanced Personality Seminar (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Advanced topics in personality. Focus on power, status, and dominance and how these are manifested in social behavior. Dominance in nonhuman species, biological substrates of dominance, relations of status and dominance to social cognition, affect, and health; gender, role and cultural influences on dominance.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 332 or permission of instructor.

    • Restrictions: Open to psychology students. Enrolment limited. Students must be in U3 or above. Departmental permission required.

  • PSYC 528 Vulnerability to Depression and Anxiety (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course will examine in depth cognitive, behavioral, biological, and developmental psychopathology models of the etiology of depression and anxiety. Within each theoretical perspective, core issues, theoretical and methodological underpinnings, and research data will be examined.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 337 or PSYC 412 or permission of instructor. Requires departmental approval.

  • PSYC 530 Applied Topics in Deafness (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Covers fundamental topics in deafness (sensory, perceptual, cognitive, social, linguistic, education and health issues) from an applied psychological perspective. Lectures and seminar presentations plus field work involving ASL/LSQ.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 340 or PSYC 316 or equivalent. Permission of instructor

  • PSYC 535 Advanced Topics in Social Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Classic and contemporary readings in a specific content area within social psychology will be assigned in order to examine the sub-area in depth. The focus will vary depending upon the specialty area of the instructor. These areas include interpersonal relationships, intergroup relations, the self, and social cognition.

    Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023

    Instructors: Axt, Jordan (Fall) Bartz, Jennifer (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 215; and PSYC 333 or PSYC 351 or PSYC 380.

    • Restriction: Departmental permission required.

    • Restriction: Graduate Students, enrolment limited

  • PSYC 539 Advanced Topics in Social Psychology 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Classic and contemporary readings in a specific content area within social psychology. The focus will vary depending upon the specialty area of the instructor, including interpersonal relationships, intergroup relations, the self, and social cognition.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.

6 credits at the 300 level or above selected from the following disciplines:
Anthropology (ANTH), Linguistics (LING), Psychology (PSYC), or Sociology (SOCI).

Faculty of Arts—2022-2023 (last updated Aug. 25, 2022) (disclaimer)
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