Advanced Studies of Human Cognition

Subject PSYC30017 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 120 hours.

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites are required for this subject

Corequisites:

No Corequisites are required for this subject

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Prior coursework in at least two level 2 psychology subjects, including Cognitive Psychology, is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personaility & Social Psychology.

Non Allowed Subjects:

512335 Advanced Cognition 3

512307 Advanced Studies of Human Cognition

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards of Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit Website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Piers Howe

Contact

Psychology

12th floor Redmond Barry Building (Building 115 Map)

Telephone: + 61 3 8344 6377

Email: enquiries@psych.unimelb.edu.au

Web: http://psych.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Advanced Studies of Human Cognition covers a range of topics within the interdisciplinary field of cognitive psychology. The primary focus of cognitive psychology is to understand thought processes through the use of experimental techniques. The course builds on material and concepts introduced in Cognitive Psychology at the second year level. The lectures take an information-processing perspective of the human brain to show how transformations of information in the brain gives rise to high-level mental functions. Tutorials will focus on current theoretically important questions in cognitive psychology and provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of experimental techniques and scientific writing skills. The lecture topics may include signal detection theory, decision-making, visual perception, memory, learning, categorization, attention and consciousness.

Objectives:

The subject aims to:

  • understand current theories about thought processes and how those theories have been shaped by the use of human behavioural techniques
  • develop an understanding of the experimental techniques and methods of analysis used to investigate cognitive processes
  • develop scientific writing skills to communicate the results of behavioural experiements used to study cognition
Assessment:

Written work of 3000 words (50%) to be submitted during semester. An examination of no more than two hours (50%) to be completed at the end of semester during the specified University examination period.

Each piece of assessment must be completed (hurdle requirement).

Attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.

Prescribed Texts:

No prescribed texts. A reading pack will be made available.

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills to:

  • think critically about theoretical and empirical issues in psychology
  • evaluate research issues critically on the basis of empirical evidence
  • demonstrate a knowledge of classical and current issues in psychology
  • demonstrate an understanding of some of the obstacles to an integrated perspective in areas or psychology
  • locate and use web-based material effectively (web pages, news groups, list servers, etc.)
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Psychology
Psychology
Psychology Major
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Core selective subjects for B-BMED.
Related Breadth Track(s): Psychology - Cognitive

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