Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
The sensation of seeing, hearing, touching or smelling is a product of activity in your brain. Scientists who wanted to work out how this activity could generate conscious perceptual experiences established experimental Psychology as a discipline. In this course we will appraise contemporary evidence concerning these links. Students will be taught how to critically appraise empirical evidence, establish research hypotheses, and how to test those hypotheses.
This course focuses on contemporary issues in visual neuroscience. Internationally renowned researchers will give lectures in their area of expertise and students will be challenged to critically appraise contemporary empirical evidence. Students will be encouraged to construct hypotheses concerning links between brain activity, sensory processes and conscious perceptual experience. Students will also be taught how to design, conduct (including basic Matlab programming), analyse and report the results of experiments. This will provide students with a practical skill set and invaluable training for those who wish to undertake honours projects in this and related fields.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that you will have completed PSYC2020/NEUR2020 (Neuroscience for Psychologists)
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
(PSYC1020 or NEUR1020) + (PSYC2020 or NEUR2020)
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PSYC3192
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Blake Saurels
Associate Professor Jess Taubert
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Aims and outcomes
Aims: This course will introduce students to contemporary issues in sensory neuroscience, with a focus on links between sensory processing and conscious perceptual experience. Students will be encouraged to critically appraise existing empirical evidence, and taught how to conduct and report their own research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Evaluate evidence concerning the relationship between sensory processing and various aspects of conscious perceptual experience
LO2.
Critically appraise contemporary evidence in the field of perceptual neuroscience
LO3.
Design and conduct an empirical experiment
LO4.
Analyse the results of an empirical experiment
LO5.
Report the results of an empirical experiment
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | In Class Quiz Questions | 20% |
30/07/2024 - 22/10/2024 |
| Essay/ Critique | Introductory Paragraphs | 12% |
9/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
Due each fortnight, from Week 3 onwards |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Class Research Project | 34% |
9/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Research Essay | 34% |
4/11/2024 4:00 pm
Applications for extensions on this assessment task will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances! You have all semester to prepare a response and we need to allow time for the essays to be marked so that grades for the course can be finalised. |
Assessment details
In Class Quiz Questions
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/07/2024 - 22/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
For weeks 2 - 13, a reading has been set that you must read before the lecture. During class, you will be invited to answer four quiz questions about the reading (these will be made available online via the course blackboard site), which will stimulate class discussion. Your grade will be determined by the sum of correct answers on your best 10 attempts.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
The best 10 out of 12 quizzes will count. No extensions are possible for this piece of assessment.
Introductory Paragraphs
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 12%
- Due date
9/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
Due each fortnight, from Week 3 onwards
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
From week 2 onwards, you will be set a research essay question relating to material covered in that week's lecture. Each fortnight (from week 3 onwards), you will have to submit a response to one of the two questions posed in the last two lectures (so you will have 6 of these to prepare in total: Due Fridays, 5PM).
Week 3 submission
Week 5 submission
Week 7 submission
Week 9 submission
Week 11 submission
Week 13 submission
Each response should take the form of an introductory paragraph to an argumentative essay. This must specify the essay question, define key essential terms, outline the argument you would construct if you were to write a full essay, and state how you would conclude your argument if you were to write a full essay. In short, write an introductory paragraph, but skip the rest of the essay.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via turnitin
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Students need to submit their paragraphs as prescribed above. Extensions are not possible on this piece of assessment.
If there are any issues, please contact the course coordinator.
Class Research Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 34%
- Due date
9/10/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
During tutorials, students will programme, conduct and analyze the results of an experiment. Students will then write up a laboratory report of the experiment.
A pre-requisite for having your lab report graded is that you program and participate in the class experiment. Your tutor will keep a record of tutorial attendance and experimental participation.
The lab report should be no longer than 2250 words and follow APA guidelines. This must encompass an Abstract of up to 250 words, an Introduction of up to 1000 words, and a Discussion of up to 1000 words. A reference list must also be included, but this will not contribute to the word limit count.
Students should submit the completed report, via turnitin.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Research Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 34%
- Due date
4/11/2024 4:00 pm
Applications for extensions on this assessment task will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances! You have all semester to prepare a response and we need to allow time for the essays to be marked so that grades for the course can be finalised.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
A research essay question will be set based on each lecture, during weeks 2 to 13. Students will be required to prepare a full written response to one of these questions, to be submitted via Turnitin.
You can use the introductory paragraph you wrote and submitted in response to this question, or you can choose to re-write the introductory paragraph.
NOTE: To allow students to submit a response to questions covered in later lectures, this piece of assessment is due on the first day of the exam period. STUDENTS WHO WISH TO AVOID HAVING TO COMPLETE A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR CAN PREPARE A RESPONSE TO A QUESTION SET FOR AN EARLIER LECTURE, AND SUBMIT THAT RESPONSE BEFORE THE DUE SUBMISSION DATE!
Applications for extensions on this assessment task will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances! You have all semester to prepare a response and we need to allow time for the essays to be marked so that grades for the course can be finalised.
Maximum Word Limit 2500
Submission guidelines
Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applications for extensions on this assessment task will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances! You have all semester to prepare a response and we need to allow time for the essays to be marked so that grades for the course can be finalised.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Applications for extensions on this assessment task will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances! You have all semester to prepare a response and we need to allow time for the essays to be marked so that grades for the course can be finalised.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 60 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 61 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Marks will be allocated on the basis of work completed.
ﾠ
If necessary, your overall percentage mark will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage (up in cases of 0.5%).
ﾠ
The minimum overall pass mark is 50%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Core readings, and some additional starter references, will be provided via the course homepage for each lecture from Week 2 onward.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 1 Pt 1: Course Outline Pt 2: How we know what (little) we know Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 2 Functional Modularity Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Introducing Matlab What is a for loop? What is a while loop? Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture Week 3 Visual Adaptation Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming How to collect responses from a mouse Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 4 Colour Perception - Do you see what I see? Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming Creating and saving data Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 5 Object Perception Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Psychtoolbox Drawing images to the screen Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 6 Emotional Processing Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming: Using Matlab to analyse data Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 7 Manipulating Consciousness Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Class Experiment Running the class experiment Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 8 Consciousness #1 Learning outcomes: L03 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming Statistical analysis and discussion of class experiment Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 9 Consciousness #2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming - EEG Analyses How to analyse evoked potentials and measure latencies Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Midsemester Break |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture, Week 10 Prediction in the human brain Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Matlab programming, Decoding How to decode the operations of the mind from EEG data Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture, Week 11 Perceptual Confidence / Metacognition Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming, Spectra analyses How to conduct frequency-based analyses of EEG data Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 12 Syanaesthesia Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture, week 13 Aphantasia Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: