Courses
Basic Psychological Processes
AUPSY 101
Introduction to the discipline of Psychology and its methods. The course focuses on the basic principles underlying human behaviour. Topics include the central nervous system, perception, learning, memory, sleep, and dreams.
Individual and Social Behaviour
AUPSY 102
Introduction to the discipline of Psychology and its methods. The course focuses on the study of human development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, and social psychology.
Statistical Methods for Psychological Research
AUPSY 213
Application of statistical methods to psychological problems. Various experimental and non-experimental methods will be introduced. Topics include the scientific method, quantitative research designs, sampling and measuring techniques, biases in experimentation and ethical issues, measures of central tendency and variability, and tests of statistical hypothesis. Students will become familiar with the American Psychological Association (APA) standards of research and writing. Prerequisite: Pure Mathematics 30 or Mathematics 30-1. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUPSY 213, AUSTA 153, 213, 215.
Personality
AUPSY 220
Introductory survey including representative theoretical points of view and research relevant to the major problems of the study of personality. Prerequisite: AUPSY 102.
Social Psychology
AUPSY 240
Survey of theories and research on the individual in a social context. Topics may include self presentation, values/attitudes/beliefs, leadership, group dynamics, interpersonal attraction, and aggression. Prerequisite: AUPSY 102.
Developmental Psychology
AUPSY 256
Biological, cognitive, and social aspects of psychological development, with special emphasis on infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Prerequisite: AUPSY 102.
Memory and Cognition
AUPSY 263
Introduction to the study of mental processes in memory and cognition. Topics include short- and long-term memory phenomenon, visual attention, consciousness, problem solving and decision making. Prerequisite: AUPSY 101.
Sensory Processes and Perception
AUPSY 267
An introduction to the theoretical and experimental issues associated with sensory processes and perceptual experience. Prerequisite: AUPSY 101.
An Introduction to the Brain and Nervous System
AUPSY 275
Introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system, with a special emphasis on the brain. Prerequisite: AUPSY 101.
Psycholinguistics Seminar
AUPSY 301
Detailed examination of issues in the psychology of language. The course adopts a seminar style that focuses on discussion, oral presentation, and writing skills. Prerequisites: AUPSY 263 and third-year standing. Note: Open only to a student with a major or minor in Psychology.
Sleep, Emotion, and Stress: Physiological Psychology Seminar
AUPSY 303
Detailed examination of issues in physiological psychology. The course adopts a seminar style that focuses on discussion, oral presentation, and writing skills. Prerequisites: AUPSY 275 and third-year standing. Note: Open only to a student with a major or minor in Psychology.
Cognitive Psychology Seminar
AUPSY 307
Detailed examination of issues in cognitive psychology. The course adopts a seminar style that focuses on discussion, oral presentation, and writing skills. Prerequisites: AUPSY 263 and third-year standing. Note: Open only to a student with a major in Psychology.
Qualitative Methods in Psychology
AUPSY 310
Introduction to qualitative methodology in psychology. Topics include: Theoretical foundations of qualitative methods, interviewing, transcribing, and approaches to qualitative analysis. Prerequisite: AUPSY 213.
Advanced Research Design
AUPSY 313
In this course, students will continue to build upon their existing knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research design. Some topics include: The role of theory in psychological research, critical thinking, advanced topics in quantitative and qualitative design, and integrating methods. Prerequisites: AUPSY 213 and 310.
Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology
AUPSY 316
An introduction to theoretical and philosophical psychology. Topics include: Theories of "self" and "identity", critical thinking, the role of theory in psychological research, theoretical and methodological pluralism, theory evaluation and integration, and topics from the philosophies of psychology and science. Prerequisites: AUPSY 101 or 102 and third year standing. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUPSY 316 and AUPSY 410 (2011).
Intimate Relationships and Human Sexuality
AUPSY 338
A survey of research on intimate relationships and human sexuality from individual and interpersonal perspectives. Topics covered may include methods of sexuality/relationship science, attraction, gender identity, sex roles, sexual orientation, sexual attitudes and behavior, and relationship stresses. Prerequisite: AUPSY 240; third-year standing.
Health Psychology
AUPSY 342
An overview of theory, research and practice of health psychology and behavioural medicine. Prerequisite: AUPSY 220 or 240.
Environmental Psychology
AUPSY 344
Systematic study of the dynamic interchange between people and their social and physical environmental contexts. Topics include theories of environmental perception, the effects of crowding, the impact of natural/urban settings, the effects of building design and colours, and managing limited resources. Prerequisite: AUPSY 102; third-year standing. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUENV 344 and AUPSY 344.
Community Psychology
AUPSY 346
Examination of the theories, approaches, and values behind social intervention intended to ameliorate, or prevent, psychological difficulty. Examples of community change are drawn from a Canadian context whenever possible. Prerequisite: AUPSY 102.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
AUPSY 348
An overview of theories and research relevant to understanding human behaviour in the workplace. Prerequisite: AUPSY 240.
Cognitive Development
AUPSY 362
Survey of the development of memory, perception, conceptual thought, and academic skills from birth through the school years. Prerequisite: AUPSY 256 or 263.
Psychology of Language
AUPSY 373
Survey of the production and perception of spoken, signed, and written language. Topics include speech perception, speech production, reading, language acquisition, and language origins. Prerequisite: AUPSY 263. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUPSY 373 and AUPSY 271 (2009).
Human Neuropsychology
AUPSY 377
Study of changes in mood, motivation, perception, attention, memory, and cognition, as revealed by structural alterations in the human brain. Prerequisite: AUPSY 275 or consent of the instructor.
Directed Reading
AUPSY 391
Intensive study of a specific area of psychology as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Notes: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course. AUPSY 391 is classified as a science course; AUPSY 392 is classified as an arts course.
Directed Reading
AUPSY 392
Intensive study of a specific area of psychology as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Notes: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course. AUPSY 391 is classified as a science course; AUPSY 392 is classified as an arts course.
History and Systems of Psychology
AUPSY 408
Survey of major theoretical approaches to psychology, especially in the last two centuries, emphasizing the historical antecedents and contemporary significance of each. Prerequisites: AUPSY 101 or 102, and fourth-year standing. Notes: Open only to a student with a major in Psychology. AUPSY 408 is classified as an arts course.
History and Systems of Psychology
AUPSY 409
Survey of major theoretical approaches to psychology, especially in the last two centuries, emphasizing the historical antecedents and contemporary significance of each. Prerequisites: AUPSY 101 or 102, and fourth-year standing. Notes: Open only to a student with a major in Psychology. AUPSY 409 is classified as a science course.
Program Evaluation in Psychology
AUPSY 414
An introduction to program evaluation in psychology. Topics include: goals of program evaluation, evaluation strategies, evaluation methods and designs, using logic models for program evaluation, and case studies in program evaluation. Prerequisites: AUPSY 213. Corequisites: AUPSY 310 or equivalent recommended.
Emotion
AUPSY 441
A survey of theory and research on affect and emotion science. Topics covered may include the history of emotion research, measurement and classification of specific emotions, neurobiology of emotions, cognitive and cultural influences, consequences of emotions/moods, and disorders of emotion. Prerequisite: AUPSY 240 or 275; third year standing.
Psychology in a Cultural Context
AUPSY 442
An examination of cultural differences in psychological processes such as perception, memory, motivation, emotion, values, language, interpersonal relationships and the implications of these differences for cultural interactions. Prerequisites: One of AUPSY 220, 240; third year standing.
Psychological Disorders
AUPSY 483
Advanced-level course that focuses on the research related to the etiology, classification, assessment, and treatment of a variety of psychological disorders in children and adults (e.g., anxiety, addictions, depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders). A student becomes acquainted with the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Prerequisite: AUPSY 275. AUPSY 486 is highly recommended.
Clinical and Counselling Psychology
AUPSY 486
Overview of the major approaches to counselling, providing the foundation for the counselling process. The student is involved in a variety of experiences in order to understand the basic concepts of each approach. Issues within the counselling profession such as ethical behaviour and career opportunities are also covered. Prerequisites: AUPSY 220 or 256; *3 in 300 level Psychology. AUPSY 331 or AUPSY 346 is highly recommended.
Forensic Psychology
AUPSY 488
Examination of the psychology of criminal behaviour and the legal system. Topics include theories of criminal behaviour, jury selection and decision-making, police interrogations and confessions, eyewitness testimony, and risk assessment and offender intervention programs. Prerequisite: AUPSY 240. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUPSY 488 and AUCRI 488.
Directed Reading
AUPSY 491
Intensive study of a specific area of psychology as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Notes: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course. AUPSY 491 is classified as a science course.
Directed Reading
AUPSY 492
Intensive study of a specific area of psychology as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Notes: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course. AUPSY 492 is classified as an arts course.
Individual Study I
AUPSY 497
Literature review and proposal (including an oral report) for fourth-year thesis. Prerequisites: AUPSY 313, fourth-year standing, and consent of the Instructor. Notes: Admission to AUPSY 497 normally requires a grade point average of at least 3.5. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course. The course is intended for a student planning to pursue graduate studies in Psychology. AUPSY 497 is to be followed by AUPSY 499.
Individual Study II
AUPSY 499
Fourth-year thesis research, report, and oral presentation. Prerequisite: AUPSY 497. Note: Admission to AUPSY 499 normally requires a grade point average of at least 3.5. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.