Psychology (PSYC) 333
Sensation and Perception (Revision 2)

Revision 2 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: A course in introductory psychology, PSYC 289, PSYC 290 is recommended but not required.
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
PSYC 333 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
This course examines how the human brain receives and processes information from our environment. This course explores the functioning of human sensory systems and how physical stimuli are transformed into signals that can by understood by the nervous system. Topics covered in the course include vision, audition, taste, smell, touch, proprioception, and basic psychophysics.
Outline
- Unit 1: Introduction to Perception
- Unit 2: Receptors and Neural Processing
- Unit 3: The Lateral Geniculate Nucleus and Striate Cortex
- Unit 4: Higher-Level Visual Processing
- Unit 5: Perceiving Objects
- Unit 6: Perceiving Colour
- Unit 7: Perceiving Depth and Size
- Unit 8: Perceiving Movement
- Unit 9: Perception and Action
- Unit 10: Sound, the Auditory System, and Pitch Perception
- Unit 11: Auditory Localization, Sound Quality, and the Auditory Scene
- Unit 12: Speech Perception
- Unit 13: The Cutaneous Senses
- Unit 14: The Chemical Senses
- Unit 15: Perceptual Development
- Unit 16: Clinical Aspects of Vision and Hearing
Evaluation
To receive credit for the course, you must complete all of these evaluation assignments, and you must receive a grade of at least 50 percent on the final exam and a composite course grade of at least “D” (50 percent).
5 Quizzes (5% each) | Term Paper | Final Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|
25% | 35% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Goldstein, E. B. (2007). Sensation and perception (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Other Materials
Other course materials are available online. These include a student manual, study guide, quizbook, and virtual lab.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 333 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D”(50 percent) on the examination.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 2, Dec 2008.
View previous syllabus