This course examines how the human brain receives and processes information from our environment. It 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: The Beginnings of Perception
Unit 3: Neural Processing and Perception
Unit 4: Cortical Organization
Unit 5: Perceiving Objects and Scenes
Unit 6: Visual Attention
Unit 7: Taking Action
Unit 8: Perceiving Motion
Unit 9: Perceiving Colour
Unit 10: Perceiving Depth and Size
Unit 11: Hearing
Unit 12: Auditory Localization and Organization
Unit 13: Speech Perception
Unit 14: The Cutaneous Senses
Unit 15: The Chemical Senses
Evaluation
To receive credit for the course, you must complete all of these evaluation assignments. You must receive a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the final exam, and a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent).
Activity
Weight
5 Quizzes (5% each)
25%
Term Paper
35%
Final Exam
40%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Textbook: Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Sensation and perception (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. (eText)
Other course materials are available online. These include a Course Manual, Study Guide, Quiz Book, and Virtual Lab.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 333 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D(50 percent) on the examination.
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.