Main Courses and Their Descriptions

First Year Courses for Psychology BA

• BIOL 1841U – Essentials of Biology
  This course investigates the structure and function of living organisms, as well as the evolutionary foundation of life. The development of the major tissues, organs, and organ systems from simple structures to more complex systems will be examined.
• PSYC 1000U – Introductory Psychology
  This course introduces students to the study of human thought and behaviour. Through a survey of major theories, principles, and research findings across a variety of fields within psychology, students will gain a better understanding of why people think and behave as they do. Typical topics include: the history of psychology, research methods, sensation and perception, learning, memory, emotion and motivation, consciousness, stress and health, social influences, developmental factors, psychological disorders, and treatment.
• SSCI 1910U - Writing for the Social Sciences
  This course is intended to help students develop and/or enhance writing skills that will increase their likelihood of success within the social sciences. Students will learn how to research academic papers, how to critically assess and use resources, and how to write different styles of papers. Throughout, emphasis will be on improving writing through such mechanisms as outlining, drafting and critically assessing their own work.
• COMM 1100U – Introduction to Communication and Digital Media Studies
  Communications and digital media are everywhere and in everything. Journalists, public affairs officers, content creators, entertainment makers, branding experts, digital storytellers, social media influencers, consumers, activists and citizens use all kinds of media every day to produce, send, and receive digital messages and images about the world, to change it in some way. In this broad survey course, we learn about the key topics, theories, methods, and debates in contemporary communication and media studies and establish foundational knowledge of the economics, politics and policies, texts, technologies, and audiences of all kinds of media forms. The course introduces students to what communication and media studies is, how communication and media in modern society is analyzed, and why knowledge of the history, sources, roles, goals, uses, messages, and impacts of communication and media is integral to becoming media literate citizens and communications professionals.
• CRMN 1000U – Introduction to Criminology and Justice
  This course provides an introduction to criminology, with a particular emphasis on the Canadian criminal justice system. Beginning with the question of “what is crime?”, student’s will be introduced to an analysis of historical and contemporary philosophies and practices of the criminal justice system. In addition to an analysis and overview of crime data and statistics, the course will examine the role and function of each component of the criminal justice system: the police, the court system, and corrections.
• LGLS 1000U – Foundations of Legal Studies
  The course provides students with knowledge of the basics of the Canadian legal system (structure of government, court system, and the principles, sources, and types of law) as well as critical perspectives on law and its role in society. The creation and functioning of the law and its relationship with society are examined through the lens of core themes such as: breaking the law, applying the law, making the law, resisting the law, defining the law and studying the law.
• POSC 1000U – Introduction to Political Science
  This course introduces students to the central concepts of political science. The course deals with the scope, concerns, orienting concepts, leading approaches and methodologies of political inquiry, the major political ideologies, formal and informal institutions in the political process, problems of political and social change, and Canadian and international politics. The emphasis is on how individuals participate in politics and on how politics may be changed through mobilization, social movements, and globalization. This course cultivates an understanding of municipal, provincial, national, and international levels of politics.

Second Year Courses for Psychology BA

• PSYC 2010U – Developmental Psychology
  This course is a comprehensive study of human development across the lifespan from a developmental psychology perspective. The course examines developmental processes and milestones of the individual from conception through late adulthood, with particular emphasis on behavioural and cognitive development. Students will be introduced to the major psychological theories, theorists, and controversies in the field of human development.
• PSYC 2020U – Social Psychology
  This course will introduce the scientific study of social behaviour and the social influences on human behaviour. Theories and research on such topics as attitude change and persuasion, stereotypes and prejudice, conformity and obedience to authority, altruism, attraction and close relationships may be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on experimental research, conducted both in the laboratory and in the field.
• PSYC 2030U – Psychopathology
  This course offers an introduction to understanding, assessing, and treating mental illness from a psychological perspective. Course material will focus on various categories of psychopathology, including personality, anxiety, and mood disorders; schizophrenia; and substance related disorders. Implications for mental health and the law may also be
• PSYC 2050U – Brain and Behaviour
  This course will examine aspects of human neuroscience particularly as they relate to how the brain’s normal and abnormal functioning affect human experience and behaviour. Particular emphasis will be placed on aspects of neuroanatomy and physiology that directly influence human language, thought, and learning.
• PSYC 2060U – Cognitive Psychology
  This course provides an in-depth exploration of human cognition, focusing on both classic and current issues. The study of cognition relies heavily on experimental research designed to test models and theories of cognitive processes. Topics will include attention, perception, memory, knowledge, language, reasoning, decision-making, and other cognitive psychological topics.
• PSYC 2900U – Research Methods in Psychology
  This course will introduce students to the research procedures and designs used in psychological research. There will be a focus on the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, as well as the critical evaluation of reported research findings. Topics include, but are not limited to, non-experimental, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs; research ethics; levels of measurement; and reliability and validity. Particular attention will be paid to drawing valid conclusions from empirical evidence.
• PSYC 2910U – Data Analysis in Psychology
  This course offers an introduction to the concepts and methods of data analysis commonly used in psychology. It focuses on the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in psychological research, and the conceptual interpretation of data. Topics may include measures of central tendency and variability, various forms of analysis of variance, effect sizes and confidence intervals, correlation and regression, planned and post-hoc comparisons, as well as non-parametric tests.
• PSYC 3060U – Personality Psychology
  This course will introduce different theoretical perspectives to the psychological study of personality. Approaches to human personality may include psychoanalytical, cognitive, humanistic, dispositional, behavioural, and biological. Methodological issues will also be discussed. Similarities and differences between the theories will be noted, as will empirical studies that have either supported or failed to support these ideas.

Third and Fourth Year Courses for Psychology BA

• PSYC 3910U – Advanced Data Analysis in Psychology
  This course builds on the material covered in PSYC 2910U by introducing more advanced analyses. Students will learn how to use current data analysis computer software to explore advanced descriptive and inference-based statistical data analysis, as well as data modification techniques, in the context of common research problems in psychology. There will be an emphasis on generating results and interpreting results appropriately.
• PSYC 4110U – Honours Thesis in Psychology I
  A specific scholarly project on a well-defined psychological topic, to be determined in consultation with a thesis supervisor. Honours Thesis I includes attending a weekly class, where psychology thesis students will review aspects of the research process and submit written and oral accounts of their research project and its progress. In particular, students will prepare a literature review and the preparation of a thesis proposal for the planned project. Regular student/supervisor meetings will also be scheduled. Instructor and dean’s consent required.
• PSYC 4120U – Honours Thesis in Psychology II
  A specific scholarly project on a well-defined psychological topic, to be determined in consultation with a thesis supervisor. Honours Thesis II involves conducting the project planned in Honour’s Thesis I and attending the weekly class, where psychology thesis students will review aspects of the research process (e.g., data analysis) and submit written and oral accounts of their research project and its progress. Honours Thesis II culminates with a written report and oral presentation of the project. Regular student/supervisor meetings will also be scheduled. Instructor and Dean’s consent required.
• SSCI 4098U – Practicum
  The practicum is an experiential learning tool that provides students with opportunities to acquire workplace skills and knowledge, confront the relationship between theory and practice, and cultivate a sense of personal and professional development. The course consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, in-class seminars, a set of academic assignments and a major research paper and poster. As part of the pre-practicum process, students will be required to acquire a Vulnerable Sector Screening. Students are matched with community organizations based on goals, interests, and learning outcomes identified in the pre-practicum selection process. In consultation with a designated fieldwork supervisor, students design, manage, and receive feedback on a series of self-directed workplace goals and objectives.
• SSCI 4103U – Internship
  Internship is a form of experiential learning that provides students with opportunities to acquire workplace skills and knowledge, critically examine the relationship between work-related practices and the theories behind them while cultivating a sense of personal and professional development. The internship placement consists of a minimum of 280 hours of fieldwork (paid or unpaid) in one semester, online discussions, reflective journals, and a final project and presentation that integrates and synthesizes students’ work experience with previous coursework and knowledge gained throughout their program of study.

Courses for Developmental Psychological Science Specialization

• List A Courses

  PSYC 3035U – Adolescence

  
  This course will focus on the fundamentals of psychological development during adolescence.  The course will cover topics in the areas of biological, cognitive and social development, as well as the development of the self, identity and relationships.  By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of behavioural aspects of adolescent development and of how research can be used to inform practical problems of a developmental nature.

   

  PSYC 3045U – Child Maltreatment

  This course will provide an overview of the fundamentals of child maltreatment. For the purposes of this course, child maltreatment is defined as neglect; physical, sexual and psychological abuse; and exposure to domestic violence. The course will cover various topics in child maltreatment including its prevention; incidence, and prevalence; causes and correlates; consequences; identification, assessment, and treatment; and legal issues concerning child maltreatment (e.g., mandated reporting, forensic interviewing). By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of how child maltreatment affects children, families and society more broadly.

   

  PSYC 3075U – Biopsychology of Sex

  This course examines the biological and social psychological components of human sexual development, diverse patterns of human sexual behaviour, and the factors that influence these developments and behaviours. Some attention is given to sexual socialization (both formal and informal sexuality education) and to the laws that regulate sexual behaviour. This course emphasizes psychological research and theory on these concepts and, where relevant, examines differing value perspectives. A lifespan perspective in the North American context is taken.

   

  PSYC 3330U – Developmental Psychopathology

  This course will examine the overlap between normal and abnormal child development, exploring the relationship between atypical development and child or adult psychopathology. Emphasis will be on risk and protective factors, characteristics of disorders first evident in childhood and ways that caregivers can promote positive outcomes. Both categorical and dimensional approaches are considered.

   

  PSYC 3530U – Developmental Neuroscience

  This course focuses on the development of brain structure/function, and the ways in which that development helps support human social, emotional and cognitive development. Topics may include the stages of brain development, the role of experience versus innate biological predisposition, the process of developmental neuroplasticity and the functional specialization of domain specific mechanisms. A variety of neuroscientific methods will be surveyed (e.g. MRI, fMRI, EEG, MEG, NIRS), and the way in which these methods can help offer insights into issues of healthy and abnormal brain development will be discussed.
• List B Courses

  HLSC 2810U – Child and Adolescent Health

  
  This course explores what it means to be a healthy child or adolescent in our society and how students studying in health sciences can influence children/adolescents towards wellness. Influences of global, regional, and local issues such as poverty, food insecurity, the impact of media and social media on child development, and emerging threats to child and adolescent health associated with issues such as bullying, addictions, and disordered eating will be examined. The experience of being a contemporary child or adolescent will be critically explored to enhance student understanding of health and wellness in the 0-18 age range. Theories from multiple perspectives and research based in lived experience will be utilized to enhance health science student advocacy and action with children and adolescents.

   

  HLSC 4807U – Perspectives in Aging

  This course integrates perspectives on the physiology, psychology and sociology of aging so that students can understand the implications of an aging population on Canadian society and the Canadian health care system. A life-course approach is taken to understand the key health issues and health behaviours associated with healthy aging. Unique determinants of health and health outcomes of different age groups are discussed.

   

  HLSC 4808U – Exploring Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

  This course integrates perspectives on the physiology, psychology, epidemiology and sociology of people with mental health issues and developmental disabilities (including dual diagnosis) and the implications for overall health and wellbeing. Key areas of both mental illness and developmental disabilities will be discussed; including schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, anxiety, violence and abuse, suicide, bullying, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, how these conditions are related to each other and dual diagnoses.

   

  FPSY 3039U – Children, Psychology and the Law

  Through an examination of relevant psychological, criminological, and legal literature, this course will explore the manner in which children come in contact with the law. It will address a variety of issues pertaining to children’s diverse roles in the justice system as decision-makers, witnesses, victims, and perpetrators. Topics covered in the course may include: children’s memory and suggestibility, developmentally appropriate investigative interview techniques, juveniles’ culpability, and interrogation of juvenile suspects.

   

  EDST 2410U – Foundations of Adult Learning

  This course explores the purposes, meanings and key characteristics of adult education. Students will examine theories of adult education and contexts for adult education through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. Students will be encouraged to take a critical, reflective approach to their learning. The course will analyze approaches to teaching and assessment to determine strategies that best meet the needs of adult learners in different contexts. Students will identify an adult learning need and create an effective learning resource in an appropriate context.

   

  EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy

  This course is designed to help students synthesize their learning about early childhood program elements into an integrated approach to the development of communication for young learners.  Emerging digital technologies and multiple literacies will be emphasized.

   

  EDST 4150U – Holistic Learning in Early Childhood Education

  This course focuses on holistic education and well-being for young children and their families. Students will explore culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy in early childhood environments. Theoretical foundations of holistic education and the domains of child development will be introduced. We will compare holistic models of education including Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, High Scope, Kindergarten, and Head Start in early childhood. The role of technology in holistic models of education will be addressed. Students will create an evidence-based product for families that will be integrated into a holistic program model that they have designed.

Affective Science and Mental Health Specialization Courses

• List A Courses

  PSYC 3065U – Emotion

  Everyone knows what emotions are and how they make us feel. However, were you asked to define exactly what emotions are, and what their function is, you may have a difficult time. This course will provide an in‐depth investigation into the concept of emotion, and will explore topics including: What are emotions? What are the functions of emotions? What is the relationship between emotion and cognition? How do differences in emotional expression relate to differences in personality, stress, decision making and mental health? Throughout, emotions will be considered from a biopsychosocial perspective, to provide a thorough understanding of the social, psychological and neurobiological factors that influence, and that are influenced by, emotional expression.

  PSYC 3070U – Stress and Coping

  Stress is an unfortunate reality for all of us. And yet, despite the universal nature of feeling too much stress, very few of us are ever given guidance into the nature of stress, the effects of acute and chronic stress on the body, and—most particularly—of the ways in which we can productively cope with our stress. This course is designed as a hybrid academic/self-help course, where students will learn the underlying theory/science about stress, and also learn to apply some of the techniques for stress reduction in a personalized way. The goal is for students to come out of the course with a solid understanding of what stress is, and how it affects our body, and to also gain some improved insight and awareness into themselves, and into what they can do, individually, to reduce their own stress levels (or to at least better cope with stress when it occurs).
  
  

  PSYC 3090U – Social Affective Neuroscience

  Humans are, fundamentally, emotional and social beings. We love, hate, cooperate, compete, empathize and introspect, in ways that are likely unique within the animal kingdom. While our understanding of the neural systems underlying the manifestation of these socio‐emotional experiences is developing at breakneck speed, there remain many open questions and controversies. This course is designed to facilitate an in‐depth exploration into these questions and controversies, to better understand the neural systems underlying our social and emotional processes, and to explore the ways in which neuroscience methods may afford unique insights into the human condition. Each week we will use key readings and collaborative discussions to undertake a focused, critical examination of a different topic within social/affective neuroscience.
  
  

  PSYC 3085U – Drugs and Behaviour

  In this course, students will gain an understanding of how drugs affect behaviour and cognition through consideration of the social, psychological and neurobiological factors influencing drug use and abuse. Students will learn to understand and differentiate the various stages of drug use/abuse, including tolerance, dependence, addiction and withdrawal, and will explore the psychological (i.e. learning, motivation) and psychobiological (ie. neuronal, neurotransmitter) mechanisms related to each of these drug‐related stages. Major classes of psychoactive drugs will be covered, ranging from the commonly used drugs, such as alcohol, to street drugs, such as cocaine, to legal drugs used in medicine, such as antipsychotics. For each, the specific mechanisms of action will be considered, and their relationship to abuse potential noted. The societal and cultural influences on drug use/abuse, treatment, prevention, history, laws, and ethics may also be covered in this course.

  
  PSYC 3330U – Developmental Psychopathology

  This course will examine the overlap between normal and abnormal child development, exploring the relationship between atypical development and child or adult psychopathology. Emphasis will be on risk and protective factors, characteristics of disorders first evident in childhood and ways that caregivers can promote positive outcomes. Both categorical and dimensional approaches are considered.
  
  

  PSYC 3620U – Motivation and Emotion

  This course will introduce students to the theory and research related to the concepts of motivation and emotion. Topics covered will include what motivation and emotion are, how they relate to and differ from each other, how they are each measured in psychological research, the physiological and neurophysiological underpinnings of motivation and emotion, and the way in which they influence our decision making and other cognitive processes. Students who complete the course will gain in-depth knowledge regarding how motivations and emotions help guide our thoughts and behaviours, in both the laboratory and in general society

• List B Courses

  FPSY 3055U – Treatment in Forensic Settings

  
  Psychologists provide psychological treatment in forensic settings. They work with populations such as youth and adults with substance abuse and dependence histories, youth and adult offenders, sex offenders, death-row inmates, children of divorcing parents, and victims of a wide variety of crimes, including intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and survivors of heinous crimes. This course provides students with knowledge of the wide variety of psychological services in these contexts, including the mechanics of treatment, treatment outcomes, and research on forensic psychological treatment.

   

  FPSY 4820U – Selected Topics in Antisociality

  This course provides a critical examination of the major biological, clinical, developmental, personality and social/environmental explanations of criminal and antisocial behaviour. Topics covered may include: genetics, hormonal and biochemical imbalances, mental disorders, learning, situational influences, and moral development. This course may emphasize oral presentations, class participation, and other weekly in-class assessments.

   

  HLSC 1811U – Social Determinants of Health

  Examining the social determinants of health is essential because health inequalities cannot be explained by lifestyle choices alone. In this course, historical, social, political, and economic forces that influence health and health inequalities will be discussed. Demographic factors such as education, employment, income levels, ethnicity, and gender will be examined in light of their contribution to issues such as racism and sexism that can lead to health inequalities among groups. A key component of this course will be to explore the literature that focuses on specific determinants such as housing, food security, poverty, access to care, and health issues.

   

  HLSC 3463U – Human Genetics in Society

  We are living in the post-genomics era. The human genome has been sequenced and the analysis of its code to reveal the function of its genes in health and disease is making breathtaking progress. There is considerable new knowledge that must now be applied in the health professions, and an understanding of the exciting topics within the field of genetics is an essential component of health sciences education. This course will begin by covering the principles of human genetics and heredity while highlighting the issues of genetics in our society. The second half of the course will concentrate on understanding the genetic basis of human disease and the impacts of genomics on healthcare.

   

  HLSC 4808U – Exploring Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

  This course integrates perspectives on the physiology, psychology, epidemiology and sociology of people with mental health issues and developmental disabilities (including dual diagnosis) and the implications for overall health and wellbeing. Key areas of both mental illness and developmental disabilities will be discussed; including schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, anxiety, violence and abuse, suicide, bullying, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, how these conditions are related to each other and dual diagnoses.

   

  HLSC 4821U – Exploring the Mind Body Connection: Wellness Promotion Strategies for Life

  This course focuses on wellness and includes both academic and experiential learning. Students will gain a greater understanding of the mental health and interpersonal challenges that are an inevitable part of life. Strategies for effectively managing interpersonal conflict and promoting mental well-being will be emphasized. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own wellness and to play a part in contributing to the wellness of others. Interactive learning activities will provide students with opportunities to gain confidence in their ability to manage their lives and deal effectively with academic, work related and personal life stressors. Students will also critique research related to the effectiveness of mind-body wellness modalities and create a self-care plan that meets their individual needs. Students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in both academic and workplace settings.

   

  BIOL 3060U – Fundamentals of Neuroscience

  Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and how it operates at the organism level with respect to behaviour, learning and memory. This course provides a broad introduction to neuroscience. The topics covered range from the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neural function to an introduction to complex behaviours such as thought and language.

   

  BIOL 4820U – Neuropharmacology

  This course will focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of drugs on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The focus will be on recent developments in the field of neuroscience and their impact on our understanding of the actions and development of new drugs.

Cognitive and Brain Sciences Specialization Courses

• List A Courses

  PSYC 3090U – Social Affective Neuroscience

  
  Humans are, fundamentally, emotional and social beings. We love, hate, cooperate, compete, empathize and introspect, in ways that are likely unique within the animal kingdom. While our understanding of the neural systems underlying the manifestation of these socio‐emotional experiences is developing at breakneck speed, there remain many open questions and controversies. This course is designed to facilitate an in‐depth exploration into these questions and controversies, to better understand the neural systems underlying our social and emotional processes, and to explore the ways in which neuroscience methods may afford unique insights into the human condition. Each week we will use key readings and collaborative discussions to undertake a focused, critical examination of a different topic within social/affective neuroscience.

   

  PSYC 3510U – Research Methods in Neuroscience

  This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of research methods in the field of neuroscience, with an eye toward applications of these methods for psychologically motivated research. Discussed methods will include, but not be limited to, EEG, PET and MRI, and will aim to help students understand when, why and how to undertake each of these methods. Particular topics of interest will include principles of study design, best practices for data collection, interpretation of neuroscience research, limitations of neuroscience research, and methods of ensuring that research is conducted with ethical, open and reproducible methods.
  

   

  PSYC 3520U – Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience

  Sitting at the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, this course offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles underlying brain structure/function, and the ways in which this structure/function supports the emergence and control of cognitive phenomena. Cognitive processes of focus will include perception, attention, memory, language, and/or executive functions. For each, conversations will consider how the cognitive process is supported by the neural systems, how dysfunction of neural systems may contribute to dysfunction of cognitive processes, and how neuroscience methods can contribute to and enrich our understanding of cognition.
  

   

  PSYC 3530U – Developmental Neuroscience

  This course focuses on the development of brain structure/function, and the ways in which that development helps support human social, emotional and cognitive development. Topics may include the stages of brain development, the role of experience versus innate biological predisposition, the process of developmental neuroplasticity and the functional specialization of domain specific mechanisms. A variety of neuroscientific methods will be surveyed (e.g. MRI, fMRI, EEG, MEG, NIRS), and the way in which these methods can help offer insights into issues of healthy and abnormal brain development will be discussed.
  

   

  BIOL 3060U – Fundamentals of Neuroscience

  Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system and how it operates at the organism level with respect to behaviour, learning and memory. This course provides a broad introduction to neuroscience. The topics covered range from the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neural function to an introduction to complex behaviours such as thought and language.
  

   

  NSCI 4999U – Advanced Topics in Integrative Neuroscience

  This advanced course covers a comprehensive examination of the field of neuroscience by reading and presenting papers from the primary research literature. Topics may include but are not limited to: neural development, neurobiology of movement and disease, neuropharmacology, molecular neurobiology, neurobiology of behavior, neurochemistry and the neuroscience of model organisms and invertebrates. Students will be required to give an oral presentation based on a primary research paper. Group projects will also include the preparation and peer review of a research grant proposal.
• List B Courses

  PSYC 3075U – Biopsychology of Sex

  This course examines the biological and social psychological components of human sexual development, diverse patterns of human sexual behaviour, and the factors that influence these developments and behaviours. Some attention is given to sexual socialization (both formal and informal sexuality education) and to the laws that regulate sexual behaviour. This course emphasizes psychological research and theory on these concepts and, where relevant, examines differing value perspectives. A lifespan perspective in the North American context is taken.
  

   

  PSYC 3085U – Drugs and Behaviour

  In this course, students will gain an understanding of how drugs affect behaviour and cognition through consideration of the social, psychological and neurobiological factors influencing drug use and abuse. Students will learn to understand and differentiate the various stages of drug use/abuse, including tolerance, dependence, addiction and withdrawal, and will explore the psychological (i.e. learning, motivation) and psychobiological (ie. neuronal, neurotransmitter) mechanisms related to each of these drug‐related stages. Major classes of psychoactive drugs will be covered, ranging from the commonly used drugs, such as alcohol, to street drugs, such as cocaine, to legal drugs used in medicine, such as antipsychotics. For each, the specific mechanisms of action will be considered, and their relationship to abuse potential noted. The societal and cultural influences on drug use/abuse, treatment, prevention, history, laws, and ethics may also be covered in this course.

   

  PSYC 3610U – Thinking and Decision Making

  This course will provide an in-depth exploration of the scientific theories and empirical research on the way in which humans think and make decisions. Specific topics of interest may include what the difference between thinking and decision making is, how to measure them, the physiological and neurological underpinnings of thinking/decision making in the brain, errors in decision making, and the development of decision making from childhood to old age. The goal of this course will be to introduce students to the theories and research focused on these higher order cognitive processes, the methods by which research tests these cognitive processes, and to demonstrate the relevance of sound and unsound decision making is everyday life.
  

   

  PSYC 3630U – Sleep and Consciousness

  This course will examine the different states of human consciousness, with a predominant focus on the state of sleep. The nature of normal sleep in various species and across the lifespan will be explored, with consideration of the theories relating to the functions of sleep explored in some detail. The course will also examine the physiological, psychological and cognitive processes related to sleep (and other states of consciousness), as well as the effects of sleep deprivation on these systems. The symptoms, causes and treatments of various sleep disorders will be discussed, as will be the internal and external factors that influence sleep cycles and their underlying biological rhythms.
  

   

  PSYC 4210U – Social Cognition

  This course exists at the intersection between Social and Cognitive Psychology, and offers students insights into how a) broader society influences the way we think/process the world and b) how the way we think/process the world influences that world around us. Topics may include the self, attitudes and biases, stereotypes and prejudices and group decision making processes. Efforts will be made to apply the material in ways that relate to the real world. Students will be challenged to think more critically about themselves, as well as the world around them, and to gain a further understanding of how we think, feel and act within social settings.
  

   

  BIOL 4820U – Neuropharmacology

  This course will focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of drugs on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The focus will be on recent developments in the field of neuroscience and their impact on our understanding of the actions and development of new drugs.