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Unit outline_

PSYC1002: Psychology 1002

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Psychology 1002 is a further general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and it is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1002 covers the following areas: neuroscience; human mental abilities; learning and motivation; visual perception; cognitive processes; abnormal psychology. This unit is also offered in the Intensive January session. For more information consult the web site: https://sydney.edu.au/students/summer-winter-study.html

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Caleb Owens, caleb.owens@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Irina Harris, irina.harris@sydney.edu.au
Evan Livesey, evan.livesey@sydney.edu.au
Bart Anderson, barton.anderson@sydney.edu.au
Justin Harris, justin.harris@sydney.edu.au
Rachel Menzies, rachel.menzies@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Shaun Boustani, shaun.boustani@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final exam
Assessment of understanding of lecture materials
65% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Participation Research participation
Participate in research projects
5% Multiple weeks
Closing date: 27 Nov 2020
5 hours throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3
Tutorial quiz Learning Tutorial Quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.63% Week 02
Due date: 06 Sep 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Sep 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Motivation tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.62% Week 03
Due date: 13 Sep 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Sep 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Neuroscience tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.63% Week 06
Due date: 04 Oct 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Oct 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Abnormal tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.62% Week 07
Due date: 18 Oct 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Oct 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Research report
APA formatted research report based on a class experiment in Week 2
25% Week 07
Due date: 14 Oct 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 11 Nov 2020
1150 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Ethics tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.63% Week 08
Due date: 25 Oct 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Oct 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Cognitive processes tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.62% Week 09
Due date: 01 Nov 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Nov 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Mental abilities tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.63% Week 10
Due date: 08 Nov 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 08 Nov 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Perception tutorial quiz
Online quiz on tutorial content
0.62% Week 11
Due date: 15 Nov 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 15 Nov 2020
Unlimited attempts for one week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Online tutorial quizzes: The eight assessable online tutorial quizzes allow unlimited attempts, and are available for a week at a time. A Special Consideration applied to the online quizzes will result in a mark adjustment (quizzes not affected by SC will be weighted more).
Note that all quizzes are equally weighted at 0.625% (software would not allow more than two decimal places)
Research participation: Research participation is not compulsory. If you do not complete any or all of your five hours of research
participation, you simply will not receive the marks associated with it. An alternative to research participation (a written assignment) is
also available on request (before the end of Week 5). More details are on your Canvas site.
Research report: The research report assignment is worth 25%, so commit at least 25 hours to it. Use all resources available on canvas to assist you. Late penalties will apply after the due date. The closing date is the last day submissions will be accepted (but if no extensions have been granted late penalties may have eroded ALL marks by the closing date).
Final exam: The format of the final exam has not yet been confirmed at the time this outline is released. It will be conducted during the final exam period regardless of its format.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD (High Distinction), DI (Distinction), CR (Credit), PS (Pass) and FA (Fail) as defined by Academic Board Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1). These achievement levels are described below.

 

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

 

 

 

 

50 - 64

 

 

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

:  

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or waive late penalties only if expressly stated below.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Learning and motivation 1,2,3 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Introduction to the course and the research report experiment Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 02 Learning and motivation 4,5,6 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Learning Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Learning and motivation 7, Neuroscience 1,2 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Motivation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04 Neuroscience 3,4,5 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Writing, paraphrasing and referencing in Psychology Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Neuroscience 6, Abnormal 1,2 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
The Research Report Topic and Writing Guide (Video + Webinar) Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 06 Abnormal 3,4,5 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Neuroscience Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 07 Abnormal 6, Cognitive Processes 1,2 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Abnormal Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 Cognitive processes 3,4,5 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Ethics in research and professional practice (Videos + Webinar) Online class (2 hr) LO2
Week 09 Mental Abilities 1,2,3 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Cognitive Processes Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Mental abilities 4,5,6 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Mental abilities Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 11 Perception 1,2,3 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Perception Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 12 Perception 4,5,6 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Research Report feedback and course feedback (Online materials + Webinar) Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture attendance: 80% expected and recommended to pass unit. Audio and video (of slides) recordings made of most lecture content and most slides posted online. Attendance occasionally recorded.
  • Tutorial attendance: 80% expected and recommended to pass unit. Attendance recorded.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the diverse areas of psychology taught: cognitive psychology, neuroscience, perception, mental abilities, abnormal psychology and learning and motivation
  • LO2. understand what binds such diverse pursuits into the single discipline of ‘psychology’ in regard to language, research methods, attitude and approach, and an appreciation of the ethical issues associated with behavioural research
  • LO3. understand the core research design principles and statistical approaches used throughout of psychology, and develop the ability to apply them in a critical manner
  • LO4. understand the APA style used for the presentation of written material, particularly research reports
  • LO5. appreciate how what is taught in psychology has implications for your wider personal and professional approach and identity.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last run.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.