Course description
Program Requirements
The master's program consists of 5.0 credits, of which at least two must be at the graduate level (numbered 5000 or higher), and a thesis (equivalent to 2.5 credits) which must be defended at an oral examination. Specific requirements include:
* PSYC 5410 (Advanced Analysis of Variance, 0.5 credit) and PSYC 5411 (Advanced Regression, 0.5 credit). With permission of the adviser and the graduate committee, master's students may have one of PSYC 5410 or PSYC 5411 waived from their requirements, and another course must be substituted for this 0.5 credit. Normally, requests for this requirement waiver must be made in the first term of the master's program. Equivalencies will be determined on a case-by-case basis through application to the graduate committee.
* PSYC 5906 (Pro-Seminar in Psychology, 0.0 credit)
PSYC 5001 [0.5 credit]
Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology
Introduction to various non-numerical, interpretive research methods. Attention will be devoted to the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research, methods collecting and analyzing qualitative data, and issues regarding sampling, reliability, and validity.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5410 and PSYC 5411 or permission from the instructor.
PSYC 5002 [0.5 credit]
Ethics in Psychology
Ethical concepts and controversies related to research and practice in psychology. Topics may include ethical dilemmas and debates, professional codes of ethics, confidentiality, informed consent, legal rights and responsibilities, use of deception, or guidelines for research with special populations.
PSYC 5010 [0.5 credit]
Social Psychology Methodology
An overview of research methods for the study of social and organizational psychology. Topics may include observational and interview techniques, archival methods, questionnaire design, focus groups, qualitative analyses, and computer simulation. A research project will be required.
PSYC 5011 [0.5 credit]
Social Psychology I
Recent developments in social psychology theory and research. Topics may include social cognition, social influence, group processes, conflict resolution and social change.
PSYC 5012 [0.5 credit]
Organizational Psychology I
Recent developments in organizational psychology and research. Topics may include personnel selection, work motivation, morale and productivity, organizational decision making, leadership and social action.
PSYC 5021 [0.5 credit]
Forensic Assessment
Theoretical and empirical issues of the biopsychosocial antecedents of criminal behaviour. Classification and assessment of offenders for courts, probation and parole services. Risk assessment, management and service planning are addressed in both correctional and mental health contexts.
PSYC 5022 [0.5 credit]
Adult Offenders
Theoretical and empirical issues on the use of different types of interventions in modifying adult criminal behaviour. Institutional treatment and community-based approaches are discussed.
PSYC 5023 [0.5 credit]
Witnesses, Victims and Juries
A review of research and theory concerning eyewitnesses, victims of crime, and jury decision-making. Topics such as police interviewing techniques and practices, eyewitness identification and testimony, victim rights, effects and outcomes, and influences on jury verdicts are discussed.
PSYC 5024 [0.5 credit]
Youthful Offenders
An examination of the development of delinquency with a focus on etiology, risk factors, assessment, prediction, and developmental trajectories. Individual, group, and family institutional and community treatment approaches are examined.
PSYC 5104 [0.5 credit]
Psychology of Women
This seminar will consider and evaluate research concerning the psychology of women, including research methods, gender roles and gender differences.
PSYC 5105 [0.5 credit]
Fundamentals of Computing for Psychologists
A survey of computer and communication hardware and software. The course is designed to make psychologists aware of concepts and terminology used by engineers and programmers in planning computer applications. The course will have a weekly laboratory.
Prerequisite: one course in computer programming or equivalent.
PSYC 5106 [0.5 credit]
Computers and Cognition
A survey of literature in such fields as artificial intelligence, database management, computer-aided instruction, simulation and forecasting, and computer-mediated communication. Psychological principles in the design, use, and evaluation of these cognitive aids are stressed.
PSYC 5107 [0.5 credit]
Psychology of Family Violence
Biopsychosocial antecedents and consequences of the abuse and neglect of children, partners and elders within the family. The efficacy of preventive and treatment strategies is also assessed, as are current controversies and research methods in the area.
PSYC 5109 [0.5 credit]
Historical and Social Foundations of Social Psychology
History of psychological social psychology (1890s to 1960s), with emphasis on the development of social psychology as both an experimental and an interpretive science. Some attention is given to historiographic issues and the history of the human sciences generally.
PSYC 5200 [1.0 credit] ( BIOL 5304)
Basics of Neuroscience
A comprehensive neuroscience course from cellular levels to neural systems and behavior. Topics covered include aspects of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and behavioural and cognitive neuroscience. (Also listed as PSY 6201 at the University of Ottawa.)
PSYC 5209 [0.5 credit]
Psychology of Health and Illness
A comprehensive neuroscience course from cellular levels to neural systems and behaviours presented through a series of seminar and colloquia. Topics covered include aspects of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuro-pharmacology and behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.
PSYC 5300 [0.5 credit]
Perceptual Processes
Theoretical and empirical issues of the area of perception. Topics may include: psychophysics, constancies, depth perception, pattern recognition, iconic memory, attention, hemispheric specialization.
PSYC 5301 [0.5 credit]
Psychophysics
A study of classic and contemporary psychophysical methods. Applications to cognition will be included.
PSYC 5401 [0.5 credit]
Multivariate Techniques
Applications of multivariate statistical techniques with psychological data including multivariate analysis of variance, canonical correlation, discriminant function analysis, and factor analysis. Extensive use is made of statistical software.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5410 and PSYC 5411.
PSYC 5407 [0.5 credit]
Tests and Measurements I: Intellectual/Cognitive
This course is designed to assist students learning of basic cognitive/intellectual assessment procedures. Students will be required to administer and interpret a variety of tests such as the WAIS-R, Weschler Memory Scale, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and Buschke's Cued Recall Test.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in testing or psychometrics.
PSYC 5410 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Analysis of Variance
Concepts and applications of advanced analysis of variance designs, including factorial, within groups, and hierarchical designs, and analysis of covariance. Extensive use is made of statistical software.
PSYC 5411 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Regression
Concepts and applications of advanced regression analyses, including multiple regression, hierarchical and polynomial techniques. Extensive use is made of statistical software.
PSYC 5412 [0.5 credit]
Topics in Advanced Statistics and Methods
Selected topics in advanced statistics and research methods relevant to broad areas of psychology, varying from year to year. Topics might include broad analytic approaches, such as, program evaluation, qualitative methods, nonparametric statistics, among others.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5410 and PSYC 5411 and permission of the Department.
PSYC 5413 [0.25 credit]
Workshops in Advanced Statistics and Methods
Intensive focus on specific statistical or methodological approaches relevant to psychological research (e.g., structural equation modeling, advanced factor analysis, meta-analysis, observational methods).
Prerequisite: PSYC 5410 and PSYC 5411 and permission of the Department.
PSYC 5501 [0.5 credit]
Developmental Psychology I
A detailed examination of selected issues in developmental psychology.
PSYC 5502 [0.5 credit]
Developmental Psychology II
A continuation of PSYC 5501.
PSYC 5601 [0.5 credit]
Contemporary Research in Personality
Current controversial issues in personality research, and selected theoretical and research studies in personality.
PSYC 5700 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Topics in Cognition I
An in-depth study of a specific topic in the area of basic cognitive processes. Topics will vary from year to year and may include judgmental processes, object identification, selective attention and spatial cognition.
PSYC 5703 [0.5 credit]
Cognition I
A survey of issues and research methodologies in basic cognitive processes. Topics may include detection and processing of sensory signals, pattern recognition, attention, mental imagery and automaticity.
PSYC 5704 [0.5 credit]
Cognition II
A survey of issues and research methodologies in higher-level cognitive processes. Topics may include memory, representation of knowledge, decision processes, and the procedural/declarative controversy. The course may be focused on a particular area (e.g. reading, transfer in problem solving).
PSYC 5800 [0.5 credit]
Special Topics in Psychology
The topics of this course will vary from year to year, and will be announced in advance of the registration period.
PSYC 5900 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies
In-depth investigation of selected problems in psychology by means of directed library research. Registration is restricted, permission to register being granted only by the graduate committee. A final report must be filed in the departmental office prior to submission of course grade.
PSYC 5901 [0.5 credit]
Independent Research
Permission to register and approval of research plan must be obtained from the graduate committee. A final research report must be filed in the departmental office prior to submission of course grade. The course may be repeated for credit.
PSYC 5903 [0.5 credit]
Practicum in Psychology
The practicum offers master's level students the opportunity to gain experience in a range of applied psychology settings with the goal of integrating academic and practical aspects of psychology. This course cannot be repeated for credit. Students will receive a grade of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Details are available from the Department.
PSYC 5906 [0.0 credit]
Pro-Seminar in Psychology
The pro-seminar is based on the departmental invited colloquia series. This course provides breadth in terms of exposure to research. Colloquia are offered from September to April.
PSYC 5909
M.A. Thesis
