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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Psychology

Undergraduate Course: Psychology 1B (PSYL08010)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course aims to develop an integrated understanding of modern approaches to some of the core areas of psychology such as developmental and social psychology, human memory, and the psychology of language (the remaining core areas to be covered in Psychology 1A). Students are also presented with a broader conceptual and methodological framework of scientific and psychological research, as well as key ideas in science (e.g. naturalism, complexity, levels of analysis). Besides this, students are taught and can practice a range of general research skills.
Course description The course will cover four core areas of psychology.

The course will consist of 4 thematic lecture blocks of six lectures, grouped into two double-blocks. Before each double-block, there will be a lecture covering broader conceptual and methodological topics that illustrate key concepts to be covered in detail in upcoming lecture blocks and why these topics are critical in modern psychology (i.e. conceptual signposting to ensure coherence of understanding more detailed material). Additionally, there will be two lectures covering specific methodological concepts key to the respective areas, which will serve as a gentle introduction feeding into more advanced/detailed coverage in the methodology course in year 2.

Each block will be accompanied by a lecture content-oriented tutorial and a lab that teaches and enhances a general research-related or transferable skill (literature search, experimental design, knowledge exchange etc.).

Halfway through the course, in week 6, is Activity week, when typical lectures, labs and tutorials are suspended. The Activity week consists of group-based hands-on activities that illustrate the course content as well as teach transferable skills. The Activity week draws inspiration from the University-wide Innovative Learning Week. The Activity week activities are not assessed.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  300
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 30, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 4, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 158 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 45 %, Coursework 55 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Final exam = 45%
Tutorial essay = 23%
Tutorial report submission (4 tutorials) = 8%
Research participation (4 hours) = 8%
Lab participation (4 activities) = 8%
Study skills activities (4 activities) = 8%
Feedback Feedback on participation and performance in tutorials and labs (weekly)
Feedback on essay (standard marking turnaround)
Feedback on exam (second semester)
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Psychology 1B2:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Psychology 1B (resit)2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Show knowledge of the key concepts, research areas, methods, and empirical findings in the four core areas of psychology (individual differences, cognitive neuroscience, perception, and (reinforcement) learning.
  2. Understand basic theoretical questions and arguments.
  3. Outline types of research methods used in addressing these issues.
  4. Summarize some classic and some recent findings, and show basic understanding of how they relate to one another.
  5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of how the core areas relate to one another: what are their similarities and differences in terms of conceptual and empirical approaches.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Independent learning skills
Be prepared to look for connections in the material covered in different parts of the curriculum and look beyond the presented material.

Writing skills
Will have learned to write texts in a well-structured and succinct way that enables a clear and coherent message to build up. Logical progression of ideas with supporting evidence properly used will be key.

Communication skills
Will be able to present arguments in a well-structured and succinct way that enables a clear and coherent message to come across.
KeywordsPsychology,individual differences,cognitive neuroscience,perception,learning,science,experiments
Contacts
Course organiserDr Peter Lamont
Tel: (0131 6)50 3372
Email: peter.lamont@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Stephanie Fong
Tel: (0131 6)51 3733
Email: S.Fong@ed.ac.uk
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