Stage III courses

S2 C: (15 points)

Staff: Dr Jeff Hamm, Dr Michael Hautus, Dr Barry Hughes, Coordinator TBA.

This is a more in depth study of Cognitive Psychology that follows on from PSYCH 201. This course covers theories, models and applications of cognitive psychology. Coverage includes sensory science, perception, memory, attention, language and motor control. Consideration will also be given to connections with cognate areas, such as cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence, and students will be introduced to research methods in cognitive science.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191.
Laboratories: One compulsory two-hour laboratory per week (for 9 of the 12 weeks)
Coursework: 40% details to be advised
Final Exam: 60%
Plussage: Students must attempt all coursework and obtain a passing grade overall

Recommended (not required) Text: Eysenck, M.W. and Keane, M.T. (2010). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (6th ed.). Hove, UK: Psychology Press

There is a limit of 120 places in this course.

S2 T: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Dr Jane Magnusson.

Examination of psychological factors affecting behaviour and performance in exercise and sport. The individual performer is the major consideration, but group influences on individual performance are also considered.

Prerequisite: SPORTSCI 204 or 45 points in Stage II Psychology with at least a B- average
Course work: 60%
Final Exam: 40%
Plussage: Must obtain a passing grade for course work and final exam.

S2 C: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Dr Lynette Tippett.

This course covers material relating to the neural basis of cognitive processes, including perception, attention, memory, language and social cognition. Students will be introduced to different methods of inferring mind-brain relations in normal and neurologically impaired individuals. This will include study of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington’ s Disease.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191 or 15 points from PHYSIOL 220 or MEDSCI 206.
Laboratories: Weekly two hour laboratories.
Coursework: 40% Details to be advised.
Final exam: 60%

Plussage: Must attempt all work and obtain passing grade overall.

Texts for background reading: Gazzinaga M.S., Ivry R. B., & Mangun G. R. (2009). Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind (3rd edition). New York: W.W. Norton and Co. New York. Pinel, J.P.J. (2011). Biopsychology. (8th Edition) Boston: Pearson Education.

There is a limit of 120 places in this course.

S2 C: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Associate Professor Karen Waldie.

This course deals with the principles and practices relevant to psychological research. These include the philosophy of science, research ethics, designing research, measurement of variables, describing and analysing data, and interpreting results. This course will cover a wide range of statistical analysis, including both quantitative (nonparametic and parametic) and qualitative techniques.

Prerequisite: As per PSYCH 303.
Laboratories: Two hours of compulsory laboratories per week
Coursework: 50% details to be advised
Final exam: 50%
Plussage: Must attempt all work and obtain a passing grade overall.

Prescribed Text: Howell, D.C. (2007). Fundamental Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences (6th Ed) Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press.

There is a limit of 250 places in this course.

S1 & S2 C/T: (15 points)

To complete this course students must enrol in PSYCH 308 A and B.

Prerequisite: As per PSYCH 303.
Corequisite: Students must be enrolled in or have completed an additional 45 points of Stage III Psychology courses, plus HoD approval
Coordinator/Assessor: Associate Professor Douglas Elliffe

1. Enrolment in this course is not automatic. Approval must be obtained from the Head of Department or his/her deputy and approval will normally be given if (i) a student has completed or is concurrently enrolling in four other Stage III courses, and (ii) has been accepted by a supervisor to work on one of the topics listed below. Thus, students should discuss potential projects with staff prior to enrolment, and bring a note from a supervisor at enrolment.

2. Students should complete the bulk of empirical work by mid-year, submit a draft to the supervisor. The final report must be typed and should follow APA journal format.

3. Assessment for this course is 100% coursework. This is made up of 80% for the written research report, and 20% for the practical component, based on a report from the project supervisor.

4. Closing date for submission of research topic reports: Mid October 2012 date TBA

Students interested in PSYCH 308 need to consult individual staff members.

S1 C: (15 points)

Staff: Dr Chris Podlesnik (Coordinator), Associate Professor Douglas Elliffe, TBA

Note: Three lectures and one tutorial period per week are scheduled, and additional laboratory attendance is required.

The course covers a series of topics in animal learning, behaviour, memory and cognition. Among the topics covered will be: The law of effect; the generalised matching law, punishment and avoidance; maximising, matching and melioration, signal detection, behavioural detection and free-operant detection, issues relating to stimulus control, animal memory and cognition, economic approaches to behaviour, applied behaviour analysis. This course is highly recommended for those intending to study Applied Behaviour Analysis at postgraduate level.

Prerequisite: As per PSYCH 303 or 45 points at Stage II Biological Sciences
Restriction: PSYCH 362
Coursework: 40% 2 laboratory reports worth equal marks
Final Exam: 60%
Plussage: Must gain more than 50% on coursework
Recommended Text: Davison M. and McCarthy, D. (1988). The matching law: A research review. NY:Erlbaum.
Prescribed Text: None. A selection of reprints will be available.

S2 C: (15 points)

Staff: Associate Professor Ian Lambie (Coordinator), Professor John Read, Erana Cooper, Dr Kerry Gibson,
Dr Nigel George, Fiona Howard, and guest lecturers from the mental health community.

Describes and evaluates psychological approaches to the assessment and treatment of those mental health problems, in adults and children, most commonly encountered by clinical psychologists. Consideration is given to work in mental and physical health, child protection and clinical neuropsychology. Issues relevant to Māori mental health, gender, cross cultural work and prevention are included.

Prerequisite: As per PSYCH 303.
Restriction: 461.315
Coursework: 50% 1 essay 25%, 1 test 25%.
Final exam: 50%
Plussage: Must attempt all coursework and obtain a passing grade overall in coursework.

Required Text: Rieger, Elizabeth (2nd Ed.). (2011). Abnormal psychology: Leading researcher perspectives. North Ryde, NSW, Australia: McGraw Hill.

Recommended text (for additional readings): Carr, A. (2006). Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology: a contextual approach (electronic resource) New York: Routledge. Read, J., Mosher, L., and Bentall, R. (2004). Models of Madness: Psychological, Social, and Biological Approaches to Schizophrenia. London: Brunner-Routledge.

Any additional readings will be provided at the beginning of each section of the course. Recommended text (for additional readings)

There is a limit of 250 places in this course.

S1 C: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Dr Nickola Overall.

This course focuses on people as social beings. There are three modules. Module 1 examines social cognition and interpersonal communication and influence, such as self presentation, relationship maintenance and conflict management. A second module examines issues in identity, well-being and community psychology. Module 3 covers collective behaviour and social issues such as crowd dynamics, the impact of culture on behaviour, prejudice and intergroup hostility. Coursework involves participation in and completion of a research project.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191.
Coursework: 50%: 2 written assignments worth 25% each
Final exam: 50%

Plussage:

• Must complete all coursework and obtain a passing grade for coursework overall.

There is a limit of 220 places in this course.

S1 T: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Associate Prof Suzanne Purdy.

This course will examine human communication. Beginning with a view of the complexities of human language, it will discuss the extraordinary nature of communication development, the intricate involvement of other psychological processes such as cognition, audition, social and emotional behaviour and context (including that of culture), and how all these are relevant to an understanding of disorders of human communication in both children and adults. It is recommended for students who may wish to apply for the MSLTPrac course, but is also relevant to students across the full range of psychology sub-disciplines.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191.
Coursework: 50%
Final exam: 50%

Plussage:

• Must complete all coursework and obtain a passing grade for coursework overall.

There is a limit of 120 places in this course.

S2 C: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Prof Russell Gray.

Do other animals have language? Do they have culture? Can human behaviour be explained in evolutionary terms? This course addresses these questions and the methods that can be used to answer them. Specific areas that may be discussed include the evolution of language, social learning and cultural evolution, evolution of mind, the nature/nurture, sociobiology and evolutionary psychology debates, the assessment of animal welfare and the ethics of animal experimentation. The course will emphasize the importance of a comparative, evolutionary approach to the study of behaviour.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191 or 45 points at Stage II BIOSCI.
Coursework: 40%: 1 essay 20%, 1 research proposal 20%
Final exam: 60%

Plussage:

• Must attend 70% of the labs; must submit all coursework and obtain passing grade overall.

There is a limit of 65 places in this course.

S2 C: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Associate Professor Nicola Gavey.

The study of gender is crucial to understanding many everyday aspects of our lives, as well as many contemporary social issues. This course provides an introduction to selected key issues in the critical psychology of gender, from a social constructionist perspective. Topics covered include gendered bodies, masculinity and femininity, sexuality, rape, therapy and mental health.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191 or 30 points at stage II from the Women’s study schedule.
Coursework: 50%: 1 assignment 15%, 1 essay 25%, Seminar 10%
Final Exam: 50%

Plussage:

• Must hand in all coursework, and obtain a passing grade in each.

Recommended Text: Gavey, N. (2005). Just Sex? The cultural scaffolding of rape. London and New York: Routledge.

There is a limit of 65 places in this course.

S1 C: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Dr Brenda Lobb.

This course provides an introduction to core areas of Industrial, Work and Organisational Psychology. This field is concerned with the application of psychological science to improve the performance and well-being of individuals at work and the organisations in which they work. There will be one two-hour and one one-hour lecture per week and one two-hour laboratory per week.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191 or MGMT 211.
Restriction: PSYCH 312, PSYCH 314.
Coursework: 40%
Final exam: 60%

Plussage:

• Must submit all coursework and obtain a passing grade overall, and are expected to attend all labs.

There is a limit of 150 places in this course.

S1 C: (15 Points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Dr Annette Henderson.

This course focuses on the development of people across the life span. The course will describe key milestones in development and examine the causes and processes that produce stability and change in people’s development over time. Topics discussed will include aspects of cognitive, social and physical development with consideration given to biological, societal and family influences. Attention will also be given to development within the New Zealand context.

Prerequisite: 45 points in stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125, 191.
Restriction: Psych 316

There is a limit of 120 places in this course.

S1 T: (15 points)

The Course Coordinator for this course is Prof Glynn Owens.

An introduction to the study of links between psychological processes and health/illness. The course will discuss a number of psychological issues relating to serious illnesses (cancers, coronary heart disease, etc) and links to other aspects of physical well-being (e.g. exercise, diet). Consideration will be given both to the theoretical models which have been developed within health psychology and to the types of methodology used in their investigation.

Prerequisite: 45 points in Stage II Psychology and 15 points from STATS 101-125,191.
Coursework: 50%: 1 essay 34%, 4 tutorial assignments 4% each.
Final exam: 50%

Plussage:

• Must attempt all coursework

There is a limit of 120 places in this course.

Selection will be based upon performance in University examinations, measured by the grade point average (GPA) supplied by Student Administration. Affirmative action for Māori and Pacific Islands students will be applied.

What happens if you enrol and are put on the waitlist?
There are four reasons why students are placed on waitlists:

• the course is full
• you have not met the GPA requirements for the course
• you have a timetable clash
• you do not have the pre-requisites for the course

Student Services Online may generate an ‘error message’ in some of these cases - read it carefully.
If there is the space in a course for students on the waitlist who attempted to enrol after the course was full, or who are below the GPA requirement, they will be enrolled approximately two weeks prior to semester starting. Such students may also gain a place closer to the start of semester if other students withdraw. Wait listed students must check Student Services Online for their status. If you no longer remain on the waitlist and do not appear as enrolled then you were not given a place in the course.

• Students must have passed three Stage II PSYCH courses (45 points) and one Stage I Statistics course (STATS101-125) to be eligible to enrol in Stage III PSYCH courses.
• Grade point average (GPA) cut-offs have been selected for each course. These are determined by the number of places available in that course and the usual student demand for those places. If your GPA exceeds that set for a course or you have no other blocks to your enrolment and there are enough places in the course, you will automatically be enrolled.
• Confirmation of your enrolment status can be obtained by viewing your schedule online through Student Services Online.
• Students who have passed PHYSIOL 220 or MEDSCI 206 may enrol in PSYCH 305.
• Students who have passed MGMT 211 may enrol in PSYCH 322.
• Students who have passed 30 points at stage II from the Women’s study schedule may enrol in PSYCH 319.
• Students who have passed 45 points at Stage II in Biological Sciences may enrol in courses PSYCH 317 and/or Psych 309.
• PSYCH 306 (semester 2 course) is required if a student wishes to continue into a Psychology Honours dissertation or Masters Thesis, (including the Clinical Psychology area of study).
• PSYCH 310 is restricted against 461.315

For more information or general enquiries please contact:

Level Coordinator  Stage 3

Dr Lynette Tippett
Room: 635, HSB
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88551
Email: l.tippett@auckland.ac.nz

Course Coordinators:

Michelle Burstall
Room: 344, HSB
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88526
Email: m.burstall@auckland.ac.nz

Andrea Mead
Room: 535, HSB
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 86253
Email: a.mead@auckland.ac.nz

Download the Psychology Handbook below or visit The University of Auckland Calendar.