University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 10

ECTS credits : 5

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Available to General Degree students with permission of the Psychology Honours Adviser

Planned timetable: Lectures: pre-recorded and released on Wednesday 12pm (noon) the week before each workshop Workshops: one of Tues 9.30-11am, 2-3:30, 3:30-5pm. (Module runs in weeks 7 - 11 only).

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of visual perception and its functions. Stress will be laid on the integration of findings from physiology, neuropsychology, anatomy, and experimental psychology. Topic areas covered will include theories of human vision and their application to understanding our ability to perceive distinct visual properties, for example the shape, size, location and identity of objects. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the skill of critical evaluation of evidence and theory.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PN2002

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour lecture and (weeks 7 - 11) and 4 x 1.5-hour laboratory class or seminar spread over Weeks 7 - 11.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 1.5-hour Written Examination = 100%


Re-assessment: 1.5-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr J M Ales
Module teaching staff: Dr Justin Ales
Module coordinator email jma23@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• By the end of the module, students will be able to understand how the early visual system processes information.
• By the end of the module, students will be able design experiments to test visual function
• By the end of the module, students will be able to understand the basics of how the visual system develops.
• By the end of the module, students will be able to understand the challenges the brain faces in perceiving the world correctly