Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie

University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

LATE SUBMISSIONS

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, and/or performance assessments/presentations, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration if requesting an extension.

The Written Reflection task based on your experience with perception and cognition research is due on the last day of the Semester, and no extensions are possible.  The PSY SONA research participation pool system closes at midday of the last day of the semester (6/6/2025), and no signup to research is possible beyond this time.  Only research credits accrued up to midday of 6/6/2025 will be counted towards this assessment task.

Delivery

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online learning activities, including tutorials, readings, online modules, and lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Unit Versions

For the OUA unit offering (PSYX2239)

Tutorials are self-directed, and can be accessed via iLearn. A tutor will be available for consultation at set times during each tutorial week to allow for clarification when it is needed. Lectures will run live online at the time and day indicated in the timetable, and will be recorded for later viewing.

For general information on unit versions, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/enrolling/choosin g-units

Resources

Recommended texts

Perception

Snowden, R., Thompson, P., & Troscianko, T. (2012). Basic Vision: an introduction to visual perception 2nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Access to Assigned Reading Material. These texts are available for purchase, but there are also hard copies available at the library in the main collection as well as those available for download as eBooks. Where availability is limited, students should consider using previous editions of each book which are are just as good for most topics. Basic Vision, 2nd Edition (2014) Basic Vision, "Revised" Edition (2012) [Note: As far as I can see, these are identical, and either could be referred to as the 2nd Edition.] Basic Vision, First Edition, (2006), available in print only

Cognition

Eysenck, M.W., & Keane, M. (2000). Cognitive psychology. 8th Edition, Hove, UK. Psychology Press.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.Note that for Perception tutorial #3 students will require anaglyph 3D glasses (either red-blue or red-green). Anaglyph glasses can be purchased from many stores online or can be constructed at home very cheaply.

It is University policy that the University-issued email account will be used for official University communication. All students are required to access their University account frequently.

Overview

The course will comprise lectures and tutorials supported by assigned reading. Although some of the material from these separate components may be related to each other, different concepts and topics will be contained in each. While lectures are useful principally for introducing new concepts and knowledge, tutorials allow more direct interactions between instructor and student, allowing a hands-on approach to perceptual and cognitive phenomena and their explanation. They are your opportunity to enhance your understanding further by participating in activities and asking questions.

Lecture Topics and Assigned Reading: Weekly lectures will be available for live streaming on Fridays 1-3 pm via Echo360. Perception lectures will be delivered by Kevin Brooks in Weeks 1-7, and the cognition lectures will be delivered by Sachiko Kinoshita in Weeks 9-13. For the up-to-date lecture schedule, refer to the iLearn unit homepage.  

Tutorials The tutorial program will run from university session weeks 2-13 inclusive. During this period, students will complete six 2-hour tutorial modules, as set out on iLearn. The schedule and topics to be covered are displayed below.

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session. Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.