PSY4931 - Selected Topics in Psychology

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Emanuel Donchin
Time: Wednesdays, 9:40 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: PCD 2118

Course Description

The class will examine the “translational process” where by practical applications are derived from scientific discoveries. The process will be examined in the specific context of the use of recordings of brain activity in the service of various applications.

We will examine several instances in which basic discoveries derived from Electrophysiological, and Radiological, Neuroimaging (i.e. ERP and fMRI) have been put to use in such diverse applications as Brain Computer Interfaces, Guilty Knowledge Tests and Workload assessment, to name a few. In each case, information about how the variance in brain activity can be controlled is used to create a system that can serve a very specific practical need. We will review the scientific foundation for most of the applications we shall examine, which is the P300 component of the human Event Related Potential (ERP). We will then examine the real world problems that were addressed by the various "gadgets" and the logic that is helpful in finding an optimal means for achieving the practical goal. The process of development, from pilot testing to full scale evaluation will be examined in some detail. 

The course material will be presented mostly in lectures and in readings in the primary literature. Where appropriate lab demonstrations will be provided. Students will be challenged to invent new applications; drawing on the rich base of discoveries in Cognitive Neuroscience. Students will undertake class projects that will each examine the possibilities of yet more novel applications of Neuroimaging data in practical applications.

Prerequisites

Prior completion of PSY 3213 is not required.

How to Enroll

No advance permission or course permit is required.

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Emanuel Donchin
Time: Mondays, 9:40 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: PCD 2118

Course Description

This class is taught jointly with the Honors College class capstone class (IDH4000) This PSY4931 section has been created to allow 15 Psych Majors to join the class.

This class provides each of the students with the opportunity to examine in detail an issue in the Mind/Brain domain. The students are free to choose any topic that is related to the role of the brain in implementing the Mind and controlling behavior. Students will choose topics and develop a project focusing on their topic. Students can work either individually or in teams.

The course will begin with a series of lectures that will provide a broad survey of Cognitive Neuroscience highlighting the range of topics that match the students' interest. No text book is assigned to the class. The reading materials are all primary scientific papers focused on the student's projects. The relevant papers are uploaded to Blackboard.

Students may choose to work as teams of 2 or 3 students per team. A team will be collectively responsible for the team's poster, but each team member will write a separate term paper.

About half way thru the semester class sessions are devoted to cycles of student presentations of their projects as we work to develop the final presentation of the project at the course Grand Finale which is a "Science Fair" that will be held on the last Monday of the semester. Each team will prepare a poster presenting its project. The Science Fair is attended by staff of the Honors College, faculty and students from Psychology and your friends and relatives.

The poster presentations are prepared with Power Point and printed at the campus Computer Store. The printing cost is covered by the course budget.

Each student will have to prepare a written report of the project, at least 8 pages in length. Each member of a team will have to write an individual report.

Prerequisites

Prior completion of PSY 3213 is not required.

How to Enroll

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Judith B. Bryant
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM
Location: PCD 2118

Course Description

In this course we will explore the science of psychology. The course is designed to stimulate your interest in becoming an active participant in the research process, provide basic research skills, and assist you in finding a research placement. It also aims to familiarize you with some of the kinds of research that faculty and students in the Psychology Department conduct and how and why you might become involved. A third objective of the course is to help you decide whether you wish to conduct research in the Department of Psychology and, if so, facilitate your involvement. This course will also help you decide whether to apply to the department's Honors Program and ultimately apply to graduate school for a research-related degree. Students who successfully complete this class will be eligible to apply for the department's Honors Program.

The course will focus on three broad themes: the people, problems, and processes of research. You will learn what kinds of individuals are involved in research, the skills and characteristics they bring to the research endeavor, their professional training, and how they became involved in research. With respect to problems, you will learn about the range of topics often encountered in psychological research. You will also consider the personal and scholarly challenges researchers face in addressing their questions of interest. Finally, you will consider how to identify a good problem, frame a research question, and design a strategy to try to answer the question. In doing so, you will see how systematic inquiry occurs in psychology and be exposed to some methods used for conducting psychological research and how they yield knowledge. As part of the course you will also learn how to analyze research information critically.

Participants will hear presentations by some of the Psychology Deparnt's most outstanding faculty and student researchers and may take field trips to research sites. To prepare for these classes, you will read journal articles by the researchers and review the researchers' curriculum vitae (CVs, academic resumes). You will also read scholars' accounts of how they became involved in research. You will reflect on, discuss, and write about these presentations and readings. In addition, you will gain experience in some parts of the research process (e.g., dealing with ethical considerations). Finally, you will explore options for becoming involved in research yourself.

Requirements include active participation in the class, short weekly papers about presentations and readings, introductions of and questions for presenters, research brain teasers, a research ethics project, two short library resources projects, a curriculum vitae and personal statement project, and a final project discussing possible research placements.

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Psychological Science and Research Methods with grades of B or better,
• major GPA (including all attempts) of 3.5 or better,
• overall GPA of 3.25 or better,
• interest in learn the research process,
• and consent of instructor.

Exceptions may be made students entering USF in summer or fall 2013 from another college or university.

Recommended Criteria

• Strong writing and analytic skills,
• an interest in becoming involved in research in psychology,
• intent to graduate no earlier than December 2014 to leave open the possibility of applying to the 2014 Psychology Department Honors Program

How to Enroll

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Mark Goldman
Time: Fridays, 9:40 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: PCD 2124

Course Description

This course is designed to provide advanced undergraduate majors in psychology with the opportunity to experience a working laboratory. The mission of this laboratory is to study cognitive/information-processing factors in the etiology of alcoholism. Students will gain their experience in three ways: a) A one-hour presentation will be offered each week on the current understanding of the biological/genetic, sociocultural, and psychological influences on the development of alcoholism. Students will be expected to read published papers in advance of class meetings, and to be prepared to discuss this material. b) Students are invited to attend and participate in a weekly laboratory meeting of the research group, at which time current issues in the alcohol field will be discussed, important new contributions to the literature will be reviewed and evaluated, and new research studies will be planned. c) Students will be asked to actually participate as researchers in ongoing projects. The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the actual process by which new information is obtained as part of the national scientific enterprise.

Prerequisites

PSY 3213 - Research Methods in Psychology

How to Enroll

Course Information

Instructor: TBA
Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 2:00 PM to 2:50 PM
Location: PCD 1147

Course Description

The course focuses on the integration of theory, etiology, research, treatment, and prevention of developmental psychopathology. In addition to learning about specific types of abnormal behavior that infants, children, and adolescents experience, the course will also explore how to assess these problems, how to treat these problems, and how to work toward prevention of these problems. We explore many problems in youth, including but not limited to Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, the Autism Spectrum, Substance Abuse/Dependence, Eating Disorders, Learning Disorders, Developmental Delays, and Health-Related Problems. We also explore factors that put youth at risk for these problems as well as factors that seem to protect youth from developing these problems. Throughout the course, discussions will include a focus on ethical considerations while working with children, adolescents, and families. In keeping with a focus on the context of children’s and adolescents’ emotional/behavioral problems, issues of gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status will be considered throughout the course material.

Whereas most courses in Abnormal Psychology (CLP 4143) spend a week or two on childhood-related disorders, this course devotes the entire semester to such issues. Therefore, you are welcome to take the course whether or not you have already taken Abnormal Psychology.

Prerequisites

PSY 3213 - Research Methods in Psychology

How to Enroll

No advance permission or course permit is required.

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Tiina Ojanen
Time: Tuesdays, 2:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Location: PCD 2118

Course Description

This course offers a small class environment to learn about essential topics in social development. These include (but are not limited to) parenting, bullying and victimization, peer relationships at school, and gender and media development. Information and tips for graduate school and career choices are also provided. All majors are accepted. Completion of Research Methods -class is recommended but not required, especially for non-majors. The class is well suited for students who either wish to gain the latest knowledge on youth development, and/or envision a career and potential graduate training in developmental, school, clinical, or educational psychology, counseling, nursing, pediatrics, or related fields. Grade is based on varying assignments (e.g., a take-home exam, home work), including a Research Proposal assignment, which consists of a paper based on the students’ own idea and related class presentations. Training, support, and feedback are provided throughout the semester. All students interested in social development are encouraged to apply. Special interest in research is encouraged, but not required (Research Proposal assignment is only 1/4 of the final grade).

Special Features

There are some specific benefits for students enrolling to this class.

First, the small class environment enables the Instructor to provide personal consultation, feedback, and tips for professional development regarding graduate school and career choices.

Second, this class is one of the few classes at USF certified by the Undergraduate Research Office as a "research experience" class (due to the Research Proposal - paper): students completing this class will automatically also get a completion of 0-credit hour "research class" for their transcripts (no extra cost or work is needed). Also, the best performing and willing students will get an opportunity to present their proposals elsewhere at USF.

Third, students can use the completed Research Proposal assignment as a writing example in potential graduate school applications. Together with training for professional writing and presentation skills and tips for career development, this will help interested students to secure qualifications for excellence in graduate school and the professional market after graduation.

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. David Diamond
Time: Mondays, 3:05 PM to 5:50 PM
Location: PCD 1134

Course Description

This course will focus primarily on myths and misinformation that have developed over the past 50 years on the purported role of cholesterol and saturated fat in causing heart disease. Students will learn how poorly conducted epidemiological research, statistical manipulations, big business interests and inappropriate government intervention have created an artificial link between cholesterol and saturated fat with heart disease. Students will also have the opportunity to explore how big business interests have corrupted other areas of medical research. Grading will be based on the quality of the student’s oral presentations of book chapters, data papers and their participation in class discussions.

Prerequisites

PSY 3213 - Research Methods in Psychology preferred but not required.

How to Enroll

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Sandra Schneider
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM
Location: PCD 2118

Course Description

This course provides a broad perspective for understanding and improving human judgment and decision making based on theoretical and empirical advances in the field. The course focuses on the interplay between motivational and cognitive processes that influence the quality of our judgments and decisions. Topics include how we recognize and evaluate situations, how we deal with risk and uncertainty, influences from our previous experiences and our desires, and tradeoffs we make between immediate and longer term goals. Throughout, we will explore evidence suggesting how psychological systems help us to learn, adapt, and to efficiently make decisions, while at the same time leave us prone to various forms of bias and vulnerable to certain kinds of errors in our judgments and decisions. Students will be actively involved in exercises and assignments to increase insight into their own judgment and decision processes.

Prerequisites

• Junior/Senior status
• Successful completion of Introduction to Psychological Science, Statistics and Research Methods
• overall GPA of 3.2 or better

How to Enroll

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Ken Malmberg
Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM
Location: PCD 2122

Course Description