This course compares and contrasts the physiological and anatomical adaptations exhibited by the different species of marine mammals in relationship to humans, with respect to diving.

Engage in supervised original science research, either basic or clinical, combined with a healthcare placement. Develop skills in defining scientific questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and communicating your results. Gain insight into the power of translational bench-to-bedside research. Discover your interest in becoming a science researcher. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Engage in original science research, either basic or clinical, combined with a healthcare placement. Develop skills in defining scientific questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and communicating your results. Gain insight into the power of translational “bench-to-bedside” research. Discover your interest in becoming a science researcher. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Laboratory research project with reading assignments leading to a final report. By special arrangement with a Physiology staff member after admission to course. PSL498Y1 is recommended for students applying to the Physiology graduate program. Enrollment in this course is restricted to students in the Physiology Specialist and Major Programs, although permission is granted to students in other programs upon approval by the Department. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Laboratory research project with reading assignments leading to a final report. By special arrangement with a Physiology staff member after admission to course. PSL499H1 is recommended for students applying to the Physiology graduate program. Enrollment in this course is restricted to students in the Physiology Specialist and Major Programs, although permission is granted to students in other programs upon approval by the Department. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A brief introductory survey of psychology as both a biological and social science. Topics will include behavioural neuroscience, learning, perceptual, motivational, cognitive, developmental, personality, abnormal, and social psychology.

University life presents students with all sorts of challenges as well as amazing opportunities for learning and growth. While there are many different ways to define a “successful student”, the goal of this seminar is for everyone to develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to make the most of out of the university experience. Students will discover what research in psychological science has to say about facing and overcoming common academic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal challenges, as we cover topics including deliberate practice, imposter syndrome, and belongingness. Students will also learn evidence-based strategies for better managing their attention, energy, and emotions so that they may thrive (rather than just survive) in university. In addition to learning about psychology, students will develop useful skills in scientific literacy, critical thinking, self-reflection, written and oral communication, and teamwork. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course will use an interdisciplinary perspective to explore how the infant mind emerges and grows. Topics could include how brain plasticity influences “critical” or “sensitive” periods for learning, or how studying infants’ perception, cognition and behaviour can offer us critical insights into long-standing philosophical questions. Note that specific content will depend on the instructor and will be posted on the Department of Psychology’s Undergraduate Course Information webpage. During the course, students will (1) engage in lively discussion and present their perspectives; (2) use exploratory writing to develop arguments and their understanding of subject matter; and (3) begin to read and summarize scientific research papers in Developmental Psychology. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. 

This course will use an interdisciplinary perspective to explore the quirks, achievements, and puzzles of the human mind. Topics could include how technology and tools extend our minds, or the light that our ability (and inability) to reason sheds on human nature. Note that specific content will depend on the instructor and will be posted on the Department of Psychology’s Undergraduate Course Information webpage. During the course, students will: (1) engage in lively discussion and present their perspectives; and (2) use exploratory writing to develop arguments and their understanding of the subject matter. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. 

Magicians entertain us with their tricks. What appears as “Magic” is based on fundamental aspects of human psychology: visual and auditory perception, decision making, logic, memory, and verbal abilities. In this class, we will consider and discuss the psychological basis of magic tricks and use magic to explore aspects of psychology. The class will require reading of scientific articles and book chapters as well as watching and analyzing magical tricks. The only prerequisite is a curious and critical mind. The course puts great emphasis on writing and on starting to read primary scientific literature. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This seminar will examine the historical and contemporary use of drugs. Students will be introduced to the general psychological and neuroscientific mechanisms by which drugs affect human behavior, and explore highlights of current research on drug effects in animals and humans. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics, including population and sampling distributions, simple association, probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing.

Fundamentals of statistical analysis of experimental and observational data including linear models, the analysis of variance, a priori contrasts, post-hoc tests, power analysis and effect size calculations.

This course provides an introduction to conceiving, designing, and conducting research in psychology. It prepares students to be both consumers and producers of scientific research, and also addresses basic issues related to the work of psychological scientists such as theory development, research ethics, and scientific writing. Students in this course will gain insight into the scientific process as a whole – its advantages, difficulties, and limitations. As such, students will be able to better evaluate the knowledge that psychological science can provide, and integrate that knowledge into a broader worldview.

Psychology has been identified as a hub science, a discipline whose research influences the work of scientists in many other fields. This course will provide students with a broad introduction to the application of the psychological sciences across various clinical, academic, and industry contexts. Students will gain valuable insight into the broad range of careers that are relevant to psychology, while also investigating barriers to rigorous application of psychological science in applied settings. Students will also learn how the skills and knowledge gained in an undergraduate psychology program can be applied to a broad range of careers and fields/sectors. Students will gain significant exposure to career and education planning considerations within the psychological sciences and will participate in at least one experiential career exploration activity. Enrolment in this course is completely restricted to current PSY program students.

The developmental approach to the study of behaviour with a focus on infancy through childhood.  Topics include sensorimotor skills, cognition, socialization, personality, and emotional behaviour.

Contemporary areas of research in social psychology: social perception, attitudes, inter-personal relations, and group processes.

Theory and research in personality structure and dynamics: the interaction of cultural and biological factors in the development and expression of individual differences.

A critical survey of concepts, theories, and the state of research in the area of psychopathology and therapeutic methods.

Concepts, theories, and applications of classical and contemporary learning theories, including classical and operant conditioning. Current theories of the physiological and anatomical basis of learning and memory, including synaptic plasticity, the role of the hippocampus, amygdala, frontal cortex and other brain regions. Theories will be related to a practical understanding and applications such as drug addiction, phobias and other disorders.

An introduction to research and theory on the neural and cognitive architecture of attention, memory, language, thinking and reasoning.

An introduction to the physiological and psychological basis of perception across the different sensory modalities in humans and lower animals, with an emphasis on vision. Exploring visual perception such as shape and objects, scenes, colour, space, and motion as well as auditory perception of simple and complex sounds, and location. Further topics may include touch, including perception of temperature, pain and body posture, the chemical senses, and cross-modal influences of the senses on one another. In-class demonstrations may supplement the lectures.

Provides students with a solid background in the biological basis of behaviour. Animal and human research topics will include functional neuroanatomy and neural signalling. Further topics may include sensory and motor control, motivational systems, hormones, and emotions, among other topics.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course provides a practical yet intensive introduction to the research pipeline, with a focus on research data management and advanced statistical analysis and inference. Students learn how to find, organize, and analyze data sets in a transparent and reproducible way. Students also learn more about statistical inference, focusing on how the design and analysis of data shape the interpretation of results.

Special Topics in Psychology for the Summer Abroad Program. Course topics, content, and instructor may vary from one year to another. More information about Psychology and other course offerings can be obtained from the Summer Abroad website at https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/. For students in any Psychology and/or Social Science Major or Specialist.

A lecture course providing in-depth examination of specific topics/themes relating to Psychology. Content in any given year depends on instructor. Priority is given to PSY Major program students during the first enrolment period.

A lecture course providing in-depth examination of specific topics/themes relating to Psychology. Content in any given year depends on instructor. Priority is given to PSY Major program students during the first enrolment period.

Research Specialists learn about the research opportunities within our department, and develop skills in the areas of critical thinking, writing, and oral presentation. Students also conduct a pre-thesis research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Students should ideally complete a PSY lab course (PSY3*9H1) during the same year this course is taken; however, permission to take the lab course in subsequent years may be granted in consultation with the Undergraduate Administrator (psy.undergrad@utoronto.ca). Enrolment is restricted to PSY Research Specialists.