Course Outline

PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology

Course Coordinator:Odette Norton (onorton@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course provides an overview of human perception and cognition. The study of perceptual psychology aims to understand how information is acquired from the environment through sensory organs. The study of cognitive psychology looks at the storage, manipulation, and retrieval of information. Students will conduct core perceptual and cognitive experiments and analyse and interpret the findings of the research.
We recommend students purchase the ebook bundle of Goldstein's Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience 5th Edition (WITH MindTap + CogLab).  

 
 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Whole of cohort weekly workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Small group workshop in computer lab 1hr Week 2 11 times

Course Topics

 Introduction to the course & cognitive psychology

 Perception & pattern recognition

 Attention

 Short term & working memory

 Long term memory 1

 Long term memory 2

 Different types of memory

 Categorisation

 Imagery

 Language

 Problem solving & creativity

 Reasoning & decision making

 Applied / contemporary guest talks

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Understand core and advanced research paradigms, theories and concepts in cognitive and perceptual psychology Knowledgeable
2 Critically evaluate research in cognitive and perceptual psychology. Creative and critical thinker
3 Apply scientific knowledge to everyday cognitive and perceptual functioning. Empowered
Ethical
4 Present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

PSY200 and PSY201 OR PSY207

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

The Task 1 formative mid-trimester quiz will serve as an early indicator of understanding of key course content, and gaps in conceptual and theoretical knowledge that may need to be addressed to improve performance in Tasks 2 and 3, and overall, in this course.
Assistance will be provided in workshops with regard to planning the major research report for Task 2.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 0%
1 hour
Refer to Format Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Report Individual 50%
2000-2200 words
Refer to Format Online Submission
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50%
2 hours
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Mid-Trimester Quiz (Formative)
Goal:
The goal of this formative ungraded quiz is to provide you with the opportunity to examine your understanding of foundational content covered in the first half of the course.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Online submission, available between Weeks 5-7. Refer to Canvas for release details.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accuracy of answers
1
2
Ability to apply and critically evaluate content
1 2 3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 2:Major Research Report
Goal:
The purpose of this laboratory report is to increase your understanding of key research methods and techniques in cognitive psychology and application of theory to a contemporary issue in the literature.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format:
The report will be based on an experiment conducted in class/or data provided for an experimental study. You will analyse the research data and write up your findings in a research report. Details to assist you with the analysis and writing up the report will be provided in the learning materials and workshops. Report to be submitted online via CADMUS. 

This assessment will likely be due in weeks 10-12. Refer to Canvas at trimester commencement for exact date.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Theoretical knowledge – demonstrated understanding and application of relevant theories and concepts in cognitive psychology
1 3
2
Critical thinking
1 2
3
Correct APA style and scholarly writing style
4
4
Quality of research
1 2 3 4
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Examination
Goal:
The exam will assess your knowledge of the course content.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Submission online via Cadmus. Multiple choice and short answer questions
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accuracy of answers
1 2 3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required E. B. Goldstein & R.G. Hale 2025 Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience. The online learning platform MindTap is recommended as it includes both the e-Text (Cengage International Edition) and CogLab 6th ed Cengage

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: