Module Catalogue

PSY1005 : Sensation and Perception

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Laura Wright
  • Owning School: Psychology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To introduce the principles underlying our ability to sense and perceive light, sound, touch, taste and smell.

Original Summary:
The module introduces the sensory and perceptual processes for our primary senses. It will cover: (i) how different sensory organs function and the basic processes of sensory transduction and (ii) how those sensory inputs lead to perception – the internal representation of our environment.

Outline Of Syllabus

Principles of sensory processing
Eye and vision
Perception of colours
Perception of depth
Perception of motion
Sounds and Hearing
Taste and Smell
The body senses
Brain structures involved in perception

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion741:0074:00Producing revision notes and topics summaries, practice questions.
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials102:0020:00Non-synchronous online lecture (flipped classroom)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture11:001:00PIP - Introductory lecture
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops51:005:00Synchronous online (Question and Answer Sessions)
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module follows a ‘flipped’ classroom’ rationale: The lecture materials set the parameters of the course. Their purpose is to introduce the following main topics and principles:

• the different senses that feed our perception
• the basic principles common to the processing sensory information
• the integration of the sensory information components into percepts
• the brain structures that mediate perceptual integration.
     
The workshops will provide a forum to:
• Introduce and explore some of the topics at greater depth and breadth.
• Introduce further examples and clarifications for the more challenging topics introduced in the
main lectures.
• Introduce and guide the students on the effective use of further Internet or online resources for the course.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination901A100Multiple choice questions (90), unseen, PIP Inspera invigilated.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will be used to assess knowledge, independent learning, and understanding of material contained in the module.

FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.

If the module is failed or deferred students will resit failed or deferred assessments in the same format during the August resit period.

Reading Lists

Timetable