This Course and Program Catalogue is effective from May 2024 to April 2025.

Not all courses described in the Course and Program Catalogue are offered each year. For a list of course offerings in 2024-2025, please consult the class search website.

The following conventions are used for course numbering:

  • 010-099 represent non-degree level courses
  • 100-699 represent undergraduate degree level courses
  • 700-999 represent graduate degree level courses

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90 Results

PSY 120.3: Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology

This course familiarizes students with scientific theories and research related to the major biological and cognitive areas of psychology. Particular emphases will be placed on the advances that have been made in the fields of neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, memory, learning, language, and motivation and emotion.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for PSY 110 cannot take this course for credit.


PSY 121.3: Social Clinical Cultural and Developmental Bases of Psychology

This course familiarizes students with scientific theories and research related to the major social, clinical, cultural and developmental areas of psychology. Particular emphases will be placed on the advances that have been made in the fields of intelligence, child/adolescent development, culture, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and treatment, and health, stress, and coping.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for PSY 110 cannot take this course for credit.


PSY 207.3: Psychology of Death and Dying

This course focuses on psychological issues relevant to death and dying. Topics to be examined include societal attitudes toward death and dying, dealing with loss and grief, memorialization and funerals, relevant legal issues, suicide and life threating behaviour, and the psychological meaning of death.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 213.3: Child Development

This course examines the social, emotional, moral, cognitive and physical development of typical children from conception to late childhood. Individual development is considered from a psychological perspective within the contexts of family and culture.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 214.3: Adolescent Development

This course introduces theories and research methods in adolescent development. Attention is given to normative development in physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains. Basic theories underlying adolescent research and strengths and weaknesses of methods in this area will be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 216.3: Psychology of Aging

This course focuses on normal psychological development from maturity to old age. Topics to be examined include consideration of critical issues of research methods; problems of adjustment of the aged such as physical decline, retirement, aloneness, and disengagement; the needs and care of the aged; antecedents of successful aging; the psychology of dying and death; and theories of aging.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 222.3: Personality

This course reviews major theories, both historical and contemporary, in the study of personality. Psychoanalytic, social learning, existential-humanistic, and trait perspectives will be covered, along with a discussion of their strengths and limitations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.
Note: Costs in addition to tuition may apply to Independent Studies sections of this course.


PSY 223.3: Abnormal Psychology

This course reviews major patterns of abnormal behaviour with respect to their origins, course and treatment. The focus is on understanding abnormal behaviour using an integrated knowledge of basic principles of general psychology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.
Note: PSY 222 recommended.


PSY 224.3: Introduction to Culture and Psychology

This course surveys theory and research on cultural issues in psychology, including developmental, cognitive and social psychology. Emphasis is placed on fundamental concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methodological issues pertinent to the study of culture and human behaviour.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 225.3: Group Dynamics and Intergroup Relations

This course gives students a broad overview of group dynamics and inter-group relations. Topics to be examined may include group decision-making, leadership, conflict and cooperation, collective behaviour, prejudice, and minority-majority relations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 221 cannot take PSY 225 for credit.


PSY 226.3: Social Psychology

This course introduces students to the world of social psychology, one that helps us understand how people think, feel, and behave in their social environments. Historical and contemporary theorizing and core research methods will be reviewed on topics such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, aggression, group behaviour, and interpersonal attraction.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 227.3: Human Sexuality

This course examines topics that fall under the rubric of human sexuality (e.g., sexual and gender diversity, prostitution, and pornography). Particular emphasis is placed on how socio-cultural forces shape individuals' experiences as sexual beings and their interpretations of various sexual practices.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 121 or permission of the instructor.


PSY 230.3: Criminal Behaviour

This course applies psychological theories to the understanding of criminal behaviour. An overview of assessment and treatment issues as they apply to specific types of criminals (e.g., sexual offenders, psychopathic offenders) will also be provided.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.
Note: PSY 222 or 223 or 257 is recommended.


PSY 231.3: Psychology and Law

This course examines the role psychology plays in promoting justice within the legal system. Theory, research, and methodology related to the psychology of evidence are also reviewed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.


PSY 233.3: Statistical Methods in Behavioural Sciences A

This course explores the role of statistics in research including statistical concepts and models (e.g., correlation and analysis of variance). The laboratory component will consist of training in the use of statistical software.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.3 or PSY 121.3.
Note: Students with credit for COMM 104, ECON 204, EPSE 441, GEOG 301, SOC 225, STAT 244 or equivalent may not take this course for credit. Refer to Statistics Course Regulations in the Arts & Science section of the Catalogue if intending to use for Arts & Science credit.


PSY 234.3: Statistical Methods in Behavioural Sciences B

This course further examines the role of statistics in research (e.g., multiple regression). The laboratory component will consist of training in the use of statistical software.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 233.3
Note: Four-year and Honours students should take PSY 235 concurrently. Refer to Statistics Course Regulations in the Arts & Science section of the Catalogue if intending to use for Arts & Science credit.


PSY 235.3: Research Methods and Design

This course introduces students to both experimental and non-experimental research methods and designs used in psychology. The course focuses on the interplay between research questions, theory, the selection of appropriate research procedures and resulting conclusions. The laboratory component will consist of practical training and application of the concepts discussed in class.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 233.3
Note: Four-year and Honours students should take PSY 234 concurrently. Students with credit for PSY 232 or 372 cannot take PSY 235 for credit.


PSY 236.3: Qualitative Research in Psychology

This course introduces students to key concepts from the philosophy of science and from research design and provides a broad overview of contemporary approaches to qualitative inquiry in the discipline of psychology. Students will be introduced to ways of formulating research questions that are suitable for qualitative study; methods for generating qualitative data (e.g., interviews); and ways of analyzing qualitative data (e.g., grounded theory and discourse analysis).

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120 or PSY 121.


PSY 242.3: Physiological Psychology

This course examines the language, techniques, concepts and general subject matter of physiological psychology. Topics may include: sensory processes, motor systems, the brain, memory and learning.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.


PSY 243.3: Evolutionary Psychology

In this course, the human mind and behaviours that emerge as products of the mind will be considered as the outcome of adaptations brought about by natural selection. The evolutionary significance of concepts such as altruism, cooperation and conflict, morality, deceit, self-deception and illness will be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.3 or PSY 121.3
Note: Students with credit for PSY 244 cannot take PSY 243 for credit.


PSY 246.3: Introduction to Human Neuropsychology

This course introduces students to research and theory on the topic of human brain function. Topics include research techniques and strategies, developmental neuropsychology, localization and lateralization of function, recovery of function, and deficits associated with lesions of the neocortex.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.


PSY 252.3: Perceptual Processes

This course surveys the neurophysiological and cognitive mechanisms underlying perception, with special emphasis on vision and hearing. It focuses on the fundamental principles of sensory information processing, including basic structure and function of sensory receptors, neural pathways of sensory systems, and the cognitive processes that organize, identify, and interpret sensory information.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.


PSY 253.3: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

This courser surveys the major cognitive processes involved in attention, memory, comprehension and production of language, and higher order thinking (reasoning, problem solving, and decision making).

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.


PSY 255.3: Human Memory

This course introduces students to research and theory on the structures and processes involved in human memory. Topics include distinct sensory, short-term, and long-term memory stores, the format of representation in memory, and the determinants of effective memory performance.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.


PSY 256.3: Psychology of Language

This course explores and evaluates theories and research involving the psychology of language. Broadly defined, the topics will include visual and auditory language issues regarding encoding, representation, comprehension, production, acquisition, biological foundations, dysfunction, and cultural influences.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 120.


PSY 257.3: Clinical and Counselling Psychology

This course reviews relevant topics in clinical and counselling psychology, including psycho-diagnostic testing, and the major approaches to therapeutic change.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 357 cannot take PSY 257 for credit.


PSY 260.3: Health Psychology

This course focuses on psychological theories and research related to the development, prevention and treatment of illness. Topics covered may include the effects of stress on health, coping with pain, the physician-patient relationship, patient non-compliance, and a variety of risky health behaviours such as substance abuse.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.3
Note: Students who have taken PSY 360 cannot take PSY 260 for credit.


PSY 261.3: Community Psychology

This course introduces psychological theories and research on the effects of the physical and social environments on human behaviour. The design and evaluation of changes which might promote adaptive behaviour are also examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 121.
Note: Students who have taken PSY 360 may not take this course for credit.


PSY 298.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


PSY 299.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


PSY 315.3: Advanced Development I Social and Emotional

This course introduces students to the theoretical foundations, research designs, and methods used to study social and emotional development. The course involves lectures and a lab component. In the lab component, students participate in a collaborative research project.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s):PSY 213.3, PSY 214.3, or PSY 216.3; and PSY 233.3; and PSY 235.3 (or HLST 210.3); and 3 credit units of 200-level PSY courses.


PSY 316.3: Advanced Development II Social and Emotional Research

In this course, students (individually or in small groups) work on research projects designed to answer an empirical question in the domain of social and emotional development.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s):PSY 234.3 and PSY 315.3


PSY 317.3: Cognitive Development I

This course introduces students to an in-depth study of major content areas, theoretical orientations, and research methods which are necessary to advance knowledge in the study of cognitive development. Students will learn about the special features of the cognitive developmental perspective and will work on research projects in the laboratory component of the course.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): ): PSY 233.3; PSY 235.3 (or HLST 210.3); PSY 253.3; and one of PSY 213.3, PSY 214.3, or PSY 216.3.


PSY 318.3: Cognitive Development II Research

In this course, students (individually or in small groups) will work on research projects designed to answer an empirical question in the domain of cognitive development.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s):PSY 234.3 and PSY 317.3


PSY 323.3: Qualitative Study of Lives and Social Practices

This course examines qualitative approaches to understanding lives and social practices. Topics include an overview of non-positivist epistemologies and methodologies and an introduction to methods such as narrative analysis, grounded theory, ethnography, and discourse analysis.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 233.3; and PSY 235.3 (or HLST 210.3); and 3 credit units from PSY 207.3, PSY 213.3, PSY 214.3, PSY 216.3, PSY 222.3, PSY 223.3, PSY 224.3, PSY 225.3, PSY 226.3, PSY 227.3, PSY 230.3, PSY 231.3, PSY 236.3, PSY 257.3, PSY 260.3 or PSY 261.3; and 9 credit units of 200-level PSY courses.


PSY 324.3: Research in Qualitative Study of Lives and Social Practices

In this course, students participate in the design, data collection, analysis and write up of one group research project. A variety of data gathering approaches (e.g., archival searches and observational fieldwork) and methods of analysis (e.g., thematic analysis and ethnography) are used.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 234.3 and PSY 323.3


PSY 325.3: Investigating Social Psychological Phenomena I

This course introduces students to a variety of research methods - observation, interview, questionnaire survey - used in social psychology through one or more content areas determined by the instructor. They will explore the existing research in this area and conduct independent exercises to examine related topics using social psychological methods.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 225.3 or PSY 226.3; and PSY 233.3; and PSY 235.3 (or HLST 210.3); and 3 credit units of 200-level PSY courses.


PSY 326.3: Advanced Social Psychology II

In this course, students (individually or in small groups) will work on research projects concerning a social psychological topic.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s):PSY 234.3 and PSY 325.3


PSY 347.3: Advanced Human Neuropsychology

This course introduces students to theoretical and methodological issues concerning the study of the structure and function of the human neocortex. The course involves lectures, seminars, and a laboratory component in which students will participate in a series of experiments.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 242.3 or PSY 246.3; and PSY 233.3; and PSY 235.3 (or HLST 210.3); and 3 credit units of 200-level PSY courses.


PSY 348.3: Research in Human Neuropsychology

In this laboratory course, students are introduced to concepts, theories, and experimental investigation of the structures and functions of the human neocortex. Students also will be given the opportunity to work on a research project related to experimental neuropsychology.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s):PSY 234.3 and PSY 347.3


PSY 355.3: Research in Advanced Cognitive Science

This course exposes students to current theory and research methods in cognitive science. Topics may include perception, attention, memory, thinking, reasoning and problem solving. Students also will review, design, conduct, analyze and report a series of class experiments.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Lecture hours and 1.5 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): One of PSY 252.3, PSY 253.3, PSY 255.3 or PSY 256.3; and PSY 233.3; and PSY 235.3 (or HLST 210.3); and 3 credit units of 200-level PSY courses.


PSY 356.3: Advanced Cognitive Science II Research Projects

In this laboratory course, students (individually or in small groups) work on experimental research projects in some area of cognitive science

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 234.3 and PSY 355.3


PSY 398.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 399.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 410.3: Madness Mayhem and Mania An Exploration of Mental Illness in Movies

This course exposes students to a psychoanalytic way of understanding psychopathology and explores how mental illness is presented in media. Psychoanalytic theory related to neurotic, borderline, and psychotic disorders will be examined using case studies drawn from media with a specific focus on movies.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 222.3 or PSY 223.3; and 6 credit units of 300-level PSY classes.


PSY 411.3: Environmental Psychology Humans and Nature

Environmental psychology explores the interplay between people and their environment. It seeks to understand how environments impact us, how we can leverage that knowledge to our advantage, and how we might improve our relationship to the world around us. Students will learn about the interrelationships between ourselves and the environments in which we live, love, and work, with a focus on both theory and practical application. Specific topics addressed include: the history and scope of environmental psychology; theories of environment and behavior; designing built environments for human wellbeing; people’s relationship with animals and the natural environment; ecotherapies and animal therapies as emerging treatment paradigms; and behavioral change in relation to contemporary global environmental issues and issues of sustainability.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units of 200-level psychology; and PSY 235.3 or HLST 210.3.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 311.3 will not receive credit for this course.


PSY 418.3: Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology

This course focuses on theoretical and empirical analyses of human development. A set of original research articles covering diverse areas of developmental psychology (e.g., behavioural genetics, development and psychopathology, cognitive development, social development, aging) will be assigned, read, and discussed by the class.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units 300-level PSY courses. Restricted to Honours students in Psychology and Health Studies, and majors in Linguistics.


PSY 423.3: Disability Discourses and Social Practices

The course invites students to examine how cultural interpretations interact with biology or psychophysiology and social interactions to produce distinctive forms of disability. It also offers students the opportunity to pursue an issue of interest to them and to share their discoveries, thoughts and questions regarding this issue with their classmates.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units of 300-level Psychology. Restricted to Honours students in Health Studies, Linguistics and Psychology.
Note: Students who took PSY 498.3 Disability, Discourses and Social Practices cannot take PSY 423 for credit.


PSY 425.3: Advanced Seminar in Group Dynamics and Intergroup Relations

This course gives students an in-depth knowledge of the social psychology of group dynamics and intergroup relations. Students will study important articles on this topic. They will also give in-class presentations on selected topic areas.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units of 300-level Psychology. Restricted to Honours students in Health Studies and Psychology.


PSY 426.3: Advanced Seminar in Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Processes

This course examines social psychological phenomena internal to the individual, such as social cognition, motivation, emotion, the self, and attitudes and attitude change. It also considers issues associated with relations between individuals such as altruism, aggression, affiliation and social influence processes.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units of 300-level Psychology. Restricted to Honours students in Health Studies and Psychology.


PSY 427.3: Sexual Minority Issues in Social Psychology

This course examines sociocultural representations of sexual minorities (in particular, gay men and lesbian women) from the late 1950s to the present day. Students will examine critically the ways in which diverse media represent sexual minorities and how these representations have changed over time.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 227; and 6 credit units of ANTH, PSY, SOC, or WGST courses at the 200-level or above; and permission of the department.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 498.3: Sexual Minority Issues in Social Psychology cannot take this course for credit.


PSY 448.3: Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience

This course surveys selected topics in neuroscience such as neuropsychopharmacology and the neural bases of memory, language, emotion, attention, consciousness, plasticity phenomena, and spatial abilities.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units from PSY 252.3, PSY 246.3, or PSY 242.3; and 3 credit units of 300-level Psychology. Restricted to Honours students in Health Studies and Psychology.


PSY 456.3: Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Science

This course focuses on theoretical and experimental analyses of human perception, cognition, and performance. A set of original research articles covering diverse areas of cognitive science (e.g., basic perception, memory, language comprehension, human reasoning) will be assigned, read, and discussed by the class.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units from PSY 252.3, PSY 253.3, PSY 255.3; and 3 credit units of 300-level Psychology. Restricted to Honours students in Health Studies and Psychology, and majors in Linguistics.
Note: Students may take this course more than once for credit, provided the topic covered in each offering differs. Students must consult the Department to ensure that the topics covered are different.


PSY 472.6: BA Honours Thesis

Students will carry out a major project under the supervision of a faculty member, and report the project in the form of an honours thesis.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): Students must be enrolled in the Honours program and must have completed at least one 3 credit unit 300-level PSY A course and one 3 credit unit 300-level PSY B course.
Note: To be admitted to an Honours program in Psychology, students must submit a completed letter of intent for the Honours thesis, indicating a potential faculty supervisor, by mid-May of their third program year to the Psychology Department office. In addition, students must submit an Honours application to the College of Arts and Science by May 31st.


PSY 473.6: BSc Honours Thesis

Students will complete an honours thesis research project with a faculty member, on a topic that falls clearly within the Natural Sciences (see Catalogue under Psychology for a complete listing of the courses and areas of Psychology that are in Group 2: Natural Sciences).

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): Students must be enrolled in the Honours program and must have completed at least one 3 credit unit 300-level PSY A course and one 3 credit unit 300-level PSY B course.
Note: To be admitted to an Honours program in Psychology, students must submit a completed letter of intent for the Honours thesis, indicating a potential faculty supervisor, by mid-May of their third program year to the Psychology Department office. In addition, students must submit an Honours application to the College of Arts and Science by May 31st.


PSY 498.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 499.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 803.3: CultureHealth and Human Development

Explores concepts of human development, its cultural variations, and some of the basic and often unacknowledged assumptions that underlie these concepts and variations. Various theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of human development will be examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Permission of instructor required.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in the College of Graduate Studies and Research.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 882.6 cannot take this course for credit.


PSY 805.3: Statistics I Univariate General Linear Models

A theoretical and practical examination of univariate statistical analyses. Topics will include: a review of basic concepts, hypothesis tests on means, power, correlation and regression (simple and multiple), ANOVA (simple, factorial, and repeated measures), multiple comparisons, ANCOVA, overview of general linear models, and chi-square tests. Through several computer assignments, students will develop the necessary experience to be competent at conducting and interpreting univariate statistical analyses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


PSY 807.3: Statistics III Multivariate Statistics

The course objective is for graduate students to gain some knowledge of and experience with using multivariate statistics that are frequently used by psychologists dealing with non-experimental or quasi-experimental data. The course will cover multiple regression, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 805


PSY 809.3: Qualitative Research

This course is designed to introduce students to ways of doing research that are based in a constructionist epistemology and that focus on the generation and analysis of qualitative data. Coverage of specific methodologies (e.g., narrative research, grounded theory, discourse analysis) will be grounded in an understanding of their philosophical foundations.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate degree.


PSY 810.3: Methods of Applied Social Research

An advanced coverage of survey development (including question, wording, and format), research interview techniques, and psychometric properties of multi-item scales. The focus will be on methods typically used in social science research.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 811.3: Program Evaluation

An intensive analysis of the processes of developing and evaluating human service programs. Major topics will include the articulation of program goals, the development of measures, evaluation designs, and statistical techniques.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 812.6: Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Psychology

Covers major historical and philosophical developments in psychological theory and research throughout the ages, including ontological and epistemological positions and their links to contemporary ideas in psychology. Philosophical aspects of psychological research are addressed from a historical perspective including an examination of the paradigms of positivism, interpretivism, and realism.

Note: Students with credit for PSY 822 will not receive credit for this course.


PSY 813.3: Psychological Assessment I

This is a foundational course in the theoretical and practical issues in personality and ability assessment. The nature, history, and current controversies and problems related to objective personality and intellectual assessment are examined. A goal of this course is to become proficient in basic interviewing skills and in the administration and interpretation of basic objective personality and cognitive ability instruments.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Permission of the Director of Clinical Training is required.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 815.6 will not receive credit for this course.


PSY 814.3: Psychological Assessment II

A basic course in techniques of intelligence and cognitive ability assessment across the lifespan, including intelligence test administration and interpretation, other measures of cognitive ability, report writing, and case formulation.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 813.3
Note: Students with credit for PSY 815.6 will not receive credit for this course.


PSY 817.3: Indigenous Cultural Safety for Helping Professionals

Cultural safety for trainees and psychologists working with Indigenous Peoples, covering competencies in cultural self-awareness, the intersection of psychology and its areas of practice and Indigenous Peoples in Canada, culturally safe care, and ethical research with Indigenous Peoples. You will create an individualized learning plan and participate in this course as a learning community with other learners.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 831.3: Psychopathology and Individual Differences I

An intensive study of current theory and research in the field of behavioral pathology designed to provide broad-based exposure to current issues, and to developmental and historical topics. Behavioral disorder in children and adults, including older adults, will be covered in this seminar.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 832.3: Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology

This course offers fundamental training in Social Psychology. Across a broad number of topics, students will be introduced to current theories, methodology, and research and will engage in critical review, analysis, and discussion of historical and contemporary issues within the discipline.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 838.3: Advanced Seminar in Language Processing

Critical presentation and discussion of recent research and theory on the psychology of language, from a cognitive and neuroscience perspective. Topics may include normal and impaired word recognition, speech perception, reading, language acquisition, and localization of function (e.g., fMRI). Different modeling perspectives on these topics will also be discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 839.3: Thinking and Reasoning

Deals with cognitive approaches to issues of human rationality. We will address questions such as: When is a decision judged to be rational/ irrational? How do we interpret evidence to suggest that reasoners frequently fail to make normatively appropriate decisions? How is our decision-making ability limited by our cognitive resources?

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 841.3: Psychopathology and Individual Differences II

This course is an intensive seminar focused on complex psychopathology and individual differences. It builds upon PSY831 by including selected topics in psychological assessment of these areas. Topics may also include neuropsychological assessment, forensic assessment, personality assessment, and the intersection of physical illness.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 831
Note: Students with credit for PSY 816 will not receive credit for this course.


PSY 845.3: Clinical Supervision and Consultation

A course in the provision of clinical supervision and consultation including theoretical frameworks of supervision, resolution of issues and dilemmas commonly encountered in supervision, administration, provision of feedback, diversity, the interpersonal context of supervision, and core skills and techniques of supervision and consultation.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 846.3: Advanced Seminar in Human Neuropsychology

A critical review of theory, research and methodology in human neuropsychology. Using a combination of lectures and seminars, students will be exposed to the recent literature on topics such as brain localization and lateralization of functions, brain damage and recovery, and the neuropsychology of "higher-order" functions.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 850.3: Topics in Psychological Therapy I

Principles and procedures of individual psychological therapy and counselling. One or two specific systems of psychotherapy are studied. Historical development and empirical supports are examined.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 852.3: Topics in Psychological Therapy II

An intensive study of principles and procedures of individual psychological therapy and counselling. One or two specific systems of psychotherapy are studied.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 858.3: Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology

Introduction to ethical principles, codes, and processes for ethical decision-making with a special focus on clinical psychology. Readings and discussion on confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, duties to clients, business practices, and other professional issues. Equips students to resolve ethical dilemmas in practice and in licensure examinations.

Weekly hours: 1.5 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 860.3: Learning from Indigenous Cultural Perspectives on Health and Healing

The seminar is designed to develop professional competence in clinical psychology through the study and discussion of professional issues and problems in clinical and community practice. Both theoretical and practical issues will be considered, including topics such as forensic assessment and awareness of cultural factors in healing. Required for all PhD students in clinical psychology.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 862.3: Foundations of Applied Social Psychology

The major objective of this course is to explore how social psychological theory and research inform the analysis of social issues and social problems. Predominant social psychological theories and the current state of the research pertaining to these theories will be discussed and evaluated in terms of their relevance to applied research and social issues.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 864.3: Theory and Applied Issues in Social Psychology

This course will introduce students to specialized research areas in social psychology, with a focus on relevant theory and the application of research. A number of social psychological topics will be discussed, along with their applications to a broad range of social issues and interventions.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


PSY 865.3: Applied Research Designs

This course is an advanced seminar in applied research design from a post-positivist critical multiplism perspective. Students will examine the validity and the applicability of randomized experimental designs, quasi-experimental designs, and single case and time series designs. The use of qualitative methods to complement and enrich quantitative methods will be discussed.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): PSY 805; PSY 807.


PSY 898.3: Special Topics

The student pursues a program of readings in selected research topics under the supervision of individual faculty members.

Weekly hours: 3 Reading hours


PSY 899.N/A: Special Topics

The student pursues a program of readings in selected research topics under the supervision of individual faculty members.


PSY 900.N/A: Directed Research in Psychology

Under the supervision of faculty members, students will be involved in one or a combination of research seminars, group, or individualized research projects.


PSY 901.0: Individual Research

This course consists of completing a supervised research project in a topic area distinct from the student’s PhD dissertation research. Each student will be under the direct supervision of an individual faculty member. The student and faculty supervisor will meet weekly to discuss activities and progress. It is expected that the student will conceive of original research within the scope of the research activities being conducted within the faculty supervisor’s lab and that the student will take the lead on the specified project. It is expected that any research outputs (published manuscripts, conference presentations, etc.) will be jointly authored by the student (senior author) and the faculty supervisor (junior author).

Prerequisite(s): Restricted to Ph.D. students in the Applied Social Psychology concentration.


PSY 902.0: Practicum in Professional Psychology

Consists of supervised field work in professional psychology as required by the Canadian Psychological Association for accreditation and subsequent registration as a clinical psychologist. Supervision is provided by registered clinical psychologists or individual faculty members. Students must serve a minimum of 1 clinical day per week, with placement duration determined by the program training model.

Note: Taken in conjunction with other courses in the clinical and applied social programs.


PSY 903.N/A: Clerkship or Internship in Professional Psychology

The student is engaged for one term as an intern in a clinical, community, or organizational setting. Supervision is provided by departmental faculty members and psychologists in field settings.

Note: Taken in conjunction with other courses in the clinical and applied social programs.


PSY 904.N/A: Internship in Clinical Psychology

After completing four years of course based and practicum training, clinical psychology graduate students complete a full-time, one year internship in a health setting accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association. Supervision is provided by clinical psychologists affiliated with the internship setting.

Weekly hours: 31 Clinical Service hours


PSY 994.0: Research – Thesis

Completion of original research and writing of Master's thesis.


PSY 996.0: Research – Dissertation

Completion of original research and writing of Ph.D. dissertation.