Outline

Overview

In this unit of study, you will study three of the core topics of Psychology: Perception, Cognition, and Intelligence. Our sensory systems generate our experience of our bodies and what exists in the world. In the perception component, you will learn how our sensory systems influence our ability to act in the world and the conditions and consequences of perceptual errors. The cognition component of the course will focus on the theoretical and methodological issues that arise in how we attend to, remember, think, problem solve, and make decisions, and consider the consequences of how biases and heuristics influence our choices. The intelligence component will explore the historical evolution of the concept of intelligence, issues in its measurement, the relationship to concepts of creativity, emotional intelligence, and the influence of the environment. You will participate in inquiry-led tutorials that will reinforce and expand on concepts in the unit, and develop broad thinking skills to relate evidence to rational arguments and choices that can be applied to any problem solving domain.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Previous or concurrent completion of PSYC5111 or PSYC5112
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Hilary Don, hilary.don@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final Exam Each lecture will be assessed in a two-hour closed book exam held after the teaching period ends	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Engagement Students will be assessed on active participation, quality of contribution and collaboration in tutorials	5%	Ongoing	10-15 minutes per tutorial	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Design An APA-formatted evaluation and proposal based on an experiment conducted in tutorials	30%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Oct 2026	1800 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Group Presentation (Part II) A 5 minute Q&A following the group presentation	5%	Week 12	5 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Presentation (Part I) A 10-minute group presentation on an issue in cognitive psychology	15%	Week 12	10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial Engagement (5%): Students will be assessed on their engagement during tutorials, including active participation, quality of contribution, and collaboration.

Research Design (35%): Students will write an APA-formatted evaluation and research proposal based on an experiment conducted in the first tutorial.

Group Presentation (15%): Students will collaborate in a group to deliver a 10-minute presentation.

Q&A following Group Presentation (5%): Students will contribute to a 5 minute Q&A session following their group presentation.

Final Exam (45%): Each lecture and tutorial will be assessed in a two-hour closed book exam held after the teaching period ends. The initial version of the Final Exam will consist of a combination of multiple-choice and short answer questions. If you are approved by Special Consideration to miss the initial Final Exam, the Replacement Exam structure may vary. The Final Exam is a secure hurdle task. You must exceed a minimum mark in the exam to pass this unit, regardless of your marks in the other non-secure assessments.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Vision 1,2,3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Vision 4,5,6	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to course and assessments; research data collection	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Vision 7	Lecture (1 hr)
	Audition 1,2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Vision tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Audition 3, Consciousness 1,2	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Assessment preparation and evaluating research tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Attention 1,2,3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Audition tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Attention 4,5	Lecture (2 hr)
	Memory 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Attention tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Memory 2,3,4	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Memory tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Memory 5,6	Lecture (2 hr)
	Decision making and problem solving 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Group presentation preparation tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Decision making and problem solving 2,3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Decision making tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Decision making and problem solving 4,5,6	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Problem solving tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Intelligence 1,2,3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Intelligence I tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Intelligence 4,5,6	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Group presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Intelligence 7,8,9	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Intelligence II tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

There is no mandatory attendance policy for PSYC5216 but we recommend attendance at 80% of lectures and tutorials.

Tutorials are not recorded.

Tutorials involve group work including group presentation preparation time.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The below are given as recommendations for each of the three lecture series - digital copies of these (or similar editions) are available through the University Library. If any text is directly assessed, this will be confirmed on Canvas.

Perception: Wolfe, J.M., Kluender, K.R., Levi, D.M., Bartoshuk, L.M., Herz, R.S., Klatzky, R., Lederman, S.J., and Merfeld, D.M. Sensation and Perception (4th edition).

Cognition: Eysenck, M.W., & Keane, M.T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A student’s handbook (7th edition). New York: Psychology Press.

Intelligence: Sternberg, R. J. (Ed.). (2018). The nature of human intelligence. Cambridge University Press.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the 3 core areas of psychology taught in this course: perception, cognition, and intelligence, and be able to evaluate approaches and theories from each
LO2. understand the quantitative and statistical methods involved in perception, cognition and intelligence, and be able to judge and defend their appropriateness for studying the core content in each domain and formulate alternatives
LO3. understand APA style communication and use it to read and contrast research papers and design and justify a novel research methodology
LO4. examine and critique the appropriateness and validity of findings from perception, cognition and intelligence as they apply to diverse groups
LO5. evaluate the extent to which the core content of perception, cognition and intelligence plays a role in your personal and professional identity and wider public policy

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PSYC5216: Think, See, Know: Cognitive Frontiers

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links