The graduate program in Cognitive Psychology provides students with both a thorough understanding of cognitive psychology and the skills necessary to perform high quality independent research. The program is oriented toward doctoral studies. The research interests of the faculty are diverse, encompassing problems and issues in visual cognition, memory, attention, consciousness, awareness, neuropsychology, reading, reasoning, judgment and decision making, skilled performance, and applied experimental psychology. The focus in our graduate program is on the completion of top-notch, publishable research and the development of independent research skills that will aid students in their subsequent careers.
The Program
A typical program is outlined below. It is to be emphasized that the program for any particular student will be designed by the student in consultation with his or her supervisor to fit the student's needs and interests. Students are expected, however, to complete the equivalent of at least twelve half-courses. Of these, six should be in cognitive psychology.
During each academic year, the faculty will offer two seminars in major areas of cognitive psychology, and a year-long research seminar. Students should expect to register for these seminars during each of their first three years. In addition, two courses should be in statistics and the remaining four should be from other areas of the Department (e.g., Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology). Students are strongly urged to develop skills in advanced statistics and computer technology.
Year 1
- Statistics courses (PSYCH 630 or 632) or qualifying examination, plus one additional statistics course
- Two one-term courses in cognition and perception
- Research*
*Normally students will be expected to have completed the MA thesis not later than the beginning of their fourth term in the program.
Year 2
- Two one-term courses in cognition and perception
- Two other one-term courses
- Research
Year 3
- Two one-term courses in cognition and perception
- Two other one-term courses
- PhD thesis
Notes:
- While it is possible for a student to complete the program and receive the PhD degree in nine terms, normally this takes twelve terms.
- All students entering with the Honours BA (or its equivalent) are required to complete an MA thesis.
- There is no formal special area examination required for the PhD. (In special cases, students may be permitted to sit for a Special Area Examination upon request and have the results on such an examination included in their yearly overall evaluation. See "Student Evaluation".)
- Students in the program are required to attend and participate actively in a research seminar in Cognitive Psychology every year they are enrolled in the program. As part of their participation in this seminar, students working on PhD research will from time to time discuss:
(a) a review of the literature pertinent to their research
(b) pilot data collected, and
(c) the data from the research.