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Syllabus

Sensation and Perception
Dr. Jim McGowan
830:301:04

We are all expert perceivers.  However, perception occurs so effortlessly that understanding the problem -- or even that perception is a problem -- is the first hurdle in trying to understand the brain's solution.  In this course we will attempt to understand what  perceptual problems your brain is trying to solve, and the methods by which researchers try to understand how perception works.  To do so, we need to consider a multitude of perspectives, including psychological, physiological, physical, philosophical, computational, information processing, signal processing, engineering and developmental.  There are many demonstrations that you can't draw in a notebook, so make sure you come to class. 

Text
The text is REQUIRED.  The text is Sensation and Perception by Wolfe et. al. The text is intended as a source of additional information or clarification, and to help with study questions.  The text and the lectures are not substitutes for one another; some material presented in class is not in the text, and some material in the text will not be covered in class.  If you have the version of the text without the CD-ROM, that is fine--the text hasn't changed, and we won't use the CD-ROM.

Attendance
You will find it difficult to pass this class unless you attend the vast majority of the lectures, if not all.  Please show up on time, since we will get started right away.  If traffic problems are going to make you late each night, consider your alternatives.  You will become quickly lost if you miss the beginning of each class because of a conflict.

Class Notes
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN I DISTRIBUTE THE CLASS NOTES.  There are absolutely no exceptions whatsoever for any reason.  This includes email distribution or posting of the notes on the class website.   I also can't necessarily guarantee that time will be available for students to copy the overheads before or after class.  If you miss a lecture, you should arrange to copy the notes from another student.  You should exchange contact information with other students early in the semester to avoid a problem later on.  (I am not employed fulltime by the University, and I have an unusual conflict with my fulltime employer that prevents me from distributing the notes.)

Office Hours
I work fulltime outside the University.  I am only on campus for the lectures. Accordingly, there are no formal office hours, nor do I have an office on campus.  You are encouraged to ask questions before, after or (preferably) during class.  If you have additional questions, feel free to email me at jamesm@rci.rutgers.edu.  If necessary, we can arrange face-to-face office hours if we cannot address your questions through email.

Grades
A midterm and final will be used to determine your final grade.  The final is not cumulative, although the information in the latter half of the class builds on information from the first half.  Each exam will count for 50% of your grade.  The letter grades assigned for each exam will be determined using a "curve".   Each exam is curved separately.  (Although most students will be graded according to the curve, in the end your grade is solely at my discretion -- I reserve the right to assign your grade based upon any criteria I deem appropriate.)  Cheating will not be tolerated, and will result in a 0.0 grade for the entire course.

Examinations
Exam dates are listed on the Topic Schedule below.  You are expected to make both exams at the assigned times.  There will be make-up exams ONLY for exceptional circumstances.  If you notify me PRIOR to the regular exam, and have a valid reason, then you can take the make-up.  (You don't actually need to talk with me -- an email PRIOR to the exam will suffice.)  The regular exams are multiple choice; the make-up exam may be a similar or entirely different format.  The make-up times are non-negotiable.  I absolutely loathe make-up exams, because they detract from time I could be doing other things, like improving the class material.  Further, I have noticed a tendency of students who are doing poorly requesting the make-up only as a means of putting off the inevitable.  If you are dreading the exam, email me questions, but don't put off studying.  If you know right from the beginning of the semester that you can't make the exam dates, see me as soon as possible.

Extra Credit
There is never any situation under which you will earn extra credit, so you need to do well on the exams.  There are no valid excuses.  Extra credit simply puts an extra burden on my already busy schedule (yes, I can guarantee that I am far more busy than you), and gives you an unfair advantage over other students.  If you don't do well on exams, or thought you did well but failed anyway, you'll need to find another option for passing the course.  The grade in the course will be based on exams only.

Topic Schedule
The following outline is a rough guide to the course content, and is subject to change.
Text chapters are given, but check the Readings page for more details.  Notice that there are approximately 3 days without an agenda.

Syllabus Notice

This syllabus is given for reference only, and is subject to change at any time.  The entire website, including all notices posted to the website throughout the semester, are to be considered part of the syllabus.