COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Computer Programming for Behavioral Research
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
PSY 604
Fall/Spring
3
0
3
7.5
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Elective
Course Level
Third Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course Discussion
Q&A
Lecturing / Presentation
Course Coordinator -
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives The goal of this course is to teach fundamental computer programming skills to Psychology researchers. The students who complete this course will be able to develop programs that provide various kinds of multimedia stimuli, capture user inputs using various devices, and analyze experimental data. Using these skills, students will be able to create and execute complex computer-based setups for Psychology experiments.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • will be able to describe basic concepts about computer programming.
  • Will be able to analyze the runtime behavior of computer programs.
  • Will be able to formulate a planned experimental setup according to working principles and requirements of computer programs.
  • Will be able to develop computer programs that implement experimental setups.
  • Will be able to develop computer programs to analyze the records that represent experimental results.
Course Description Basics of computer programming, basics of Matlab programming environment, handling and plotting data, the Psychtoolbox library, programming constructs, data structures, simple input and output, using multimedia content, timing and logging, development and debugging techniques, functions and modular programming, parsing and processing log files, developing experimental setups, analyzing experiment logs.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

Core Courses
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Basics of Computer Programming Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media, Chapter 1
2 Basics of the Matlab programming environment Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media, Chapter 1
3 Handling and Plotting Data Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media, Chapters 2 and 3
4 The Psychtoolbox library Psychtoolbox.org function reference
5 Programming constructs Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media, Chapter 4
6 Data structures Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media, Chapter 4
7 Simple input and output Psychtoolbox.org function reference
8 Using multimedia content Psychtoolbox.org function reference
9 Timing and logging Psychtoolbox.org function reference
10 Development and debugging techniques Course slides
11 Functions and modular programming Course slides
12 Parsing and processing log files Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media, Chapter 7
13 Developing experimental setups Course slides
14 Developing experimental setups Course slides
15 Analyzing experiment logs Course slides
16 Review of the semester
Course Notes/Textbooks

Borgo, M., Soranzo, A., & Grassi, M. (2012). MATLAB for Psychologists. Springer Science & Business Media

ISBN-13: 978-1461421962, ISBN-10: 1461421969

Suggested Readings/Materials Psychtoolbox.org function reference

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
5
30
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
40
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
1
30
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
7
100
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
Study Hours Out of Class
0
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
5
5
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
92
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
1
60
Final Exams
    Total
225

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able to develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the experimental science of psychology with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications.

X
2

To be able to conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the experimental psychology is related with, come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas.

X
3

To be able to evaluate and use new methodological knowledge in a systematic way and gain higher level of skills on research methodology of the mind, behavior, and the brain.

X
4

To be able to develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject.

X
5

To be able to make critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas in the field of experimental psychology.

X
6

To be able to develop new ideas and methods in the field of experimental psychology by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making.

X
7

To be able to broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals.

X
8

To be able to organize and participate in scientific activities such as workshops, conferences, and panels to elaborate possible solutions to the problems which may be specific to experimental psychology or interdisiplinary.

X
9

To be able to contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements by following pioneer and innovative methods and theories of the mind, behavior and the brain trilogy.

X
10

To be able to develope effective and functional means of communication to analyze mental relations and processes in the context of experimental psychology.

X
11

To be able to contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values.

X
12

To be able to write an original dissertation in accordance with the criteria related to the field of Experimental Psychology.

X
13

To be able to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using English language.

X

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest