An introductory survey of basic areas of psychology including perception, cognition, learning and motivation and their biological substrata. Also reviewed are child development, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal psychology.
Unit 1 – Foundations
Unit 2 - Neuroscience
Unit 3 - Sensation and Perception
Unit 4- Cognitive Psychology
Unit 5 - Developmental Psychology
Unit 6 - Personality and Social Psychology
Unit 7 - Mental Health
Welcome to the fascinating world of psychology: the science of behaviour and the mind! The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the broad range of topics that we study in the field of psychology, including perception, cognition, learning and motivation and their biological bases. Also reviewed are child development, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal (clinical) psychology. In the process you will hopefully gain some insight into what makes people think, feel, and behave the way that they do. This course is not intended to help you solve behavioural or emotional problems requiring professional attention.
This course is a mix of independent and small group learning. It is therefore important that you progress through the material at the prescribed rate.
40% - Assignments
25% - Proctored Midyear Exam
35% - Proctored Final Exam
**Evaluation Subject to change**
The midyear exam will take place during the fall exam period.
You must write and pass the final exam in order to pass the course.
CDS reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Pearson Student Access Code Card: The Pearson Student Access code (which contains your online lessons) is required. It comes bundled with an e-text (Krause, Corts, Smith & Dolderman. An Introduction to Psychological Science, 2nd Canadian Edition). You have the option to buy a looseleaf copy version of the e-text along with the code if you wish.
Your 2 options for your course material:
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend, on average, about 9-10 hours per week (221 hours per term) on the course.
6% - Discussion Activites (x2)
34% - Written Assignments (x1) and Peer Review (x3)
25% - Proctored Midyear Exam
35% - Proctored Final Exam
**Evaluation Subject to change**
Mid-term exams will take place during the May-June exam period, June 20 & 21, 2019.
Students must pass the exam component of the course to receive a passing grade.
CDS reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Available from Queen's Campus Bookstore (http://www.campusbookstore.com):
Pearson Student Access Code Card: The Pearson Student-Access code (which contains your online lessons) is required. It comes bundled with an e-text (Krause, Corts, Smith & Dolderman. An Introduction to Psychological Science Canadian Second Edition). You have the option to buy a looseleaf or hard copy version of the e-text along with the code if you wish.
You have 3 options:
Pearson Student Access code (incl. e-text) please visit http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/AccessCodes/ to purchase the stand alone access code, or pick one up on the shelf, beside the textbooks.
Pearson Student Access code (incl. e-text) + looseleaf printed text
Pearson Student Access code (incl. e-text) + hard copy bound text
| Completing/reviewing online lessons | 10-12 hours every week |
| Discussion participation | 2 hours (approx.) every other week |
| Written assignment | 6 hours (approx.) every other week |
| Quizzes | 2 hours every week |
| Refer/review text | As needed |
| Total: | Approximately 16 hours/week |
Students can expect to spend 221 hours total on the course.
SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
See also Getting Started.
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
Call us at 613.533.3322 or email us.
