Introductory Courses
2026-2027
In 26F at 10, Bradley Duchaine and Thalia Wheatley
In 27S at 10, Peter Tse and Tor Wager
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior. Emphasis is placed upon the basic psychological processes of perception, consciousness, cognition, memory, and motivation as well as development, personality, individual differences, social behavior, and psychological disorders.
Dist: SOC.
In 26F at 11, Shawn Winter
In 27W at 10, Shelley Warlow
This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamental principles of neuroscience. The course will include sections on cellular and molecular neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and cognitive neuroscience. Neuroscience is a broad field that is intrinsically interdisciplinary. As a consequence, the course draws on a variety of disciplines, including biochemistry, biology, physiology, pharmacology, (neuro) anatomy and psychology. The course will begin with in depth analysis of basic functions of single nerve cells. We will then consider increasingly more complex neural circuits, which by the end of the course will lead to a analysis of the brain mechanisms that underlie complex goal-oriented behavior.
Dist: SCI.
In 27S at 2A, Rick Granger
What’s in a human brain, and how did it get there? How are brains built via genetic, epigenetic, and developmental mechanisms? What makes one brain different from another, between species and within species? What makes populations different from each other? Who are our ancestors, and what was their evolutionary path to us? How did human brains get to their enormous size? How do brains differ from other organs? What mechanisms are at play over evolutionary time? The class will cover a set of related topics including brain structure, anthropology, evolution, genetics, development, cognition, race, intelligence. Throughout the class, we will write about these topics, producing drafts, revisions, and final documents.
Prerequisites are either Writing 2-3, or 5, or Hum 1.
In 26X at 2, Alireza Soltani
In 26F at 9L, Jamshed Bharucha
In 27W at 11, John Murray
In 27S at 9L, Jamshed Bharucha
This course covers the various ways in which empirical information is obtained and analyzed in psychology and neuroscience. Statistical techniques covered will include ways to describe center and spread, t-tests, linear regression, chi-square, and complex analysis of variance (ANOVA), as well as use of a common statistical program to analyze data. This course is the preferred preparation for PSYC 11, Laboratory in Psychological Science.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1 or PSYC 6 (may be taken concurrently). Because of the large overlap in material covered, no student may receive credit for more than one of the courses ECON 10, GOVT 10, MATH 10, QSS 15, PSYC 10, or SOCY 10 except by special petition. Cannot be taken concurrently with PSYC 11.
Dist: QDS.
In 26X at 10, Shawn Winter
In 26F at 10, Mitchell Spring
In 27S at 10, Jeremy Manning
Progress in psychological science depends upon the analysis and thoughtful interpretation of results from well-designed experiments. In this course you will learn how to think critically about this research process, first through a series of guided readings and exercises. In the second part of the course you will design, carry out, and analyze your own original experimental research project as part of a small team and then present your work in a public forum and as a written journal-style manuscript.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1 or PSYC 6, and PSYC 10 or equivalent. Cannot be taken concurrently with PSYC 10.
Dist: SLA.