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Bilkent University

Online Academic Catalog

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs 2023-2024


PSYCHOLOGY

Michelle Marie Adams, Ph.D., Chair

Academic Staff
Courses

Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour. It explores the way in which humans (and sometimes animals) see, learn, remember, and think; as well as the way they behave among others. It also looks at the relationship between mind and brain physiology, and studies how all these faculties develop from conception and birth through to the end of life.

Psychology has a wide scope. Its subject matter ranges from biology of the brain and the nervous system, to social issues like what makes people behave the way they do in a group. Thus, it is widely accepted that psychology is a discipline of both natural and social science. There are five core areas of psychological science. These are biological, cognitive, social, developmental, and personality psychology. The undergraduate program offered by the department aims to provide a balanced education in all these areas as well as some more specialised areas offered as electives. It places importance on an active learning process with discussion-based classes and partly essay-based assessment.

The most important aspect of the program is its emphasis on scientific method and research. It is impossible to learn everything there is to know about such a vast area of scientific study. Thus it is more important to gain an understanding of the methods with which to study mind and behaviour. The main aim of the program therefore is to establish a good understanding of scientific method and analytic thinking as well as skills necessary to conduct research including data analysis and efficient use of computer software. In this capacity, students are required to take part in and conduct a range of research projects, which involve an increasing level of independence as the course progresses. In the final year students are required to complete an independent research project culminating in a senior thesis.

CURRICULUM

FIRST YEAR

Autumn Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
CS 121  Introduction to Computer Applications and Programming  2  2  3  5
ENG 101  English and Composition I  5    3  5
GE 100  Orientation      1  2
MATH 105  Introduction to Calculus I  4    4  6.5
PSYC 101  Introduction to Psychology I / Cognitive and Biological  3    3  5
TURK 101  Turkish I      2  3.5

Spring Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
ENG 102  English and Composition II  5    3  5
MATH 106  Introduction to Calculus II  4    4  6.5
MBG 110  Introduction to Modern Biology  3    3  5
PSYC 103  Introduction to Psychology II / Social and Developmental  3    3  5
TURK 102  Turkish II      2  3.5

SECOND YEAR

Autumn Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
GE 250  Collegiate Activities Program I      -  1
HIST 200  History of Turkey  3    4  6.5
HUM 111  Cultures Civilizations and Ideas I  3    3  5
PSYC 200  Cognitive Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 203  Statistics I  3    3  5
PSYC 204  Research Methods I  3    3  5
PSYC 230  Social Psychology  3    3  5

Spring Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
GE 251  Collegiate Activities Program II      1  2
HUM 112  Cultures Civilizations and Ideas II  3    3  5
PSYC 205  Statistics II  3    3  5
PSYC 206  Research Methods II  3    3  5
PSYC 220  Brain and Behavior  3    3  5
PSYC 240  Developmental Psychology  3    3  5
  Elective      3  -

THIRD YEAR

Autumn Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
COMD 358  Professional Communication  3    3  5
PSYC 310  Perception, Attention, and Action  3    3  5
PSYC 340  Learning, Remembering, and Thinking  3    3  5
PSYC 350  Cognitive and Social Development  3    3  5
PSYC 433  Abnormal Psychology  3    3  5
  Computing Methods Elective      3  -

Spring Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
PSYC 430  Clinical Psychology  3    3  5
  Department Electives (3)      9  -
  Electives (2)      6  -

FOURTH YEAR

Autumn Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
PSYC 399  Summer Training      -  9
PSYC 498  Senior Project I      3  5
  Arts Core Elective      3  -
  Department Electives (2)      6  -
  Elective      3  -

Spring Semester

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
PSYC 499  Senior Project II      3  5
  Department Electives (2)      6  -
  Electives (2)      6  -
  Humanities Core Elective      3  -

DEPARTMENTAL ELECTIVE COURSES

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
PSYC 311  Mirroring Processes in Social Cognition  3    3  5
PSYC 320  Cognitive Neuroscience  3    3  5
PSYC 321  Cognitive Neuroscience and Rehabilitation  3    3  5
PSYC 322  Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience  3    3  5
PSYC 330  Applied Social Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 360  Individual Differences and Personality  3    3  5
PSYC 375  Genes, Environment and Development in Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 391  Directed Research in Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 405  Introduction to FMRI  3    3  5
PSYC 406  Introduction to Electroencephalography (EEG)  3    3  5
PSYC 410  Neuropsychology  3    3  5
PSYC 415  Cognitive Aging  3    3  5
PSYC 420  Selected Topics in Cognitive Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 421  Selected Topics in Social Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 422  Selected Topics in Developmental Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 423  Selected Topics in Cognitive Science  3    3  5
PSYC 424  Selected Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience  3    3  5
PSYC 425  Selected Topics in Neurobiological Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 431  Psychological Testing and Measurement  3    3  5
PSYC 434  Child and Adolescent Psychopathology  3    3  5
PSYC 435  Industrial and Organizational Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 437  Program Evaluation  3    3  5
PSYC 438  Interpersonal Relationships  3    3  5
PSYC 439  Visual Neuroscience  3    3  5
PSYC 442  Psychology of Language  3    3  5
PSYC 444  Human Bonding  3    3  5
PSYC 446  Psychological Well-being at Work  3    3  5
PSYC 449  Clinical Interview Skills and Techniques  3    3  5
PSYC 482  Mind in Evolution  3    3  5
PSYC 483  Theory of Mind  3    3  5

ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS

The undergraduate curriculum requires students to take a total of 16 elective courses. At least 7 (seven) of these must be chosen from the list of Psychology (PSYC) "elective courses" seen above. At least 6 (six) elective courses in the curriculum must be chosen from the list of "Elective". Not all of these courses may be offered in a given academic year, and new courses not mentioned here may be offered during the academic year. Available courses will be announced by the Department at the beginning of each academic year mainly in the "undergraduate" section of the psychology department website (www.psy.bilkent.edu.tr). Elective lists can also be followed under STARS Academic Units page. Students have the sole responsibility to follow announcements made on the website and other media specified by the department.

MINOR PROGRAM

The minor Program in Psychology aims to provide the student with a general introduction to the main issues in the science of psychology. Demonstrating the way psychologists study mind and behaviour, the minor program will form the basis for further study in the field. The minor program student must take three fundamental courses in Psychology that require no specialized background. Cognitive Psychology studies the way people know: perception, memory and learning among its main focuses. Social Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour of the individual in a group setting: from families to workplace organisation, people spend a great deal of their lives in the presence of others. Finally, Developmental Psychology investigates the way people develop from birth to old age. In addition to these three courses, minor candidates are expected to attend three elective courses offered by the department. This is an opportunity for students to further deepen their understanding in a particular area, and experience first hand, contemporary research in psychological science.

Prerequisite Courses:

  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology

CURRICULUM

Courses

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
PSYC 200  Cognitive Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 230  Social Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 240  Developmental Psychology  3    3  5
  Electives (3)      9  -

GRADUATE PROGRAM

Master of Arts in Psychology

The M.A. program in the Department of Psychology is designed to build a strong, interdisciplinary background in theory and research in the psychological sciences. The program focuses on cognitive, social, personality, and evolutionary psychology, as well as neuroscience. Graduate students are expected to participate in research activities upon entering the program. To support psychological research, the university has developed an infrastructure that includes the National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), along with state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with observation rooms for testing children and adults, a genetic testing room, and testing rooms for psychophysical and behavioral experiments.

CURRICULUM

Courses

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
GE 500  Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics      -  1
GE 512  Quantitative Data Analysis  3    3  5
GE 590  Academic Practices      -  12
PSYC 591  Pro-Thesis Seminar I      -  5
PSYC 599  M.A. Dissertation      -  67
  Electives (2)      6  -
  Restricted Electives (4)      12  -

RESTRICTED ELECTIVES

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
BTE 501  Biology Curriculum Review I  2  2  3  5
CI 501  Learning Development and Cultural Context for Teaching  3    3  5
CI 507  Educational Research  3    3  5
CI 513  Statistics  3    3  5
CI 516  Child and Adolescent Psychology  3    3  5
CI 517  Learning Theories and Practice  3    3  5
CI 518  Science of Learning  3    3  5
CI 604  Educational Statistics  3    3  5
CI 606  Qualitative Research Methods  3    3  5
CS 550  Machine Learning  3    3  5
CS 553  Intelligent Data Analysis  3    3  5
CS 557  Computational Systems Biology  3    3  5
CS 559  Deep Learning  3    3  5
CS 578  Natural Language Processing  3    3  5
CS 681  Advanced Topics in Computational Biology  3    3  5
EEE 523  Speech Processing  3    3  5
EEE 543  Neural Networks  3    3  5
EEE 573  Medical Imaging  3    3  5
EEE 574  Foundations of Magnetic Resonance Imaging  3    3  5
EEE 582  Computational Neuroscience  3    3  5
EEE 585  Statistical Learning and Data Analytics  3    3  5
EEE 586  Statistical Foundations of Natural Language Processing  3    3  5
GE 510  Fundamentals of Social Research Design  3    3  5
GE 511  Philosophy of Social Inquiry  3    3  5
GE 513  Qualitative Research Methods  3    3  5
LAW 544  The Legal Framework of Social Dialogue (in Turkish)  3    3  5
LAW 550  Fundamentals of Legal Thought (in Turkish)  3    3  5
LAW 563  General Theory of Crime  3    3  5
LAW 618  Social Law  3    3  5
MAN 607  Philosophy and Epistemology of Scientific Inquiry  3    3  5
MAN 634  Consumer Behavior Theory I  3    3  5
MAN 636  Consumer Behavior Theory II  3    3  5
MAN 656  Advanced Multivariate Statistics  3    3  5
MATH 565  Mathematical Foundations of Data Science  3    3  5
MBA 535  Consumer Behavior I  3    3  5
MBG 502  Advanced Cellular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 503  Advanced Molecular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 505  Advanced Molecular Genetics  3    3  5
MBG 509  Special Topics in Molecular Biology I  3    3  5
MBG 510  Special Topics in Molecular Biology II  3    3  5
MBG 513  Bioinformatics  3    3  5
MBG 516  Biomolecules, Biomaterials and Bioprocesses  3    3  5
MBG 523  Recent Developments in Molecular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 601  Human Genetics  3    3  5
MBG 612  Special Topics in Genetics I  3    3  5
MBG 613  Special Topics in Genetics II  3    3  5
MBG 615  Recent Advances in Molecular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 616  Experimental Molecular Biology and Genetics I    12  3  5
MBG 617  Experimental Molecular Biology and Genetics II    12  3  5
ME 555  Cellular Biomechanics  3    3  5
NSC 510  Sensory and Motor Systems Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 511  Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 512  Research Methods in Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 513  Behavioral Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 514  Affective Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 515  Computational and Numerical Methods in Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 516  Neurobiology of Aging  3    3  5
NSC 517  Neuroanatomy  3    3  5
NSC 539  Visual Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 546  Computing for Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 612  Selected Topics in Neuroscience I  3    3  5
NSC 613  Selected Topics in Neuroscience II  3    3  5
NSC 670  Lab in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neuroscience    3  3  5
NSC 671  Lab in Sensory and Motor Systems Neuroscience    3  3  5
PHIL 504  Philosophy of Cognitive Science  3    3  5
PHIL 505  Embodied Cognition  3    3  5
PHIL 506  Philosophy of Memory  3    3  5
PHIL 507  Feminist Philosophy  3    3  5
PHIL 508  Bioethics  3    3  5
PHIL 531  Metaphysics  3    3  5
PHIL 540  History of Analytic Philosophy  3    3  5
PHIL 545  Moral Psychology  3    3  5
POLS 5490  Democracy, Development, and Human Rights  3    3  5
PSYC 501  Advanced Cognitive Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 502  Advanced Developmental Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 506  Introduction to Electroencephalography (EEG)  3    3  5
PSYC 510  Advanced Social Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 512  Current Directions in Social Cognition Research from a Developmental Perspective  3    3  5
PSYC 515  Selected Topics in Psychology I  3    3  5
PSYC 520  Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience  3    3  5
PSYC 521  Principles of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging  3    3  5
PSYC 523  Selected Topics İn Cognitive Science  3    3  5
PSYC 542  Psychology of Language  3    3  5
PSYC 575  Advanced Training in Psychological Research I  3    3  5
PSYC 583  Theory of Mind  3    3  5
PSYC 610  Neuropsychology  3    3  5
PSYC 612  Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis  3    3  5
PSYC 621  Applied Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Neuroscience  1  2  3  5
PSYC 673  Advanced Training in Psychological Research II  3    3  5
TEFL 501  Second Language Acquisition  3    3  5
TEFL 503  Linguistics: the Nature of Language  3    3  5
TEFL 506  Sociolinguistics  3    3  5
TEFL 510  Language Testing  3    3  5
TEFL 531  Research Methods in Linguistics I  3    3  5
TEFL 532  Research Methods in Linguistics II  3    3  5

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Psychology is designed to build a strong, interdisciplinary background in theory and research in the psychological sciences. The programs focus on cognitive, social, personality, and evolutionary psychology, as well as neuroscience. Graduate students are expected to participate in research activities upon entering the program. To support psychological research, the university has developed an infrastructure that includes the National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM), along with state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with observation rooms for testing children and adults, a genetic testing room, and testing rooms for psychophysical and behavioral experiments.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

CURRICULUM

Courses

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
GE 500  Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics      -  1
GE 690  Academic Practices      -  24
PSYC 691  Pro-Thesis Seminar II      -  5
PSYC 699  Ph.D. Dissertation      -  190
  Electives (3)      9  -
  Restricted Electives (4)      12  -

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (After a Bachelor's Degree)

CURRICULUM

Courses

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
GE 500  Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics      -  1
GE 512  Quantitative Data Analysis  3    3  5
GE 690  Academic Practices      -  24
PSYC 591  Pro-Thesis Seminar I      -  5
PSYC 691  Pro-Thesis Seminar II      -  5
PSYC 699  Ph.D. Dissertation      -  190
  Electives (5)      15  -
  Restricted Electives (9)      27  -

RESTRICTED ELECTIVES

Code Course Name Hours Credit ECTS
Credit
Lec. Other
BTE 501  Biology Curriculum Review I  2  2  3  5
CI 501  Learning Development and Cultural Context for Teaching  3    3  5
CI 507  Educational Research  3    3  5
CI 513  Statistics  3    3  5
CI 516  Child and Adolescent Psychology  3    3  5
CI 517  Learning Theories and Practice  3    3  5
CI 518  Science of Learning  3    3  5
CI 604  Educational Statistics  3    3  5
CI 606  Qualitative Research Methods  3    3  5
CS 550  Machine Learning  3    3  5
CS 553  Intelligent Data Analysis  3    3  5
CS 557  Computational Systems Biology  3    3  5
CS 559  Deep Learning  3    3  5
CS 578  Natural Language Processing  3    3  5
CS 681  Advanced Topics in Computational Biology  3    3  5
EEE 523  Speech Processing  3    3  5
EEE 543  Neural Networks  3    3  5
EEE 573  Medical Imaging  3    3  5
EEE 574  Foundations of Magnetic Resonance Imaging  3    3  5
EEE 582  Computational Neuroscience  3    3  5
EEE 585  Statistical Learning and Data Analytics  3    3  5
EEE 586  Statistical Foundations of Natural Language Processing  3    3  5
GE 510  Fundamentals of Social Research Design  3    3  5
GE 511  Philosophy of Social Inquiry  3    3  5
GE 513  Qualitative Research Methods  3    3  5
LAW 544  The Legal Framework of Social Dialogue (in Turkish)  3    3  5
LAW 550  Fundamentals of Legal Thought (in Turkish)  3    3  5
LAW 563  General Theory of Crime  3    3  5
LAW 618  Social Law  3    3  5
MAN 607  Philosophy and Epistemology of Scientific Inquiry  3    3  5
MAN 634  Consumer Behavior Theory I  3    3  5
MAN 636  Consumer Behavior Theory II  3    3  5
MAN 656  Advanced Multivariate Statistics  3    3  5
MATH 565  Mathematical Foundations of Data Science  3    3  5
MBA 535  Consumer Behavior I  3    3  5
MBG 502  Advanced Cellular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 503  Advanced Molecular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 505  Advanced Molecular Genetics  3    3  5
MBG 509  Special Topics in Molecular Biology I  3    3  5
MBG 510  Special Topics in Molecular Biology II  3    3  5
MBG 513  Bioinformatics  3    3  5
MBG 516  Biomolecules, Biomaterials and Bioprocesses  3    3  5
MBG 523  Recent Developments in Molecular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 601  Human Genetics  3    3  5
MBG 612  Special Topics in Genetics I  3    3  5
MBG 613  Special Topics in Genetics II  3    3  5
MBG 615  Recent Advances in Molecular Biology  3    3  5
MBG 616  Experimental Molecular Biology and Genetics I    12  3  5
MBG 617  Experimental Molecular Biology and Genetics II    12  3  5
ME 555  Cellular Biomechanics  3    3  5
NSC 510  Sensory and Motor Systems Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 511  Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 512  Research Methods in Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 513  Behavioral Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 514  Affective Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 515  Computational and Numerical Methods in Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 516  Neurobiology of Aging  3    3  5
NSC 517  Neuroanatomy  3    3  5
NSC 539  Visual Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 546  Computing for Neuroscience  3    3  5
NSC 612  Selected Topics in Neuroscience I  3    3  5
NSC 613  Selected Topics in Neuroscience II  3    3  5
NSC 670  Lab in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neuroscience    3  3  5
NSC 671  Lab in Sensory and Motor Systems Neuroscience    3  3  5
PHIL 504  Philosophy of Cognitive Science  3    3  5
PHIL 505  Embodied Cognition  3    3  5
PHIL 506  Philosophy of Memory  3    3  5
PHIL 507  Feminist Philosophy  3    3  5
PHIL 508  Bioethics  3    3  5
PHIL 531  Metaphysics  3    3  5
PHIL 540  History of Analytic Philosophy  3    3  5
PHIL 545  Moral Psychology  3    3  5
POLS 5490  Democracy, Development, and Human Rights  3    3  5
PSYC 501  Advanced Cognitive Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 502  Advanced Developmental Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 506  Introduction to Electroencephalography (EEG)  3    3  5
PSYC 510  Advanced Social Psychology  3    3  5
PSYC 512  Current Directions in Social Cognition Research from a Developmental Perspective  3    3  5
PSYC 515  Selected Topics in Psychology I  3    3  5
PSYC 520  Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience  3    3  5
PSYC 521  Principles of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging  3    3  5
PSYC 523  Selected Topics İn Cognitive Science  3    3  5
PSYC 542  Psychology of Language  3    3  5
PSYC 575  Advanced Training in Psychological Research I  3    3  5
PSYC 583  Theory of Mind  3    3  5
PSYC 610  Neuropsychology  3    3  5
PSYC 612  Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis  3    3  5
PSYC 621  Applied Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Neuroscience  1  2  3  5
PSYC 673  Advanced Training in Psychological Research II  3    3  5
TEFL 501  Second Language Acquisition  3    3  5
TEFL 503  Linguistics: the Nature of Language  3    3  5
TEFL 506  Sociolinguistics  3    3  5
TEFL 510  Language Testing  3    3  5
TEFL 531  Research Methods in Linguistics I  3    3  5
TEFL 532  Research Methods in Linguistics II  3    3  5

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