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Undergraduate and Graduate Programs


PSYCHOLOGY

Hande Ilgaz, Ph.D., Chair

Academic Staff
Courses

Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. 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, developmental, social personality, and clinical 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 behavior. 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/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
MBG 110  Introduction to Modern Biology  3    3  5
PSYC 103  Introduction to Psychology/Social and Developmental  3    3  5
TURK 102  Turkish II      2  3.5
  Arts Core Elective      3  -

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  Statistical Methods in Psychological Science I  3    3  5
PSYC 204  Research Methods in Psychological Science 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  Statistical Methods in Psychological Science II  3    3  5
PSYC 206  Research Methods in Psychological Science 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 and Memory  3    3  5
PSYC 350  Advanced 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
  Department Electives (3)      9  -
  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  -

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 behavior, 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 behavior 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  Master's Thesis      -  67
  Electives (2)      6  -
  Restricted Electives (4)      12  -

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      -  195
  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      -  195
  Electives (5)      15  -
  Restricted Electives (9)      27  -

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