PSYC 361: Frequently Asked Questions
General information:
PSYC 361 (Motivation) is a 3rd year Psychology course which is targeted at students taking a BSc in Psychology. The course focuses on the biological basis of motivation. Topics covered include classical and operant conditioning paradigms; regulation of motivation for food, water and sex; the biology of goal-directed behaviour; disorders of motivation and drug addiction. Basic knowledge of brain structure and function is assumed. Note: this is *not* a motivational psychology course.
The course textbook is: Motivation Theories and Principles by Robert Beck, 5th Edition, published by Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-111445-X. It is available from the UBC Bookstore, and a reference copy should also be available in the UBC library.
If you have questions about planning your courses, and whether PSYC 361 fulfils certain degree requirements, please consult Jennifer Janicki, the Psychology undergraduate advisor (ugadvisor@psych.ubc.ca).
Please direct all other questions to the course TA (2009: jonepp@interchange.ubc.ca)
Q. “What are the pre-reqs for this course? Can I still taken PSYC 361 if I haven’t taken any biology classes during my degree?”
A. Pre-reqs: Either (a) all of PSYC 101, 102 or (b) one of PSYC 100, PSYC 260, PSYC 304, PSYC 360. Students who have taken PSYC 304, 360 or 363 in particular will be at an advantage due to overlap between the courses. If you do not have a biological background, you will be at a disadvantage compared to other students in the class. However, if you are really keen to take the course, you are welcome to do so.
Q. “The class is full- can I still register?”
A. Although there are no guarantees, we have been able to accommodate everyone who wishes to take the course in past years even though we are routinely oversubscribed at the beginning of term. The maximum class size is set by the number of desks in the lecture hall, and therefore cannot be changed. However, during the first couple of weeks of terms, some students withdraw from the course and then others are able to sign up. If you are interested in taking the course, please attend the lectures for the first two weeks of term and bring an Add/Drop Course form with you at the end of the second week; hopefully by then we will be able to register you.
Q. “How do I get access to the course website?”
A. The course website is run through Web Vista (the upgraded version of Web CT). You can access the site at www.elearning.ubc.ca/home/index.cfm?menuClicked=16%2F&p=main/vistaauth/login.htm using your CWL. However, you must be registered for the course to be able to access the content. Lecture notes and other relevant material are posted here during term time. A discussion forum is also provided and students are encouraged to make use of this learning tool.
Q. “What form do the assessments take?”
A. Performance is assessed through two exams: one midterm exam administered just prior to reading week, and one final exam. The midterm exam consists of multiple choice, definitions, fill-in-the-blanks and short answer questions. The final exam is similar in format to the midterm, but also includes an essay question. Exam grades will be scaled in accordance with the Psychology Department’s scaling policy (PSYC 361 - Course Information). Students should also be familiar with the Psychology Department’s position on academic misconduct (PSYC 361 - Course Information).
Q. “Is there any extra credit available for this course?”
A. No. You do not currently get credit for this course by taking part in research projects.
Q. “Can I get a letter of reference from Dr. Winstanley?”
A. In large lecture courses like PSYC 361 where there is limited opportunity for student-lecturer interaction, it is difficult for the lecturer to form an opinion about any individual student, other than how well they perform in the assessments. This means that the lecturer is unlikely to be a good candidate to write you a reference letter. However, if you interact well in class, contribute to class discussions, and show an interest in the course material, the lecturer may be able to form an opinion about your abilities that could be expressed in a reference letter. If this is the case, please supply the Dr.Winstanley with a copy of your resume when you request the letter of reference, as well as any other pertinent information about you which you would like the letter to highlight.