PSYC 313 examines physiological principles of human and animal behavior.  Topics include methods, the nervous systems, sensation & perception, learning, memory, emotions, motivation, cognition, and mental disorders. Students will be introduced to the major theoretical perspectives and important empirical research findings from the discipline. 

PSYC 313 is a COLL 200 NQR Course designed to demonstrate the intersection between natural and quantitative reasoning and cultures, societies, and the individual. 

Natural World and Quantitative Reasoning (NQR). Courses in this domain examine the natural world and physical universe and the means by which humans observe, measure, model, and interpret it. Courses explore the process of scientific discovery, including the methods required to gather and assess empirical data, investigate the predictions of existing theories, and develop experimentally testable hypotheses. Courses may also focus on mathematical or computational methods as applied to these investigations. Students develop their understanding not only of the foundations, implications, and uses of scientific knowledge but also how scientific approaches can be used to create tangible products.

• Open Educational Resource Textbook on Blackboard

• Readings as assigned on Blackboard.

If you require accommodation due to a documented disability for taking exams or for anything else, please see me immediately.  Every effort will be made to accommodate you, provided the appropriate documentation is presented to the College’s Office of Student Accessibility Services and are discussed with me.  Many students enter college uncertain about whether they qualify for federal accommodations.  If you aren’t sure, don’t wait; please contact the Students Accessibility Services Office for help. 

Students sometimes need temporary accommodations, such as for a concussion, or mobility issue, etc. Please contact the SAS and discuss the situation with me.  

Grades follow a standard scale where passing scores are designated between A and D. There is no A+ at the College and I don’t use D-. Each letter band is rounded to the closest whole number. For instance, the band for an A in the course is 93 – 100%. If your semester percentage is 92.5% your score is rounded up, and you have an A in the course. If your semester percentage is 92.49% your score is rounded down, and you have an A- in the course.   

This scale is not adjusted for individuals based on a student’s interest in psychology, effort, major, minor, or eligibility for athletics, applications for scholarships, post-graduate plans, etc. Students may elect to take the course Pass/Fail. Please see the university's detailed webpage describing this designation, and speak to your academic advisor, as Pass/Fail designations can make a difference in COLL courses, a proposed major or minor, or post-graduate plans.

If you have a concern about your grade, please see me immediately for help.  

Course Requirements

1. Exam 1 (100 points, 28.57%)    

2. Exam 2 (100 points, 28.57%)

3. Exam 3 (100 points, 28.57%)

4. COLL 200 Assignment (50 points, 14.29%)

5. Extra Credit Not guaranteed every semester; generally up to 4 points
   Up to 1.1%, may or may not contribute to a higher letter grade
   If used, varies

TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE 350

1, 2, 3. Exams (85.71% of  the grade)

Midterm Exams (Exams 1 & 2)

Each of the three units in PSYC 201 ends in a non-cumulative exam consisting of 50-75 multiple-choice and short-answer questions on that unit’s material and any assigned readings. Exam 1 and Exam 2 are given during the College’s midterms periods. All exams focus on lecture material and "read on your own" sections of the text.

Technology may be used to ensure exam integrity.

Students arriving at any exam more than 5 minutes after the exam has begun may be refused entrance.  This may result in a zero for that exam without the opportunity to make it up.

The Final Exam (Exam 3)

Exam 3 is non-cumulative. It is sometimes called the final because it takes place during the university’s Finals period. Although students have three hours to complete Exam 3, it is designed to take less than that. Students arriving at any exam more than 5 minutes after the exam has begun may be refused entrance which may result in a zero for that exam without the opportunity to make it up.  

The University’s Final Exam Schedule is online here:

https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/calendarsandexams/examschedules/fall24exam/

Makeup Exams

Makeup exams may be permitted under exceptional circumstances and with notice as possible. The sooner I know there is an issue, the better I can accommodate your circumstances. Personal or family illness, officially representing the College at an athletic competition, and the like are examples of unavoidable events for which you may be eligible for a makeup exam. If a makeup exam is being considered, documentation may be required.

Final exams must be taken on the date and time listed on the university exam calendar.  Makeups for the final are exceedingly rare and are available only in the case of a last-minute emergency and/or with the permission of the university’s administration.  

If a student misses the final and a makeup is approved, an Incomplete will be issued, and the makeup final will be provided on a different day.

4. COLL 200 Assignment (14.29% of the semester grade)

The College is invested in undergraduate liberal arts education. Part of this education is passing courses in three fundamental domains: Arts, Letters, Values; Culture, Society, and Individuals; and Natural and Quantitative Reasoning. Courses designated COLL 200 are designed to intersect these domains. 

Cultures, Societies, and the Individual (CSI).  Courses in this domain examine the realm of human cultures, societies, and individuals through their development, organization, and interaction. Some courses employ mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and scientific experimentation; some, the analysis of artifacts and texts; and others, observation, inference, and extrapolation. Students learn to describe, theorize, and explain human cultures, societies, and individuals in their variety over time and space.

The Natural World and Quantitative Reasoning (NQR). Courses in this domain examine the natural world and physical universe and the means by which humans observe, measure, model, and interpret it. Courses explore the process of scientific discovery, including the methods required to gather and assess empirical data, investigate the predictions of existing theories, and develop experimentally testable hypotheses. Courses may also focus on mathematical or computational methods as applied to these investigations. Students develop their understanding not only of the foundations, implications, and uses of scientific knowledge but also how scientific approaches can be used to create tangible products.

5. Extra Credit 

Extra credit may or may not be available in this course and may or may not raise your semester letter grade. If available, opportunities to earn extra credit points may be limited to those in class on a given day. Extra credit points are never made available on an individual basis. Any earned extra credit will be added directly to your semester points. Missing extra credit opportunities doesn’t lower your grade.

The university prides itself on creating the nation’s first Honor Code. The Code provides fairness for students, ensuring students are evaluated based on their own effort and ability and in a community in which students can be taken at their word. The Code also provides an environment in which trust can thrive.  The Honor Code reflects the university’s value of integrity—in our words and our deeds. 

As an instructor, I strive to provide an environment that promotes honor and will support your efforts to do the same. Reasonable measures taken to protect students are not antithetical to the Honor Code; thus, if concerned, I am obligated to report my concerns for review by the Office of Community Values and Restorative Practices.   

You are welcome to contact me about any of these expectations if you have concerns that a fellow student is not fulfilling their obligations.  The Code and Community of Trust depend on having the same understanding of these ideas and our being able to discuss them freely.  

• Unless otherwise indicated, all work submitted in this course, whether in draft or final form, must be your own and must be cited as specified in the assignment.    

• Minor editing or proofreading of assignments by someone else (such as the T.A. or Writing Center) is permitted. 

• Discussion of any assignment (including exams) with an unauthorized person or entity is not permitted, including representatives of websites which charge fees, request uploading of course materials, or those in which websites which complete assignments for you.  

• The Honor Code prohibits students from submitting the same work or part of the same work in more than one class without receiving advance written authorization from both instructors.  

• The Honor Code specifies that students may not lie, cheat, or steal.  This specifically means that you may not lie about academic matters in this or any other course.   

• Content created for this course remains the intellectual property of the instructor or that of the university, and as such, may not be bought, sold, traded, or given to any other entity.

William & Mary’s Honor Code is here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/communityvalues/studenthandbook/honor_system/ 

The academic community is responsible for protecting the integrity of materials in this course.  You may not post any material from this course anywhere that compromises the intellectual property of other students, the professor, or the university.

According to the William & Mary Student Handbook:

The university does not permit the recording, dissemination, or publication of academic presentations (including handwritten notes) for a commercial purpose without advance authorization of the course instructor.

The posting of lecture notes or assessments on websites is prohibited.

For additional information, see  https://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/communityvalues/studenthandbook/student_life_policies/intellectual_property_policies/index.php 

Email
Check your W&M email several times a day.  The administration and most professors use email as the primary mode for communicating with you.  If you regularly use another email address, please forward mail from your official W&M address. I try to respond to email within 24 hours and during business hours.  You may not get an immediate response to emails in the evening or over the weekend. 

Email was developed to send short communications.  Thank you in advance for including which of my courses you are in, an appropriate greeting (Hi, Prof. Porter, Dear Dr. Porter, Hello, Prof., etc.), and a brief message.  Follow with your full name.  If you have more information than can be reasonably covered in a brief paragraph, just make an appointment so I don't miss anything.

Stopping by the office (ISC 1263) - Stop on by!  I love seeing people!
During the schoolyear and much of the summer, I work in my office and love to talk to students when they stop by.  

Open/Office hours are first-come, first-served and are held twice a week (see the top of this document).  They are best used for quick questions or sharing quick ideas unless no one else is waiting.  If you are not able to attend open/office hours, just make an appointment and I'll meet you in the office when you are available.

Appointments
Appointments are typically 30 minutes (but can be more or less) and made at mutually agreeable times.  Email me at mcport@wm.edu to make an appointment.  Appointments are usually for one person but if you and a friend have similar things to discuss, it's no problem to come together.   If you need academic help, don't wait until right before an exam or until the end of the semester!  Make an appointment to review or discuss material.  

Phone calls
My number is 757-221-3865.  I'll pick up if I'm in my office, or you can leave a message.  

Mental & Physical Well-Being

You deserve to live a life of mental and physical well-being.  William & Mary recognizes that you juggle different responsibilities and can face challenges that make learning difficult.  Many resources are available at W&M to help students navigate emotional/psychological, physical/medical, material/accessibility and academic concerns, including:

The Offices of Student Success, which includes access to 

• Academic Wellbeing and free Tutoring

• Care Support, for general or specific concerns for yourself or someone else, and 

• Accessibility Services for documented academic or physical accommodations. 

The W&M Counseling Center at (757) 221-3620.  Services are free and confidential, and this number is staffed after hours and on weekends.  W&M also subscribed to a free online mental health service staffed 24 hours a day, called TimelyCare.  Services are free and confidential.  

The W&M Health Center at (757) 221-4386.  

If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact me, a friend, or trusted community member.

Personal Names and Pronouns

Every individual has the right to be addressed and referred to in accordance with their personal identity.  Students are invited to indicate the name(s) and pronouns by which they would like to be addressed.  W&M offers a tool called NameCoach that allows you to record your name the way you want it pronounced.  Instructions on how to use NameCoach are on the College website.

All efforts will be made to address individuals respectfully by their preferred name and pronouns.

William & Mary acknowledges the Indigenous peoples who are the original inhabitants of the lands our campus is on today – the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway), Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Monacan, Nansemond, Nottoway, Pamunkey, Patawomeck, Upper Mattaponi, and Rappahannock tribes – and pay our respect to their tribal members past and present.

I further acknowledge the enslaved peoples, primarily of African descent, whose labor built much of the university.  Much of what we know of this country today, including its culture, economic growth, and development throughout history and across time, has been made possible by the labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants who suffered trafficking, chattel slavery, or Jim Crow. We are indebted to their labor and sacrifice and acknowledge the transgenerational impact that is felt in current time.

The university calendar is found here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/calendarsandexams/ugcalendars/#fall 

The exam calendar for this semester is found at: https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/calendarsandexams/examschedules/fall24exam/#class