Psy 590

Special Topics: Computational Modeling

Instructor:

Timothy Slattery, Ph.D.

Office: UCOM 1110

Phone #: 460-7150

Office Hours: TR 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm or by appointment

Email: slattery@ southalabama.edu

Course Information:

Psy 590 Special Topics: Computational Modeling in the Social Sciences

Fall 2014

Course format: Traditional/web enhanced

Time: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-1:45 pm

Location: UCOM 2322

Required Materials:

Computational Modeling in Cognition: Principles and Practice. Stephan Lewandowsky, & Simon Farrell, Sage Publications, 2011.

Students will also need to purchase a copy of the student version of MATLAB

Description: Understanding data requires a theoretical model (i.e. models of the cell, the atom, the solar system...). Psychology has begun to move beyond simple verbal descriptions of its theories toward more precise quantitative theories (computational models). This movement from underspecified verbal theories to highly specified computational models has yielded numerous advances to the field. A search of the PsycINFO database indicates a massive increase in the number of Psychology articles published using computational models (1975-1984, 84 articles; 1985-1994, 718 articles; 1995-2004, 2,259 articles; 2005-2014, 6,489 articles). It is becoming increasingly important for researcher's in Psychology to understand the development, implementation, and testing of such models.

Goals: This course is designed with three goals in mind. First, you are expected to leave this course with a strong understanding of the principles behind the development, implementation, ant testing of computational models of behavior. Second, and equally important, successful students will leave this course with the practical knowledge needed to comprehend and critique the computational models they are most certain to encounter within Psychology in the coming years. Finally, students will gain real hands on experience with computational models by choosing an existing model, predicting its behavior in a novel situation and testing these predictions by altering an existing model and running it to produce output.

Course pre-requisites/co-requisites: For students taking this as undergraduates, they should have completed ST 210, PSY220, PSY320, and PSY 416 with at least a B in all these courses. A knowledge of MATLAB is beneficial but not required.

Grading: Grading will be based on attendance (10%), programming exercises (10%), one midterm exam (25%), one in class group presentation (25%), and one group final project (30%). Late assignments will lose one letter grade for each day they are overdue.

Attendance: Students should attend all classes and attendance will be strictly monitored. The midterm exam will include topics that are discussed in lecture and that may not be covered in the textbook. Thus, class attendance is crucial to your success in this class. Missing more than 10% of scheduled classes will result in a grade of F*.

Missed exams: Make up exams will only be given if the student has PRIOR written permission from the instructor or a University approved excuse (see The Lowdown). Permission will only be given for those extremely rare situations that are beyond the control of the student. All make up exams will be in essay questions format!

Changes in Course Requirements: Not all classes progress at the same rate thus course requirements might have to be modified as circumstances dictate. You will be given written notice if the course requirements need to be changed.

Students with Disabilities: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will be afforded reasonable accommodations. The Office of Special Student Services (OSSS) will certify a disability and advise faculty members of reasonable accommodations. If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify the instructor/professor and provide certification from the Office of Special Student Services. OSSS is located at 5828 Old Shell Road at Jaguar Drive, (251-460-7212).

Student Academic Conduct Policy: The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Student Academic Conduct Policy is found in The Lowdownhttp://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicconductpolicy.shtml: The University of South Alabama is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are sustained. The University is committed to supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by the Constitution and the Code of Alabama and to educating students relative to their responsibilities. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating on an exam/assignment or helping others cheat on an exam/assignment, you will receive a failing grade in the course.

Academic Disruption Policy: The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The Lowdown, the student handbook.http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicdisruption.shtml: Disruptive academic behavior is defined as individual or group conduct that interrupts or interferes with any educational activity or environment, infringes upon the rights and privileges of others, results in or threatens the destruction of property and/or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of order in an academic environment