The M.A. program has two main objectives. First to enhance the skills of our graduates as they enter the workforce and second to provide the bases for students who wish to continue an earn a doctorate degree. Our program emphasizes both basic and applied areas of psychology. The focus of the program is on the areas of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, social, developmental, personality and industrial/organizational psychology. These areas were determined based on recent developments in psychology worldwide, and the specific needs of Turkey. Within all areas the emphasis is on research. Our faculty is actively engaged in research. In addition to completing the required master s thesis students are expected to participate in research upon entering the program. For areas of faculty research see faculty section Admission requirements Admission requirements are announced by Bilkent University Graduate School of Economics and Social Sciences. For this year tentative requirements are as follows: 1. A degree from a related undergraduate program. 2. Undergraduate cumulative grade point average: minimum 2.75 over 4.00 or 70% 3. A satisfactory level of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are: TOEFL CBT: 213, TOEFL IBT: 82, TOEFL PBT: 550, TOEFL TWE: 4.00, IELTS: 6.5, FCE: C, KPDS: 87, ÜDS: 87, YDS: 87. 4. Standardized graduate examinations: a) GRE for international students. Minimum 950 in verbal and quantitative parts (303 in the new system), and 3.5 in the analytical writing part. b) ALES for Turkish citizens: Minimum 55 eşit ağırlık (EA) points. 5. A 1 to 2 page letter stating their objectives and motivations in applying the program 6. Three reference letters to support their application. 7. Deadline: 15 May 2014 8. Interviews will be held 2-4 June 2014 Preparatory classes Scientific preparation In cases where the applicant satisfies all requirements but lacks some fundamental knowledge about psychology, he or she can be admitted to the program conditionally. These applicants must successfully complete a preparatory class composed of undergraduate courses within two semesters. (Bilkent University Graduate Regulations clause 6). Courses taken during preparatory class are not counted toward the M.A. degree. English language preparation Similarly, in case the applicant satisfies all requirements but lacks sufficient English language proficiency, he or she can be admitted to the program conditionally. These applicants must Successfully complete an English language preparatory class within two semesters. Degree requirement [LINK TO A NEW PAGE] Completion of course requirements, thesis work (PSYC 599), and thesis defense Course requirements At least 24 credits and 11 courses must be successfully completed Program: Compulsory courses PSYC 530 Advanced research methods in psychology I (3 credits) PSYC 591 Pro-thesis Seminar I PSYC 599 M.A. dissertation
GE 590 Academic practices Elective courses Five program electives (minimum 15 credits) Two free electives (any course with more than 3 credits and 500 and above code in the Graduate School of Economics and Social Sciences, and the Graduate School of Engineering and Science) (minimum 6credits) Program electives Courses are offered in the fields of expertise of our faculty members. Course offerings will be based on expertise of faculty members, demand, and priorities of the department. A tentative list is given below. PSYC 501 Cognitive psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 502 Child development (Credit: 3) PSYC 503 Sensation and perception (Credit: 3) PSYC 504 Principles of learning (Credit: 3) PSYC 510 Psychology of social behavior (Credit: 3) PSYC 511 Theories of personality (Credit: 3) PSYC 512 Industrial psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 520 Cognitive neuroscience (Credit: 3) PSYC 531 Research methods in cognitive psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 532 Research methods in social/ personality psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 533 Research methods in developmental psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 534 Field research methods (Credit: 3) PSYC 550 Psycholinguistics (Credit: 3) PSYC 551 Cognitive, perceptual and motor development (Credit: 3) PSYC 552 Language acquisition (Credit: 3) PSYC 560 Psychopathology (Credit: 3) PSYC 561 Physiological basis of abnormal behavior (Credit: 3) PSYC 562 Motivation and emotion (Credit: 3) PSYC 563 Organizational psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 564 Health psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 565 Cross-cultural organizational psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 566 Gender Roles (Credit: 3) PSYC 567 Developmental Psychopathology (Credit: 3) PSYC 568 Psychology of Adolescence (Credit: 3) PSYC 569 Advanced Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 570 Groups and Teams (Credit: 3) PSYC 571 Leadership (Credit: 3) PSYC 572 Biological basis of behavior (Credit: 3) PSYC 573 Neuropsychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 574 Philosophy, History, & Systems of Psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 575 Laboratory projects in psychology I (Credit: 3) PSYC 576 Selected topics in research methods (Credit: 3) PSYC 577 Computational Models of Cognitive Science (Credit: 3) PSYC 578 Mathematical and numerical methods for Cognitive psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 580 Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology I (Credit: 3) PSYC 581 Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology I (Credit: 3) PSYC 582 Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology I (Credit: 3) PSYC 583 Advanced Seminar in Industrial and Organizational Psychology I (Credit: 3) PSYC 650 Social Cognition (Credit: 3) PSYC 651 Psychology of Decision Making (Credit: 3)
PSYC 652 Categories and Concepts (Credit: 3) PSYC 660 Attitudes and Attitude Change (Credit: 3) PSYC 661 Cultural psychology (Credit: 3) PSYC 662 Group Processes and Intergroup Relations (Credit: 3) PSYC 670 Lab in Cognitive neuroscience (Credit: 3) PSYC 671 Neuroscience of higher cognitive functions (Credit: 3) PSYC 672 Neuroeconomics (Credit: 3) PSYC 673 Laboratory projects in psychology II (Credit: 3) PSYC 674 Simulation and Data Analysis (Credit: 3) PSYC 675 Linear Systems (Credit: 3) PSYC 676 Non-linear models (Credit: 3) PSYC 680 Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology II (Credit: 3) PSYC 681 Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology II (Credit: 3) PSYC 682 Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology II (Credit: 3) PSYC 683 Advanced Seminar in Industrial and organizational Psychology II (Credit: 3) NSC 510 Sensory and motor systems neuroscience (Kredi : 3) NSC 511 Cellular, Molecular, & Developmental Neuroscience (Credit: 3) NSC 512 Research methods in Neuroscience (Credit: 3) NSC 513 Behavioral neuroscience (Credit: 3) NSC 514 Affective neuroscience (Credit: 3) NSC 515 Computational and numerical methods in neuroscience (Credit: 3) Course contents PSYC 530 Advanced research methods in psychology I (Credit:3) This course will give students hands-on, applied experience conducting empirical research. Students will engage in an in-depth review of psychological research methods, design an empirical study, collect and analyze quantitative data, and interpret these results within the context of study hypotheses. Students will select the specific topic of their research project, but all students will (1) review both fieldand laboratory-based research methods with a particular focus on experimental research design, (2) engage in literature review of seminal research, and (3) conduct an original empirical study resulting in the preparation of an APA-style research report. PSYC 591 Pro-thesis seminar I (Credit:0) Students present material related to their theses, attend the presentation of other students and participate in discussions. PSYC 599 M.A. dissertation (Credit:0) Students add this course every semester after their thesis adviser and topic are determined. The course appears as continuing in the transcript every semester. At the end of the semester that the student successfully defends his or her thesis the grade of the course becomes successful. GE 590 Academic practices (Credit:0) This course aims to contribute to the preparation of graduate students for academic studies and research. It includes practical classroom teaching, practical lab assistance and teaching, and provides practice in conducting exams and grading assignments. PSYC 501 Cognitive psychology (Credit: 3) Students are trained in mental and cognitive processes, such as perception, memory, learning, attention and motor control. Biological bases of these processes are taught. PSYC 502 Child development (Credit: 3) This course explores child development from infancy through adolescence. Research in various areas
of development including cognitive, social, motor will be discussed and the topics will be analyzed from major theoretical perspectives in child psychology. PSYC 503 Sensation and perception (Credit: 3) Topics include linear systems theory, signal detection theory, optics, spatial vision, motion analysis, depth perception, color vision, auditory coding of intensity and frequency, and sound localization. Also covers psychophysical and modeling methods. PSYC 504 Principles of learning (Credit: 3) Provides an in-depth exploration of major theories of learning with relevance to instrumental and classical conditioning, motivation, and affect. The emphasis is on human learning but comparative and animal research will also be discussed. PSYC 510 Psychology of social behavior (Credit: 3) This course involves discussions, lectures and seminars on the foundations of social behavior. The course will examine how social psychological theories have evolved over time and how different theoretical foundations have influenced contemporary social psychological theories and research. The course will also focus on the application of theories of social behavior to a variety of areas such as decision-making, education and health. PSYC 511 Theories of personality (Credit: 3) In this course, students will explore different perspectives on personality, the assumptions underlying these different views, and their resultant personality theories. In exploring these major views on personality, students will critically analyze their empirical merit. Through this evidence-based analysis of theories of personality, students will read original research reports and gain knowledge of the empirically documented statistical structure of individual differences in personality. Through course readings, lecture, and class discussion, students will have the opportunity to identify where extant theories of personality are mutually exclusive or in direct opposition to one theory, and where theories could be fruitfully integrated to inform one another. PSYC 512 Industrial psychology (Credit: 3) In-depth review of topics in personnel psychology. Topics covered include: selection, testing, training, performance evaluation, criterion development, and job satisfaction. PSYC 520 Cognitive neuroscience (Credit: 3) Lectures, readings, and laboratory exercises cover neuroanatomy, cognitive neuroscience, learning, memory, and emotion. PSYC 531 Research methods in Cognitive psychology (Credit: 3) This course offers an advanced study of research methods that are used in cognitive psychology. Research methods that are specific to cognitive psychology such as analyses of response times and signal detection will be covered in this course. Students will get hands on experience designing cognitive research experiments, running these experiments with participants in the lab, and interpreting data. Students will be asked to submit a research proposal and research report. PSYC 532 Research Methods in Social/ Personality Psychology (Credit: 3) The course s goal is to familiarize students with empirical research and research methods in social and personality psychology. Students will be able to have hands-on experience in carrying out research projects on issues relevant to social and personality psychology. The course enables students to advance their skills in formulating of research questions, designing empirical studies, data collection and analysis and effective communication of the research results. PSYC 533 Research methods in developmental psychology (Credit: 3)
This course provides an in-depth and advanced study of research methods used in developmental psychology. The course will focus on selecting appropriate research design and measurement tools, as well as establishing reliability and validity of developmental data. This course will also focus on critical evaluation of developmental research methods. Students will have direct experience in data collection strategies with children of different ages in the lab and at school settings. Students will also be expected to write a research proposal and a project report. PSYC 534 Field research methods (Credit: 3) Overview of problems in conducting organizational research. Topics covered include: causality, designs, research ethics, research strategies, and threats to validity. PSYC 550 Psycholinguistics (Credit: 3) This course will provide a broad overview of theory and research in psycholinguistics, including language acquisition, comprehension, representation, and production. Investigating the psychological processes underlying language use from a cognitive perspective, this course will focus on universal linguistic characteristics to increase an understanding of human s language-production capacity. PSYC 551 Cognitive, Perceptual and Motor Development (Credit: 3) This course offers advanced study of topics in infant development. Topics will include cognitive development (including conceptual development, language acquisition), motor skill acquisition, and perceptual learning and development. The course will provide an in-depth discussion of different theoretical perspectives that explain the current findings in infant development including, but not limited to, nativist theories, core knowledge theories, constructivist theories and dynamical systems theory. PSYC 552 Language Acquisition (Credit: 3) In this course, students will review theories of language acquisition. In considering these theories, a particular emphasis will be placed on phonology, syntax, and semantics during ontogeny. This theoryresearch integration will also include an exploration of grammatical and learnability theories within the context of empirical research on first-language development in children. PSYC 560 Psychopathology (Credit: 3) In this course, students will explore the distinct manifestations of psychopathology, with a particular emphasis on prominent clinical problems. The spectrum of clinically relevant issues that students will investigate will include developmental, anxiety, mood, personality and dissociative disorders, as well as schizophrenia. This course will explore extant models for the etiology of abnormal behavior, and will focus on epidemiology and evidence-based treatment. PSYC 561 Physiological Basis of Abnormal behavior (Credit: 3) This course will provide a broad overview of the genetic, physiological, and endocrinology mechanisms associated with affective disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction, and schizophrenia. Course objectives will be achieved through readings, lectures, and class discussion. Students learning experience PSYC 562 Motivation and Emotion (Credit: 3) This course examines the major factors that shape human behavior. The course will focus on the biological, environmental and social factors that affect motivation and emotion. It will enable students to critically discuss and evaluate the theory and research on the factors that drive behavior and understand the relationship between motivation and emotion. PSYC 563 organizational psychology (Credit: 3) In-depth review of current theory and research on organizational psychology. Topics covered include: Attitudes, behavior in organizations, leadership and supervision, motivation, occupational health,
organization theory and structure, organization change and development. In-depth review of current theory and research on organizational psychology. PSYC 564 Health Psychology (Credit: 3) This course aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of how health interacts with human cognition, emotion and behavior. The course will review major theories and research on health behavior, stress and coping, patient-doctor interactions, health behaviors in relation to chronic and terminal illnesses, engagement in risky health behaviors, psychology of addiction, and health enhancing behaviors. PSYC 565 Cross-Cultural Organizational Psychology (Credit: 3) Examination of how the differences in culture affect organizational practices (e.g. selection, performance appraisal and leadership and supervision). Also the issues involved in cross-cultural research will be examined. PSYC 566 Gender Roles (Credit: 3) This course focuses on major theories and empirical research on the role of gender identity in shaping personality, behavior and mental health. The topics include biological and social development of sex identity, sexual orientation and gender identity and the relationship among them, stereotyping and prejudice, close relationships, the relations between gender identity and gender identity relevant psychological disorders, media and gender. The course aims to provide a thorough understanding of the psychological aspects of social problems in relation to gender roles and enable to students to develop their own ideas and empirical research projects on gender issues. PSYC 567 Developmental Psychopathology (Credit: 3) This course examines theoretical models used to understand the development of psychopathology in children, as well as models that are more diagnosis-specific. Theory and diagnotic criteria for each area of childhood psychopathology will be examined, and research that focuses on biological and environmental contributions will be analyzed. PSYC 568 Psychology of Adolescence (Credit: 3) This course covers cognitive and social development of adolescence. Research in areas pertaining to adolescents such as adjustment, peer relations, aggression, gender will be discussed around major theoretical frameworks. PSYC 569 Advanced Industrial and organizational Psychology (Credit: 3) Examination of current issues in industrial/organizational psychology. Specific topics may vary depending on the interests of faculty and students. PSYC 570 Groups and Teams (Credit: 3) An in-depth examination of individual and group performance on various tasks. Topics covered include: procedures for evaluation of performance of individuals, nominal and real groups, factors influencing small group performance in natural and artificial (experimental) settings. PSYC 571 Leadership (Credit: 3) Examination of major leadership theories and research. Topics include contingency theories, leadermember exchange, attribution theory, paternalistic leadership style and transformational leadership. PSYC 572 Biological basis of behavior (Credit: 3) As a basis for all mental activity and behavior the nervous system and the brain in particular are quite important. This course introduces the structure and workings of the brain, its main characteristics, and its relationship to mind and behavior.
PSYC 573 Neuropsychology (Credit: 3) Lecture and hands-on sessions. Structural, functional and behavioral assessment. Imaging Genomics. Lesion mapping. PSYC 574 Philosophy, History, & Systems of Psychology (Credit: 3) An examination of psychology from an historical perspective beginning with early philosophers, and continuing with the various schools of thought to the present day. PSYC 575 Laboratory projects in psychology I (Credit: 3) In this course, students will gain an integrated, hands-on experience with conducting experimental research and preparing research reports in the psychological sciences. Throughout the course, students will replicate seminal laboratory research studies, and conduct a literature review of this original research. Students final project will be the preparation of an original, complete APA-style research report. PSYC 576 Selected topics in research methods (Credit: 3) Extensive knowledge about research methods of recent psychological topics. Seminar presentations and class participation. PSYC 577 Computational Models of Cognitive Science (Credit: 3) Basic introduction to computational modeling, why modeling is important, and how models can inform experimental work. PSYC 578 Mathematical and numerical methods for Cognitive psychology (Credit: 3) Covers basic mathematical techniques for analysis and modeling of behavioral and neural data, including tools from linear systems and statistics. PSYC 580 Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology I (Credit: 3) Provides more in-depth exploration for some of the core topics in cognitive psychology. Topics to be covered include attention, memory, perception, and action-planning. PSYC 581 Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology I (Credit: 3) Selected topics in developmental psychology for advanced graduate students will be discussed. Some of these topics may include qualitative methods, advanced quantitative methods, seminars in cognitive development and applied developmental psychology. PSYC 582 Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology I (Credit: 3) The course aims to survey contemporary topics at the heart of social psychology. Students will read selected social psychological articles from recent issues of top journals in the field. Through class discussions and weekly thought papers, the students will be encouraged to think critically about social psychological research and to identify strengths and weaknesses of research studies. PSYC 583 Advanced seminar in industrial and organizational psychology I (Credit: 3) An in-depth examination of a specific area focusing on personnel issues. Specific topics may include selection, training, job analysis and performance appraisal. PSYC 650 Social Cognition (Credit: 3) The course aims to introduce the major topics and fundamental assumptions of social cognition, as well as the ways in which social psychological phenomena can be addressed from a social cognitive perspective. Social cognitive phenomena that will be surveyed in this course include mental representations, attitudes, affect, stereotyping, person perception, and self-regulation. PSYC 651 Psychology of decision making (Credit: 3)
This course provides an in-depth presentation and discussion of processes that underlie decisionmaking. The classical experimental literature on this topic will be covered. The course will also go beyond this literature to cover more recent advances in our understanding of how people make decisions in diverse settings (e.g., consumer, social, clinical, organizational). PSYC 652 Categories and concepts (Credit: 3) This course offers an in-depth exploration of major topics in the psychology of concepts. What does it mean to represent concepts? What does functional use of concepts entail? How do concepts develop? The course will first focus on the traditional questions such as prototype vs. exemplar theories and computational models of category learning. This will be followed by how concepts become integrated into or limited by expanding knowledge frameworks. Developmental perspectives on these topics are considered throughout the course. PSYC 660 Attitudes and attitude change (Credit: 3) The course aims to introduce the major topics and fundamental assumptions of social cognition, as well as the ways in which social psychological phenomena can be addressed from a social cognitive perspective. Social cognitive phenomena that will be surveyed in this course include mental representations, attitudes, affect, stereotyping, person perception, and self-regulation. PSYC 661 Cultural psychology (Credit: 3) This course focuses on cutting-edge theories and research on cross-cultural differences in self and identity, as well the causes and consequences of these differences. Drawing on contemporary work in social, developmental, and cognitive psychology, this course surveys a variety of topics including the self, motivation, moral judgment, emotion, social cognition, and interpersonal relationships from cultural perspectives. PSYC 662 Group Processes and Intergroup Relations (Credit: 3) The course focuses on the psychological processes involved with how individuals in groups perceive, evaluate, and behave toward people in other groups. This course will survey cutting-edge theories and research on intergroup processes to delineate the bases of social categories and the consequences of group processes including stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, as well as identifying ways of facilitating effective intergroup relations. PSYC 670 Laboratory in Cognitive neuroscience (Credit: 3) Neuroimaging methods used in cognitive neuroscience are taught in-depth, and consolidated through hands-on laboratory hours. Functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography are among the methods taught. PSYC 671 Neuroscience of higher cognitive functions (Credit: 3) This course explores the brain basis of cognition, with focus on higher cognitive functions, such as: language, imagination, creativity, aesthetic perception, sense of self, contemplative and religious experiences, and the nature of consciousness. PSYC 672 Neuroeconomics (Credit: 3) This course examines decisions from theoretical, behavioral, and neural perspectives. Topics include decision under risk or uncertainty, decisions based on sampling, temporal discounting, visuo-motor analogues of decision, and learning in the context of decision problems. PSYC 673 Laboratory projects in psychology II (Credit: 3) In this course, students will gain an integrated, hands-on experience with conducting experimental research and preparing research reports in the psychological sciences. Throughout the course, students will replicate seminal laboratory research studies, and conduct a literature review of this original research. Students final project will be the preparation of an original, complete APA-style
research report. PSYC 674 Simulation and Data Analysis (Credit: 3) Covers topics in numerical analysis, probability theory, and mathematical statistics essential to developing Monte Carlo models of cognitive and neural processes. PSYC 675 Linear Systems (Credit: 3) Provides an in-depth exploration general linear models involving both single and multiple dependent variables. Statistical analyses include linear regression, linear hierarchical modeling, ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, and MANCOVA. PSYC 676 Non-linear models (Credit: 3) Provides an in-depth exploration of non-linear models that require data analyses in real time (e.g., eye-tracking, fmri). These models include nonlinear regression, time-series analyses, non-linear dynamics for use in developmental research that involves fitting non-linear curves, and non-linear hierarchical models. PSYC 680 Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Psychology II (Credit: 3) Provides more in-depth exploration for some of the core topics in cognitive psychology. Topics to be covered include language, categorization, reasoning, and decision making. PSYC 681 Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology II (Credit: 3) Selected topics in developmental psychology for advanced graduate students will be continued to be discussed. Some of these topics may include qualitative methods, advanced quantitative methods, seminars in cognitive development and applied developmental psychology. PSYC 682 Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology II (Credit: 3) This course will build on Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology I and continue surveying contemporary topics at the heart of social psychology. Students will read selected social psychological articles from recent issues of top journals in the field. Through class discussions, the students will be encouraged to think critically about social psychological research and to identify strengths and weaknesses of research studies. PSYC 683 Advanced Seminar in Industrial and organizational Psychology II (Credit: 3) An in depth examination of a specific topic focusing on organizational issues. Specific topics may include motivation, job satisfaction, work and family, organizational theory. NSC 510 Sensory and motor systems neuroscience (Credit: 3) Lectures will concentrate on neural regulation of sensory and motor systems. There will be intensive literature reading component in this course. Functions such as vision, audition, olfaction, motor movement will be covered. NSC 511 Cellular, Molecular, & Developmental Neuroscience (Credit: 3) Lectures will cover basic biophysics and cellular, molecular, and developmental neuroscience. There will be intensive literature reading component in this course. NSC 512 Research methods in Neuroscience (Credit: 3) In this course students will examine the wide spectrum of methods commonly used in the field. Techniques range from molecular/genetic to whole brain imaging. Includes interaction with scientist practicing the technique, virtual lab experiment and data analysis. Problem design and research methods are emphasized. Topics agreed upon by student and faculty sponsor. NSC 513 Behavioral neuroscience (Credit: 3)
This is a seminar course in which students will read a wide range of articles that relate to the overview of the neurological processes underlying organismic behavior. This course surveys neurobiological explanations of topics such as sensation, movement, motivation, emotion, sleep, learning, neurological disorders, and recovery mechanisms. NSC 514 Affective Neuroscience (Credit: 3) This is a systems-level course focused on the biological basis of emotion. This course aims to provide an overview of and historical basis for the emerging field of affective neuroscience. Emphasis will be on mapping affective experience and behavior to brain function, including cross-level integration of anatomical, chemical, and electrical data. Readings will come from the current literature. NSC 515 Computational and numerical methods in neuroscience (Credit: 3) In this intensive course, lecture, readings, and homework exercises will cover basic mathematical techniques for analysis and modeling of neural systems.