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Swift Thinking: 2007 Winter

Registration Information


Spring Courses

A table showing our anticipated course offerings for Spring is available online. Please check this table and the registrar's webpages for updates. Descriptions of psychology courses are available through the registrar's webpages.


Preregistering for Spring Courses

The psychology department will be offering preregistration through CAESAR for many of our courses the week prior to regular registration. To see which courses are available for preregistration, look at the “prereg” column in our Spring 2007 course table . All students listed as psychology or cognitive science majors or minors in the registrar's computerized system should be able to preregister through CAESAR for these courses.

Preregistration times are announced by the Registrar's Office. You can preregister for at most two courses.

The only courses not available for preregistration for Spring quarter are Psych 110-Introduction to Psychology; Psych 205-Research Methods; Psych 357 – Advanced Seminar in Personality, Clinical, or Social, and 397/398/399 research courses. Details on how to sign up for these courses are given in our Spring 2007 course table.


Wait List

Psychology courses are very popular, and they often fill during registration. What should you do if a course you want to take has closed? That depends on which course it is. This article and our Spring 2007 course table describe the procedures for our different courses.

You can add Psych 201, 212, 215, 218, 228, 301, 314 (Psychology of Diversity), 321, 362, and CogSci 211 during the registration period by checking CAESAR directly and seeing if an opening is available. No wait lists will be kept for these courses, and no permission numbers will be needed. Just go ahead and add the courses on your own.

For some courses – 110, 204, 334, and 358 -- we will be using the "electronic wait list" function on CAESAR. If you try to add a course that is full, CAESAR will tell you that there are no openings and will ask if you would like to be on the wait list. As students drop the course, we will check the electronic wait list and send permission numbers to students who can enroll.

For Psych 205 (all sections), a wait list will be maintained by the Psychology department. For Psych 314 (Foundations of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and Psych 357 (Tests and Measures in Personality and Clinical Psychology), please email the instructor to be placed on a wait list once the class is full. The instructor for Psych 314 is Dr. Sue Mineka. The instructor for Psych 357 is Dr. Renee Engeln-Maddox.

Psych 205, 357, 397, 398, and 399 will continue to require department permission throughout the registration period. See the sections below on Registering for Psych 205 and on Other Courses Requiring Department Permission for additional information on these courses.

All psychology courses will require department permission during the add period (the first week of spring classes). Course professors will prepare lists of students whom they have agreed to add to their courses, and these students will then receive permission numbers.


Registering for Psych 205-Research Methods

You will need a permission number in order to register for Psych 205-Research Methods in Psychology. Psychology and cognitive science majors and minors interested in this course should go to the department office, Swift 102, the week prior to registration to get permission numbers. You should be able to use your permission number to sign up for the course during preregistration or during your regular registration time. (If you wait until after preregistration, then it will not count toward your two-course preregistration maximum.)

WHEN TO GET YOUR PSYCH 205 PERMISSION NUMBER

Seniors Tuesday, February 13th           1:00 - 4:00
Juniors Wednesday, February 14th 9:00 - noon
Sophomores Wednesday, February 14th 1:00 - 4:00

If you are unable to go to the office at your scheduled time, then go as soon after that as you can. Remember that Psych 201-Statistical Methods in Psychology is a prerequisite for Psych 205 .


Other Courses Requiring Department or Instructor Permission

You will need permission to register for Psych 357 – Advanced Seminar in Personality, Clinical, or Social: Tests and Measures in Personality and Clinical Psychology with Professor Renee Engeln-Maddox. The professor requires that students have taken Psych 205-Research Methods in Psychology, and either Psych 204, Psych 215, or Psych 303. Students should go to the department office and see Ms. Ginger Gilmore during preregistration to request permission numbers, according to the following schedule:

Seniors Tuesday, February 13th           1:00 - 4:00
Juniors Wednesday, February 14th 9:00 - noon
Sophomores Wednesday, February 14th 1:00 - 4:00

Ms. Gilmore will check that you have completed the prerequisites for the course, and give you a permission number if there is room in the course. For more information on this class, see the article on special courses.

One great way to learn more about psychological research is to become actively involved in research activities through Psych 399-Independent Study or the two-quarter Psych 397-Advanced Supervised Research . This is especially valuable for students considering graduate study in psychology, and it can be an educational and enjoyable experience for others as well. To enroll in Psych 397 or Psych 399, you should get an application in the department office, fill it out, and have it signed by the professor with whom you will be working. Then, take the signed application to the department office to get a permission number for the course; permission numbers will be available beginning Tuesday, February 13th. Remember that Psych 205-Research Methods in Psychology is a prerequisite for Psych 397 . For more information on 397 and 399—including the differences between them, how they count towards requirements, and tips on finding a research adviser—see our webpage on doing research for course credit.

Students in Psych 398-Senior Honors Seminar will need permission numbers to register as well. Permission numbers will be available in the department office beginning Tuesday, February 13th, for everyone participating in the honors program this year.


Special Courses For Spring Quarter

Psych 314– Foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Professor Sue Mineka will teach Psych 314 – Foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The prerequisite for this course is Psych 303. If you have not taken Psych 303, please contact Dr. Mineka for permission to enroll. For more information, see the course description.

Psych 314 – Psychology of Diversity

Professor Mona Weissmark will teach Psych 314 – Psychology of Diversity. The prerequisites for this course are Psych 204 or Psych 215. For more information, see the course description.

Psych 357 - Advanced Seminar in Personality, Clinical, or Social Psychology

Tests and Measures in Personality and Clinical Psychology

Professor Renee Engeln-Maddox will teach this Advanced Seminar in Personality, Clinical, or Social Psychology. The prerequisite for this course is Psych 205 - Research Methods and one of the following: Psych 204, Psych 215, or Psych 303. This course can count toward both the Column A (personality/social/clinical) and upper-level research requirements for psychology majors. For more information, see the course description.

See Other Courses Requiring Department or Instructor Permission for details on how to register for this course.

Psych 358 - Advanced Seminar in Cognition or Neuroscience

Psychology of Learning Design and Technology

Professor David Rapp will teach this Advanced Seminar in Cognition or Neuroscience. The prerequisite for this course is Psych 205 - Research Methods. This course can count toward both the Column B (cognitive/neuroscience) and upper-level research requirements for psychology majors. For more information, see the course description.

See Other Courses Requiring Department or Instructor Permission for details on how to register for this course.


News From the Undergraduate Psychology Association (UPA)

by Michelle Rheinschmidt (m-rheinschmidt@northwestern.edu), UPA President

The Undergraduate Psychology Association is planning some exciting events for this quarter. We would like to extend a big thank you to our members for participating in our fall quarter events!

Last quarter, Professors Durbin, Finkel, Routtenberg, and Zinbarg served as panelists for our Graduate School in Psychology event. They provided us with thoughtful advice on everything from admissions to life as a graduate student. For those of you who were unable to attend this event, we have compiled a list of helpful tips from the panelists, and we will be sending it over the listserv (Please email Debbie, d-kim-1@northwestern.edu, if you would like to receive our emails).

This fall, several UPA members volunteered for an afternoon at Greenwood Care psychiatric rehabilitation center. Our members spent time chatting with the residents, who always enjoy visits from Northwestern students. We are planning another outing to Greenwood Care this winter (more details TBA over the listserv).

This quarter, we will be hosting a Careers for Psychology Majors/Minors Panel. Panelists will include: Professors Broaders, Rapp, & Chiao; Dr. Amberly Panepinto, Clinical Psychologist; Dr. Lynn Knobloch-Fedders & Dr. Melba Nicholson from The Family Institute; Tracie Thomas from University Career Services; and Northwestern alumna Shipra Parikh from the field of Social Work. Our panelists will discuss careers in the field of psychology, as well as opportunities in the fields of education, law, policy, business, and more! This event will take place on Monday, February 19th, from 5:30-7:00 in Fisk Hall, Room 217.

We are planning two other events for this quarter. First, we are co-sponsoring a free practice GRE test through Kaplan on February 24 th . In addition, we are planning a movie night for the beginning of March. We will be showing a psychology-related movie, followed by a fun and informal discussion with a faculty member.

Lastly, we will be holding UPA elections this spring, and we would like to encourage you to begin thinking about running for a position – there are many opportunities to get involved. In the meantime, please feel free to contact the UPA board members at any time with questions and suggestions for UPA events.

Hope to see you at our upcoming events!

The UPA Board:

The Senior Honors Program: Announcement for Current Seniors

Each spring a few juniors with outstanding records in psychology are invited into Psychology 398, the Senior Honors Program. Each participant in the honors program conducts a year-long research project under the guidance of a faculty member. The project culminates in the preparation of an honors thesis. In addition, honors students participate in a special honors seminar, focusing on the discussion of psychological theories and methods, as well as the analysis of data. Those students who fulfill all the requirements for the Honors Program are usually eligible to graduate with Honors in Psychology.

Students interested in participating in the Honors Program next year will need to submit formal applications this spring. Applications are due April 16, 2007. Additional information on the psychology honors program, including how to apply, is available online.


Research and Travel Awards for Psychology Students

1. FUNDS FOR SUMMER RESEARCH

It's still winter, but it's not too soon to start thinking about summer – and about the possibility of spending your summer doing research in our department. Each summer the Psychology Department offers two or more undergraduates a Benton J. Underwood Summer Research Fellowship . Professor Underwood was chair of the psychology department and a distinguished researcher in the field of memory. He worked to establish the fund that makes these fellowships possible. Last year, the amount of the fellowship was $3000.

Acceptance of an Underwood Fellowship implies a commitment to spend most of your summer working on research here at Northwestern with a psychology professor. Your exact schedule will be worked out with the professor who supervises your research. Both current juniors and current sophomores can apply for this award. However, priority will be given to current juniors. Work on an Underwood project often serves as the foundation for a senior honors project. (Receipt of an Underwood fellowship does not guarantee acceptance to our honors program.)

If you are interested in doing research this coming summer, you should look into other funding sources too. All Underwood applicants should also apply for a Northwestern University Summer Research Grant from the Undergraduate Research Grants Committee (URGC). Weinberg College also has funds for summer research by students; see the webpage on Weinberg College undergraduate research funds. Different funding sources have different selection criteria, and applying to more than one will enhance your chances of receiving an award. (Sophomores interested in doing research this coming summer are especially encouraged to apply for Weinberg College funds; both the Underwood selection committee and the URGC generally give priority to juniors.)

To apply for an Underwood Fellowship, follow these steps:

1. Choose a faculty member to supervise your research and talk with him or her about what you will be doing and what your time commitment will be. You should also talk with the faculty member about the need for Institutional Review Board approval for your planned project.

2. Prepare an application in which you include (a) a statement describing your plans for this research; this can be the same proposal you submit to the university's grants committee; (b) a copy of your transcript (an unofficial transcript is fine); and (c) information about your general interests in psychology, your relevant course work, your previous research experience, and anything else that you think is relevant.

3. Have the faculty member who will supervise your research write a confidential letter of support for your application.

4. Get your application and letter of support to Prof. Joan Linsenmeier by the deadline for submitting summer grant applications to the University's Undergraduate Research Grants Committee. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 14.

2. THE HUNT AWARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

If you are actively involved in doing psychology research this year--as an honors project, a 397 or 399, or in some other way--consider submitting a paper for the William A. Hunt Award. Dr. Hunt was a distinguished clinical psychologist and a past chair of our department. The Hunt Award goes to the undergraduate student judged to have written the best research paper in psychology. It includes a small cash prize and a mention in the Commencement program.

All students writing senior honors theses in psychology are considered for this award. Students who have completed a research paper as part of a 397 or 399 can apply as well; give a copy of your paper and a letter of support from the faculty member who supervised your research to Prof. Barbara O'Brien by Friday, May 4th.

3. THE LOIS ELIZABETH HENRIKSON UNDERGRADUATE TRAVEL AWARD

The psychology department is happy to announce a new award to fund student travel to professional conferences. The Henrikson Award provides up to $400 to support students presenting their work at conferences. The money can be used to pay for conference fees and travel expenses. Preference will go to students who are first author on the presentation. The application for this award is due February 15 th , 2007. There will be another application period in April for conferences later in the spring and summer. Please submit your applications to Prof. Wendi Gardner via email. Put "Undergraduate Travel Award" in the subject line of the email. In the email, please include the following information:

In addition to providing this information, please ask your faculty sponsor to write a brief letter of recommendation describing your role in the research. This letter can be emailed to Dr. Gardner as well. Please ask your faculty sponsor to put “Undergraduate Travel Award” in the subject line.


Lab Notes

Franconeri Lab

The Visual Attention and Cognition Lab explores how the visual system manages the overwhelming amount of information presented by the visual world. We study the tools that people use to sift through this information, such as eye movements, internal visual selection of location and features, and visual memory. We also study how these tools are used in seemingly simple processes such as the perception of spatial relations, to more complex processes like face and scene perception, or selecting objects that refuse to stay in one place. Our lab uses both simple behavioral measures, as well as eyetracking and brain electrophysiology. Students interested in working in the lab should contact Prof. Steve Franconeri by email. Students can work as research assistants on a volunteer basis or for course credit.

Paller Lab

To provide a sample of current work in my laboratory and in our collaborative work with other laboratories, here's a list of presentations scheduled for the upcoming meetings of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society (May 2007) and the International Organization for Human Brain Mapping (June 2007).

Paller, KA, Voss, JL, & Baym, CL: Can forced-choice recognition performance be supported by implicit memory?

Sweeny, T, Grabowecky, M, Paller, KA, & Suzuki, S: Affective ratings of surprise faces are modulated by visual field and by adjacent facial expressions within the same visual field.

Voss, JL, & Paller, KA: Conceptual priming for minimalist squiggles contaminates event-related potential correlates of episodic memory.

Westerberg, CE, Florczak, SM, Parrish, TB, Weintraub, S, Mesulam, M-M, Mayes , AR , Reber, PJ, & Paller, KA: Relationships between medial temporal volume and recognition tested with yes-no and forced-choice formats in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Lucas, HD, Voss, JL, & Paller, KA: Characterizing neural correlates of familiarity and conceptual priming.