| Unit name | Ecology of Vision |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYC31044 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18) |
| Unit director | Professor. Tom Troscianko |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit explains how the visual systems of animals are adapted to their environment and needs. Traditionally, vision has been studied in humans and other animals whose vision systems are held to be similar to those of humans. The difficulty with such an approach is that human ecology is often too complex to understand. The unit therefore looks at animals whose visual habitat, and foraging/mating behaviour, can be more easily defined. We consider the optical properties of different environments: terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric. We ask how the information provided by light in such environments is translated into visual signals by the optics of the sensors (different kinds of eyes) and photoreceptors. We then consider how neural signals from photoreceptors may be processed by the visual brain; here, human neurophysiology provides key pointers, and similarities with other animals can be assessed.
Aims:
The unit aims to develop students intellectual skills and knowledge base. Students will be furnished with a thorough understanding of contemporary issues in the subject area and will learn about the role of empirical evidence in the formation of theory. In addition, through small group teaching a number of transferable skills will be developed. Students will acquire oral presentation and group working skills through the delivery of assessed oral presentations on key topics in the research area. In addition, students will develop written and information synthesis skills, as well as critical evaluation skills, through group discussions and by producing a piece of assessed written work. This range of transferable skills is highly valued by employers and provides an excellent preparation for a range of careers and further post-graduate study. To introduce students to different methodological approaches to the study of Ecology of Vision, with particular emphasis on the design of eyes, retinal photoreceptors, and understanding the relationship between these and an animals environment and needs.
On completion of the unit, the students will:
This unit comprises 6 90-minute seminar sessions as well as 1 tutorial. It will be assessed on the basis of 1 piece of written work and 1 oral presentation.
Summative assessment:
