PSYCH 306Perception
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Psychology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
What we perceive through our senses makes up much of our conscious experience. This course examines how visual and auditory perception arises and includes topics such as how we become aware of colour, form, space, brightness, loudness, and pitch, and how this information guides behaviour. Other senses may be covered.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Reviewed on UW Flow
62% liked it20% easy70% useful
From 13 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Interesting for the first month or so, then it turns into a full-blown bio class.
Jan 2015 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The course content was very interesting, however the midterm tests were very focused on the textbook content rather than course covered content. Professor Colombatto is super nice and accommodating, I just didn't enjoy how the tests were based off the textbook when we also had 10% worth of participation marks (this might change in future years as I'm fairly certain she only just started teaching this course). I did find the concepts quite fascinating especially if you are someone who enjoys neuroscience/biology.
Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
If you have taken KIN356 (sensory systems neuroscience) this class is basically an exact repeat. Even used the same textbook.
Marking was based on 3 Midterms, 10% participation mark, final paper, one small group presentation (super fun! we all showed off different visual illusions and how they work), and SONA bonus credits.
Colombatto is EXTREMELY accommodating - take her section especially if you have accessibility needs.Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
If you don’t enjoy biology, I wouldn’t take this course. He barley connected anything we learned to psychology and if he did it was very brief (like 30 seconds worth of discussion brief). I regret taking this course.
Sep 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
You definitely have to work hard throughout this course, but it is a great introduction to Neuropsychology. It doubled as an intro to seminars, and research methods (in the assignments), but there are many opportunities to do well. Overall, as a psych major the material of this course carried with me to several other courses. I loved it.
Jun 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
16 posts and comments in 13 threads mention PSYCH 306, January 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2022
PSYCH courses 1 point, 8 comments
“Does anyone have any suggestions for any easy 300-level PSYCH course or any easy PSYCH courses overall? Any suggestions would be appreciated!”
u/Lawrolll: “Taking PSYCH 306 this term, so far pretty lightweight, weekly discussion post worth 25%, 2 term tests with mainly MCQs, and a term paper. Term paper is 2000-2500 words and could be a lot of work though”
Fall 2020
A calendar which tells you which terms a course will be offered 2 points, 6 comments
u/alowlkz: “Particularly interested in PSYCH 306 and 356. I know that some courses are only offered in the winter (for example) so trying to plan my stuff out.”
PSYCH 306 textbook 0 points, 0 comments
Spring 2019
Psych 306 Textbook 2 points, 1 comment
u/shostako_bitch: “Looking for Wolfe et. al Sensation and Perception 5th edition.”
Spring 2018
Psych 306 final exam 4 points, 2 comments
WHY is PSYCH306 so fucking useless man 2 points, 2 comments
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… PSYCH 238 PSYCH 240W PSYCH 253 PSYCH 256 PSYCH 257 PSYCH 261 PSYCH 263W PSYCH 264 PSYCH 291 PSYCH 306 PSYCH 307 PSYCH 308 PSYCH 312R PSYCH 317 PSYCH 318 PSYCH 320 PSYCH 336 PSYCH 340 PSYCH 349R PSYCH 352 PSYCH 363 PSYCH 389 PSYCH 390W PSYCH 391 PSYCH 393 PSYCH 395 PSYCH 397 …”
Spring 2017
I passed CS350 and CS341. What should I take now? 15 points, 27 comments
“I've seen some dated posts regarding upper year CS courses; What are some of the ESSENTIAL 3xx, 4xx CS courses that one should take? …”
u/tom---swift: “Here's what I've taken: 343 (concurrency & parallel programming), 349 (UI), 370 (numerical computation), 456 (Networks), and 488 (Graphics). Right now I'm doing 458 (security) and 486 (AI). …”
u/H2OLEANSAMETHANG: “… My plan is to take CS343, CS370, CS489(ML) CO456 PSYCH306. Could you comment on the workload that I should be expecting for these courses? …”
u/busted2017: “Depends on what you wanna do. Software Engineering/Development: CS343, CS348, CS349, CS446, CS488, CS489(big data) Systems: CS452, CS454, CS456, CS458, CS489(big data) ML/AI etc.: CS486, CS489(ML), …”
u/H2OLEANSAMETHANG: “I'm not sure what I want to specialize in yet. Planning on taking CS343, CS489(ML), CS370 for my cs courses next term (with CO456 and PSYCH306). Do you think this might be a little too heavy?”
Winter 2016
Is there any courses about brain studies, neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology ? 0 points, 2 comments
“I am a 1A CS student and I am deciding which courses to take ?”
u/AnIncredibleMetric: “… PSYCH 211 Developmental Psych PSYCH 306 Perception PSYCH 307 Human Neuropsych PSYCH 308 Psychology of Reading (This is mostly about computational models used to describe how people process information when reading) PSYCH 314 Cognitive Development PSYCH 316 Pragmatic Language …”
Fall 2014
Easiest Psych 300 course? 1 point, 8 comments
“I was picking my electives for Winter 2015 and was wondering if anyone knew some easy Psych 300-400 courses?”
u/DuskEagle: “I found Psych 306 (Perception) with Linda Carson fairly easy, though not all that interesting or useful for my major.”
Winter 2013
Is this 4th year CS (SE option) schedule doable? 5 points, 6 comments
u/therave39: “… Fall: CS 445 - Software Reqs CS 456 - Computer Networks CS 488 - Intro to Graphics PSYCH 306 - Perception Winter: CS 446 - Software Design & Architecture CS 447 - Software Testing, QA CS 448 - Database Systems Imp CS 486 - Intro to AI”
u/hallowon: “The software engineering courses CS445,CS446,CS447 all have projects. Just to let you know since you have 3 project based courses in fall, which is a lot of workload.”
u/therave39: “What are your thoughts on this? Fall = CS 445, CS 446, CS 456, PSYCH 306 Winter = CS 447, CS 448, CS 486, CS 488”
u/therave39: “Oh hey I didn't know about that, here's what I've come up with using that tool: Fall = CS 445, CS 456, CS 488, PSYCH 306 Winter = CS 446, CS 447, CS 448, CS 486”
Spring 2012
Good 3rd year PSYCH/HIST for CS Student? 5 points, 16 comments
“So basically I need to meet my depth requirements and I figured someone here might know a good/easy 3rd year class to take. If you could also give a brief summary of the class (ie. …”
u/wbkang: “PSYCH306 (Perception) is pretty interesting, fun and taught by a good prof (Britt Anderson). You get to learn a lot about how our sensory apparatuses work and how 'flawed' they are. No essays but there is a weekly homework, which takes less than 20 min each to finish. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
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