| Session |
Description |
Assignment |
| 1/14-16 | Overview of the course and the Python ecosystem for
behavioral research Installation of PsychoPy standalone software (Windows 64-bit) with Python 3 |
Peirce Chap. 1 |
|
Introduction to PsychoPy Development |
PsychoPy Tech Manual [12 MB] |
|
| 1/21 | Using the Builder graphical interface to specify a simple experiment (Stroop paradigm) | Peirce Chap. 2 |
| 1/23 | Building a simple experiment using images as stimuli (Glasgow Face Matching Test) | Peirce Chap. 3 |
| 1/28 | Implementing visual stimulus presentations with video-frame accuracy and precision (Posner Cueing paradigm) | Peirce Chap.4 |
| 1/30 | Dynamic animation of stimulus size, location and color (as a function of Routine-level clock time) | Peirce Chap. 6 |
| 2/4 | Using Python extension code to provide trial-by-trial feedback in PsychoPy | Peirce Chap. 7 |
| 2/6 | Mouse-based input and selection (Visual search paradigm) | Peirce Chap. 11 |
| 2/11 | Multimedia: Sound clips and movies | movie.zip sounds.zip |
| sliders.zip colorWheel.zip | ||
|
Basic Python Coding |
Manual: A Byte
of Python [338 KB] |
|
| 2/13 | Exploring PsychoPy's Coder interface window and the Python3 IDLE interpreter | Video Intro to Python |
| Python 4 - Basics: Variables, data types, objects, and code blocking via indentation |
||
| Python 5 - Operations: Math operators, order of operations and logical operators |
||
| 2/18 | Python 6 - Control Flow If...elif blocks, while blocks and for...loops [with a preview of 'iterators'] |
Homework Assignment 1 |
| 2/20 | Python 7 - Functions Subroutines, input arguements and return values |
|
| 2/25 | Python 8 - Modules and Python 14 - Python Standard Library: Importing external functions/libraries that extend the Python language and functionality |
function_examples numpy_examples |
| 2/27 | Python 9 - Data Structures: Lists, Tuples, Dictionaries and Sequences |
list_comprehensions |
| 3/4 and 3/18 | Python 12 - File Input/Output csv_writer csv_reader CSV Module Documentation pickling | file_demos.py stroop_conditions_excel Homework Assignment 2 |
|
Benchmarking Temporal Accuracy and Precision Using Microcontroller-based Systems |
||
| 3/20 | The problem: MS-Windows, macOS and Linux are NOT real-time
operating systems How microcontrollers solve the time management dilema. |
|
| 3/25 | Arduino microconroller system and programming development environment (ATMega32U4) |
Arduino Pro Micro Arduino Benchmark Circuit Arduino Benchmark Script |
| 3/27 | Developing and uploading Arduino programs |
externalBlinky Arduino Exercise 1 |
| 4/1 | Measuring the latency of serial input/output to Arduino microcontroller |
ArduinoLatency LatencyCustomCode |
| Measuring PsychoPy stimulus display timing using the Arduino
and a simple light-sensitive sensor
Light Sensor |
SimpleLightMeter Exercise 1 Code |
|
| 4/3 | Measuring duration of brief visual display stimuli |
Arduino Exercise 2 Exercise 2 Code |
| 4/8 | Measuring the latency of visual stimulus onset |
Arduino Exercise 3 Exercise 3 Code |
| 4/10 | Measuring the temporal latency of PsychoPy sound stimuli Benchmark Circuit | toneLatency2025.py |
| 4/15 | Characterizing the temporal latency of keyboard input KB Benchmark Circuit | kb_test_arduino2025.py |
|
Plot the Distribution of Sampled
Data Arduino-to-Python Serial Data Transfer Demo How to Send a Serial Command Character from Python to Arduino Arduino Random Number Generation |
SerialControlAnalogDev9 | |
| Instrumentation Interfacing | ||
| 4/17 | Digital I/O: Legacy parallel port (LPT:) interfacing LPT diagram High-Speed Light Sensor |
parallel_test.py LPT Output Benchmark LPT Benchmark Data plot_lpt_output_latency.py LPT Benchmark Results |
| Arduino-based simulation of parallel port (Implementing a Custom Button Box) | SerialButtonBox3 | |
| Analog I/O: Labjack sample implementation LabJack T7-Pro | ||
| 4/22 | TCP/IP communication between computers: UDP
client-server and TCP client-server applications (Crossover cables; local
network switches)
netcat for Windows |
TTY_server.py TTY_client.py UDP Data Transfer Client UDP Data Transfer Server |
| 4/24 | Lab Streaming Layer (LSL)
Intro to LSL Presentation Legacy serial communications (e.g., COM1:) interface (practical demo: reading the Minola CS100A colorimeter/photometer) |
Builder LSL Demo Builder LSL Code LSL TimeSeries Demo |
| 4/29 | Project Presentations I | |
| 5/1 | Project Presentations II |
Notes
Companion website for PSYC770 can be found at
http://moundtop.com/psyc770/
The latest version of this syllabus is available at
http://moundtop.com/psyc770/psyc770-syllabus.html
Deliverables
Select
homework exercises will require completed work to be submitted to the
instructor.
Each student must develop a plan for an experimental project and
successfully implement PsychoPy/Python code that implements the project.
The proposal for this project must be approved by the instructor prior to
initiating work. Project proposals are due April 3, 2025. Final
projects are due by the last day of class.
Grading
25% Homework
Assignments; 25% Attendanace; 50% Final Project
 |
Required Texts:
Peirce, J. & MacAskill, M. (2022). Building experiments in PsychoPy
(2nd edition).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.
Swaroop, C.H. (2005). A byte of Python.
|
