The PCA lab is equipped with a large array of tools needed to investigate visual and perceptual processing in adults of any age. Experiments which don't require eye movement recording can be run using one of several PCs or Macs. Eye movement studies use LC Technologies Eyegaze Development System or the ASL 501 with an integrated head movement system. Software libraries allow for the rapid generation of experiments in texture segmentation, vigliance, automation, Web performance and visual search.

Other equipment is useful for the assessment of visual function. Optical corrections are provided with a B & L Trial Lens Set and Frames. Intra-ocular pressure is evaluated with an NCT Non-contact tonometer. Tests of color vision, acuity and contrast sensitivity are also possible.

The PACE Programme & the Department of Psychology

The department offers training leading to an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Clinical, Experimental, Social, Developmental, I/O psychology as well as Human Factors. Students are fully-funded through scholarships (e.g., NSERC, SHRCC, MRC) or teaching assistantships and are generally awarded summer funding. Financial support for graduate students had traditionally been among the best in North America. As well, students are invited to apply for funding under a CIHR Strategic Training Grant on Communication and Social Interaction in Healthy Aging.

Resources within the department complement those in the PCA Lab. Don Kline heads the Aging and Vision Lab and Jeff Caird focuses on driving performance, using the only medium-fidelity driving simulator in western Canada and one of the few in the country. All labs are fully-equipped with state-of-the-art tools and collaboration across labs is encouraged. We also have active research ties with faculty in Medicine and Computing Science locally. The CIHR grant allows regular collaboration with faculty at seven other Canadian research centres. At the international level, students could work with colleagues at Washington University in St. Louis and the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois.

The University of Calgary

The U of C, while in existence for only a short while, has developed an international reputation in several academic areas including engineering, medicine, management and kinesiology. There are more almost 20,000 undergraduates and several thousand graduate students on a beautiful campus in northwestern Calgary. The campus is a 10 minute drive from city centre, and can also be easily accessed via the city's light rail train or bus system. We have all the amenities of a major research institution. As an added bonus, our fitness facilities are among the best in the world, a bequest from the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The City and Area

Calgary is a vibrant, entrepenurial city located near the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. It's one million people actively support a variety of cultural outlets including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Glenbow Museum, summer Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Festivals, Flames hockey, Stampeders football and, of course, the Calgary Stampede.There are more natural parks in Calgary perhaps than any other city in North America and kilometre after kilometre of walking/biking/rollerblading paths throughout the city. With the Rockies at our backdoor, there are unlimited opportunities to hike, ski or just enjoy the scenery. Think Calgary; think Quality of Life.