Course Catalog

Psychology

Psyc 101   Introduction to Psychology
This course introduces students to the science of psychology with an emphasis on how knowledge in the field is established through the application of scientific method. Students will be introduced to theory, research, and application in diverse areas of psychology such as human development, learning, memory, biopsychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and abnormal psychology. SCIREASON.  Four credits

Psyc 180   Independent Study in Psychology

Psyc 190   Special Topics in Psychology

Psyc 198   Independent Research in Psychology

Psyc 201   Developmental Psychology
This course will provide a survey of the psychological development of human beings from conception through adolescence. An examination of major theoretical perspectives and research on the nature of developmental change are considered. Areas of focus in this course include physical, cognitive, personality, and social changes that take place as maturation unfolds. (Not open to those who have received credit for Education 165 or Social Work 201). Four credits.

Psyc 203   Psychological Research I
An introduction to psychological research with a focus on statistical techniques used to analyze data from empirical research. Students will learn to distinguish between correlational studies and true experiments, identify independent and dependent variables, determine the appropriate statistical technique to use, and use descriptive and inferential statistics, power, and effect size to test hypotheses in psychology and communicate the results. Statistical tests taught will include t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, regression, and chi-square. (Not open to those who have received credit for Math135 or Soc210). Prerequisites: One of the following: Math 130/130T, Math ACT of 22 or higher, or Math SAT of 530 or higher. Preference for enrollment given to psychology majors. QUANT. Four credits.

Psyc 213   Psychological Research II
An introduction to psychological research with a focus on research design and evaluation. Students will learn to find and evaluate published research in psychology. They will design research, collect and analyze data, and communicate their work in APA style. Prerequisite: Psychology 203. INFOLIT and WRITCOM. Four credits.

Psyc 219   Employment Experience in Psychology

Psyc 220   Psychology of Gender
Students will use the science of psychology to explore how gender affects women’s and men’s social lives and gender relations. Topics such as sex-role socialization, gender stereotypes, sexism in the workplace, love and romance, and gender and violence will be discussed within a social psychological and experimental framework. The scientific method will be used to describe, explain, and make predictions concerning gender differences, gender similarities, gender relations, and sexism. SCIREASON and CRITTHNK. Four credits.

Psyc 233   Biological Psychology
This course will explore the biological basis of behavior, explaining how understanding biology helps us to better comprehend the psychological issues we encounter in everyday life. We will examine how behavior both influences and is influenced by our physiology, and how both have been shaped over the course of evolution. Students will leave this course with a deeper understanding of the brain’s inner workings and of the biological processes underlying such behaviors as drug addiction, aggression and altruism, sexual and parental behavior, consciousness and sleep, emotion and personality, learning and memory, and various psychological disorders. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Biology 110 or 111. CRITTHNK. Four credits.

Psyc 237   Cognitive Psychology
An introduction to cognitive psychology, which investigates the processes involved in acquiring and utilizing knowledge. Topics include attention, memory, problem solving, language, concept formation and reasoning. Prerequisite: Psychology 101, or consent of instructor. CRITTHNK. Four credits.

Psyc 250   Abnormal Psychology
A descriptive and explanatory survey of the major behavior disorders of adults and children. The DSM diagnosis, etiology, clinical pictures, and epidemiology are explored from various theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Four credits.

Psyc 280   Independent Study in Psychology

Psyc 290   Special Topics in Psychology

Psyc 298   Independent Research in Psychology

Psyc 319   Internship in Psychology

Psyc 322   Social Psychology
This course explores the ways situations, particularly social situations, influence people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Attention is given to such topics as attitudes, social influences, stereotyping and prejudice, social judgment, personal relationships, and the dynamics of small groups. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and at least one other psychology or sociology course. COLLABLDR.  Four credits.

Psyc 328   Psychometrics
This course provides a survey of the concepts of psychological measurement that are consistently relied upon across the various disciplines of psychology. Discussion will center on concepts relating to various types of reliability and validity in all types of psychological testing. The role of psychological tests in different disciplines within psychology (e.g., intellectual assessment, ability testing, interest and career assessment, psychophysiological measures, personality testing, and measurement in industry) and related ethical and professional issues will be explored. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and Psychology/Sociology 210. QUANT.  Four credits.

Pscy 329   Cognitive Neuroscience
Every process that goes on in the mind has physiological underpinnings, and unlocking the secrets of learning, memory, and perception as they are supported by neurons and neural connections is a longstanding and elusive problem in psychology. Through this class students will gain a working understanding of brain processes and relevant contemporary theories that support such processing. The best understanding of any cognitive process or clinical disorder comes from approaching the issue from multiple perspectives. Therefore, we will seek understanding from the standpoint of normal functioning as measured via such physiological techniques as fMRI and PET as well as disrupted functioning as evidenced from deficits due to brain injury, stroke and congenital abnormalities. Prerequisite: Psychology 233 or Biology 111. Four credits.

Psyc 331   Learning and Motivation
A survey of the general as well as uniquely human principles of learning and motivation. Consideration is given to the relationship between learning and motivation. Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 213, and Psychology 231 or 233, or consent of the instructor. Four credits.

Psyc 336   Sensation and Perception
How do we use our senses to obtain meaningful information about the world around us? How do we identify events by listening to sounds? How do we perceive the texture of objects via touch? How do smell and taste together provide information about flavor? In this course we will seek to understand the complex processes that underlie these questions by examining how sensory information is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used in meaningful perception. We will review both historical and contemporary theory and experimentation. We will examine behavior, anatomical structure of sensory systems, and neurophysiology. In addition, we will explore the applications of many of these topics as they pertain to life and, where applicable, examine what we can learn about normal function through impairment (brain damage). Prerequisite: Psychology 237 or 233 or Biology 111. Four credits.

Psyc 339   Behavioral Medicine
A survey of the experimental basis and clinical application of psychological techniques used to treat human problems whose psychological basis largely has been overlooked in the past. Topics such as health appraisal, pain management, physiology of stress, reduction of stress, biofeedback, and physiological measurement are considered. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Biology 104, or 105, or 225 recommended. Four credits.

Psyc 340   History of Psychology
A survey of the philosophical origins of psychology as an independent scientific discipline, with emphasis upon developments in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Traditional and contemporary approaches to learning, behavior, and personality are examined. Prerequisite: Psychology 101, 213, plus one 300-level psychology or philosophy course. WRITCOM. Four credits.

Psyc 342   Theories of Personality
A survey of classical and contemporary theories, including person-centered, psychodynamic, trait, and cognitive approaches. Attention is given to the historical roots, authors and philosophical implications of each theory. Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and at least one other course in psychology. Four credits.

Psyc 351   Practicum in Psychology
A supervised experience in a clinical, counseling, educational, business, or research setting. Opportunity to develop skills such as interviewing, basic counseling techniques, personnel management, ethical decisions, psychological assessment and record keeping. Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 213 plus three 200- or 300-level psychology courses. WRITCOM. Four credits.

Psyc 360-361   Tutorial Internship
Testing, tutoring, lecturing, and leading of discussion groups and supervised laboratory projects in selected psychology courses. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and invitation by the instructor. Four credits. Maximum of two semesters.

Psyc 375   Advanced Research I
A continued study of a variety of topics originally discussed in Psychology 210 and Psychology 213. This course provides students with the opportunity to learn about advanced techniques psychologists use in designing, conducting, and analyzing the results of empirical research (e.g., multiple regression, factor analysis). It is designed to meet the needs of students considering graduate study in psychology. Each student completes a research proposal. Prerequisites: Psychology 210, 213 plus three additional 200- or 300-level Psychology courses. QUANT. Four credits.

Psyc 376   Advanced Research II
This course provides students with the opportunity to complete an empirical research project originally planned in Psychology 375 Advanced Research I. Each student gathers data, analyzes the results, and writes an APA format paper. In addition, students complete a poster presentation and an oral defense of their work. This course is designed to meet the needs of students considering graduate study in psychology. Prerequisite: Psychology 375. WRITCOM. Four credits.

Psyc 380   Independent Study in Psychology

Psyc 388   Capstone in Psychology
A professional seminar in psychology, this course focuses on knowledge and skills relevant to being a practitioner in psychology whether that be working with people or conducting empirical research. This course should be taken concurrently with or immediately after completing History of Psychology, Practicum in Psychology, or Advanced Research II. Prerequisites: PSYC 340, 351, or 375 (can be taken concurrently with any of the prerequisites). ORALCOM.  Two credits.

Psyc 390   Special Topics in Psychology

Psyc 391   Honors Research in Psychology I
Prerequisites: Eligibility for Honors Programs as established by the college, a grade of A- or better in Psychology 375, and a research proposal that has been approved by the department. Four credits.

Psyc 392   Honors Research in Psychology II
Prerequisites: Psychology 391 and consent of the department. One to four credits.

Psyc 398   Independent Research in Psychology

Last Updated: 11/18/11