|
Programs of Study
Psychology
Course Descriptions
— Psychology
- PSYC 105 — (E) Brain and Human
Nature — 3 credits
- An examination of the human mind, brain and why we
are the way we are. Topics include the mind-body problem, the nature of
consciousness, the evolution of behavior, addictions (e.g., love), eating
disorders, depression, and aggression. (Credit cannot be earned for this course
and PSYC 231; not open to Psychology majors or minors.)
- PSYC 106 — (E) Drugs and
Behavior — 3 credits
- This course will examine interactions between drugs
and behavior. Behavioral topics will include: tolerance, addiction, learning,
aggression, sexual behavior, eating, anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
Drug/drug categories will include: alcohol, cannabis, opiates, antidepressants
and anti-anxiety. (Credit cannot be received for this course and PSYC 384; not
open to Psychology majors or minors.)
- PSYC 110 — (S) Fundamentals of
Psychology — 3 credits
- An introduction to the scientific study of behavior
through a survey of psychology’s principal methods, content areas and
applications. Course requirements include participation in psychological
research or preparation of a short article review.
- PSYC 110L — Demonstrations For
Fundamentals of Psychology — .5 credits
- This lab is offered only in the fall semester and
is restricted to and required only for students who enter the University as
freshman Psychology majors and who are enrolled in the Psychology majors’
fall section of PSYC 110. It is team taught by the psychology faculty and will
entail exercises, simulations and applications. The course is graded pass/fail.
- PSYC 210 — (Q) Statistics in the
Behavioral Sciences — 3 credits
- Basic statistics in the behavioral sciences,
including organization and display of data; measures of central tendency;
variability; correlation and regression; one- and two-sample t-tests;
confidence intervals, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, chi-square; and
consideration of effect size, power, and null hypothesis testing including
types of errors. Introduction to the computerized statistical-analysis package
SPSS-PC.
- PSYC 220 — (S) Social
Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Social determinants of
behavior from a psychological perspective. Topics include liking, love,
conformity, persuasion, attitude change, and person perception.
- PSYC 221 — (S) Childhood and
Adolescence — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Survey of psychological
research dealing with the development and behavior of children. The physical,
cognitive and social aspects of development, from infancy to adolescence, are
considered.
- PSYC 222 — (S) Adulthood and
Aging — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Survey of psychological
research dealing with the age-graded aspects of behavior in adulthood. Course
will consider the physical, cognitive and social aspects of the aging process
from late adolescence to death. Topics include occupation selection, marriage,
parenthood, middle age, retirement and dying.
- PSYC
223 — Adolescence — 3 credits
- (Formerly PSYC 284) (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) This
course provides a survey of psychological research dealing with adolescence and
considers the physical, cognitive, and social aspects of adolescence. Topics
include adolescent egocentrism, importance of peers, family and school, as well
as problem behaviors/emotional problems.
- PSYC 224 — (S)
Personality — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) A survey and critical
evaluation of personality and its implications for assessment, psychotherapy,
and research.
- PSYC 225 — (S) Abnormal
Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) A comprehensive survey of
mental and behavioral disorders from biological, psychological, and
sociocultural perspectives. The course will consider diagnosis and labeling,
overview of specific disorders, and various treatment approaches.
- PSYC 230 — Sensation and
Perception — 3-4 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Concerns the study of
sensory mechanisms and perceptual phenomena. Optional lab entails supervised
individual experimentation. Lecture, 3 credits; optional 1-credit laboratory.
Lab fee; lab offered only in spring.
- PSYC 231 — (E) Behavioral
Neuroscience — 3-4.5 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110 or BIOL 141-142)
Introduction to the field of neuroscience, examining the cellular bases of
behavior, effects of drugs and behavior. brain/body correlates of motivation
and emotion, and neural changes accompanying pathology. Three hours lecture and
optional 1.5-credit laboratory. Lab fee; lab offered fall only.
- PSYC 234 — (S) Cognitive
Psychology — 3-4 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Considers a number of
approaches to the study of human cognitive processes with an emphasis on the
information processing model. Topics include pattern recognition, attention,
memory, imagery, concepts and categories, and problem solving. Lecture, 3
credits; optional 1-credit laboratory. Lab fee; lab offered fall only.
- PSYC 235 — Conditioning and
Learning — 3-4.5 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Concerns the experimental
study of both classical and instrumental conditioning. Optional lab involves
supervised animal and human experimentation. Lecture, 3 credits; optional
1-credit laboratory. Lab fee; spring only.
- PSYC
236 — Industrial/Organizational Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) The psychological study of
people at work. Topics include personnel selection and training, motivation,
leadership, the physical work environment, and computer applications. Fall
only.
- PSYC 237 — (D, S) Psychology of
Women — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Examines the biological,
sociological and cultural influences on the psychology of women. Topics include
gender socialization, sex roles, and the impact of gender on personality,
communication, achievement, and mental health. Fall, every other year.
- PSYC 238 — Exercise and Sport
Psychology — 3 credits
- (Formerly PSYC 284) (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) The
course covers cognitive-behavioral principles of motivation, goal setting,
reinforcement, emotional regulation, attention control, imagery, and positive
thinking and the psychological benefits of exercise and exercise adherence.
Areas of application in sport include preparation for competition, group and
team dynamics, leadership, aggression in sport, and character development and
sportsmanship.
- PSYC 239 — Environmental and Conservation Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: PSYC 110) Provides an overview of psychological theories and methods used to study the human-nature relationship and the specific approaches used to address modern environmental problems. This is a service learning course. Students will spend a minimum of 25 hours applying course concepts/tools to assist local environmental agencies. Spring, even years.
- PSYC 310 — Multivariate
Statistics — 3 credits
- (Formerly PSYC 384) (Prerequisite: a grade of B or
higher in PSYC 210 or equivalent course) Introduction to commonly used
multivariate statistical methods including partial correlation, multiple
regression, and factor analysis. Emphasis on analysis of actual data sets with
SPSS, comparing alternative solution methods and their interpretation.
- PSYC 325 — Abnormal Child
Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 225) This course
considers atypical social, emotional, and mental development during childhood
and adolescence. Topics include mental retardation, intellectual giftedness,
learning disabilities, psychopathology of childhood and adolescence, and
conduct disorders. This course cannot be taken to satisfy a psychology major
elective requirement. Psychology majors can take this course as HD 325 or as a
GE free elective. (Also listed as HD 325.)
- PSYC 330 — Research Methods in
the Behavioral Sciences — 5 credits
- (Prerequisites: PSYC 110; a grade of C or higher in
PSYC 210) A survey of scientific method and research design in the behavioral
sciences. Topics include single subject, survey, correlational and experimental
research. Lecture and lab involve computerized data analyses. Lab also includes
supervised research and scientific writing. Lecture, 3 credits; lab, 2 credits.
Lab fee; lab offered only in spring. The laboratory is writing-intensive (W).
- PSYC 334/HD 334 — Couple and Family Therapy — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 225) An introduction to the theory, research, and practice of couples-counseling and family therapy. Topics include family dysfunctions, assessment methods, treatment approaches, innovative techniques, and research findings. Not regularly scheduled.
- PSYC 335 — (W) Psychological
Testing — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: PSYC 110; a grade of C or higher in
PSYC 210) Provides a thorough grounding in principles of testing and a review
of the major types of assessment, including intellectual, personality and
interest. Lecture, 3 credits; optional 1-credit laboratory, PSYC 335L. Lab fee;
lab offered fall only.
- PSYC
339 — Psychopharmacology — 3 credits
- (Formerly PSYC 384) (Prerequisites: PSYC 110; grade
of C or higher in PSYC 231) This course surveys the field of psychopharmacology
with particular attention being paid to functional neuoranatomy, the important
role of behavioral science, and the neuropharmacology of normal/abnormal
behaviors. Numerous research strategies are examined, including dose response
functions, therapeutic indices, routes of administration, and
pharmacological/behavioral models of clinical conditions. (Also listed as NEUR
339.)
- PSYC 360 — (W) Clinical
Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: PSYC 110; a grade of C or higher in
PSYC 225) An overview of contemporary clinical psychology focusing on its
practices, contributions and directions. Topics include clinical research,
psychological assessment, psychotherapy systems, community applications, and
emerging specialties, such as health and forensic psychology. Fall only.
- PSYC 361 — Cognitive Behavior
Therapy — 3 credits
- (Formerly PSYC 384) (Prerequisites: PSYC 110; a
grade of C or higher in PSYC 225) Reviews and examines treatments derived from
the theories of psychologist Albert Ellis and psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck.
Ellis’ approach is rational emotive behavior therapy, and Beck has used
the term cognitive therapy, or the more general “cognitive behavior
therapy.” This course provides an overview of theory, empirical support
and future directions.
- PSYC 362 — Child Clinical
Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 221, PSYC 225) This
course is a survey of approaches to psychotherapy with preschool through early
adolescent children with common emotional, behavioral and developmental
problems. Theory, assessment, formulation and therapeutic techniques are
addressed, and evidence-based approaches are highlighted.
- PSYC 363 — Behavior
Modification — 3 credits
- (Formerly PSYC 284) (Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and
PSYC 235) Examines applications of social-learning principles in clinical,
educational, and other applied settings. Topics include behavioral assessment,
operant principles, self-management, response maintenance and ethical-legal
issues raised by behavior modification. Students may be required to complete a
self-management project during the course.
- PSYC 390 — Career Development in Psychology — 1 credit
- (Prerequisites: junior standing; Psychology major) This seminar entails studying, discussing, and applying information on academic planning, career development, and graduate school. Course requirements include attendance at several academically-related department events or psychologically related university presentations. Fall only.
- PSYC 480 — Field Experience in
Clinical Settings — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: Psychology major; junior or senior
standing with priority given to seniors; a grade of C or higher in PSYC 225 and
PSYC 360; permission of instructor. Prerequisite or co-requisite: PSYC 335)
This course entails supervised field experience in a mental-health or
social-service facility in the community. Students are required to spend 8
hours a week at their placement site and 1.5 hours a week in a seminar
throughout the semester. The professor provides classroom instruction, and the
on-site supervisor provides clinical supervision. Graded
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
- PSYC 481 — Field Experience in
Personnel Psychology — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; a grade
of B or higher in PSYC 236 and 335; MGT 361; permission of instructor) This
course entails supervised field experience in a personnel office. Students are
required to spend 10 hours a week at their placement and one hour periodically
throughout the semester in a seminar. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Offered as a reader.
- PSYC 490 — History and Literature
of Psychology I — 1.5 credits
- (Prerequisites: senior standing; Psychology major
or minor) This lecture and discussion course will examine the history of modern
psychology from pre-Socratic philosophers to contemporary perspectives.
Emphasis will be placed on the influential works of various schools of thought
that have shaped the emergence of psychology. Fall only.
- PSYC 491 — (W) History and
Literature of Psychology II — 1.5 credits
- (Prerequisite: senior standing; a grade of C or
higher in PSYC 490) This seminar, designed for students with a major or minor
in Psychology, will entail critical reading, analysis, and discussion of
selections from the seminal literature in psychology, including selected works
of William James, Sigmund Freud, and B.F. Skinner. Individual professors will
choose additional readings on the basis of their interests and student
preferences. Spring only.
- PSYC 492 — Advanced Topics
Seminar — 1-2 credits
- Seminar course featuring selected advanced topics
in psychology. Restricted to junior and senior majors by permission of the
instructor. The specific topic, scheduling format and course prerequisites will
vary by instructor. The topics, with specific prerequisites, will be listed
each semester and can be obtained for the academic year from the department
chairperson.
- PSYC 493-494 — Undergraduate
Research — 3-6 credits
- (Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; PSYC
330; a grade of B or higher in PSYC 330 lecture and the Psychology course most
relevant to research topics; permission of instructor) Individual study and
research on a specific topic under the supervision of a faculty member.
Students are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours a week on research
activities throughout the semester.
 |
