Undergraduate Psychology Courses

PSYC 101 - General Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This introductory course constitutes a general survey of the history and of the facts, principles, and methods employed in the study of human behavior. It emphasizes the uses of the scientific method in the study of human behavior.

PSYC 225 - Psychological Statistics (3 Sem. Hrs.)

An introduction to the basic concepts and applications of statistics in the behavioral science with emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of experimental data. Topics include measures of central tendency and variation; probability and normal distribution; correlation; estimation; tests of significance; simple analysis of variance. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and MATH 104 with a "C" or better.

PSYC 227 - Experimental Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs. - General Education: Computer Competency)

This course introduces laboratory research methods in psychology. It covers all aspects of the research enterprise, including the formulation of research hypothesis, the mechanics of running experiments, statistical analysis, and the preparation of research reports using computers. It also covers both simple experimental designs and factorial design. Prerequisite: PSYC 225 and ENGL 102 with a "C" or better.

PSYC 300 - Learning Theory & Application (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course presents the various views of the learning process developed by classical and contemporary theorists. It emphasizes the application of the knowledge gained from each theorist to the various areas of applied psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 301 - Psychology of Adjustment (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course is aimed at giving students a better understanding of the processes they use in coping with stresses of daily living. It also deals with development of the psychologically healthy person and the effects of maladjustment. There is a brief introduction to the neuroses and psychoses. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 305 - Psychology of Human Sexuality (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course intends to help each student identify and understand the psychological basis for his/her sexual motivation and behavior. In addition, it seeks to develop responsible attitudes in an individual's search for personal sexual fulfillment in his/her understanding of interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 310 - Psychology of Consciousness (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course presents a comprehensive study of human consciousness. The focus will be on both ordinary and altered states of consciousness. Specific topics such as dreams, hypnosis, meditation, etc., will be discussed. In addition, major theories and practices of TM, Zen, and existential psychotherapies will be presented. Finally, personal applications as well as implications will be introduced. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 317 - Developmental Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course describes and synthesizes the current knowledge about the psychological development of children which includes cognitive, emotional, and social development factors from conceptions through adolescence. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 319 - Psychology of Adulthood & Aging (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course examines the psychological ramifications of the continuing life processes that occur during early, middle, and late adulthood. Several theoretical frameworks for understanding adulthood and aging, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of developmental research, will be reviewed. The aging process is presented as a continuation of the lifecycle as opposed to an end stage. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 325 - Psychology of Creativity and the Arts (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course will study theories and research in the psychology of creativity, as well as consider practical applications. Topics in psychology of the visual arts and psychology of literature will also be covered.. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 330 - Sport Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course studies theories, research, and applications in sport psychology. It reviews basic knowledge in psychology such as research methods, social psychology, learning theory, personality theory and assessment, and how this knowledge has been applied to sport psychology. In addition, the history and the profession of sport psychology is discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 350 - Drugs & Human Behavior (3 Sem. Hrs.)

A study of the psychological, behavioral, and clinical effects of drugs including the psychotherapeutics, psychedelics, and narcotics. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 355 - Psychology & Law (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course covers the role of psychology in criminal investigations, trials, and in corrections. It explores issues like eyewitness testimony, polygraphs, competency, assessment of dangerousness, and other related topics. This course also presents a general overview of the field and of current problems and procedures, including ethical issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 360 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

The course focuses on the study of both the structure of organizations and the personnel within those organizations. Industrial-organizational psychology examines a variety of issues including the dynamics of leadership, the selection, training, and advancement of individuals; the measurement of attitudes and motivation of workers; group processes; human factors engineering and safety; and industrial clinical psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 365 - Abnormal Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course covers the major psychiatric and psychological disorders. It discusses etiology, phenomenology, behavioral descriptions, and treatment issues for each of the major diagnostic categories, and broad topics such as ethical issues, legal issues, and community interventions. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 370 - Psychology of Personality: Theory & Assessment (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course provides an in-depth exposure to the scientific study of personality. It explores the research methods, types of problems, and theoretical models operative in this area of psychological inquiry. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 373 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course presents the major clinical strategies used by the professional psychologist in human service settings. It emphasizes the theoretical and applied aspects of current and emerging psychotherapy systems. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 375 - Introduction to Psychological Assessment (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course provides knowledge of the theories, principles and problems involved in the assessment of human behavior. It includes assessment techniques involved with the use of group tests, individual tests, objective tests, projective tests, situational tests, and interview techniques. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and PSYC 225.

PSYC 377 - Psychology of the Family (3 Sem. Hrs.)

Students will develop an indepth understanding of events and factors that impact healthy and unhealthy family functioning. Family issues will be conceptualized from a variety of family adaptation and family stress models. Emphasis will be placed on challenging family events and transitions including but not limited to parenting, marital distress, aging, dying and death, physical and mental illness, divorce, violence, substance abuse, divorce and remarriage, minority membership, and immigrant status and the relationship these play with regards to clinical services. Prerequisite: PSYC 317 or PSYC 319.

PSYC 380 - Learning & Motivation (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course introduces students to experimental methods used to investigate both associative learning processes (Pavlovian conditioning and instrumental learning) and cognitive processes (e.g. memory, spatial learning) in animals. Students will complete a series of lab exercises, using albino rats as subjects, which are are designed to illustrate simple associative learning principles. Using a team-based approach, students will also propose, conduct, write up, and present the results of a research project that deals with one of a select number of learning phenomena. Prerequisite: PSYC 227 & PSYC300.

PSYC 385 - Introduction to Professional Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course explains the role of the psychologist and the application of psychological principles in human service settings. It teaches clinical skills such as interviewing, it examines the role and motivation of the "helper," and it provides background information concerning typical treatment strategies, special populations, and common ethical and legal issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 387 - Developmental Psychopathology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

Students will develop an indepth understanding of developmental disorders from birth through adolescence. Disorders will be conceptualized from a developmental perspective. Theories/approaches used to understand disorders, classification systems, and research strategies will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on etiology, prevalence, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of each disorder discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC317.

PSYC 388 - Theory & Practice of Group Psychotherapy (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course will explore the theory and practice of group psychotherapy, an increasingly common intervention in many psychological service settings. Several typical psychological groups will be covered, including inpatient groups, outpatient groups, psychoeducational groups, and self-help groups. Relevant ethical issues will also be addressed. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 390 - Social Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course studies human behavior, thought, and feelings as influenced by the relationships of the individual with other individuals, groups, and cultures. Social psychology draws on general psychology, personality psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology for basic principles, methods of study and suggestions for problem solving in human affairs. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 395 - Clinical Internship in Psychology (12 Sem. Hrs.)

Provides practical observation and experiences for the student in an approved human service agency or faculty where psychological principles and techniques are used; for example, a rehabilitation center, health center or hospital, or drug-abuse treatment center. Prerequisite: PSYC 385 and permission of the instructor.

PSYC 400 - Cognitive Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

The course content includes a range of psychological processes- pattern recognition, attention, consciousness, learning, memory, concept formation, thinking, imaging, language, problem solving, and developmental processes. Cognitive Psychology focuses on how we acquire, transform, store, and retrieve knowledge. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 405 - Lab in Cognitive Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course permits students to apply principles of statistical analysis and experimental design to research in human cognition. Students first review major topic areas in cognition including attention, short-term memory, long-term memory, imagery, language, and problem solving. Students then design several experiments, collect data, perform statistical analyses, and describe results in APA format. Prerequisite: PSYC 227 and PSYC400.

PSYC 410 - Sensation & Perception (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course addresses the questions of how environmental stimuli give rise to sensory processes (sensation) and how these sensory processes accrue meaning (perception). It presents classical and contemporary approaches to sensation and perception and explores the physiological bases of these processes for selected sensory modalities. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 425 - Behavioral Neuroscience (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course introduces contemporary methods of investigation and topics concerning the relationship between the central nervous system and behavior. It discusses cellular structure, neurochemical transmission, and the anatomical arrangement of the central nervous system. Additionally, the course addresses specific behavioral syndromes resulting from various neuropathological conditions. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 430 - Lab in Social Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course is an in-depth introduction to laboratory research methods in experimental social psychology. It reviews the key aspects of conducting research as well as the major content areas of social psychology. Students will design, conduct, analyze, write-up, and present several experimental projects from different areas of social psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 227 and PSYC 390.

PSYC 440 - Systems of Behavioral Intervention (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course provides a systematic review of contemporary behavioral intervention methods as these are commonly applied in community psychological service settings. Emphasis will be placed upon student development of the capacity to critically evaluate and compare intervention methods from an eclectic viewpoint. Students will learn to apply principles of statistical analysis and experimental design to research in behavioral intervention. Prerequisite: PSYC 227 & PSYC 300.

PSYC 460 - Psychology in the Information Age (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course introduces psychology majors to present-day electronic techniques used in locating psychological information. Students use both computer databases available at the library and resources available via the internet. Prerequisite: Psychology majors, who have completed PSYC 227 with a "C" or better.

PSYC 489 - History & Systems of Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

This course surveys the ideas and discoveries that contributed to the emergence of psychology as an independent discipline. Contributions from philosophy and physiology will be discussed and the early "schools" of psychology will be presented. The course will also review the major theoretical approaches in academic and applied psychology throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. Prerequisite: PSYC 227.

PSYC 490, 491, 492, 493, 494 - Independent Study in Psychology (2-5 Sem. Hrs.)

This course is designed to meet the individual needs of students who wish to prepare individual studies or projects under the direction of a member of the Psychology Department.

From the Undergraduate Catalog:

The Independent Study Program aims to serve those students whose scholarly bent seems most clearly adapted to independent work. Students enrolled in the Honors Program are eligible for independent study participation. Other students are permitted to participate on the basis of recommendations from their faculty advisors and from instructors best acquainted with their abilities. Undergraduate students may not start an independent study experience before they have earned 64 credits.

Application to enroll in an independent study project should be made on the appropriate form. It is available from the department chairperson and the Office of Records and Registration. The student is to consult with his/her advisor to determine the appropriateness of the student's request for independent study. The advisor will initiate the approval process by signing the independent study application form. The completed application should then be circulated through the proper channels as indicated on the form. A Study Committee shall be formed consisting of the instructor of record and two additional faculty members appointed by the chairperson of the department offering the independent study. The approval of the School dean in which the study is undertaken is required on the form before the study in undertaken. After approval for a specified number of credit hours, the student will register no later than the last day of registration for approved Independent Study course.

Under the independent study program, the student's achievement is evaluated by the Study Committee described above. This committee will review the quality of work submitted as a result of the student's independent work in the studio, laboratory, library or in field investigation. Independent study may also cut across departmental lines; e.g., a semester of research on some phase of "Elizabethan England" might be evaluated jointly be members of the Art, English, History, and Music departments, if the work submitted involves interrelated study related to each of those several disciplines. In such interdisciplinary cases, the committee would be composed of representatives from each department concerned.

The grade will be determined by the supervising instructor in all cases.

PSYC 495/96 - Seminar in Psychology (3 Sem. Hrs.)

An advanced study of selected topics in psychology. Topics will vary, depending upon the current research interest of the faculty members presenting the course. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.