Psychology Courses

PSY 101. Introduction to Psychology  (3 hours)
An introduction to and survey of the major content areas of psychology. The topics include biological, cognitive, social and environmental influences on behavior, as well as the variety of philosophical, theoretical and empirical approaches adopted by the discipline. (Every semester)

PSY 210. Biopsychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An investigation of the ways the nervous system interfaces with behavior to determine what we perceive, feel, think, say and do. Te course will provide an overview of the major divisions of biopsychology- neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, psychophysiology, and physiological psychology – with an emphasis on their relationship to behavior. (Every year)

PSY 215. Cognitive Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An introduction to the major theoretical approaches and empirical research related to human thought processes. Topics include perception, attention, memory, thinking, problem solving, and decision making. (Every year)

PSY 221. Health Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course will explore theoretical and empirical approaches to studying the influence of thought, feeling, and behavior on physical health. The class will examine the mind-body problem and how physical health is influenced by personality, social relationships, stress, expectations, behavior, and emotion expression. (Every year)

PSY 225. Sensation & Perception  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course will provide the student with an understanding of how humans sense and perceive the surrounding environment. Topics will include the visual, auditory, vestibular, olfactory and somatosensory systems. (Every two years)

PSY 230. Social Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An examination of behavior influenced by other people. The topics include interpersonal relationships, attitude development and change, group interaction and the impact of culture and physical environments. (Every year)

PSY 235 Industrial Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An overview of the applications of psychological theory and research to the workplace. The topics covered include personnel selection and management, interpersonal aspects of employment and factors that influence performance. (Every year)

PSY 240. Theories of Personality  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
A critical review of the major theoretical explanations of the development, structure and organization of personal attributes. The course also considers the empirical evidence which supports these theories. (Every year)

PSY 245. Developmental Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An introduction to the study of the psychological development of the individual. The focus of this course is both theoretical and empirical, including coverage of growth in physical, social, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and personality traits across the life span. (Every year)

PSY 260. Introduction to Clinical Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An overview of the concepts, methods and issues involved in clinical psychology, including assessment procedures and intervention strategies from varying theoretical perspectives. (Every year)

PSY 270. Psychology of Gender  (3 hours)
(Same as WGS 270)
Prerequisite: PSY 101 or consent of instructor.
Examination of the theory and context in which the social construct of “gender” develops, and the impact this has on our perceptions of ourselves, how others perceive us, and how we relate to others. Emphasis will be placed on the diversity of such experiences. (Every two years)

PSY 285. Special Topics  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
A survey of a content area in psychology that is not available through other departmental course offerings. May be taken more then once, for a maximum of six credit hours. (Occasional)

PSY 302. Behavioral Statistics  (4 hours)
Prerequisites: one Group 1 PSY course or one Group 2 PSY course, and a completion of the general education mathematics requirement.
This course will provide the student with an understanding of basic behavioral statistics and the ability to report them in written and oral formats. Topics will include descriptive statistics, basic research design, and inferential statistics. Assignments include laboratory investigations and written reports. (Every semester)

PSY 303. Research Methods  (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 302.
An introduction to the methodological skills necessary for conducting psychological research. Topics include strategies and problems of basic and advanced research design, drawing conclusions, writing research reports and ethical issues. Assignments include laboratory investigations and written reports. (Every semester)

PSY 305. Psychology of Learning  (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
An examination of the acquisition, maintenance and stimulus control of behavior from both empirical and theoretical perspectives. Laboratory investigations and written reports of these investigations are required. (Every two years)

PSY 310. Biological Bases of Behavior  (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
An investigation of the relationship between biological and psychological processes. The biological bases of human and animal behavior will be explored and analyzed from the perspectives of psychophysiology, ethology, and behavior genetics. Laboratory investigations and written reports of experimental findings are required. (Every two years)

PSY 325. Tests and Measurement  (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
Examination of the construction, evaluation and use of psychological assessment devices. The topics include reliability, validity, measurement theory, and factors that influence the assessment process. Laboratory investigations and written reports of empirical findings are required. (Every year)

PSY 326. Behavior Modification  (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
An examination of the applications of learning principles in solving human problems. Consideration will b given to legal, social, and ethical issues related to these applications. Experiential or practical exercises applying principles learned and written reports of these findings are required. (Every year)

PSY 385. Special Topics  (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
An empirical study of some significant topic in psychology that is not available through other departmental laboratory course offerings. Laboratory investigations and written reports of empirical findings are required. May be taken more than once, for a maximum of eight credit hours. (Every year)

PSY 390. Field Placement  (1-15 hours)
Prerequisites: permission of the chair and senior status.
An opportunity to obtain experience with the activities typically performed by a practicing psychologist. Students are expected to work for the agency involved no fewer than 3 hours per week for each credit hour awarded. Specific academic assignments will also be negotiated with the faculty member involved and the agency supervisor. Graded S/U. (Every semester)

PSY 401. History and Systems of Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisites: senior status, PSY 303.
An attempt to place in historical perspective the major concepts, philosophical assumptions, and theories of psychology. The course draws together content from across the curriculum and includes a critical examination of the field. (Every year)

PSY 410. Social and Ethical implications of Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisites: senior status, PSY 303.
A study of the impact of psychological research and practice on the individual and society. The ethical, moral and legal implications of psychology will be examined. (Every two years)

PSY 412. Animal Behavior  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
This course seeks to describe and explain the causative and developmental factors that influence animal behavior at the level of the individual and social group. Investigations into the mechanisms underlying behavior will be stressed, primarily in non-human mammals. (Every two years)

PSY 420. Alternative perspectives in Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisites: PSY 303; senior status.
A critical examination of humanistic, phenomenological, existential and value-based perspectives in psychology. (Every two years)

PSY 430. Group Dynamics  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303.
A subspecialization of social psychology, this seminar focuses on human thought and behavior specifically in group situations. Topics may include group formation, structure, and development; cohesiveness; influence; power; group task performance; group decision-making; leadership; crown behavior; and intra-and intergroup conflict. (Every two years)

PSY. 460 Psychopathology  (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 240 or 260.
A survey of the major categories of behavior pathology, including a consideration of etiology, diagnosis and treatment. (Every year)

PSY 485. Special Topics in Psychology  (3 hours)
Prerequisites: PSY 303 and consent of instructor
An advanced study of psychological theories that is not available through other departmental course offerings. Maybe taken more than once, for a maximum of six hours credit toward the psychology major. (Occasional)

PSY 490a. Empirical Project in Psychology I  (2 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303 and consent of chair.
The development and completion of an acceptable proposal for an empirical project on a psychological topic. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present the proposed empirical project. (Every semester)

PSY 490b. Empirical Project in Psychology II  (2 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 490a
The implementation and completion of the project proposed in PSY 490a. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present the results of this empirical project. (Every semester)

PSY 485. Directed Independent Research  (1-4 hours)
Prerequisites: PSY 303 and consent of supervisor and chair
Requirements include selection of a problem area, survey of relevant literature, research and report of these findings. Graded S/U. (Every semester)

PSY 496a. Honors Project in Psychology I  (2 hours)
Prerequisites: candidate for departmental honors in psychology, PSY 303.
The student must make formal application to the departmental chair and, if approved, register for this course instead of 490a. The student then develops and completes an acceptable honors project prospectus for and empirical project on a psychological topic that meets the approval of a committee of three faculty members from the department. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present a proposed empirical project. (Every semester)

PSY 496b. Honors Project in Psychology II  (2 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 496a.
The implementation and completion of the project proposed in PSY 496a. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present the results of this proposed empirical project. (Every semester)