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Department
of Psychology
Catalogue Course Descriptions
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PSY 101. Introductory Psychology (SS)*
An
introduction to basic psychological theory and research. The content of this course surveys the
various subfields of psychology including: biopsychology, cognitive psychology,
developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and social psychology.
- three semester hours |
PSY 201. Developmental Psychology
(SS)*
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
The biological. affective, cognitive and social domains of human development
are studied individually and integrally as the stages of growth are traced
from conception to death.
- three semester hours
*Students taking PSY 101 or 201 are expected to be available for participation
in research studies or an equivalent activity as a part of the educational
process. |
PSY 214. Adolescent Psychology(SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Theories of development during the adolescent period are studied together
with the results of research, and these are integrated and applied to
real problems of today.
- three semester hours |
PSY 215. Psychology of Aging (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
A study of development in adulthood and old age. The psychological. social
and biological determinants of age-related changes are discussed. Current
theory and empirical evidence are considered. Topics include psychomotor,
intellectual functioning, learning, personality and adjustment, and mental
health.
- three semester hours |
PSY 221. Statistics for Psychology
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
A study and application of descriptive and inferential statistics used
in psychological research including presentations of data, descriptive
statistics, and testing of hypotheses.
- three semester hours |
PSY 222. Research Methods
Prerequisite: PSY 101. PSY 221.
An introduction to methodological concepts in psychological investigation
including problems in experimental design, procedure and application
of statistical principles. Students should have some background in statistics
before taking this course.
- three semester hours |
PSY 231. Physiological Psychology
(NS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course explores the relationship between the brain, its related
systems, and behavior. The basic goals of the course are to examine the
physiological and neurological basis of behavior and to approach psychology
from a biological perspective. Topics covered include: neuroanatomy and
neurochemistry, sleep and arousal, biological rhythms, sexual differentiation
and behavior. feeding behavior, the physiology of mental disorders, and
neurological disorders.
- three semester hours |
PSY 232L. Laboratory in Physiological
Psychology
Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 231.
This laboratory, designed to be taken concurrently with PSY 231, will
provide students with hands-on experience in neuroanatomy, small animal
care, and behavioral testing. Students will also be afforded direct contact
with the principles of research design and analysis by conducting laboratory
experiments in physiological psychology. The course is optional for students
enrolled in PSY 231 and is also open to students who have completed PSY
231.
- one semester hour |
PSY 252. Personality (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course emphasizes the study of diverse personality theories representing
psycho-analytic, psychometric trait, social learning, and phenomenological
viewpoints as well as related assessment techniques research findings,
and their respective applications.
- three semester hours |
PSY 300. Psychology of Learning and
Conditioning (NS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
The ability to learn allows an individual to adapt to the environment
through changes in behavior. This course is concerned with the detailed
experimental study of both classical and operant conditioning, the major
theories of learning in psychology. Topics to be covered include schedules
of reinforcement, punishment and avoidance learning, discrimination and
generalization. Learned helplessness, and the influence of genetics on
learning. Human applications of classical and operant conditioning will
also be discussed.
- three semester hours |
PSY 310. Child Psychology (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course utilizes the concepts of developmental psychology to examine
in detail physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development form
the prenatal period until pubescence. Typical problems of parenting and
child rearing are considering along with research.
- three semester hours |
PSY 322. Psychological Assessment
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to the field
of psychological assessment. Theories, methods, applications, and limitations
of assessment in the areas of intelligence, interest, aptitude, personality,
and psychopathology are included, as well as problems of test administration,
construction and evaluation. As part of the course, students will be
afforded direct experience with many well-known psychological assessment
methods.
- three semester hours |
PSY 325. Animal
Behavior (NS)
An introduction to the study of animal behavior integrating
classic and recent work in psychology, animal learning,
zoology, neurobiology, physiology, and behavioral ecology. Evolutionary
theory is used as an organizing framework for comparing
behavior patterns in humans and other species.
-three
semester hours |
PSY 331. Cognitive Psychology (NS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of how people acquire and
use information. The course emphasizes major theories in the field and
the experimental investigation of such topics as pattern recognition,
attention, personal representation, memory, problem solving, reasoning
and language.
- three semester hours |
PSY 333. Sensation and Perception
(NS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An experimental-theoretical approach to processing of sensory information
and perceptual phenomena. The research questions, methods, and findings
from basic sensory processes to complex cognitive processes are discussed.
Major emphasis is on the visual and auditory systems. Practical applications
are considered.
- three semester hours |
PSY 341. Theories of Motivation (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
The study of motivation is an inquiry into the drives, needs, desires,
and numerous other controlling forces operating in goal seeking behavior.
Physiological, and behavioristic approaches, activation arousal theory,
cognitive, social and self-actualizing theories and research will be
examined and compared.
- three semester hours |
PSY 342. Social Behavior (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course considers how the variety of social influences impinging
upon us daily contributes as one of the many determinants of our behavior
in a variety of contexts. Topics covered include: impression formation,
interpersonal attraction, the psychology of helping behavior, the development
of attitudes, conformity behavior in groups, leadership, and the influence
of physical environment on social behavior.
- three semester hours |
PSY 353. Abnormal
Psychology (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An examination of the dimensions, theories, and empirical findings
in psychopathology. Topics will include the concept of abnormality,
problems and schemes of classification, a review of theoretical approaches
to understanding the etiology of psychopathology, a survey of various
clinical syndromes, and a discussion of the treatment of selected disorders.
-three
credit hours |
PSY 355. Clinical Psychology (SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course surveys the major theoretical approaches and intervention
techniques within the field of clinical psychology. Approaches covered
include the psychodynamic, person-centered, gestalt, cognitive, and behavioral
perspectives. Audio and video tapes, demonstrations, and role-play exercises
are used to supplement the traditional lecture-discussion format.
- three semester hours |
PSY 356. Psychology of Gender Differences
(SS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course examines the evidence for the existence of sex differences
in behavior and the biological and social theories which attempt to account
for gender differences in our society as well as cross-culturally. An
attempt is made to understand the dynamic and perplexing changes facing
men and women today.
- three semester hours |
PSY 361. History and Systems (HWC)
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An overview of the historical development of the major doctrines in psychology
is presented. This includes integrating social and political events with
competing value systems in the formation of scientific thought, and examining
how psychology was influenced by different philosophic schools of thought.
Special attention will also be devoted to critical issues in the philosophy
of science and theory construction.
- three semester hours |
PSY 365. Industrial Psychology (SS)
Prerequisite PSY 101.
Applications of psychological principles to the workplace are explored
with emphasis on personnel selection, classification, placement, training,
merit review, and development. Work motivation, job satisfaction, factors
in influencing productivity, leadership and organizational theory are
also considered.
- three semester hours |
PSY 371. Psychopharmacology (NS)
Prerequisite: PSY 101 and PSY 231 or BIO 101,102, or 121.
This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge
of the basic principles of pharmacology, and an understanding of the
behavioral and physiological effects of psychoactive compounds. An emphasis
is placed on examining how the behavioral effects of drugs are brought
about through their actions within the brain.
- three semester hours |
PSY 401, 402, 403, 404. Independent
Study.
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Individual opportunity to engage in indepth documentary investigation
of a particular topic in psychology or collaborative research under the
guidance of a professor.
- one, two or three semester hours |
PSY 406 and 407. Honors Thesis I and
II
Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the student's
major field of study.
The research will conclude in a written thesis or an original project,
and an oral defense.
- six semester hours |
PSY 481. Advanced Topics in Psychology
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
This course is restricted to seniors, and is the capstone course in the
psychology major. It involves an intensive investigation of a specific
topic in psychology. Students will apply the knowledge and skills acquired
over the course of their program to the study of the selected topic.
The topic will be determined by the instructor and will vary from semester
to semester. Emphasis will be placed on student presentations and participation
in a seminar format.
- three semester hours |
PSY 491. Practicum
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
The opportunity to obtain applied experience in psychology through weekly
volunteer work in local agencies carried out under supervision of a professor.
Students will meet as a group on a regular basis to discuss their experiences.
- three semester hours |
PSY 493. Psychology Co-Op
A junior or senior work study program providing relevant
paid employment experience. The student must work one semester
full-time. Registration will occur at the beginning of
the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate
classroom theory and practical work experience, lending
relevancy to learning and providing the student with a
realistic exposure to career opportunities. Course credit
is received after the completion of the second semester
of the experience (PSY 494).
- non-credit |
PSY 494. Psychology Co-Op
Prerequisite: Psychology 493.
A junior or senior work study program providing relevant paid employment
experience. The student must work full-time for one semester. Registration
will occur at the beginning of this full-time semester. The objective
of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience,
thus lending relevancy to learning and providing the student with a realistic
exposure to career opportunities.
- six semester hours |
PSY 495 and 496. Psychology Co-Op
A junior or senior work study program providing relevant
paid employment experience. Registration will occur during
the second and fourth semesters of the experience. The
objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory
and practical work experience, thus lending relevancy to
learning and providing the student with exposure to potential
career opportunities.
- three semester hours each |
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