Psychology Courses

Course Descriptions(PSYC)
(Textbook Information)

*PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology.
(3) Fall and Spring
A survey of major topics in psychology, including research methods, basic neuroanatomy, learning, perception, personality and abnormal behavior.
Prerequisite to all other PSYC courses.

PSYC 2298 Behavioral Statistics.
(3) Fall
Introduction to the measurement of behavior and quantitative methods of data analysis, emphasizing parametric statistics and their application to the behavioral sciences. May be taken simultaneously with PSYC 1101.

PSYC 2299 Research Methods .
(4) Spring
A survey of various types of research design, including the strengths and weaknesses of each. The laboratory includes practice in designing and conducting experiments, as well as analysis and reporting of results.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2298 and PSYC 1101

PSYC 3302 Human Growth and Development.
(3) Spring
A study of human life beginning with conception. Important developmental phenomena are considered in the light of major theories of development.

PSYC 3304 Educational Psychology.
(3) Fall
Application of psychological principles and research to the teaching/learning process. Major topics include behavioral and cognitive approaches to learning, classroom management, and test construction and interpretation.

PSYC 3321 Social Psychology .
(3) Fall
A course dealing with behavior as affected by social influences. Major topics include social perception, social communication (verbal and nonverbal), altruism, attitudes, aggression, and prejudice. Also, applied areas such as forensic psychology are considered.

PSYC 3341 Human Sexuality.
(3) Spring
This course involves a multidisciplinary examination of human sexual behavior and intimate relationships. Typical topics considered include male and female sexual response, gender roles, sexual disorders and dysfunctions, gender identity, legal and cross-cultural aspects of human sexuality, sexual orientation, and relationship issues related to sexuality. May be taken simultaneously with PSYC 1101.

PSYC 3350 Abnormal Psychology.
(3) Spring
A survey of the causes, characteristics, current theories, and treatment of psychological disorders.

PSYC 3351 Introduction to Counseling.
(3) Spring
An introduction to counseling approaches, methods, and assessment techniques. Emphasis is placed on individual counseling.

PSYC 3358 Psychology of Aging.
(3)
Human aging is examined from physiological (e.g., sensory and cardiovascular changes), psychological (e.g., memory and intellectual changes), and sociological (e.g., adjusting to retirement) perspectives. Also, death and disorders associated with aging (such as Alzheimer's Disease) are explored.

PSYC 3380 Special Topics in Psychology.
(3) Fall
A course offered at the sophomore/junior level, focusing on a specialized topic from the field of psychology.
Prerequisites: A prerequisite may be required.

PSYC 4000 Internship in Psychology.
(3) on demand
Students majoring in Psychology may be eligible to enroll in a psychology internship in an applied setting. This course requires 120 hours of supervised experience (observation, work, etc.) in a local agency or office, selected readings, and a public presentation. The internship must first be discussed with the student's Psychology advisor, and then an application must be submitted in writing to the Department of Psychology, no later than the beginning of advising for the term in which the student expects to enroll for internship (i.e., the application is submitted in the term preceding the one in which the internship is done). Students are then selected on a competitive basis for enrollment. Once approved by the department, the student must arrange the details of the placement with the Director of the Career Development Center. Approval for an internship does not guarantee that an appropriate placement will be available. Grading is on a Pass/No Credit basis.
Prerequisites: major in Psychology with junior or senior standing and permission of department

PSYC 4400 Individual Research.
(3) on demand
Under supervision of a faculty member, the student develops a project on a topic that is psychological in nature. The emphasis is on analyzing and synthesizing scientific literature, with the goal of producing a literature review and/or research proposal. A successful proposal may lead to data collection and analysis. The result of the project is a paper written in APA style.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299

PSYC 4455 Cognitive Psychology.
(3) Spring
An information processing analysis of topics in perception, thinking, learning, and memory.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299 or consent of professor.

PSYC 4460 Psychology of Personality.
(3) Fall
A critical study of major personality theories, principles and instruments of assessment, and relevant empirical research.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299 or consent of professor

PSYC 4465 Biological Psychology.
(3) Spring
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will be explored and will provide a foundation for examining biological aspects of various behaviors (e.g., sensory processes and sleep). Also, the psychopharmacology of selected drugs and genetic influences on behavior will be considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299 or consent of professor

PSYC 4470 Behavior Analysis and Its Applications.
(3) Spring
A survey of principles, research findings, and applications of classical, operant, and observational learning.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299 or consent of professor

PSYC 4480 Special Topics in Psychology: Senior Capstone.
(3) Interim
A course offered at the junior/senior level, focusing on a specialized topic from the field of psychology.
Prerequisites: There may be a prerequisite.

*Denotes PSYC courses that may substitute for a CORE Humanities course in the Core Curriculum.