PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT COURSE LISTING

 

101. GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Fundamental principles of behavior, including behavioral research, learning, memory, biological basis of behavior, perception, motivation, personality, psychopathology, and psychological testing.   PS 101 IS PREREQUISITE TO ALL COURSES AT THE 200 LEVEL AND BEYOND. Applies to Division IV/C requirement for University Core.

140. PSYCHOLOGY OF SEX DIFFERENCES 3 cr.
The psychology and behavior of men and women examined from a variety of perspectives: biological, social-psychological, and socio-political. Investigation of several topics and issues of relevance to sex roles. Applies to Division IV/C requirement for University Core, does not apply to the psychology major.

145. PSYCHOLOGY AND RACE 3 cr.
Psychological, biological and sociological factors which are attributed to group differences between African American and Caucasian Americans in the areas of IQ, academic achievement, socioeconomic status, parental involvement, poverty, social values and more. The social and scientific definitions of race will be explored. Applies to Division IV requirement for University Core, does not apply to the psychology major.

150. VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION 3 cr.
Biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of violence and aggression. Basic theories and principles relevant to the topic in general and the components of specific acts and forms of violence. Applies to Division C requirement for University Core, does not apply to the psychology major.

226. DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR 3 cr.
Introduction to the field of psychopharmacology with special emphasis on the relationship between drugs and human behavior. Considerations include history, routes of administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and adverse effects of psychoactive drugs.

241. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr
Survey of theories and research on the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses that individuals experience alone or with others in various social contexts. Topics include: prejudice, conformity, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, self-concept, group processes, altruism, and aggression.

261. CHILD DEVELOPMENT (ED 261) 3 cr.
Survey of the basic theories and research relative to human growth and development from conception through late childhood, with emphasis on the physiological, intellectual, socio-emotional and cultural changes associated with human life. Not open to those with credit in PS 260 (ED 260).

262. ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (ED 262) 3 cr.
Survey of the basic theories and research relative to human growth and development from preadolescence through young adulthood, with emphasis on the physiological, intellectual, socio-emotional and cultural changes associated with human life. Open to those with credit in PS 260 (ED 260).

265. ADULTHOOD AND AGING 3 cr.
Study of growth and development from young adulthood to old age with emphasis on life stages, transitions, and the breadth of human experience.

280. HUMAN MEMORY AND COGNITION 3 cr.
Corequisite: PS 380L. What psychology has found about how people acquire and use knowledge. Topics include attention, how meaning is represented, memory, language, reasoning, and problem solving.

280L. HUMAN MEMORY AND COGNITION LABORATORY 0 cr.
Corequisite: PS 380.
Two hours of laboratory per week. Students participate in experiments on human cognition related to topics in PS 380.

286. MIND AND BEHAVIOR 3 cr.
Study of the nature of mind and its relationship to the development of personality through lectures and PBS videos which utilize the elements of computer-based graphics, important experiments, and memorable case histories.

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295L. SPECIAL LABORATORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 0-3 cr.
Specialized laboratory experience to be corequisites with 200 level courses. Permission of instructor and chair required.

301. RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Prerequisites: MT 122, 123 (with at least a C- in each); corequisite: PS 301L. The use of naturalistic observation, surveys, correlational techniques, two group designs, and the statistical analysis of data gathered by these methods. Students will write a manuscript in APA style describing their research in PS 301L.

301L. RESEARCH METHODS LABORATORY 0 cr.
Corequisite: PS 301.
Two hours of laboratory per week. Students will work in groups to design an experiment investigating some aspect of human behavior, conduct the experiment and analyze the data.

310. SPORT PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Examines 8 topics: personality and sport; anxiety, arousal and sport performance; motivation in sport; violence in sport; group dynamics in sport; socialization in sport; psychological benefits of sport and exercise; and psychology of sport injuries.

318. SENSATION AND PERCEPTION 3 cr.
Corequisite: PS 318L.
Structure and function of the sensory systems, how they encode environmental stimuli, and how we process these stimuli to perceive the world. Many perceptual illusions will be demonstrated and explained.

318L. SENSATION AND PERCEPTION LABORATORY 0 cr.
Corequisite: PS 318.
Two hours of laboratory per week. Students will participate in experiments on human perception related to topics in PS 318.

326. PSYCHOBIOLOGY 3 cr.
Study of the anatomical, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms underlying behavior.

332. LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR 3 cr.
Corequisite: PS 332L.
Fundamentals of classical and operant conditioning and how they may be used to change behavior in applied settings.

332L. LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR LABORATORY 0 cr.
Corequisite: PS 332.
Two hours of laboratory per week. Applying principles of operant and classical conditioning; specifying behavioral objectives; applying principles of reinforcement to change behavior; principles of learning theory applied to biofeedback, systematic desensitization, and other therapeutic techniques.

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342. PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE 3 cr.
Survey of theories and research on the social information processing that leads to the formation of prejudice against a variety of social groups. Topics include: personality, social categorization, stereotypes, child development, intergroup relations, and prejudice reduction.

343. THE SOCIAL THINKER 3 cr.
Survey of theories and research examining how information processing is affected by contextual factors, motivations, emotions, and behavioral interactions.

351. THEORIES OF PERSONALITY (ED 451) 3 cr.
Major personality theories with critical consideration of research support, clinical and counseling applications, and guides to self management.

359. INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Topics for understanding the selection and evaluation of workers within organizations. Current theories of work motivation, job design, and leadership, with an emphasis on applications within organizations.

369. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND GOAL SETTING 3 cr.
Prerequisite: PS 359 or MN 325.
Integration of applied and theoretical principles of performance evaluation and goal setting into today's workplace.

370. PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 3 cr.
An overview of the implications of psychological theory and methods on various legal issues and the legal perspective on some psychological issues. Social science research on legal topics such as confessions, eyewitness testimony, the jury, employment discrimination, insanity and competency. Focuses on the criminal justice system with some civil issues. No knowledge of the legal system is assumed.

390. GROUP PROCESS AND DECISION MAKING 3 cr.
The social psychology of small group interactions and decision making within such groups as juries, organizational hierarchies, communities, families, clubs, and fraternal and sororal organizations. Interaction among conflicting interest groups.

395. SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
A series of courses in a variety of special topics in psychology designed for upper-level psychology students.

395L. SPECIAL LABORATORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 0-3 cr.
Specialized laboratory experience to be corequisites with 300 level courses. Permission of instructor and chair required.

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401. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND ANALYSIS 3 cr.
Prerequisite: PS 301 and PS 301L (with at least a B-) and permission of the chair.
Students will plan, conduct, and analyze data from experiments they design, and prepare a manuscript suitable for submission to a psychological journal.

421. HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Development of psychology from its philosophical antecedents to its present status as a behavioral science and profession. Recommended as preparation for the departmental comprehensive examination.

426. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 3 cr.
Prerequisite: PS 326.
Effects of psychotropic drugs on behavior, cognitive functioning, and emotion with an emphasis on both psychotherapeutic agents utilized in the treatment of biochemical abnormalities associated with various psychopathologies and drugs of abuse.

435. TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS 3 cr.
Prerequisite: MT 122 or equivalent.
Survey and evaluation of current psychological test theory. Test construction, reliability, validity and a survey of frequently used psychological tests are covered. This is not a course in test administration.

441. SEMINAR IN SOCIAL/PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
An advanced course in social/personality psychology, examining classic and current literature in such areas as social cognition, self-concept, decision making, prejudice and discrimination, and other key social/personality topics.

457. PSYCHOPATHOLOGY 3 cr.
Historical theories and controversies about psychopathology and the etiology and symptoms of selected categories of emotional disturbance, with special reference to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

462. COUNSELING THEORY AND PRACTICE 3 cr.
Historical theories of counseling/psychotherapy and the research evaluating those theories. The ethical and legal context of counseling and development of basic counseling skills and a personal approach to counseling.

470. CHILDREN IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM 3 cr.
A seminar covering an overview of relevant case and statutory law pertaining to children and families. Topics include parental rights, child protection, child custody, foster care juvenile justice, children's rights children in the courtroom, decision making, school authority, and the termination of the parental relationship. A term paper and participation in a mock trial are required.

475. INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Survey of the field, history of the discipline, and the role of clinical psychology in the mental health field. Topics include the principles of psychological assessment, prevention, clinical research pertaining to a variety of populations, and research on treatment effectiveness.

480-489.  PRACTICUM IN PSYCHOLOGY 1-3 Cr.
Limited to junior and senior psychology majors with permission of instructor. Supervised application of psychological principles and techniques in appropriate settings. Arrangements for the practicum site need to be completed, in consultation with the instructor, in the semester prior  to the placement. A scholarly paper, developed in conjunction with the supervising faculty member, is required. Course grade is credit/fail.

480-481 PRACTICUM IN I/O PSYCHOLOGY 1-3 Cr.
Business and industrial settings.

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482-483. PRACTICUM IN MENTAL HEALTH 1-3 Cr.
Educational or clinical settings.

484-485. PRACTICUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 1-3 Cr.
Educational, governmental, and business settings.

486-487. PRACTICUM: THE HOSPITALIZED CHILD 3 Cr.
Prerequisites: PS 260 or PS 261, consent of instructor.
A year-long sequence of supervised experience in the application of psychological principles and techniques to physical and emotional problems with infants, children, adolescents, and their families in a university medical school setting.

488-489. PRACTICUM IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 1-3 Cr.
Educational, clinical, governmental, business, and industrial settings.

490A and B. SENIOR SEMINAR 3 cr.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
(A) Students following the Mental Health Services track will discuss issues related to the delivery of mental health services. (B) Students following the Human Development track will discuss issues related to lifespan developmental psychology.

495. SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
A series of courses in a variety of special topics in psychology designed for senior psychology students.

496. READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.
Supervised readings course for advanced undergraduates, mutually arranged by each student and a faculty member so that the student may become informed in depth on a specialized topic in psychology. A critical and original review of the literature is required. A course plan must be developed with the instructor and approved by the department chair prior to enrollment.

497N. INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT IN NEUROSCIENCE 3 cr.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and approval of the neuroscience coordinator.
Advanced undergraduate participation in the conception, design, execution, and reporting of a research project in neuroscience. Research should be potentially publishable, with the student's contribution such as to warrant citation as co-author. A course plan must be developed with the instructor and approved by the neuroscience coordinator prior to enrollment.

498. PRACTICUM IN RESEARCH METHODS 3 cr.
Prerequisite: PS 301 and permission of the instructor.
Practicum in research methods, and assisting instructor by serving as resource person for students in PS 301.

499. INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT IN PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr.
Prerequisite: PS 401, and permission of instructor and chair.
Advanced undergraduate participation in the conception, design, execution, and reporting of a research project in psychology. Research should be potentially publishable, with the student's contribution such as to warrant citation as co-author. A course plan must be developed with the instructor and approved by the department chair prior to enrollment.

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