Psychology Courses
COURSE NUMBERCOURSE NAMEDEPARTMENTCREDIT HOURSYEARCOURSE DESCRIPTION
PSY 117General PsychologyPsychology4FreshmanOffers an introduction to the field of psychology as a social science. This course covers many areas of investigation of interpersonal and intra-personal processes, such as sensation and perception, memory development, and learning. An understanding of basic psychological principles and perspectives will be emphasized. Satisfies human behavior exploratory requirement. Fall and spring.
PSY 210Introduction to NeurosciencePsychology4SophomoreThe human nervous system, particularly the brain, is the most complicated machine in the known universe. With hundreds of billions of moving parts, we are only now beginning to unravel its secrets. The goal of this course is to survey our current understanding of the brain using an integrative approach. Students will examine neuroscience from the perspectives of the natural (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) and social (e.g. psychology) sciences while also examining the methodologies used in the study of the brain. In addition, we will consider the social and medical implications that evolve from our growing understanding of neuroscience. Future careers in the field of neuroscience will also be discussed. Fall, odd academic years.
PSY 220GerontologyPsychology4SophomoreAn analysis of the process of aging, which will utilize social, psychological, and structural approaches to gain an understanding of the unique problems which confront the elderly in modern society. Course goals also include the development or refinement of specific skills and techniques for studying or working with older adults through a substantive experiential learning component. Same as SOC 220. Prerequisite: PSY 117 or SOC 118. Spring, odd academic years.
PSY 224Basic Applied StatisticsPsychology3SophomoreAn introduction to statistical reasoning for the natural and social sciences using the computer as a tool to analyze data. Probability concepts, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, estimation, chi-square, t-test, analysis of variance, correlation and regression, and some non-parametric tests are included. Minitab or another statistical package will be used. Same as PSY/SOC 224. Students cannot receive credit for both. Prerequisite: CMP 130, LA 103, MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 135, or MAT 181 or placement in MAT 135/181. Fall and Spring.
PSY 226Lifespan DevelopmentPsychology4SophomoreThis course is a survey of major themes of change and constancy from fetal development to death, with emphasis on typical biological, cognitive and socioemotional development. Students will apply theory to practice through observational projects and critical readings of both empirical and popular sources. The impact of ethnic, gender and cultural factors on development will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Spring
PSY 227Introd Stats and Res Methods in PsychPsychology4SophomoreThis course will prepare students for upper-level psychology courses by providing an overview of various methodologies used by psychologists to understand the world. This writing intensive course will teach students to locate and summarize scholarly articles using APA format. Students will be introduced to SPSS to enter, analyze, and interpret small data sets. Discussion of ethical decision making as part of the research process will be emphasized. The course culminates with a group replication of a previously published psychological study, complete with a full write-up and presentation. Prerequisites: PSY 117 or consent of instructor. Fall and spring.
PSY 240Abnormal PsychologyPsychology4SophomoreOffers a survey of adult abnormal psychology integrating theory and research with case histories and first-person narratives. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Fall, even academic years and Spring, odd academic years.
PSY 250Industrial Organizational PsychologyPsychology4SophomoreThis course examines the field of industrial-organizational psychology. Topics studied include test and scale development, selection practices, job satisfaction, absenteeism interventions, turnover, organizational commitment, performance management and leadership. Using empirical evidence, students will examine current organizational practices as compared to best practices through two substantive projects. Fall, even academic years.
PSY 310Introduction to CounselingPsychology4JuniorThe purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the theories, research, and practice of counseling. The history as well as the current status of the profession of counseling will be discussed. In addition, the values of the counseling field and underlying assumptions will be described. Scientific and professional aspects of counseling will be explored. Different counseling approaches, including, psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavioral, and cognitive theories, will also be introduced. Introductory active listening and interviewing skills will also be covered. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Spring, even academic years.
PSY 315Psychology of DiversityPsychology4JuniorThis course will cover the study of culture in psychology and the application of cultural knowledge to the scientific study of human behavior. Areas in cultural psychology that will be covered include research methods, psychological development, health, cognition, emotion, language, and social behavior. This course will also integrate student?s previous experiences in the liberal arts curriculum in to their current understanding of their cultural self. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Satisfies Diversity exploratory requirement. Fall, even and spring, odd academic years.
PSY 320Social PsychologyPsychology4JuniorSurvey of laboratory and field research on the interaction of an individual with his or her social environment. Prerequisite: PSY 117 and junior or senior standing. Spring.
PSY 322Behavioral NeurosciencePsychology4JuniorA course focused on the biological underpinnings of human behavior. Topics covered include the nervous system, endocrine system, sensation and perception, memory, language, and other basic behaviors. Prerequisite: PSY 117 or consent of instructor. Fall, even academic years and Spring, odd academic years.
PSY 324Psychology of LearningPsychology4JuniorA course focused on theories and principles of animal and human learning. Topics include innate behaviors and habituation, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational and motor learning. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Fall
PSY 326PsychopharmacologyPsychology4JuniorThis course will begin with an in-depth study of basic pharmacological principles, including receptor pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. We will cover the locations and actions of the major neurotransmitters. Next, various classes of drugs of abuse, as well as different definitions and theories of drug abuse and addiction, will be discussed. We will consider how the different classes of drugs affect brain function to cause changes in behavior, as well as the consequences of long-term drug exposure and withdrawal. Finally, we will explore pharmacological treatments for various psychological disorders. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Spring, even academic years.
PSY 328Cognitive PsychologyPsychology4JuniorThis course examines both basic and complex information processing skills of humans. Topics include memory, selective attention, pattern recognition, comprehension, language processing, decision-making, and problem solving. The objectives for the course are that the student will be able to understand and critically evaluate classic and contemporary research in cognitive psychology, both basic and applied.
PSY 330Psychology and LawPsychology4JuniorThis course examines psychological theory and empirical research as it relates to the legal system. Topics include eyewitness identification, repressed and recovered memories, lie detection, predicting dangerousness, etc. Course objectives are that the student will be able to critically evaluate and relate research to significant questions in the field such as the definition of justice, the place of science (and pseudoscience) in the courtroom, and the proper construction and use of psychological knowledge. Fall, odd and spring, even academic years. Fulfills Civic Learning exploratory requirement.
PSY 345Statistical Consulting ProjectMathematics and Computing3JuniorEach student will work as part of a team to complete a statistical consulting project for a local non-profit agency or other appropriate organization. Special emphasis will be given to the development of skills in project management and consulting. Projects will be chosen to require the use of important statistical concepts such as experimental design, survey design, or regression analysis. Recommended especially for majors in the social sciences who are intending to go to graduate school or for those aiming for careers involving statistical applications. Same as ECO/MAT/SOC 345. Students may receive credit in only one of these cross-referenced courses. Satisfies LA 315 Liberal Arts Capstone. Prerequisites: MAT 224, MAT 331, BUS 265, OR PSY 224. Spring, odd academic years.
PSY 416Health PsychologyPsychology4SeniorThis course will provide an introduction to the field of health psychology, which is concerned with the roles of behavioral/lifestyle, psychological and social factors on health, illness and chronic disease. The course will address three general subject areas: 1) attitudes, behavior, and lifestyle factors affecting disease prevention and development; 2) stress and the related psychological and social processes associated with disease development and progression; and 3) social and psychological factors involved in the illness experience. Prerequisite: PSY 117. Fall, odd academic years.
PSY 419Adv Stats and Res Methods in Psychology IPsychology4SeniorIntroduction to the planning, conducting, and interpreting of research in psychology and development of further knowledge of content material associated with selected areas of investigation. Provides the experience of conducting a complete original experiment. Prerequisites: PSY 117, PSY 227, plus instructor permission. Fall.
PSY 420Adv Stats and Res Methods in Psychology IIPsychology4SeniorAdvanced course in experimental design which develops a greater understanding of the experimental method and provides the experience of conducting a complete original experiment. Incorporates graduation requirements for senior year experience/project. Corequisite: PSY 498. Prerequisites: PSY 224 and 419. Spring.
PSY 421Theories of PersonalityPsychology4SeniorAn investigation of theory, testing data, and findings in the study of personality. The course may emphasize one or more approaches such as psychoanalytic, neoanalytic, social psychological, learning, and phenomenological theories. Prerequisite: PSY 117 and junior or senior standing. Fall, odd academic years.
PSY 422History and SystemsPsychology3SeniorHistorical antecedents of contemporary psychological systems, with special emphasis on the relationship of these systems to contemporary psychological theory. Corequisite: PSY 499. Prerequisite: at least 15 semester hours of psychology excluding PSY 117, senior standing, psychology major. Spring.
PSY 470Psychology SeminarPsychology3SeniorAn advanced course devoted to an intensive examination of selected topics of psychological importance. Open to psychology majors and other majors with an adequate background in psychology. Prerequisite: At least 12 semester hours of psychology and consent of instructor. Course offered on demand.
PSY 498PortfolioPsychology0SeniorThe main component will be the research project required in PSY 420. Contents may also include assignments and projects of the student?s and/or faculty?s choosing from other coursework. The professional development and leadership components are part of PSY 420 in that students are guided in preparing and presenting their research projects. Completion of PSY 420 with a grade of C- or better will show completion of portfolio requirement.
PSY 499Senior Competency PracticumPsychology0SeniorThe requirement for PSY 499 are met by the successful completion of the department?s required Major Field Test in Psychology examination. This will be graded as pass/fail.

r. 12-20-21