Course Descriptions
PSY101 - General Psychology I
This course covers the basic principles of behavior, that make up the foundation of psychology. Emphasis is placed on the biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, learning, language, memory, thinking, infancy, and childhood. The methods of inquiry used in psychology are also emphasized. PREREQUISITES: None
PSY102 - General Psychology II
A continuation of PSY101, with an emphasis on the application of psychology to contemporary life. Topics include: motivation and emotion; social behavior; adolescence and adulthood; personality; abnormal behavior and psychotherapy; stress, health, and psychology of the workplace. PREREQUISITES: PSY101
PSY200 - Foundations of Psychology
This course provides an overview of the fundamental skills to the study of psychology. Students should develop a better understanding of how to succeed in the major and psychology-related professions. (Recommended for sophomores).
PSY208 - Adolescent Psychology
This course is a study of adolescent behavior, including current theories concerning the nature of adolescence. Emphasis is placed on physical, emotional, and cognitive forces, and how they interact to shape the adolescent personality. PREREQUISITES: PSY101
PSY210 - Health Psychology
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of health psychology. It is an extremely useful course for those planning to enter the healthcare field. The focus will be on adults; however, pediatric issues will also be covered. This course will examine the history of health psychology, mind-body connections, the effects of stress, and behavioral factors in illness. More specifically, this course will examine coronary heart disease, hypertension, cancer, psychoneuroimmunology, chronic pain, obesity, and smoking cessation. General issues such as compliance with medical regimens and psychological disorders that may affect proper compliance with medical regimens will also be covered. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY214 - Psychology of Human Sexuality
Human sexuality is examined from biological, cultural, and psychological perspectives. Topics include sexual anatomy, childbirth, contraception, abortion, sexual development, sexual attitudes, adult sexual behavior, and alternative sexual lifestyles. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY301 - Educational Psychology
This course examines aspects of psychology related to human learning and the educational process. The course surveys topics such as learning, thinking, memory, intelligence, creativity, testing, motivation, and mental development that are vital to teachers and valuable to anyone engaged in learning. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY302 - Statistics
This course is an introduction to statistical methods as they are used in the social sciences. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are covered, including sampling, probability, and hypothesis testing. Specific parametric and non-parametric analyses include analysis of variance, the t-test, Chi-square, and correlation. PREREQUISITES: None
PSY304 - Abnormal Psychology
This course examines the historical perspectives of abnormal behavior, and the nature, classification, etiology, and treatment of a variety of psychopathologies. Intended for majors in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education, and human services. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY305 - Psychology of Industry
This course surveys industrial and organizational applications of psychology. Principles of individual differences are discussed that relate to career choice, career advancement, management, and the workplace environment. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY307 - Social Psychology
This course examines human behavior as it is affected by various social situations. Topics include the study of attitudes, social attribution, altruism, aggression, group behavior, and interpersonal attraction, among others. PREREQUISITES: PSY102; recommended for juniors and seniors only
PSY309 - Developmental Psychology
The purpose of this course is to examine the concepts of human development, from conception to old age. Specifically, the course looks at how physical, cognitive, and socioemotional factors interact to influence learning, intelligence, language development, and the growth of personality. Major theories and the research that supports or refutes them are examined. PREREQUISITES: PSY102 or permission of instructor
PSY312 - Personality
In this course, theories and research directed toward understanding individual differences in thought, feeling and behavior are considered. Major focus will be on psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive, and trait perspectives. Psychotherapies will be examined as implementations of personality theory. PREREQUISITES: PSY102; junior standing
PSY315 - Experimental Psychology
This is a laboratory course dealing with the nature of science and scientific research methods. Although the emphasis is on experimentation, quasi-experimental designs and other research methods are covered in detail. Students carry out research projects, analyze the results, and write APA-style research reports describing the research project. PREREQUISITE(S): PSY200 and PSY328 and PSY328L
PSY316 - Experimental Methodology
In this course, the student conducts his/her own original research project under the close supervision of the instructor. The project encompasses all phases of the research endeavor from conceptualization of the question, through data collection and analysis, to the written report in the format of the APA. Especially recommended for psychology majors considering graduate school. PREREQUISITES: PSY315
PSY317 - Cognitive Psychology
An introductory examination of the field of human cognition. Topics include perception, attention, short and long-term memory, problem solving, and decision making. Emphasis will be on understanding the scientific nature of the discipline. PREREQUISITES: PSY101
PSY322 - Physiological Psychology
This course is an introduction to the physiological basis of psychology. It focuses on the human brain and nervous system as they relate to topics such as learning, memory, motivation, sensation, sleep, drugs, and mental disorders. PREREQUISITES: PSY101
PSY328 - Advanced Statistics
This course is a continuation of PSY302, including a brief review of the material previously covered, such as probability, sampling, and hypothesis testing for both parametric and non-parametric analysis. Presented for the first time are such topics as Factor Analysis of Variance, the within-subjects Analysis of Variance, the paired t-test, and Chi-Square. PREREQUISITES: Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in PSY302 or its equivalent.
PSY328L - Advanced Statistics Lab
An experiential lab to accompany PSY328, this course emphasizes the entry, calculation, and interpretation of statistical analyses using SPSS. Students will also learn and practice writing up statistical analyses in APA format. Exercises follow the statistical tests presented in PSY328. PREREQUISITES: Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in PSY302 or its equivalent. PSY328 should be taken concurrently with PSY328L.
PSY330 - History and Systems in Psychology
This course addresses the roots of modern psychological thought and methodology, from their origins in philosophy and the natural sciences through the refinement of psychology in its current form. The major theories, schools of thought, and the people who have influenced the field of psychology will be examined. This course also serves as preparation for students who will be taking Graduate Record Examinations and for graduate study in psychology. PREREQUISITES: PSY315
PSY340 - Psychology Practicum
Students are placed in off-campus settings such as detention centers, hospitals, senior citizen centers, alternative schools, and halfway houses. Journals are maintained reflecting the student's activities and reflections while at the practicum site. An academic paper with citations from psychological literature is required, covering some aspect of the practicum experience (i.e. client population, treatment approach, strategy for change, etc.). Detailed plans for the practicum are made in consultation with the instructor. A practicum completed in another department, which has an acceptable psychological component, may be used to fulfill this requirement. PREREQUISITES: Psychology majors and minors only, junior or senior status, and a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Register for PSY340 if taken in the fall semester and PSY341 if taken in the spring semester.
PSY346 - Psychology of Aging
Life cycle studies have recently focused upon the middle and older years of the life span. These studies have revealed that the declines in aging aren't as universal, precipitous, nor inevitable as previously thought; indeed, each decade in middle years has its theme and task. It has also been found that many of the changes we associate with old age actually began during earlier periods of life. The focus in this course is on the origin and nature of these individual changes and phases. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY350 - Psychology of Death and Dying
This course will focus on the many different aspects of death and dying. Some of the topics include: grief and bereavement, the hospice philosophy, children and death and dying, and AIDS. This course is appropriate for psychology and sociology majors, nurses and nursing students, gerontology students, and anyone interested in exploring this most fascinating subject. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY356 - Psychopathology of Adolescence
This course is designed for students to gain an understanding about specific psychological and psychiatric disturbances that afflict teenagers ages 13 to 21. Topics include teen depression, delinquent behavior, alcohol abuse, suicide and homicide, affective disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and a brief introduction to family and network therapy. PREREQUISITES: PSY102
PSY361 - Teaching Assistantships in Psychology
A number of advanced psychology majors are selected each semester by the psychology department to act as TAs (teaching assistants) in several undergraduate courses. The TAs are expected to deliver lectures, be involved in an active tutoring program, and to assist in both creating and scoring exams and quizzes; in short, to be involved actively in the total teaching process. PREREQUISITES: Junior or senior status and permission of the department chair
PSY365 - Senior Thesis
The student works under the supervision of a faculty member in the preparation of a thesis, which may be based on empirical or other forms of research about a topic of interest to the student. Recommended for psychology majors considering graduate school. PREREQUISITES: Senior major status, GPA of 3.0 or higher, and permission of the instructor
PSY366 - Senior Thesis
A continuation of PSY365. The student receives a single grade on the year-long project, with a temporary grade of "Pass" assigned at the end of the first semester. PREREQUISITES: PSY365
PSY398 - Directed Study
Part one of a two-part course. In these courses a student pursues in depth an individualized program of reading and/or research with a specific faculty member. These courses may be repeated for credit with permission of the department up to a total of six credits. PREREQUISITES: Permission of chairperson of the department. Register for PSY398 if taken in the fall semester and PSY399 if taken in the spring semester.
PSY399 - Directed Study
Part two of a two-part course. In these courses a student pursues in depth an individualized program of reading and/or research with a specific faculty member. These courses may be repeated for credit with permission of the department up to a total of six credits. PREREQUISITES: Permission of chairperson of the department. Register for PSY398 if taken in the fall semester and PSY399 if taken in the spring semester.
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