Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Psychology

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (4 credits)
A survey course on the basic principles of psychology and their applications to human behavior and social problems. Multiple perspectives emerging from different philosophical and socio-historical contexts are used to examine domains of human thought and behavior. Topics include research methods, human development, gender differences, learning and cognition, psychobiology, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, methods of treatment, and the impact of social situations and culture on behavior.

PSY 212 Social Psychology (4 credits)
A study of theory and research on how individual behavior is influenced by its social context. Topics include social beliefs and judgments, attitude formation, persuasion, altruism, aggression and violence, prejudice, and group processes. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 220 Human Development: Childhood and Adolescence (4 credits)
A survey of theory and research concerning continuities and changes from conception through adolescence as a function of psychological, environmental, and biological factors. Representative topics include cognitive, social, and moral development; parent-child relationship; identity and independence. Observation of children is required. Some sections may include a service-learning component. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 222 Human Development: Adulthood and Aging (4 credits)
A survey of theory and research concerning continuities and changes that occur during the adult life cycle as a function of psychological, environmental, and biological factors. Representative topics include cognitive processes, social and personality development, relationships, work/retirement, and death/dying. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 224 Human Development: Lifespan (4 credits)
A broad overview of theory, research, and applications in human psychological development from conception to death. Using the lifespan developmental perspective, patterns of growth, change, and stability in various domains of development (e.g., physical, cognitive, social, and personality) are examined. Furthermore, the interaction of domains within the context in which development occurs is emphasized (e.g., the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociological factors within a sociohistorical context). Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 230 Research Methods and Statistics (4 credits)
An introduction to the methods used in psychological research including descriptive, predictive, and experimental procedures with emphasis on the appropriate use of statistics. Laboratory work develops skills in literature review, hypothesis formulation, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and scientific report writing. Prerequisites: MTH 140, PSY 100.

PSY 234 Animal Behavior (4 credits)
A look at non-human behavior starting with classic topics in ethology, comparative psychology, and learning. The class will also study applied animal behavior, including captive breeding, release programs and pet behavior. Students will also make scientific observations of animal behavior while providing services at local rescue shelters and humane societies. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or 100-level BIO.

PSY 236 Biopsychology (4 credits)
Introduction to the role of the nervous system in behavior. Representative topics include basic neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, sensory processes, and the physiology of aggression, emotion, and behavior disorders. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or 100-level BIO or consent of instructor. Not open to students with credit for PSY 334.

PSY 255 Human Sexuality (4 credits)
A study of theory and research on the physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects of sexuality. Emphasis placed on examination of personal views of sexuality and on increased understanding of views of others. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

PSY 335 Health Psychology (4 credits)
An introduction to the biopsychosocial approach to the prevention and treatment of health-related problems. Representative topics include stress, chronic illness, death and dying, risky behavior, drug use and addiction, nutrition and exercise, placebo effects, non-traditional medicines, doctor-patient communication, animal assisted therapies, and the human-animal bond. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or 100-level BIO or consent of instructor. Not open to students with credit for PSY 235.

PSY 348a Thematic Studies: Psychology of Women (4 credits)
A study of past and present psychological theories and research on women. Topics include a critical examination of research on gender differences and gender roles, theories of female personality, and female socialization and developmental issues. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111; PSY 100.

PSY 348b Thematic Studies: History and Systems in Psychology (4 credits)
A consideration of the philosophical and empirical foundations of science and psychology, starting with the Ancient Greeks and ending with the modern theories, and their contributions to the discipline. The major schools of psychology and their important figures are examined. Controversial topics and debates in psychology (e.g., nature vs. nurture, free will vs. determinism, and the mind-body problem) and their impact on psychology will also be considered. Not open to students with credit for PSY 225. Prerequisites: PSY 100 or consent of the instructor; ENG 101-102 or 110-111.

PSY 348c Thematic Studies: Applied Cognitive Psychology (4 credits)
A study of the application of cognitive psychology to critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and design. Topics include the exploration of faith, reason, intuition, empiricism and superstition as ways of knowing and how these influence both adaptive and maladaptive human decision making and behavior. Not open to students with credit for PSY 237. Prerequisites: PSY 100 or consent of the instructor; ENG 101-102 or 110-111.

PSY 350 Psychology of Personality (4 credits)
An examination of major personality theories and current research on related psychological processes. Prerequisites: PSY 100; junior standing.

PSY 352 Psychological Tests and Measures (4 credits)
An introduction to psychological tests and their psychometric properties in the measurement of individual and group differences. Topics include intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interests, and personality. Emphasis on the use of testing in various settings such as education, business, and mental health. Prerequisites: MTH 140, PSY 100, or consent of instructor.

PSY 354 Psychopathology (4 credits)
A study of the major forms of psychopathology including anxiety and stress disorders, depression and suicide, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and substance abuse. In addition, the course examines a variety of social issues concerning our society's responses to those labeled mentally ill. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 433 Learning and Motivation (4 credits)
Theories and basic processes of learning, such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning will be studied. Within this framework, classic studies in animal behavior along with current research in applied behavior analysis and human motivation are reviewed. Laboratory work emphasizes research in these areas through computer simulations as well as experimentation. Prerequisites: MTH 140; PSY 100, 230; or consent of the instructor.

PSY 434 Cognitive Processes (4 credits)
A study of the basic mechanisms that govern human thought. Readings, lectures and labs address attention, perception, pattern recognition, memory, mental representation, psycholinguistics, problem solving, and artificial intelligence. Lab research explores the methodological techniques for understanding cognition. Prerequisites: MTH 140; PSY 100, 230; or consent of the instructor.

PSY 451 Counseling Theory and Process (4 credits)
An examination of major theories and techniques of psychological counseling. Laboratory work involves practice in basic communication and interviewing skills. Prerequisites: PSY 100, and at least one other psychology course; junior standing; Recommended PSY 350.

PSY 1/2/3/485 Special Topics (4 credits)
Group examination through intensive reading and class discussion of a selected topic in psychology not covered in regular courses.

PSY 3/486 Independent Study (2 or 4 credits)
Individual examination of a selected topic through intensive reading or through experimental research. Prerequisites: PSY 100, 230, at least two additional psychology courses, recommendation of psychology instructor, consent of academic advisor and division chairperson.

PSY 497 Field Work (2 or 4 credits)
For each 2 hours of credit, 80 hours of supervised field experience in a selected area of applied psychology. Open to Psychology majors only. Pass-fail option available. Prerequisites: junior standing, consent of instructor, five psychology courses including PSY 100, 451 (for social service placements) or PSY 230 (for research and evaluation placements); successful completion of application requirements for fieldwork.

PSY 498 Seminar: Current Issues in Psychology (4 credits)
An exploration of current research and theory in psychology conducted in a seminar style format. Independent capstone projects emphasize the synthesis of knowledge and research skills expected of the undergraduate Psychology major. Prerequisites: PSY 100, 230; senior standing or consent of the instructor.