PSY: Courses in Psychology
Department of Psychology
PSY 105 General Psychology 3 Cr
An introduction to the principles of behavior through an analysis of
the explanatory concepts, research methodologies, and contemporary
issues in psychology. This is a survey course and is team-taught, thus
exposing students to all areas of expertise within the Department.
Each semester.
PSY 200 Emotional Intelligence and Personal/ 1 hr Professional Success
Emotional intelligence refers to the dimension of intelligence that is responsible
for our ability to manage ourselves and our relationships with
others. Research suggests that the skills involved with high emotional
intelligence are primary for career success, and it separates performers
from those who do not succeed. This course introduces students to
theories of emotional intelligence, exposes them to research supporting
the concept, and gives them tools to assess and develop their own
emotional intelligence. Spring semester.
PSY 203 Developmental Psychology 3 Cr
An examination of the human life cycle with a focus on the behavioral
processes and major influences unique to each stage of development.
Prerequisite: PSY 105. Each semester.
PSY/SO 216 Social Psychology 3 Cr
An introduction to and an analysis of social interaction, including
the social aspects of personality, social attitudes, group behavior, and
the influences of social institutions on individual behavior. Prerequisite:
PSY 105 or SO 101. Fall semester. May fulfill national diversity
requirement.
PSY 222 History and Systems in Psychology 3 Cr
A study of the major influences of philosophy and physiology on the
development of modern psychology. The purpose of this course is to
provide students with an education in the roots of psychology and
an appreciation for the contributions of the great schools of thought.
Prerequisite: PSY 105. Spring semester.
PSY 227 Child Psychology 3 Cr
A developmental approach to the cognitive, physical, and psycho-social
aspects of school-aged children. Each semester.
PSY 228 Adolescent Psychology 3 Cr
A developmental approach to the cognitive, physical, and psycho-social
aspects of adolescence. Each semester.
PSY/ED 229 Educational Psychology 3 Cr
A study of the psychological theories and principles that affect teaching
and learning in educational environments. The focus of this course is on
the theories and methods associated with the process of learning as well
as the application of this knowledge in a variety of classroom environments.
Twenty hours of exploratory in a public school classroom will
be required unless 20 hours of school exploratory was accomplished in
ED 102. Secondary students will observe at the fifth or sixth grade level.
Prerequisite: PSY 105 or PSY 227 or PSY 228. Each semester.
PSY 304 Theories and Practice in Counseling 3 Cr
This course is designed to introduce students to the theoretical models,
research findings, and practical techniques of counseling and psychotherapy.
Intended for students who plan to become counselors. Prerequisite:
PSY 105 and junior status. Spring semester.
PSY 305 Junior Seminar 1 Cr
This course meets once per week to discuss issues of importance to
those pursuing a career in psychology or related discipline. Topics will
include career exploration, preparations for the GRE, APA writing
style, graduate studies and schools, thesis projects, internships, and
more. Psychology students are required to attend and participate. Fall
semester.
PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology 3 Cr
An empirically oriented analysis of contemporary as well as historical
approaches to defining, explaining, and changing maladaptive human
behavior. This course focuses on those behavior patterns that impede
people from leading happy, meaningful, and productive lives. Prerequisite:
PSY 105. Fall semester.
PSY 307 Learning and Cognition 3 Cr
The course thoroughly covers principles and theories involved in the
complex learning process. Practical information for improving both
teaching and learning also are covered. The course exposes students to
both behaviorists and cognitive theorists. All students conduct learning
experiments during class and provide interpretation of results.
Fall semester.
PSY 308 Health Psychology 3 Cr
This course will provide an overview of the emerging field of health
psychology and its contributions to our health care systems. Biopsychological
approaches to health also will be examined. Course content
will emphasize human behaviors that contribute to illness and those
that facilitate health and well-being. Excellent elective course for those
majoring in nursing or studies in pre-medicine. Spring semester.
PSY 309 Research Methods I 4 Cr
This course provides skill training in descriptive, experimental and
quasi-experimental research methodologies. Descriptive methodologies
and data analyses include distributions, normative data analysis
and correlations. Experimental and quasi-experimental methodologies
include data analyses involving t-tests, one-way analysis of variance and
two-way analysis of variance for factorial designs. Emphasis is placed on
being able to determine the correct methodology and data analysis for
a given research question. In addition to developing critical analytical
skills students are required to complete a research project and submit it
written in APA style. Prerequisites: Junior status, psychology major and
MA 207. Fulfills writing intensive requirement. Spring semester.
PSY 310 Research Methods II 4 Cr
Building on skills acquired in Research Methods I, students will become
involved in the application of research methods in the following
domains: Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Personality
Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Community
Psychology, and Consumer Psychology. Students will critique and
redesign research strategies used in these domains. In addition, students
will complete a research project that requires either experimental or
quasi-experimental methodology and submit an APA write up on this
project. It is expected that students will strongly consider using this
course project as a pilot project for an honors thesis and/or submission
for publication. Prerequisites: PSY 309, senior status, psychology
major. Fulfills writing intensive requirement. Fall semester.
May fulfill writing intensive requirement.
PSY 311 Therories of Personality 3 Cr
This course explores the major theories of personality in terms of philosophy,
science, and application. Students will become acquainted
with a wide variety of theoretical approaches from the well known to
the less well known. Prerequisite: PSY 105. Fall semester.
PSY 320 Clinical Issues with Children and Adolescents 3 Cr
This course is designed to expose students to the fundamental issues
encountered inthe treatment of behavior problems and mental illness
in children and adolescents. The course will emphasize methods for
facilitating healthy change and will include relevant theory and research
in the field. Lecture will cover topics ranging from child protective services
interface to the use of psychotropic medications. Spring semester.
Prerequisites: PSY 203, PSY 227, PSY 228.
PSY 414 Physiological Psychology 4 Cr
This course is the first half of a year-long course in biopsychology. The
course is concerned with the history of the field; structure and function
of neurons, neural communication, neuroanatomy; and research
methods. A laboratory section includes films, computer simulations,
and sheep brain dissection. Prerequisite: BI 102 and senior status;
psychology major or consent of instructor. Fall semester.
PSY 416 Brain and Behavior 4 Cr
Building on information learned in PSY 414, students study the
physiological basis of reproductive, emotional, stress, communicative,
and ingestive behavior. Students also examine the biological aspects of
mental disorders, such as anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, and addictism.
This course is excellent preparation for graduate studies in psychology,
medicine, or allied health fields. The laboratory section includes short
projects in stress, films, field trips, and computer-guided learning tasks.
Prerequisite: PSY 414. Spring semester.
PSY 417-418 Psychology Practicum 1-3 Cr
PSY 425 Psychology Internship
A program that provides upper-division psychology students with
professionally supervised practical experience in the application of psychological
principles and techniques in the areas of counseling, teaching,
research, and community health. Prerequisites: Junior or senior status
and consent of the Psychology Department.Both semesters.
PSY 486 Readings, Research or Teaching 1-3 Cr
This is an individualized instruction course through which the student
engages in library and actual research on a topic designed in conjunction
with a psychology faculty member. The student must engage in
weekly conferences with the supervising faculty member and submit a
written document describing readings and research conducted. It may
also include working as a tutor for the general psychology course.