Courses are subject to rotation. Please refer to the current Academic Bulletin for the most updated list of course descriptions for this major.
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course is an introduction to the scientific discipline of psychology. Several areas of the field will be covered, including physiological psychology, cognition, development, social psychology, abnormal psychology and therapy. Offered every semester.
PSY 201 Human Development
3 Semester Credit Hours
A study of the physical, cognitive and psychological changes that take place throughout the life cycle – from conception to death. Developmental theory will be applied to parenting, education, marriage, career planning and other practical matters. Offered every semester.
PSY 301 Personality Theories
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course examines several major personality theories as well as how certain theories have led to the development of specific personality assessments. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 201. Offered every Fall.
PSY 303 Social Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
Social psychology is the scientific study of the way people think about, feel about and act toward others. This course emphasizes the role of situations (as opposed to
personalities) in producing aggression, helpfulness, attraction, conformity and other social phenomena. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 201. Offered every Spring.
PSY 304 Psychological Testing
3 Semester Credit Hours
An overview of the major tests: intelligence, achievement, personality, etc. Students will learn psychometric theory (criteria used to judge tests) and will discuss relevant issues in assessment. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and IDS 202. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 305 Physiological Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course provides an overview of the cells of the nervous system, how these cells are organized in the nervous system, and how they process and transmit information. Specific topics include brain development, brain damage, and the physiological bases of reproductive behavior, movement, learning, memory, psychological disorders, and degenerative diseases. Prerequisite: PSY 101or BIO 113/114. Offered every Fall.
PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
An analysis of the causes, symptoms and treatment of psychopathology-including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 301. Offered every Spring.
PSY 307 Learning Theories
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course investigates the mechanisms of major types of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning theory. Material will emphasize the role of animal research in this area and include applications to human learning and problems. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 201. Offered every Spring.
PSY 309 Counseling Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
An introduction to counseling with a study of the major theoretical approaches to psychotherapy. Students will also develop basic counseling skills and will analyze counseling research. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 301. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 310 Sensation and Perception
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course provides an introduction to the basic principles underlying sensory and perceptual processes, with special emphasis on vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Prerequisite: PSY 101. Offered every Spring.
PSY 311 Animal Behavior
3 Semester Credit Hours
An in-depth look at the biological and psychological mechanisms that explain why and how animals behave as they do. Course will focus on many important topics in the field, including foraging, predator avoidance/defense, mating, habitat selection, learning, social behavior, cultural transmission, and communication. Cross-listed ZOO 311. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or BIO 123/124. Offered Fall of even-numbered years.
PSY 312 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course will apply psychological theory and research to the workplace. Among other topics, course content includes the attitudes and behaviors of employees and employers, motivation, leadership, organizational structure and culture, and employee selection. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 301. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 313 Cognitive Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
Cognitive psychology is the study of mental processes. Specific topics that are included in this course are memory, attention processes, problem solving, language, and creativity. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 201. Offered every Fall.
PSY 314 An Aging Society
3 Semester Credit Hours
This interdisciplinary course explores the physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 201. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 317 Psychology of Leadership
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course will provide students with a deeper understanding of leadership. They will learn the psychological dynamics of leadership – why some individuals lead, how they lead, and why people follow them. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 318 History and Systems in Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course explores the historical development of psychology, including the influences of ancient philosophical viewpoints. The course emphasizes the events beginning in the 18th century to the present and how they have impacted modern psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 301. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 319 Motivation and Emotion
3 Semester Credit Hours
An introduction to the basic principles underlying motivation and emotion, with special emphasis on the behaviors that enable us to meet our bodies’ needs (eating, drinking, sleeping, reproductive behavior) or to avoid potentially harmful situations (fear, anxiety, stress, aggression). Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 301. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 320 Drug Use and Abuse
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course surveys the pharmacological, behavioral and psychological effects of some of the most commonly used and abused drugs in modern society. Societal, clinical, and health effects of drug use and abuse are also addressed. Cross- listed with PEH 320. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or BIO 223. Offered Fall of even-numbered years.
PSY 321 Forensic Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course will examine one of psychology’s newer specialty areas: forensic psychology. The course will provide an overview of the many interactions between psychology and the law. Students will learn about forensic psychology as a career path and about psychological assessment as it is applied in the legal system. The course will also focus on forensic evaluations re: civil commitments, competency to stand trial, and criminal responsibility (insanity defense) as well as psychological and psychiatric testimony and the limitations of psychological expertise in the legal system. Cross-listed with CJC 325. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 301. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 322 Health Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
This course focuses on psychological influences on human health. Cognitive, behavioral, social and cultural influences are explored, along with the role of the nervous system and endocrine system in health. The course will also address how psychologists trained in health psychology work to improve patient health by changing unhealthy thoughts and habits. The topics covered will include stress, pain, drug use, exercise, nutrition and doctor-patient interactions. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or BIO 223. Offered Spring of even-numbered years.
PSY 325 Adolescent Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
A study of the biological, cognitive, social, emotional and psychological changes that accompany development during the adolescent period. Adolescence will be viewed in the contexts of families, schools, peers and culture. There will also be a focus on contemporary adolescent issues, including health and psychopathology. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 201. Offered every Spring.
PSY 330 Practicum in Psychology
2-3 Semester Credit Hours
Field work in a community agency or other organization under the supervision of professionals. Regular meetings, projects and reports may be required as specified by instructor. This course may be repeated, but no more than 6 hours of credit earned in PSY 330 may be applied toward major requirements or minimum degree requirements. Prerequisite: Junior status and consent of the instructor, 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 GPA in the major.
PSY 350 Topics in Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
Various topics in psychology will be taught on a rotating basis, in response to student/faculty needs and interests. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or consent of the instructor. This course may be repeated with different topics, but no more than 6 hours of credit earned in PSY 350 may be applied toward major requirements or minimum degree requirements.
PSY 390 Psychology Directed Student Research
1-3 Semester Hours
An opportunity for psychology students to carry out hands-on research under the direction of a psychology faculty member. Students must complete a program statement of intention prior to registration. Prerequisite: 3.0 cumulative GPA, Instructor approval and Psychology Program Director approval.
PSY 403 Senior Seminar
3 Semester Credit Hours
A capstone course that incorporates in-depth analyses of selected topics and current issues in psychology and encourages students to synthesize information learned inprevious psychology courses. Students will prepare and present a report as a requirement for this course. Prerequisite: Senior psychology majors or consent of the instructor. Offered every Fall.
PSY 430 Independent Study in Psychology
1-3 Semester Credit Hours
An individual exploration of a specific topic in psychology that will culminate in a major paper. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification and consent of the instructor, 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 GPA in the major.
PSY 450 Advanced Research in Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
Students will devise, conduct and report advanced psychological research. Prerequisites: IDS 202, IDS 203, majors only. Offered on an irregular basis.
PSY 460 Advanced Child Psychology
3 Semester Credit Hours
An in-depth topical examination of how children develop, physically, cognitively, and psychosocially. Attention is focused on factors in personality, emotional, and intellectual development. Current research in child psychology will be reviewed with an emphasis on applications of child psychological research to parenting and education. This class will address many controversial issues in infancy and childhood. Prerequisite: PSY 201 or consent of instructor. Offered on an irregular basis.