Department of Psychology

Expanded Course Descriptions

PSY101 - Introduction to Psychology

Multiple sections offered. The course introduces psychology as a behavioral science, including consideration of characteristic research, theory, and applications. Examines such representative areas as perception, biopsychology, motivation, emotion, learning, memory, personality, testing, behavior disorders, psychotherapy, social processes, development, and cognition. Typically offered every semester. PSY101 is a prerequisite for all other psychology courses except PSY318, PSY335, and PSY382.

PSY201 - Personality

The course is designed to give the student a broad introduction to the study of personality. The field of personality focuses primarily on explaining individual differences in behavior. Personality, however, is not a concept that generates broad agreement in the field of psychology. Psychologists disagree over the definition of personality, over its theoretical assumptions, over the relative importance of the concept, and over the elements which constitute the framework for the personality of individuals. The dominant focus of the course, therefore, is on comparing and contrasting a number of the theories of personality that have emerged in psychology in the last century. Hopefully, the course will broaden the student's perception that behavior is multifaceted as well as emphasizing that there are a variety of options and possibilities for analyzing and evaluating individual differences. Each section is limited to twenty students. Typically offered every semester.

PSY203 - Great Experiments in Psychology

The creative history of psychology is explored in this course by closely examining the studies that have been most influential in shaping our concepts of behavior. The ongoing influence of these studies is illuminated by discussion of more recent investigations that have their roots in the original research. 

This required course will help the department provide students with a better understanding of empirical research early in their course of study. In the curriculum at present, PSY201-Personality, which is also required for the major, compares and contrasts a number of personality perspectives and theories. The course will complement the Personality course to provide a better overall understanding of the field of psychology in the first two years of study. Typically offered every semester.

PSY304 - Psychological Testing

Prerequisite: PSY321. Fundamental concepts of psychological testing, reliability, validity, regression, norms, standardization, item analysis, review of tests. Typically offered every spring.

PSY305 - Cognitive Psychology

Included are theory and research considerations of sensory, short-term and long-term memory, and information processing. Class includes laboratory exercises to illustrate basic processes. Typically offered every semester.

PSY312 - Abnormal Psychology

Prerequisite: PSY201 or equivalent. Theory and research related to the diagnosis and treatment of psychopathological behavior. The course includes recent approaches such as the DSM-IV. It considers physiological, behavioral, social, and cognitive perspectives and includes content in human sexuality theory and sexual disorders. Typically offered every semester.

PSY313 - Child Psychology

This course is an introduction to the field of developmental psychology. It concerns the psychological development of normal children and is organized into three major sections: infancy, cognitive development, and social development. The following topics are discussed: the history, research methods, and major theories of the field of child psychology; genetic and prenatal influences on children's behavior; childbirth, infancy, and the effects of early experience on children's development; intelligence and theories of intellectual and language development in children; the attachment relationship and the family; moral development; and behavior disorders in children. Typically offered every semester.

PSY318 - Human Sexuality

The course provides an overview of the psychological and physiological factors related to human sexual and reproductive behavior. The student will become acquainted with contemporary research findings and theory in the area and will have the opportunity to obtain factual information and assistance in developing a clear perspective on human sexuality. Typically offered every semester.

PSY321 - Behavioral Statistics

Measurement and statistical concepts in behavioral research. Measurement scales, data organization, central tendency, variability, standard scores, probability, normal distribution, Z, t-test, F-ratio, one and two factor Anova, chi square, r, rho. Appropriate applications are emphasized. Using SPSS is included. Typically offered every semester.

PSY322 - Research Methods

Prerequisite: PSY321. Introduction to scientific method and psychology as a science. Hypotheses and hypothesis testing, research designs and data collection methods, internal and external validity. Laboratory exercises are used to illustrate the appropriate application of methods and to provide data for analysis and written reports. Proper APA style for reporting of research is emphasized. Typically offered every semester.

PSY323 - Senior Project

Prerequisite: PSY322. The course begins with the revision and refinement of a research proposal. Pilot studies are carried out, analyzed, and presented. Use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences is reviewed. Final project is carried out, analyzed, and reported in APA style. The class ordinarily meets as a group only a few times; most contact with the instructor is in individual conferences. Typically offered every semester.

PSY333 - Social Psychology

The course is designed to introduce the student to the field of social psychology. People are social beings, and that fact has major implications not only for the way we structure and organize ourselves into societies but also, and more important from a social psychological perspective, for how we behave as individuals. Therefore, the major focus of social psychology is an examination of how the presence of others, real or implied, affects the behavior of the individual. The subject matter of the course is divided into four broad discussion units. Research Methodology looks at the experimental techniques used to collect and interpret social psychological data. Social Thinking focuses on how social beliefs, social perceptions, and attitudes impact our behavior and vice versa. Social Influence addresses the issues of cultural influences, conformity, persuasion, group dynamics, and the application of social psychology to a number of issues of law. Social Relations focuses on the operation and consequences of prejudice,  aggression, attraction, and altruism as well as on how these issues may play a role in the management of social conflict. Hopefully, the course will increase the student's appreciation of the potential power of social forces in determining behavior. Typically offered every semester.

PSY335 - Group Dynamics: The Psychology of Interaction in Small Groups

This course is unusual in its format. After the first day, each meeting of the class will be as a self-observational group in which each member of the group assumes responsibility for observing and building a shared understanding of the processes occurring within the group. Recordings of each meeting will be available to members of the group for review and analysis. In readings and assignments, students will be introduced to a number of theoretical perspectives and observational methods useful in understanding group process. A student interested in taking the course should first obtain a copy of the syllabus from the secretary in the Department Office and read it carefully. After that, he or she should see the instructor to discuss any further questions and/or get written permission to register for the course. No more than fifteen students will be accepted. Typically offered every spring.

PSY345 - Health Psychology

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This course explores the contributions of psychology to the understanding, prevention, and treatment of health problems. Several guest speakers, including physicians and hospital administrators, will discuss the most serious medical challenges they face and the opportunities these challenges present for psychologists. Once students have learned about the major issues and methods in health psychology/behavioral medicine, they will have the opportunity to design and implement wellness/illness prevention programs in community and work settings. Typically offered every fall.

PSY348 - Drugs & Behavior

This seminar is designed to provide students with information about the psychological aspects of neuroactive drugs in relation to mind and behavior. The course begins with a basic overview of neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuroanatomy before exploring the history and biological actions of the major classes of psychoactive drugs.

PSY382 - Biological Psychology

Prerequisite: By101-102 or Permission of Instructor. Physiological and neurological processes associated with learning, cognitive processes, emotion, conscious states, abnormal behavior, motivation, and perception. Typically offered every semester.

PSY390 - Special Topics in Psychology

A lecture/discussion course designed to enhance the curriculum by allowing students an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding in a specialized topic within their field of study. Topics studied will vary and may include specific theoreticians, distinctive theoretical perspectives, or particular topics of research.

PSY413 - Childhood Behavior Disorders

Prerequisite: PSY313 and senior status. Developmental and behavioral problems of children and adolescents and the clinical methods for assessing, treating, and preventing these problems. Autism, childhood schizophrenia, learning disabilities, mental retardation, hyperactivity, eating disorders, childhood depression, and other disorders are included. Typically offered every spring.

PSY416 - Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Prerequisite: PSY201. Introduction to basic assumptions, objectives, theories, and skills involved in the treatment and prevention of individual problems and the analysis of effects of social change on quality of life. Typically offered every spring.

PSY470E - Internship I: Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology

May be used to meet the Ethical Decision-making requirement for the general education program. Prerequisites: (a) junior or senior standing, (b) at least 18 hours of course work in psychology, including at least two courses directly relevant to the work to be done in the internship component of the course, (c) written approval by the supervising agency, (d) written permission from the PSY470E instructor. The course is designed to give students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ethical and professional issues central to the field, to clarify and focus their professional intentions, and to obtain experience useful in pursuing further vocational and educational opportunities. As part of the course work, students complete 80-100 hours of work in an approved internship setting. The course is graded and may be used toward the minimum requirements for a psychology major. A course syllabus and additional information about internship placement opportunities can be obtained from the secretary in the Psychology Department Office. Typically offered every semester.

PSY471 - Internship II

Prerequisites: (a) PSY470E, (b) at least two courses directly relevant to the work to be done in the internship, (c) written approval by the supervising agency, (d) written permission from the PSY471 instructor. Students do 100-120 hours of work in an approved internship setting and complete a journal. The course is graded pass/fail and may not be used toward the minimum requirements for the psychology major. A course syllabus and additional information about internship placement opportunities can be obtained from the secretary in the Psychology Department Office. Typically offered every semester.

PSY485,486 - Independent Study (1-3 hours)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Independent studies are intended to provide an opportunity for students with strong interest and initiative to pursue the study of topics which are not part of the regular course offerings. They are arranged by mutual agreement between faculty member and student. Before agreeing to supervise an independent study, ordinarily a faculty member will ask the student to present a clear, written proposal for the work to be completed.

Courses Meeting the Computer Science Requirement for Psychology Majors

Either of the following two courses will meet the computer science requirement for Psychology majors:

MIS191 - Introduction to Information Technology

Multiple sections offered. Taught in the Business School but taken by many Arts and Sciences majors, this course is designed to give an overview of business computers and information processing. The course provides the student with the principles of information systems and experience with micro-computer applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, and database management systems. This course presupposes less previous experience with computers and is more of a "how to" course than the other course described immediately below. Typically offered every semester.

CS101 - Introduction to Computer Science

An introduction to computer science and structured programming in a high-level language. The course is primarily designed for students who will be taking more than one course in computer science, especially computer science majors and minors. It concentrates on Java programming, with numerous programming assignments, and requires the commitment of quite a bit of time to write and debug the programs. It can be very frustrating. On the more positive side, it calls for the exercise of analytical thinking and attention to detail, useful skills in many areas. This course is substantially more difficult and sophisticated than the one listed immediately above. Typically offered every semester.