Psychology Course Descriptions

Faculty | Major | Minor | Course Descriptions | Other Departments

PSYC 201   General Psychology  3 Credit Hours
Elective for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
An introduction to the scientific study of behavior; emphasis upon experimental investigation of such fields as perception, motivation, learning, emotions, physiology, and personality.

PSYC 202   Developmental Psychology    3 Credit Hours
A study of the development of the individual from prenatal to senescent stages, emphasizing growth in intelligence, motor behavior, perception, cognition, socialization, and emotion. Empirical findings and theoretical interpretations in the study of human behavior will be explored.

PSYC 203   Research Design in Psychology    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics used in psychological experimentation. Particular emphasis is placed upon hypothesis testing by means of the t-test and randomized designs of the analysis of variance.

PSYC 209   Psychology of Individual Behavior    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Freshman mathematics sequence.
This course introduces students to the methodology of the social sciences. From a basic psychometric and experimental foundation, students will learn scholarly search strategies through CD-ROM databases and print indices. Reading, writing, and oral communication will be emphasized as students become better consumers of social scientific knowledge. The quest for knowledge about the human experience will be discussed within the context of scientific ethics. PSYC 209 meets the Social Science Core course requirement. Not open to psychology majors.

PSYC 301   Experimental Psychology: Methodology and Programming   4 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 203
This course introduces students to the methods of scientific inquiry used by psychologists. Students will learn how to design studies and how to analyze data using computer programs. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and clear communication.

PSYC 302   Physiological Psychology    4 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 301
This course introduces students to the biological bases of behavior through classic didactics and through exemplary readings in physiological experimentation. Students will develop and demonstrate a range of research skills.

PSYC 304   Abnormal Psychology   3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
A study of fundamental theory and research in the area of abnormal behavior. Emphasis is on symptoms, etiology, and treatment of psychopathology and behavior problems.

PSYC 305   Social Psychology   3 Credit Hours
A study of the individual in relation to his social environment with special attention to group behavior, communication, conformity, leadership, aggression, and interpersonal attraction.

PSYC 306   Theories of Personality   3 Credit Hours
A study of major contemporary theories of personality with special emphasis on the biological and psychological foundations and integrative aspects of personality.

PSYC 402   Cognitive Psychology   3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
This course surveys the theoretical and empirical work in the area of cognitive psychology. Topics include pattern recognition, attention, memory, problem solving, and comprehension. Students will become familiar with models of cognition through didactics and experiential exercises.

PSYC 403   Psychology of Learning    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
A comprehensive and critical review of the experimental literature in the area of learning and motivation, including the major learning theories and the motivational determinants of behavior.

PSYC 404   Industrial/Organizational Psychology    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
Application of psychological principles to the world of work. Specific topics include concepts of work, job satisfaction, personnel selection, performance appraisal, human engineering, leadership, and organizational behavior.

PSYC 405   History and Systems of Psychology    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
Historical survey of psychology, emphasizing contributions of major "schools" of psychology, theories, their place in science, and current theoretical trends.

PSYC 407   Psychological Testing   3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209
A survey of the theory and principles of psychological testing, demonstration and discussion of representative tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interests, and personality.

PSYC 410   Advanced Psychological Study    3 Credit Hours
Required of all senior psychology majors; open to others with the permission of the instructor.
A study of selected critical issues in contemporary psychology, encompassing the various aspects of the discipline. Special emphasis will be given to integrating concepts, principles, and skills learned from earlier courses and related disciplines.

PSYC 418   Internship in Psychology    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Permission of department head
Internships providing student observation and participation in a psychologically oriented activity may be periodically offered to combine academic training with professional experience. Students will be expected to relate internship experiences to the psychological literature.

PSYC 420   Research Project   3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: approval of department head
An independent research project culminating in a formal paper. Required of students planning graduate study and recommended for others. Approval for enrollment based on capability of applicant and the acceptance of a written proposal.

PSYC 463   Special Topics in Psychology    3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: PSYC 201 or PSYC 209 and permission of department head
This course is designed to focus on a current problem, technique, or theory in the field of psychology.
The curriculum for the psychology major is based on a classic liberal education model in the field. Required courses provide a solid foundation, preparing students for graduate education or entry level employment. The field of psychology is much more diverse than can be fully reflected in our required curriculum, yet limited resources make a full slate of elective courses in psychology impossible. Through a single special topics course, the department can offer (on at least a bi-annual basis) courses that will expose students to the frontiers of the field while we maintain a focus on the mainstream of psychology through required courses. Non-majors, who have at least surveyed the field through PSYC 201 or who have been introduced to the social scientific process through PSYC 209, may also round out their curriculum with this course as a non-departmental elective.