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Psychology Course Descriptions

Psychology Course Descriptions                          

Psychology 101 or HNRS/INQ 260-PY serve as prerequisites for all other courses in the department. Some courses have additional prerequisites, which are indicated in the course descriptions that follow.

101 Introduction to Psychology
An overview of the field of psychology with an emphasis on basic processes in human behavior. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

106 Research Experience
Directed experience conducting empirical research under the supervision of a faculty member.  Open to all students (majors and non-majors). (1/4) Prerequisite: Written application approved by the department. May be repeated for credit. 

110 Pursuing Your Purpose
The goal of this course is to help you identify your vocation, as well as inform you of the resources available to you within the psychology department and across the college, as you find your niche and prepare yourself for post-graduation success. To promote your exploration in finding your vocation, this course will also have a community-based learning component. This course is primarily for psychology majors - ideally at the sophomore level - or those who are considering changing their major to psychology. This course will be graded on a pass-fail basis. (1/2) Lecture: 1.5 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: none.

ROA 112 Pursuing Effective Leadership 
A combination of study, self-reflection, and practical experience on being an effective leader. This course will have a community-based learning component and is open to students of all majors. This course will be graded on a pass-fail basis. (1/2) Lecture: 1.5 hrs/wk.

202 Research Methods in Psychology
An examination of the research methods used in the fields of psychology. Topics include introductions to and evaluations of observational, relational and experimental research methods and designs.  Ethics and research, communication and research, the development of research ideas and the reliability and validity of research are also examined.  (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.  Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

204 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
An examination of techniques used by psychologists to measure behavior and to analyze and interpret the data.  The course includes an introduction to computer data analysis through a laboratory component. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 1.5 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

221 Developmental Psychology
An examination of development of the individual across the lifespan (i.e., from conception until death). (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

231 Biological Psychology
An overview of general principles and areas of research of biological psychology. Topics covered include neuronal functioning, how aspects of human behavior are controlled by the brain, and basic research techniques in biological psychology. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

241 Cognitive Psychology
An examination of the research and theory of complex cognitive processes. Topics covered include attention, perception, memory, language, problem solving, and reasoning. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

251 Social Psychology
A study of the influence of people on each other's behavior, including social influence and social interaction. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

306 Research Practicum
Directed study and empirical experience under the supervision of a faculty member. (1) Prerequisite: Written application approved by the department.  May be repeated for credit. 

311, 312 Independent Study (Literature Review)
Extensive literature review, with faculty supervision. (1/2, 1) Prerequisite: Written proposal and application approved by the department. 

315 Internship
Practical experience in a setting in which psychology is applied. (1/2) Prerequisite: Written application approved by the department. May be repeated for credit. This course will be graded on a pass-fail basis. Prerequisite: none.

316, 317 Internship
Practical experience in a setting in which psychology is applied. Placements in mental health facilities and other community agencies and institutions. Seminar on relevant topics. (One unit may be counted as an elective in the major). (1, 1) Prerequisite: Written application approved by the department. Prerequisite: none.

319 Special Topics in Psychology
A course offered in various formats, designed to give students instruction in a subject not regularly offered. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.  May be repeated for credit.

321 Child Development
An examination of development of the individual from conception to puberty. (1) Lecture: 3hrs/wk. PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

322 Adolescent Development
An examination of development of the individual from puberty to early adulthood. (1). Lecture: 3hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

323 Adult Development and Aging
 An examination of development of the individual from early adulthood to old age. (1) Lecture: 3hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

327 Interpersonal Relationships
This course will examine the current theories and research related to interpersonal relationships. Specifically, we will study family, peer, and intimate relationships. The focus of this course will be on dyadic relationships, but some attention will also be given to triadic and group relationships (e.g., family as a whole or peers in school/work setting). (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission. 

328 Developmental Disabilities
Evidence-based information about developmental disabilities will be presented and discussed, including epidemiology, etiology, diagnoses, risk factors, prevention, treatment, systems of care, and philosophical, ethical, and legal issues. Lecture: (1) 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

329 Topics in Developmental Psychology
A thorough examination of a particular topic within the domain of human development that is not covered extensively in other regularly offered courses. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.  May be repeated for credit.

330 Principles of Neuroscience
This course will provide a detailed understanding of neurons and the functional role of different aspects of the human nervous system.  A survey of topic areas relevant to psychology and neuroscience related disciplines and an introduction to techniques in neuroscience will also be included. (Cross-listed with NEUR 330). (1)  Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or BIOL 190 or permission.  

332 Drugs and Behavior
An examination of the mechanisms of actions, uses, effects and abuse liability of a range of drugs.  Both therapeutic drugs (such as antidepressants and antipsychotics) and recreational drugs (such as alcohol, stimulants and marijuana) will be addressed. (1) Lecture 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or PSYC 330.  

335 Neuropsychology
Examines the field of neuropsychology through the examination of common disorders found in neuropsychology, assessment techniques, and the application of knowledge of the relevant concepts to the interpretation and solution of disorders of brain-behavior relationships. (Cross-listed with NEUR 335). (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: NEUR/PSYC 330 or permission.   

336 Sensation and Perception 
Study of the functionality of the different senses and how perception arises within the human brain. (1) Lecture: 3 hr/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or NEUR 330.   

339 Topics in Biological Psychology
A thorough examination of a particular topic within the domain of biological psychology that is not covered extensively in other regularly offered courses. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission. May be repeated for credit.

341 Human Memory
Examines the principles of memory processes, classic and contemporary theories, and methods of research. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs./wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

342 Learning  
Principles of learning processes, classic and contemporary theories, and methods of research. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.  Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.   

343 Judgment and Decision Making
Examines human judgment and decision-making, using both theory and empirical research
drawn from a wide array of disciplines, including social and cognitive psychology,
economics, philosophy, and statistics. The course particularly explores the discrepancy
between how decisions should be made and how they are actually made. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs./wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission. 

344 Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving
An introduction to creative thinking and creative problem solving, including definitions, theories, and strategies of creative thinking and problem-solving, as well as assessment and research on creativity and the creative process. (1) Lecture: 3hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

349 Topics in Cognitive Psychology
A thorough examination of a particular topic within the domain of cognitive psychology that is not covered extensively in other regularly offered courses. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.  May be repeated for credit. 

351 Personality
Theories of personality, applications, and extensions of these theories, current research on individual differences, and methods and issues in personality measurement. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

352 Self & Identity
Who am I? How are we different from other animals? Do we have free will? How can we change ourselves? In this course, we will examine the amazing powers of the conscious mind including mind-reading and time travel. Topics will include self-esteem, the social self, personality, identity, and cross-cultural differences in how we think about ourselves. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs./wk.Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

354 Evolutionary Psychology 
An examination of the human mind as a set of evolved adaptations shaped to address challenges of survival and reproduction, such as avoiding disease and predators, finding a mate, raising children, and living in social groups. The course emphasizes the most current empirical literature connecting evolutionary principles to human psychology.​ (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.  

355 Cross-cultural Psychology
The study of human behavior and mental processes, including both differences and consistencies, across different cultures.  The aim is to examine systematic relations between cultural factors and behavior, as well as the generalizability of psychological principles across cultures. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

359 Topics in Social-Personality Psychology
A thorough examination of a particular topic within the domain of social-personality psychology that is not covered extensively in other regularly offered courses. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ260PY or permission. May be repeated for credit.  

381 Abnormal Psychology
A study of individual psychopathology and deviant behavior, including diagnosis, theories, causes, and treatments. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

382 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
An overview of industrial-organizational psychology including current research on individual behavior in complex organizations. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

383 Counseling Psychology
An exploration of several of the most important theories of and approaches to counseling and psychotherapy, including a description of skills, strategies, and techniques. Attention is also given to efficacy and effectiveness of counseling and therapy, the nature of training and education of helping professionals, and ethics in the helping professions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs./wk. PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

384 Clinical Psychology 
This course is designed to acquaint you with the field of clinical psychology. Over the course of the semester, you will learn the history of clinical psychology, the specific research methods used in mental health research, the assessment of psychological constructs, the diagnosis of psychological disorders, and the theories and intervention techniques used to treat individuals with psychological distress. You will leave this course with a practical knowledge of the psychologist as clinician, researcher, consultant, and public health advocate. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 2 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or HNRS/INQ 260PY or permission.

390 History of Psychology
Examines the major philosophical and scientific trends that led to the establishment of scientific psychology, as well as the early paradigms and systems that helped shape modern psychology. Ideally taken during the Junior year, this course also includes a careers component focused on preparing students for entering graduate school and/or the job market. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisites: Three or more PSYC courses or permission.  

402 Pursuing Research Publication 
A combination of study, self-reflection, and practical experience on writing effectively for publication in psychology research journals. (1/2) Lecture: 1.5 hrs/wk.

405, 406, 407 Independent Study
Empirical research project, with faculty supervision. (1/2, 1, 1/2) Prerequisite: Written proposal and application approved by department.  

410 Research Seminar: Psychology
An advanced, research-oriented seminar where students in small groups propose and carry out an empirically based research study. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisites: PSYC 202, PSYC 204 and one 300 level PSYC course. May be repeated for credit.   

415 Tests and Measurements
Principles and methods of psychological measurement and test construction, with consideration of administration and psychometric evaluation of representative tests. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisites: PSYC 202, PSYC 204 and one 300 level PSYC course or permission.  

430 Research Seminar: Neuroscience
An advanced, research-oriented seminar in human, invertebrate, or computational neuroscience. (Cross-listed with NEUR 430). (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: PSYC/NEUR 330 or permission.

495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance. (1/2, 1, 1/2) Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. At least 1 unit of Independent Study (311, 312, 405, 406, or 407) is a prerequisite to 495, 496, and 497.