Psychology

PSYCH 101

Introduction to Psychology

3 credit hours

Course Types: GSOSC

Introduction to Psychology introduces the student to the scientific method as it is applied to the study of psychological processes and surveys theory and research in such areas as sensation and perception, conditioning and learning, motivation, emotion, human development, personality, psychopathology and other aspects of human behavior.

PSYCH 199

Lifespan Development

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Course Types: GSOSC,GERON

Lifespan Development is a survey of theory and research on development throughout the life span from conception to death. The course focuses on the physical, emotional, social and cognitive changes.

PSYCH 200

Child Development

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Course Types: GSOSC

Child Development is a study of the physical, psychological and social development of the individual from infancy through childhood.

PSYCH 201

Adolescent Development

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Adolescent Development examines the maturation, developmental tasks and difficulties which typically characterize adolescence and the transition to adulthood with the establishment of autonomy and adult life roles during the 20's.

PSYCH 204

Abnormal Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Abnormal Psychology is an introduction to the understanding of problematic behaviors, their development, symptoms, and suggestions for treatment.

PSYCH 206

Social Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Social Psychology focuses on principles, methods and applications of the study of the effects of people and the broader social environment on human behavior. Topics include social perception, social cognition, relationships, group processes and others.

PSYCH 224

Adulthood and Aging

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Course Types: GERON

Adulthood and Aging considers physical changes with aging, psychological and sociological theory and research concerned with the changes and developmental tasks characteristic of mature adulthood, middle age and aging.

PSYCH 232

Personality Theories

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Personality Theories covers representative theories and research from each of the major approaches to the study of personality: psychoanalytic, learning, cognitive, dispositional, humanistic, and intervention strategies derived from these approaches.

PSYCH 242

Stress Management

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Stress Management is an experiential course focusing on the sources and consequences of stress. Students learn how to cope with stress and are introduced to a wide range of stress-reduction techniques.

PSYCH 300

Statistics for the Social Sciences

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 MATH-112, MATH-135 or higher with a C or better

Statistics for the Social Sciences is an introduction to the basic concepts of and applications of descriptive (central tendency, variability, normal distribution, correlation) statistics and inferential (parametric and nonparametric) statistics. Students will test hypotheses via statistical software, such as IBM SPSS.

PSYCH 301

Research Methods

4 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 PSYCH-300 with a grade of a C or better

Research Methods is a comprehensive analysis of the design of experiments and the methods used in psychological research. Students will review published research findings and methods in major topic areas in experimental psychology. Laboratory work is included in this course.

PSYCH 303

Human Motivation

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Human Motivation focuses on the question of 'why do people do what they do?' The course involves exploration of biological, learned and cognitive factors influencing human behavior. Specific topics may include emotions, curiosity and exploration, achievement, aggression, addiction, stress, work and others.

PSYCH 311

Physiological Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Physiological Psychology is a study of the physiological and neurochemical correlates of perception, motivation, emotion and learning. Includes background information on the structure and physiology of the nervous system.

PSYCH 312

Perception

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Perception covers research on and theoretical formulations of the phenomena of perception. This will entail an in-depth analysis of the sensory systems, the various aspects of the environment they detect and the theories that have been developed to account for these phenomena.

PSYCH 313

Learning and Memory

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Learning and Memory examines experimental procedures, research data, and theories for such topics as learning, structure of knowledge, memory, retrieval, forgetting and others. Laboratory demonstrations and experimentation are included in this course.

PSYCH 315

Cognitive Psychology

3 to 4 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Cognitive Psychology examines human thought processes, primarily from the information-processing viewpoint. Topics include learning, memory, problem solving, pattern recognition, language, and artificial intelligence. Laboratory demonstrations are included in this course.

PSYCH 317

History of Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 and consent of instructor

History of Psychology is a study of the historical sources of contemporary psychology. Topics include a survey of major historical movements, such as structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, behaviorism, existential and phenomenological psychology and others. As the course fulfills the psychology degree capstone requirement, it is recommended that students have successfully completed many of their required psychology courses prior to enrollment.

PSYCH 319

Hormones and Behavior

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Hormones and Behavior is taught from a comparative perspective and includes examples of hormone-behavior interactions in a variety of organisms. Animal data will be related to human development, physiology and ultimately human behavior.

PSYCH 321

Children With Exceptionalities

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 PSYCH-200

Children With Exceptionalities is an introduction to the child with intellectual, communicative, physical or emotional disorders. The course focuses on the psychological experience and the educational/rehabilitation services available to such children.

PSYCH 323

Behavior Management

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Behavior Management is a study of theory and research in conditioning with particular attention to their applications to practical problems in a variety of settings such as psychotherapy, schools, family, hospitals, etc.

PSYCH 325

Individual and Group Therapy

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101, PSYCH-204 and P: PSYCH-199 or PSYCH-200 (RQ)

Individual and Group Therapy is designed to introduce students to theories and research in the area of counseling and psychotherapy, and to introduce intervention strategies and skills. Lectures and readings address theories of therapy. Experiential learning activities and counseling lab exercises promote interpersonal effectiveness in interactions with individuals and groups. Modules, addressing career awareness, diversity awareness, ethical decision-making and personal development are features of the course.

PSYCH 326

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 PSYCH-204 PSYCH-325 and consent of instructor

Introduction to Clinical Psychology will introduce students to basic aspects of clinical psychology and mental health service delivery. Students will participate in weekly discussions of relevant topics such as mental health career paths, psychological assessment, differential diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, case presentation, and ethics related to the provision of mental health care. As the course fulfills the psychology degree capstone requirement, it is recommended that students have successfully completed many of their required psychology courses prior to enrollment.

PSYCH 328

Psychology and Gender

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Psychology and Gender explores ways in which gender impacts upon human development and social experience. Physical, cognitive, social and emotional aspects of gender are considered. Psychological theories and research pertaining to gender development are discussed.

PSYCH 335

Sport Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Sport Psychology examines the interaction between psychological variables and performance in athletic and Physical activities. The American Psychological Association, Division 47 - Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology-contributes to the standards of this course. The objective of this course is to survey theories and practical skills that contribute to performance in sports.

PSYCH 340

Tests and Measurement

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 PSYCH-300

Tests and Measurements is an examination of the basic concepts and principles of measurement and evaluation in psychology and education. The course considers the uses and limitations of the major types of instruments commonly used in these disciplines.

PSYCH 341

Health Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Health Psychology is an interdisciplinary study of health and psychology. The primary emphasis of the course is a biopsychosocial one. Content includes the history and focus of health psychology, an examination of stress, its relation to illness, and methods for coping with and reducing it, physical and psychological pain, methods for managing and controlling it, and procedures to enhance health and prevent illness.

PSYCH 361

Special Topics in Psychology

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101

Special Topics in Psychology is a concentrated study of a special topic within the field of psychology. The subject matter of this course will vary depending on student interest and faculty resources.

PSYCH 390

Research Seminar

3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 PSYCH-300 PSYCH-301 and consent of instructor

Research Seminar will offer to senior students the option to explore and research a special topic in psychology within a small group setting. Each student will attempt to produce an advanced research paper, and present to their peers at the conclusion of the course. As the course fulfills the psychology degree capstone requirement, it is recommended that students have successfully completed many of their required psychology courses prior to enrollment. Enrollment is limited to 20 students, and preference given to students in their senior year.

PSYCH 391

Directed Research

1 to 3 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 and consent of instructor

Directed Research is designed to provide students with advanced experiences in research. Students may be engaged in any number of activities related to a research project with a faculty member. These activities could include collecting data, conducting literature searches, working with data, writing manuscripts, presenting project results, etc., as determined by the faculty member. These opportunities will take place at the individual level or in a small group setting.

PSYCH 399

Independent Study

1 to 6 credit hours

Pre-requisite: P (RQ) PSYCH-101 and consent of instructor

Independent Study is a student-initiated independent program of study or research experience.