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Course Descriptions : PSY — Psychology

PSY — Psychology

PSY 120 Principles of Psychology (3)

Surveys psychology as a science and applied discipline, including research methods, statistics, learning, motivation, sensation, perception, intelligence, personality and physiological, developmental, social and abnormal psychology. (LAC, gtP)

PSY 200 Psychological Statistics and Design (3)

(3 lecture) Prerequisite: PSY 120 and LAC Math Course (MATH 120 or MATH 124 suggested). Majors only. Covers basic statistical analysis procedures. Emphasizes descriptive and inferential statistics as well as computer applications for data manipulation.

PSY 230 Human Growth and Development (3)

Introduction to the science of developmental psychology. Study basic concepts and issues related to cognitive, socioemotional and physical development from conception through senescence. (LAC, gtP)

PSY 255 Abnormal Psychology (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Study abnormal behavior: causes, symptoms, characteristics, classification, prevention and treatment.

PSY 265 Social Psychology (3)

Survey major areas of social psychology, discussing nature of and factors involved in human social behavior, impression management, prosocial behavior, aggression, conformity, obedience to authority, attitude change and interpersonal attraction. (LAC, gtP)

PSY 271 Psychological Testing and Measurements (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Receive an introduction to psychological test theory, interpretation of results, group and individual tests (cognitive, affective and psychomotor), reliability, validity and standardization procedures.

PSY 300 Research Methods in Psychology (3)

(3 lecture, 0 laboratory) Prerequisites: PSY 120, PSY 200. This class and required lab afford all psychology majors the opportunity to learn the foundations of research methodology, design, and analysis.

PSY 323 Health Psychology (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Explore psychological factors in maintenance of wellness, treatment of illnesses and recovery from or adjustment to ongoing health problems. Study theory, research methods and clinical applications in health psychology.

PSY 330 Child and Adolescent Psychology (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 230. Focus on human development from conception through adolescence, particularly physical, cognitive and socioemotional development. Learn research methods for studying developmental processes.

PSY 331 Maturity and Aging (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 230. Explore physical, cognitive and socioemotional variables related to adult development encompassing an age range from 20 to over 100. Emphasis in learning various research methods.

PSY 341 Principles of Learning (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Explore principles of classical and operant conditioning. Understand principles as the basis for concept learning, problem-solving, information processing and memory. Emphasis on human behavior in everyday life.

PSY 347 Educational Psychology for Elementary Teachers (3)

Prerequisites: IDLA major and cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Study the relationships between theory, research, and practice in learning, memory, child development, motivation, and educational assessment for elementary classroom settings.

PSY 349 Educational Psychology for Secondary Teachers (3)

Prerequisites: EDFE 110 or EDFE 120 or EDFE 125 and cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Study the application of principles derived from research on learning, memory, adolescent development, motivation, and educational assessment and measurement to secondary classroom settings.

PSY 350 Theories of Personality (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Study psychological theories and research methods used to explain personality development and functioning including psychoanalytic, neopsychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic and type-trait theories.

PSY 365 Psychology and the Law (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 265 or SOC 332. Examine social psychological theories and methods related to the legal system issues e.g., jury selection, eyewitness testimony, and death penalty cases.

PSY 366 Industrial Psychology (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120.Discover basic methods employed by psychologists in selection, placement, training and motivation of industrial personnel. Examine psychological factors influencing morale, production and job satisfaction.

PSY 375 Sensation and Perception (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Laboratory arranged. Survey of how humans perceive the world through vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Examine physiological mechanisms, sensory processes, development, and theories of perception for each sensory modality.

PSY 380 Introduction to Physiological Psychology (3)

Prerequisites: PSY 120, Introduction to BIO/ZOO or equivalent. This class is designed to give students an introduction to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology while stressing the functional relationship between the nervous system and behavior.

PSY 401 Advanced Research Methods (3)

Prerequisite: Prerequisites: PSY 300, Majors Only, Juniors or above, and 3.0 GPA and above. This class will cover advanced topics in research methods and statistical techniques, including multi-factor designs and statistical analyses, post-hoc tests, qualitative research, and advanced topics in research ethics. Each student will conduct a literature review, design a research study, collect/analyze data, and report results consistent with A.P.A. style in written and oral form.

PSY 407 Introduction to Counseling Theories (3)

Prerequisite: Prerequisites: PSY 350, Majors Only. Juniors or above and 3.0 GPA and above. Survey current theoretical approaches with individuals and groups. Not intended as training in counseling approaches, but as basis for future study.

PSY 422 Directed Studies (1-3)

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.) Repeatable, maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

PSY 430 Developmental Disabilities and Psychopathology (3)

Prerequisites: PSY 230. Juniors and above. 3.0 GPA or higher. This course will examine the major categories of disability (e.g., mental retardation, learning disability, autism) and psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression) that can be diagnosed during childhood and adolescence.

PSY 440 Cognition (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Explore human cognition by examining perception, attention, memory, intelligence, problem and cognitive development. Become familiar with neural bases of cognition, theoretical perspectives and research methods.

PSY 443 Motivation (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Investigate motivational concepts and related research: drive, goals, direction, incentive, reinforcement, external stimulation, emotion, homeostasis, biological aspects, instinct and self-actualization.

PSY 460 Clinical Psychology (3)

Prerequisites: PSY 120 and PSY 255. Majors only. Juniors or above. 3.0 GPA or above. Examine roles and skills required of a clinical psychologist including ethics, multicultural issues, limitations, and skills.

PSY 467 Psychology of Prejudice (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Understand basic causes of prejudice and how prejudicial behavior is learned and diminished. Experience increased understanding of others.

PSY 475 Evolution and Behavior (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120, Juniors and above. 3.0 GPA or above. This course surveys the field of evolutionary psychology, focusing on theories that attempt to explain human behavior in terms of evolution and natural selection.

PSY 481 Advanced Physiological Psychology (3)

Prerequisites: PSY 380, Majors only, Juniors or above and 3.0 GPA or above. This class and required zero credit lab investigates higher-order physiological processing of the nervous system through lecture and experiential learning activities. Topics may include the sensory systems, sleep, reproductive behavior, emotion, learning, memory, and/or human communication.

PSY 482 Behavioral Genetics (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Majors only. Juniors and above. 3.0 GPA and above. Introductory genetics course recommended. Consider genetic basis of behavior in humans and animals, contemporary issues, including genetic counseling, eugenics, intelligence and genetic correlates of psychopathology.

PSY 491 Psychology Field Experience (1‑6)

Prerequisite: PSY 120. Juniors and above. Majors only and consent of instructor. Get full or part-time experience working with professionals in psychology, for one or more semesters. Make arrangements with instructor and supervisor during semester before registration. S/U graded. Repeatable, maximum of six credits.

PSY 492 Instructional Aide (1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Assist in instructional tasks under the direct supervision of a faculty member. S/U graded, repeatable, maximum of six credits.

PSY 493 Practicum in Psychology (1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and school director. Assist psychology faculty with research or laboratory; 38 clock hours per credit hour. Maximum of four (4) credits apply to psychology major. S/U graded. Repeatable, maximum of six credits.

PSY 495 Special Topics (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 120 and juniors or above. Scheduled on irregular basis. Repeatable, under different subtitles.

PSY 530 Life Span Developmental Psychology (3)

Human growth and development from conception through senescence, focusing on cognitive, affective, social and psychomotor development throughout the life span.

PSY 540 Theories and Principles of Learning (3)

A survey of classical and contemporary theory and research related to human cognition. Topics include the study of learning processes, memory and higher cognitive functions.

PSY 550 Cognitive Development (3)

Examine classic and contemporary research and theory on cognitive development of children, and specific topics such as attention, memory, and intelligence. Undergraduates may not register without permission of instructor.

PSY 575 Educational Assessment (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 674. The course will provide educators with the skills needed to evaluate, explain, and apply assessment and testing data to inform classroom instruction and education decisions.

PSY 580 Psychopharmacology (3)

Intended to educate clinicians about the various medications that are often used in the treatment of mental illness and the mechanisms that allow them to work.

PSY 590 Seminar in History and Systems (3)

Philosophical perspectives and major theories and systems are reviewed as they contributed to the development of contemporary psychology. Course required for state psychology board licensing eligibility.

PSY 595 Special Topics in Psychology (1-5)

Scheduled on an irregular basis to explore special areas in psychology and carries a subtitle for each offering. Check department office for topics currently planned. Repeatable, under different subtitles.