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Updated 2017-18 Undergraduate Catalog

PDF of Psychology Courses

Psychology Courses

All Psychology Courses

PSY 1010 Stress and Coping (2 credits)

Focuses on the development of personal skills related to health and lifetime achievement. Topics include stress management, self-motivation, study skills, interpersonal relationships, and overcoming common anxieties. Liberal Education Goal Area 11.
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PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology (4 credits)

Introduction to the study of behavior, cognition, and emotion and general survey of psychological principles. Liberal Education Goal Area 5.
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PSY 2200 Human Sexuality (3 credits)

Physiological and psychosocial aspects of human sexual behavior with an emphasis on healthy sexual adjustment. Liberal Education Goal Area 7.
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PSY 2217 Abnormal Psychology (4 credits)

Survey of the major forms of psychopathology in children, adolescents, and adults. Examines assessment, diagnosis, and current research into the causes and treatment of psychological disorders. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 2227 Learning and Cognition (4 credits)

An introduction to behavioral and cognitive theories of behavior change and associated applications in animal training, education, and applied psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 2357 Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3 credits)

Presentation and analysis of theoretical, technical, and applied aspects of psychology in work settings. Topics include: human resources activities (selection, training and evaluation of personnel), work motivation, job satisfaction, leadership, organizational structure, group/team communication, working conditions. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 2925 People and the Environment: Psychology Perspective (3 credits)

This class will provide an opportunity for students to reflect on concepts presented in the large class and apply them to their own lives. The emphasis will be on using social science approaches to design and implement effective, ethical, research-based programs that address environmental problems. Liberal Education Goal Area 10.
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PSY 3210 Death and Culture (3 credits)

Death is a universal human experience shaped by the attitudes of any given culture. Examines death and dying in various cultural contexts and the accompanying psychological research into death attitudes and processes. Liberal Education Goal Area 8.
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PSY 3237 Lifespan Development (4 credits)

A review of theories and research on the psychological, physical, and environmental factors influencing adjustment and development across the lifespan. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 3332 Counseling and Crisis Interventions (4 credits)

A practical, skills-based introduction to the development of interpersonal awareness, beginning counseling techniques, and crisis intervention techniques. Prerequisites: PSY 1100 and PSY 2217.
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PSY 3337 Group Processes (3 credits)

The examination and practical application of principles and dynamics underlying group behavior from a psychological perspective. Prerequisites: PSY 1100 and PSY 3401, or consent of instructor.
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PSY 3367 Social Psychology (3 credits)

Survey of contemporary research in interpersonal perception and attraction, aggression and altruism, group dynamics, conformity, compliance, and attitude formation and change. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 3378 Living in Isolated and Confined Environments (2 credits)

A study of the psychological factors involved in planning the environment and selecting the crew for long-duration manned space missions. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 3387 Topics in Psychology (1-4 credits)

An in-depth study of topics of current interest in psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 3401 Basic Statistics for Research (4 credits)

Measures of central tendency, variability, and shape; t-tests; correlation; linear regression; chi-square tests; and one-way analysis of variance. Emphasis is on the use of appropriate statistical procedures for research using SPSS statistical software. Prerequisite: Completion of Liberal Education mathematics requirement (Category 4).
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PSY 3402 Research Methods (4 credits)

Survey of research methods, concepts, issues, and strategies. Topics will include experimental and non-experimental methods; designing, conducting, and analyzing different types of studies; critiquing research; and writing research reports. Prerequisites: PSY 1100 and PSY 3401.
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PSY 3437 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)

Survey of models and research in cognition, including the topics of attention, memory, knowledge representation, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. Prerequisite: PSY 1100.
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PSY 3500 Psychology of Aging (4 credits)

This course examines adult development in the senior years from a biopsychosocial perspective. Aspects of normal and abnormal development are covered as well as the impact of aging on the individual and the family. Prerequisites: PSY 3237 or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4328 Behavioral and Cognitive Intervention (4 credits)

Behavioral theory and the method of applied behavior analysis are explored. Therapeutic application of behavioral and cognitive/behavioral principles to human problems in various settings is practiced. Prerequisites: PSY 1100 and PSY 2227.
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PSY 4347 Psychological Measurement (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of psychometric theory and methods of psychological test construction, and to effect familiarity with established measures of personality, interests, intelligence, and academic achievement. Prerequisites: PSY 1100 and PSY 3401.
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PSY 4403 Advanced Statistics and Research Design (4 credits)

Advanced statistics, focusing on factorial analysis of variance and multiple regression using SPSS, as well as associated research designs. Emphasis on logic, applications, and communication. Prerequisites: PSY 3401 and PSY 3402, or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4408 Human Services Program Management (3 credits)

Theories and techniques of managing human service agencies including planning, administration, evaluation and grant writing. Prerequisites: PSY 1100, PSY 3401, PSY 3402, or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4447 Research Laboratory (1-4 credits)

Supervised, original research in selected areas. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: PSY 1100, PSY 3401, and PSY 3402, or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4450 Behavioral Neuroscience (4 credits)

A neurological study of behavior focusing on the neurons, neurotransmitters, neuronal circuits, and basic biology of the nervous system. The beginning of the course will focus on building an understanding of the structure and function of nerve cells, and neuro and hormonal chemical transmission within the nervous system. The rest of the course will focus on how these biological processes lead to normal and pathological behavior. Prerequisite(s): PSY 1100.
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PSY 4459 Sensation and Perception (4 credits)

An in-depth introduction, including the topics of the nervous system, electrochemical and neurochemical bases of behavior, vision, audition, somatic and chemical senses, movement, emotion, and cognition. Prerequisites: PSY 1100, PSY 3401, and PSY 3402, or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4467 Personality Theories (3 credits)

Introduction to major theories of personality and related research. Prerequisites: PSY 1100, PSY 2217, PSY 3401, and PSY 3402, or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4487 History and Systems of Psychology (3 credits)

Contemporary issues and theories in psychology and their historical developments. Prerequisite: Senior standing in the major.
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PSY 4587 Advanced Topics in Psychology (2-4 credits)

In-depth study of topics of current interest in psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 3401 and senior standing in the major.
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PSY 4588 Multicultural Psychology (4 credits)

The purpose of this course is to examine cultural processes as a defining characteristic of what it is to be human, and as a central, or proximal variable in psychology. This course is intended to provide students with a better appreciation of the myriad of ways in which culture determines psyche and behavior, and to enhance their awareness of the countless variations in human behavior across cultures. In this course, we will examine the goals and nature of multicultural and cross-cultural psychology. In this course, we will consider current theories and research on culture, race, and ethnicity. Topics covered in the class range from culturally relevant styles of communication, values from different cultures, racial identity, power and privilege, and issues around health. This course will help prepare students to grapple with issues of multiculturalism in the modern diverse society. Prerequisite(s): PSY 3401 and senior standing in the major or consent of instructor.
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PSY 4870 Pre-Internship Seminar (1 credits)

Selection of internship site and preparation for the internship experience. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in the psychology major.
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PSY 4970 Psychology Senior Internship (6-12 credits)

Supervised community and campus internships in human service and research settings. Two hundred hours of internship work experience are required for 6 credits, four hundred hours for 12 credits. Prerequisites: PSY 4870 and completion of course work for the psychology major, including PSY 3332 and PSY 3337 for human service internships or PSY 4403 for research internships.
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