Psychology and Neuroscience
The department offers majors in Psychology and Neuroscience, and a minor in Psychology. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes approached from physiological, cognitive, behavioral, social, and applied perspectives. Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system, and integrates knowledge from the fields of biology, chemistry, the cognitive and social sciences, computer science, and allied disciplines. Students in both majors receive training in the scientific approach as it has been applied to the study of such topics as: the structure and function of the nervous system, perception, learning, motivation, memory, development, social influence, attitudes, organizational behavior, and mental disorders and treatments. Understanding how these topics have been investigated scientifically requires the development of critical thinking skills, quantitative reasoning skills, and speaking and writing abilities necessary to communicate research knowledge to others, as well as an appreciation for the ethical issues involved in research and practice. These skills are developed throughout the curriculum for the Psychology and Neuroscience majors; and demonstrated competence in the Statistics and Research Methods is essential for success in both areas of study. Our majors have gone on to successful careers in research, counseling and teaching, medicine, business, journalism and law.
Requirements for a major
Neuroscience
| Total courses required | 11.5 |
|---|---|
| Core courses | BIO 101, CHEM 120, CSC 121, PSY 100, PSY 214 or MATH 141 |
| Other required courses | BIO 382; PSY 300 or PSY 301; NEUR 320; NEUR 341 Two courses with at least one at the 300 or 400 level from: BIO 203, BIO 241, BIO 320, BIO 325, BIO 314, BIO 315, BIO 335, BIO 381, BIO 385, BIO 415, CHEM 240, CHEM 343, CSC 233, CSC 320, CSC 330, CSC 360, KINS 254, KINS 350, KINS 410, NEUR 348, NEUR 349, PHIL 234, PHIL 360, PHYS 270, PHYS 370, PHYS 380, PSY 232, PSY 256, PSY 280, PSY 281, PSY 330, PSY 331, PSY 348, PSY 349, PSY 350, PSY 380, PSY 381, SOC 315. For students planning to attend graduate or professional school, independent or student-faculty collaborative research is highly recommended for Neuroscience majors. Relevant experience can be gained through an on/off campus summer research placement or by conducting student-faculty collaborative research during the academic year. |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | 5 |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | NEUR 480/481 Senior Capstone (1 cr. or 2 cr.) For the Senior Capstone, Neuroscience majors will complete a grant application that describes a novel program of research. The grant application will conform to NIH F31 Individual NRSA for PhD Students (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms_page_limits.htm#fell) and be completed in the fall or spring of the final year. Students wishing to conduct an empirical thesis should complete NEUR 480 in the Fall semester and NEUR 481 in the Spring semester. NEUR 481 will involve the collection of data for an experiment proposed in NEUR 480. The results of this research will be reported in a manuscript and in an oral presentation. |
| Additional information | No more than two courses from off-campus programs can count toward the major. Neuroscience majors are encouraged to also take courses in physics and additional courses in computer science depending upon their career interests. |
| Writing in the Major | Writing in the Neuroscience major is distributed across the curriculum beginning with introductory core courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, and psychology, and continuing in upper level courses representing multiple disciplines. The interdisciplinary nature of Neuroscience means that students should learn to communicate their science to varying audiences. As an example, writing for an audience grounded in the biological tradition can be quite different from writing for an audience grounded in the psychological tradition. The requirement to complete 300 level coursework in Biology and Psychology will ensure that students are exposed to, and gain experience with, communicating to audiences in two of the principle disciplines related to Neuroscience. Within these courses, students will gain experience writing a variety of different kinds of documents (e.g., laboratory reports, reports the findings of an empirical study, integrative reviews of the literature). For instance, laboratory reports represent a key writing component of required 300 level coursework in Biology and Psychology. Additionally, an integrative review of the literature is a fundamental component of the grant application written for the Neuroscience Capstone. Given the deep public interests in Neuroscience, it is also important that majors learn to responsibly communicate the findings and implications of science to a lay audience. The development of this skill will begin in Neuroscience and Behavior (PSY 300/301), be reinforced in the Junior Neuroscience Seminar (NEUR 320), and represents a component of the grant application written for the Neuroscience Capstone (NEUR 480/481). As an example, in the Junior Neuroscience Seminar, students may be asked to identify a recent empirical article related to their interests and prepare a press release describing the results of the study for a lay or general professional audience. |
Psychology
| Total courses required | Ten |
|---|---|
| Core courses | PSY 100, PSY 214, PSY 215 |
| Other required courses | The content area core requires four courses:
The laboratory component requires two psychology laboratory courses at the 200-level or above, in addition to PSY 215 (Research Methods). |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Four |
| Senior requirement and capstone experience | Majors must satisfy their senior requirement by completing the thesis for either PSY 493 (one-semester thesis) or PSY 495 and PSY 496 (two-semester empirical research and thesis) with a C- or better. The major also requires successful completion of a departmental comprehensive examination. The exam is administered in sections to senior majors in PSY 493 and PSY 495. Performance on the exam is part of the grade in PSY 493 or PSY 495. To certify for graduation with a major in psychology, students must earn a 70 percent or better on all sections of the exam. The senior capstone experience in psychology has two basic components: breadth of knowledge and focused in-depth investigation. You will demonstrate breadth of knowledge by successfully completing a comprehensive exam, given in three parts that cover major areas of the field (e.g., cognitive, developmental, learning, personality, physiological, social). You will also have the opportunity to pursue an area of psychology in greater depth by completing a senior thesis. One thesis option allows you to perform an empirical investigation of a research problem (review background evidence, design and carry out a study, and write up the findings) over both semesters of your senior year. The other thesis option is a one-semester in-depth, integrative review of the scientific literature on a topic in psychology. All students will publicly present their work. Both options allow you to apply the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your first three years, and pursue a topic in which you are most interested. |
| Additional information | Psychology majors must complete a total of two courses in the natural sciences, computer science, and/or mathematics outside of psychology. MATH 135 does not meet this requirement. |
| Recent changes in major | The senior requirement was changed from completing the seminar with a C- or better to completing the seminar thesis with a C- or better. Effective Fall 2010. |
| Writing in the Major | Writing in the psychology major is accomplished in many ways, using multiple methods. As a science that engages in active communication with colleagues at the regional, national, and international level, in conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, psychology requires critical reading of the literature and writing in the major, using discipline-specific (APA) style. In courses spanning the curriculum from Introductory Psychology to the upper 300-level courses, students write short opinion papers, critical reviews of popular media, reviews of research articles, and reports of empirical findings. Special focus on the mechanics of formal writing assignments as appropriate in our discipline is a critical part of a required core course in the major, Research Methods (PSY 215). In addition, each student major is required to take two additional laboratory courses that provide significant experience writing laboratory reports and major project papers. In these courses and others (e.g., the senior capstone experience), development of writing skills includes a mix of one or more of the following: feedback on multiple drafts, conference meetings with faculty advisors, and collaborative writing with peers and peer review. Finally, the senior capstone experience (PSY 493/495) includes a thesis on a topic chosen by the student. One thesis option allows students to perform an empirical investigation of a research problem (review background evidence, design and carry out a study, and write up the findings) over both semesters of your senior year. The other thesis option is a one-semester in-depth, integrative review of the scientific literature on a topic in psychology. Both options of the APA thesis represent a culmination of skill-building for writing in the major that prepares students for graduate work in any area of psychology and other careers such as law, medicine, social service, and business. The thesis is certified by the department and deposited in the departmental archives. Thesis findings are sometimes presented at regional or national conferences, or even published in peer-reviewed journals. |
Requirements for a minor
Psychology
| Total courses required | Five |
|---|---|
| Core courses | PSY 100 |
| Other required courses | The department will consider PSY 214 or PSY 215 to be a 300-level course for the minor (if a student so chooses). |
| Number 300 and 400 level courses | Two |
Courses in Psychology and Neuroscience
PSY 197First-Year Seminar in Psychology
A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of psychology. Open only to first-year students.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 course |
PSY 214
Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
Application of descriptive and inferential statistics to the behavioral sciences. Includes measures of central tendency, variability and correlation, estimation and tests of significance, including chi square, t-test and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Required of Psychology majors as a prerequisite for PSY 215. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Required of Psychology majors as a prerequisite for PSY 215. | 1 course |
PSY 215
Research Methods
A course in methods of research, experimental design and statistical applications. Lab includes collection of data on human and animal behavior for analysis and report writing. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 214. Required of Psychology majors. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 and PSY 214. | 1 course |
PSY 232
Abnormal Psychology
An introductory survey of maladaptive and disordered behaviors and thought processes in humans. The objectives of this course include developing an understanding of the definition of abnormality and the historical and social values that play a role in this definition. In addition, the contributions of clinical research on abnormal behavior are considered, as are different theoretical approaches that attempt to explain the onset of abnormal behavior. Finally, issues related to the assessment and diagnosis of abnormality and defining characteristics of each of the major diagnostic categories are covered. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 246
Topics in Psychology
Prerequisite: PSY 100. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1/2-1 course |
PSY 252
Drugs, Brain and Behavior
This course is an introduction to the major psychoactive drugs and how they act on the brain to influence behavior. The course begins with basic principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, neural transmission, tolerance, sensitization, and mechanisms of addiction. The course presents a survey of major drugs of abuse, their mechanism of action, and their behavioral effects, both acute and chronic. Drugs for the treatment of psychological disorders are also addressed. Issues of drugs, behavior, and society are emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 254
Consumer Psychology
The concepts, findings, theory and methods of research in consumer behavior. Psychological data, consumer differentiation, market segmentation, environmental influences and consumer differences are covered. Prerequisite: PSY 100. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 260
Social Psychology
An examination of the effects of the presence and influence of others on human behavior. Topics to be covered include conformity, persuasion, aggression, prejudice, interpersonal attraction and behavior within groups. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in SOC 319 or PSY 261.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Privilege, Power And Diversity | PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in SOC 319 or PSY 261. | 1 course |
PSY 261
Social Psychology with Lab
An examination of the effects of the presence and influence of others on human behavior. Topics covered include conformity, persuasion, aggression, prejudice, interpersonal attraction and behavior within groups. Lab includes collection of data on human participants using a variety of empirical techniques, including observation, content analysis, field studies and lab experiments. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 260 or SOC 319.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 260 or SOC 319. | 1 course |
PSY 280
Cognitive Psychology
This course will examine the psychological structures and processes involved in the acquisition, retention and use of knowledge. Both historical and current research will be reviewed to provide students with an appreciation for how science provides a basis for our continued refinement of understanding mental processes. Topics covered include pattern recognition, attention, memory, language, problem solving and decision-making. Applications of the research to everyday experience will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 281.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 281
Cognitive Psychology with Lab
This course examines the psychological structures and processes involved in the acquisition, retention and use of knowledge. Topics covered include pattern recognition, attention, memory, language, problem solving and decision-making. Lab includes designing experiments and collecting data from human participants to help understand cognitive processes in these topic areas. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 280.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 280. | 1 course |
PSY 290
Developmental Psychology
This course centers on the scientific study of biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development across the lifespan. The fundamental issues in the field of development will be introduced and a person-context perspective will be emphasized throughout the course. Developmental principles that extend beyond specific domains or periods of psychological development will be underscored. Specific topics include the development of emotion, perception, gender, identity, cognition, language, psychopathology, and the brain.Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 300
Neuroscience and Behavior
This course examines the interactions between physiology and behavior with an emphasis on the nervous and endocrine systems of both human and non-human animals. Fundamental concepts of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology will provide the foundation for discussions of behavior. A wide variety of behaviors including: ingestive behaviors, sleep, sexual behavior, learning and memory, stress, drug abuse, and disordered behavior will be studied in relation to these physiological principles and systems. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 301.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 301. | 1 course |
PSY 301
Neuroscience and Behavior with Lab
This course examines the interactions between physiology and behavior with an emphasis on the nervous and endocrine systems of both human and non-human animals. Fundamental concepts of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology will provide the foundation for discussions of behavior. A wide variety of behaviors including: ingestive behaviors, sleep, sexual behavior, learning and memory, stress, drug abuse, and disordered behavior will be studied in relation to these physiological principles and systems. The laboratory component will provide research experience with common procedures, behavioral measures, and organisms. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 300.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 300. | 1 course |
PSY 305
History of Psychology
This course is a history of psychology in particular, but also of science more broadly. It is also a history of how psychology, other sciences and society have interacted. The course presents a view of the roots and origins of the modern science of psychology by examining past views on recurring issues and themes in historical context. The course begins with the ancient roots and early history of psychology and science in philosophy, medicine, mathematics and biology. It moves on to the more recent scientific and philosophical roots of psychology and then turns to early scientific psychology. The course concludes with recent approaches and schools of thought and how they developed into contemporary psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission of instructor.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 or permission of instructor. | 1 course |
PSY 311
Psychology Assessment with Lab
This course reviews the principles of psychological assessment, including text development, psychometric principles, advanced statistics (e.g., factor analysis, multiple regression) and applications in clinical, industrial/organizational, and educational settings. A major portion of the course will be devoted towards development and validation of a test or measure that students will design themselves. This course provides excellent preparation for students interested in graduate school in psychology, education, and related fields. It is also useful for students interested in a career in Human Resources, where employee and customer surveys are constructed and measures are developed for assessing employee performance. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 214.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 and PSY 214 | 1 course |
PSY 330
Human Perception
This course presents a survey of past and current research and theory concerning human acquisition of information from the environment through the senses. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of perceptual processes in response to environmental stimuli, as well as the practical experiences that arise due to our perceptual limitations. Topics include the anatomy and neuroanatomy of the sensory systems (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch), perceptual illusions (color, motion, time, music, and speech), and the psychology of pain. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 331.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 331. | 1 course |
PSY 331
Human Perception with lab
This course presents a survey of past and current research and theory concerning human acquisition of information from the environment through the senses. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of perceptual processes in response to environmental stimuli, as well as the practical experiences that arise due to our perceptual limitations. Topics include the anatomy and neuroanatomy of the sensory systems (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch), perceptual illusions (color, motion, time, music, and speech), and the psychology of pain. The laboratory component of the course will give students the opportunity to experience research in perception by designing studies, collecting and analyzing data (using the statistical package SPSS), and writing their results in APA style. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 214. Not open to students with credit in PSY 330.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 and PSY 214. Not open to students with credit in PSY 330. | 1 course |
PSY 343
Health Psychology
(formerly PSY 253) Health psychology uses the biopsychosocial model to examine the interaction of physiological processes, thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and the social/cultural environment on health. Issues addressed include the effects of stress on health, health protective factors, patient-practitioner interactions, health behavior change, and coping with chronic illness. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 344
Health Psychology with Lab
Health psychology uses the biopsychosocial model to examine the interaction of health with physiological, psychological and behavioral processes and the social/cultural environment. Topics include the effects of stress on health, health protective factors, theories of health behavior change, coping, social support and chronic illness. The laboratory component of class allows students hands on experience designing and conducting health psychology research with single subject and group designs. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 346
Topics in Psychology
Prerequisite: PSY 100. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1/2-1 course |
PSY 350
Evolutionary Psychology
This course examines how evolution has shaped behavioral, cognitive, and emotional mechanisms in humans and other animals. The course begins with coverage of evolutionary theory and then examines the nature of evidence for evolved mechanisms, including how evidence from other species may inform us about human characteristics. The course also examines why evolutionary approaches and explanations of human behavior are so controversial and the implications of evolutionary explanations for society. The course is interdisciplinary and draws on ideas and information from psychology, biology, anthropology and other fields. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission of instructor.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 or permission of instructor. | 1 course |
PSY 352
Psychotherapy and Treatments of Psychological Disorders
A survey of the major approaches to effecting cognitive and behavioral changes in both adults and children, including psychoanalysis, behavior modification, cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapies, humanistic and existential therapies and others. Special attention is given to the development of the therapeutic relationship and the ethical guidelines followed by psychologists. Ethical, legal and moral dilemmas in the practice of therapy are also considered. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 353
Intelligence and Creativity
This course concentrates on the topics of intelligence and creativity within a discussion-based format. The history of intelligence testing, examples of intelligence tests, and current theories in this area will be discussed, analyzed, and evaluated. Creativity will be examined by considering both empirical literature and popular writings. The impact in everyday life of current perspectives in both areas will form a central part of the course. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1/2 course |
PSY 360
Psychology of Personality
A survey and evaluation of the major contemporary theories of personality. In addition, personality measurement and research on topics of current importance are covered. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 361
Psychology of Personality with Lab
A survey and evaluation of the major contemporary theories of personality. In addition, personality measurement and research on topics of current importance are covered. The laboratory component of class allows students hands on experience designing and conducting personality psychology research. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 364
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
This course examines the science of psychology applied to the workplace. The first half of the course examines the subfield of industrial psychology that focuses on the individual differences related to traditional business problems. Some of the topics in this field include job analysis, personnel selection, training, performance appraisal, and job performance. The second half of the course focuses on the organizational side of the field that emphasizes the psychological processes experienced by employees upon entering the workforce. Topics within this domain include motivation, leadership, stress, emotion, and job attitudes. Prerequisite: PSY 100. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
PSY 370
Emotions Across the Lifespan
This course centers on the scientific study of emotion and its development, integrating research on biological, behavioral, cognitive, and cultural aspects of emotion systems. Developmental and evolutionary processes will be emphasized throughout the course. The methods used to study emotion, especially neuroscience methods, will also be stressed throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 371. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 371. | 1 course |
PSY 371
Emotions Across the Lifespan with Lab
This course centers on the scientific study of emotion and its development, integrating research on biological, behavioral, cognitive, and cultural aspects of emotion systems. Developmental and evolutionary processes will be emphasized throughout the course. The methods used to study emotion, especially neuroscience methods, will also be stressed throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY 100, PSY 214. Not open to students with credit in PSY 370. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100, PSY 214. Not open to students with credit in PSY 370. | 1 course |
PSY 375
Directed Research
Opportunity to work with faculty members on research in psychology. Contact individual faculty members to learn of their current research interests. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Directed research may be repeated to earn a total of one credit.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1/4-1/2-1 course |
PSY 380
Learning and Comparative Cognition
This course examines the mechanisms that allow organisms (humans and other animals) to adapt to environments based on experience. The course opens with evolved adaptive mechanisms and then focuses on how organisms acquire and store new information, and how that information guides action within environmental constraint. The course places particular emphasis on links between the study of learning and other areas of psychology (physiological, developmental, social, cognitive and abnormal), neuroscience, and biology. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 381.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 381. | 1 course |
PSY 381
Learning and Comparative Cognition with Lab
This course examines the mechanisms that allow organisms (humans and other animals) to adapt to environments based on experience. The course opens with evolved adaptive mechanisms and then focuses on how organisms acquire and store new information, and how that information guides action within environmental constraint. The course places particular emphasis on links between the study of learning and other areas of psychology (physiological, developmental, social, cognitive and abnormal), neuroscience, and biology. The laboratory component will provide research experience with common procedures and organisms. Lab meets once a week for 2-3 hours.Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 380.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100. Not open to students with credit in PSY 380. | 1 course |
PSY 493
Senior Thesis
Individual work on selected topics with oral reports and a major literature survey and thesis. (Includes successful completion of a departmental examination; performance on the exam is part of the grade.) This course is designed for students who do not plan to take the PSY 495-496 Empirical Senior Thesis I & II sequence. Prerequisite: PSY 100, PSY 214, PSY 215 and a major in Psychology. This course or the PSY 495-496 sequence is required of Psychology majors in the senior year. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100, PSY 214, PSY 215 and a major in Psychology | 1 course |
PSY 495
Empirical Senior Thesis I
Extensive literature survey, oral reports and written proposal of a research design. (Includes successful completion of a departmental examination; performance on the exam is a part of the grade.) Prerequisite: PSY 100, minimum final course grades of B- in PSY 214 and PSY 215, at least a 3.0 overall cumulative GPA, and a major in Psychology. Registration for PSY 496 in the second semester is required to complete the sequence. PSY 495/PSY 496 or PSY 493 are required of Psychology majors in the senior year. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100, minimum final course grades of B- in PSY 214 and PSY 215, at least a 3.0 overall cumulative GPA, and a major in Psychology | 1 course |
PSY 496
Empirical Senior Thesis II
Each student is required to complete an individual research project (designed in PSY 495) under staff supervision and to submit a thesis. Prerequisite: PSY 495 and permission of research sponsor. This course sequence (PSY 495 and PSY 496) or PSY 493 is required of Psychology majors in the senior year. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 495 and permission of research sponsor | 1 course |
Courses in Neuroscience
NEUR 320Topics in Neuroscience
A seminar course covering some aspect of neuroscience across different levels of analysis (e.g., cellular, system, psychological). In the course students will explore recent literature related to a focused area of neuroscience. Prerequisite: PSY 100, BIO 101, PSY 300 or 301. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100, BIO 101, PSY 300 or 301 | 1/2 course |
NEUR 341
Cognitive and Social Neuroscience with Laboratory
A survey course with a weekly laboratory that explores the neurobiological foundations of cognition (e.g., memory, attention, decision making) and social interaction (e.g., empathy, stereotyping, self regulation). The course considers methodology in cognitive and social neuroscience, and examines the literature related to normative function, as well as, psychiatric and neurological disease. The laboratory includes designing experiments and collecting data from human participants using methodologies from neuroscience to understand cognitive and social processes. Students may complete laboratory reports and mini-reviews of the literature related to the course material. Prerequisite: PSY 100, BIO 101, PSY 300 or 301.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100, BIO 101, PSY 300 or 301 | 1 course |
NEUR 348
Computational Neuroscience
This course will expose students to computational models of cognitive processes and compare these models to recent findings in neuroscience. The course will incorporate projects such as implementations and evaluations of simple neural networks (e.g. models of memory and perceptual learning), reinforcement learning models (e.g. models of learning), and Bayesian models (e.g. optimal cognitive processes). We will read and discuss primary and secondary sources to understand how well these models fit the empirical results and whether the models offer plausible neural explanations at different scales. We will also read and discuss review articles that look at larger-scale interactions among brain regions as a means of explaining cognitive processes. Prerequisite: PSY 100, CSC 121, PSY 300 or 301.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite: PSY 100, CSC 121, PSY 300 or 301. | 1 course |
NEUR 349
Clinical Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
This course will examine the neuropsychological foundations of cognition, emotion, and social interaction within the Behavioral Neurology tradition. The primary focus will be on examining the effects of focal, degenerative, and developmental neurological damage through the reading of the primary, secondary, and popular literatures, class discussion, and presentations. Topics covered include agnosia, aphasia, amnesia, disorders of executive function and social cognition, and neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 100 | 1 course |
NEUR 480
Neuroscience Capstone I
Individual completion of a grant proposal including oral reports and literature review. Prerequisite: Major in Neuroscience and all core coursework in Neuroscience. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completion of all all core coursework in Neuroscience major. | 1 course |
NEUR 481
Neuroscience Capstone II
Completion of a research project formulated in the grant proposal written for Neuroscience Capstone I. Prerequisite: Major in Neuroscience, all Core coursework in Neuroscience, Neuroscience Capstone I and permission of research sponsor. May not be taken pass/fail.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Neuroscience, all Core coursework in Neuroscience, Neuroscience Capstone I and permission of research sponsor. | 1 course |
Courses in Psychology
PSY 100Introductory Psychology
This course is a thorough survey of the major areas and approaches in psychology. As a discipline, psychology examines how humans and other organisms develop, function and adapt, including such topics as: how the brain and nervous system function; how we sense and perceive information from our environment; how we learn, remember, think about and interact with the world and each other; how we change during development from birth to old age; why we are motivated to act as we do; the factors that make each of us distinct individuals; what causes psychological disorders; and how those disorders are treated. The course places particular emphasis on scientific methodologies within the discipline. This course is a prerequisite for all other courses in the psychology department.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science and Mathematics | None | 1 course |