Ten

Core courses:

PSY 100, PSY 210, PSY 220

Other required courses:

The content area core requires four courses:
·  Two courses should be chosen from PSY 280, PSY 385, PSY 401, PSY 403, PSY 406, PSY 420
·  Two courses should be chosen from PSY 260, PSY 290, PSY 390, PSY 411.

# 300 and 400 level courses:

Four

Senior requirement:

·  Majors must satisfy their senior requirement by completing either PSY 450 (one-semester seminar) or PSY 451 and PSY 452 (two-semester independent research and thesis) with at least a C- or better.
·  The major also requires successful completion of a departmental comprehensive examination. This exam is administered in sections to all seniors in the fall semester. To certify for graduation with a major in psychology, students must earn a 70 percent or better on all sections of the exam.

Additional information:

Psychology majors must complete two courses in the natural sciences and mathematics outside of psychology, one of which must have a laboratory component in a department other than Computer Science or Math. (The following courses do not meet this science and math requirement: MATH 135, MATH 205, MATH 206, MATH 400.)

Five

Core courses:

PSY 100

Other courses:

The department will consider PSY 210 or PSY 220 to be a 300-level course for the minor (if a student so chooses).

# 300 and 400 level courses:

Two

 Group 1  

 1 course

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.

 1 course

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of psychology. Open only to first-year students.

 Group 1  

 1 course

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 220. May not be taken Pass-Fail. Students who have completed MATH 340 or ECON 350 may not take PSY 210 for credit.

 Group 1, lab  

 1 course

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 210. Required of Psychology majors. May not be taken pass/fail.

 1/2-1 course

May be repeated for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

 Group 1  

 1 course

The brain's role in such functions as emotion, language, learning, sexual behavior, perception, sleep and rhythms, motivation, abnormal behavior, etc. May be used as a precursor to other courses in Psychology, particularly on the topics above, and as an introduction to the topics covered more thoroughly in PSY 401. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students with previous credit for PSY 401.

 Group 1  

 1 course

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 .

 Group 1  

 1 course

Examination of the psychological structures and processes involved in the acquisition, retention and use of knowledge. Topics covered include perception, pattern recognition, attention, memory, thinking, language, problem solving and decision-making. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

 Group 1  

 1 course

The psychological factors in human development from conception through old age. Attention is given to cognitive, emotional, social and physical development. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

 Group 2  

 1 course

The application of psychological methods and principles to industrial and organizational behavior. Topics include: personnel selection, performance appraisal, assessment validity, motivation, management, supervision, organizational climate, human factors, job design and the different behavioral consequences of these methods in various settings. Prerequisite: PSY 100. May not be taken pass/fail.

 Group 2  

 1 course

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.

 1/2-1 course

Prerequisite: PSY 100. May be repeated for credit with different topics.

 Group 2  

 1 course

This course examines the theory and data concerning the psychological and experiential similarities and differences between females and males. Topics/issues covered may include: development of sex roles; sex differences in verbal and mathematical ability; experiences of sexuality, parenthood and friendship; differences in career-work attitudes and experiences; violence against women; and gender issues in mental health-therapy. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

 Group 1  

 1 course

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.

 Group 1  

 1 course

A survey of past and current theories and data concerning human acquisition of information from the environment through the senses. Topics range from the anatomy and neuroanatomy of the sensory systems (visual, hearing, smell, taste, touch) to perception of visual illusions (color, motion, time, music, speech. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Recommended: PSY 280.

 Group 1  

 1 course

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.

 Group 1  

 1 course

The physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Includes basic neurophysiology, sensory functions, motivation, emotion, memory, etc. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

 Group 4  

 1 course

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.

 Group 1  

 1 course

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.

 1 course

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.

 Group 1  

 1 course

This course examines the mechanisms that allow humans and other organisms to adapt to their environments based on experience. The course opens with innate adaptive mechanisms and then focuses on how organisms acquire 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.

 1/2-1 course

Opportunity to work with faculty members on research in psychology. Contact individual faculty members to learn of their current research interests. Prerequisite: a minimum final course grade of B- in PSY 210 and PSY 220; at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the major; permission of the instructor. May be repeated to earn a total of one credit.

 1 course

Individual work on selected topics. A major literature survey and paper. (Includes additional examination which must be taken the fall semester as part of senior comprehensive requirement.) This course is designed for students who do not plan to take the 451-452 Seminar-Senior Thesis sequence. Prerequisite: PSY 210, PSY 220 and a major in Psychology. This course or the PSY 451-452 sequence is required of Psychology majors in the senior year. May not be taken pass/fail.

 1 course

Extensive literature survey, oral reports and written proposal of a research design. (Includes additional examination which must be taken the fall semester as part of senior comprehensive requirement.) Prerequisite: minimum final course grades of B in PSY 210 and PSY 220, at least a 3.0 overall cumulative GPA; a major in Psychology. This course or PSY 450 is required of Psychology majors in the senior year. Students must register for same section time second semester (PSY 452). May not be taken pass/fail.

 1 course

Each student is required to complete an individual research project (designed in PSY 451) under staff supervision and to submit a thesis. Prerequisite: PSY 451 and permission of research sponsor. This course or PSY 450 is required of Psychology majors in the senior year. Students must remain in same section as first semester (PSY 451). May not be taken pass/fail.