Info
Apply
Visit

Psychology

Requirements & Courses

  • Major Requirements

    Thirty-six credits which must include:

    1. PSY-120 or 121; 201 or 203 or 204; 212 or 276 or 336; 220; 225; 305 or 308 or 310; 314; 331; 421.
    2. Two elective credits in PSY.
    3. To earn Departmental Honors in Psychology, students are required to have a 3.5 or higher GPA in their psychology classes, an empirical thesis, and a successful thesis defense. 
    4. Students working toward post-graduate study should work with a psychology department member to do independent research, practical experiences, internships, and an empirical thesis. 
  • Minor Requirements

    Twenty-four credits from Psychology courses.

  • Neuroscience Major Requirements (NSC)

    Fifty-six credits, which must include:

    1. Core Content: PSY-120 or PSY-121, 201, 220, and 356; BIO-121; CHM-115; PSY-203 or BIO-319 or IPH-340; BIO-207 or IPH-231; two credits of research (PSY-399, 499, or 500, or any upper-level independent research); four additional credits from Psychology.
    2. At least 18 credits (twelve consisting of upper-level courses) from the following:  BIO-204, 221, 320, 360, 361, BCM-321, CHM-223, 224, CSC-120, ECN-314, IPH-403, MTH-121, PHL-229, PHY-112 or 121, or other courses approved by the program director.
    3. Potential majors are strongly recommended to consult with the program director to develop a more specialized program of courses.  Additional courses may be required for certain graduate schools and different courses are recommended dependent on interests in specific subfields of neuroscience (i.e. computational, behavioral, cognitive, developmental, social, and molecular).
    4. Neuroscience is considered an interdisciplinary major, which requires 56 upper-level credits to graduate in accordance with the guidelines in the academic catalog

Courses

  • PSY
    120
    .
    Foundations of Psychology
    4 credits
    Learn why people think, feel, and act as they do. Explore the mind, brain, and body connection. Only one of PSY-120 or PSY-121 is permitted to count toward a Psychology major and total credits earned to graduate.
  • PSY
    121
    .
    Introduction to Psychology
    4 credits
    Survey of major areas of psychology: learning, perception and cognition, human development, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal psychology. Laboratory. Course fee. Only one of PSY-120 or PSY-121 is permitted to count toward a Psychology major and total credits earned to graduate.
  • PSY
    121M
    .
    Introduction to Psychology
    4 credits
    Survey of major areas of psychology: learning, perception and cognition, human development, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal psychology. Laboratory. Course fee.
  • PSY
    201
    .
    Physiological Psychology
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Study of physiological processes and structures underlying behavior and development. Laboratory techniques for investigation of electrical and chemical brain activity. Laboratory. Course fee.
  • PSY
    203
    .
    Psychopharmocology
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Examination of the behavioral and biological effects of psychoactive substances with an emphasis on how drugs affect the brain. This course will explore legal and illegal substances as well as pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of mental disorders.
  • PSY
    212
    .
    Personality I
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Comparison of major conceptual and research strategies in study of personality: psychoanalytic tradition, trait and social learning theories, and humanistic, cognitive and biological approaches. Introduction to psychological testing and journal literature.
  • PSY
    220
    .
    Statistics
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120, 121 or Permission
    Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, and factorial analysis of variance. Appropriate for both life and social sciences.
  • PSY
    225
    .
    Research Methods
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121; PSY-220
    Development of skills in conduct and assessment of experimental and field research and of sensitivity to ethical and social aspects of scientific inquiry. For students in psychology, education and business. Course fee.
  • PSY
    234
    .
    Psychological Problems of Childhood
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    The nature, consequences, causes, treatment, and prevention of problems psychologically affecting children and adolescents (such as child abuse, delinquency, depression, drug abuse, hyperactivity, and poverty). Service learning component.
  • PSY
    242
    .
    Sport Psychology
    4 Credits
    An exploration and application of psychological theories, techniques, and exercises that can be used to enhance performance in a wide variety of domains, mainly, athletics. Students will gain hands on experience with using techniques such as goal setting, imagery, and motivational interviewing to manage performer anxiety, stress, and injury recovery. Systemic factors that can influence performer well-being such as cultures of toughness, and gender discrimination will also be explored.
  • PSY
    244
    .
    Positive Psychology
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Positive Psychology is the scientific study of happiness, strengths, and optimal functioning. The field also involves applications to counseling, education, business, and other areas.
  • PSY
    245
    .
    Human Sexuality
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Examination of variety and origins of human sexuality from physiological, evolutionary and social-learning perspectives.
  • PSY
    260
    .
    Psychology of Aging
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Examination of current psychological theory and research concerning physical changes, cognition, personality and psychopathology in the later years of life. Service learning component included in course.
  • PSY
    275
    .
    Psychological Testing and Measurement
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Consideration of principles involved in construction, use and evaluation of tests of ability and personality. Application to such issues as personnel selection, sex differences and therapeutic practice. Emphasis on actual clinical data, ethical and value issues in test construction and use.
  • PSY
    276
    .
    Industrial Organization
    4 credits
    Students will examine human behavior in the workplace from a scientist-practitioner view and learn how applied psychology research can improve hiring, management, and development decisions in business.
  • PSY
    280
    .
    Topics in Psychology
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Exploration of areas of mutual interest to instructor and students. Topics include depression, stress and coping, clinical interviewing and counseling, psychological problems of childhood, and neurological disorders. May be taken more than once for credit. May have other prerequisites in addition to PSY-121.
  • PSY
    305
    .
    Learning
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY 120 or PSY 121
    In-depth study of methods of learning among human and non-human species.
  • PSY
    305M
    .
    Learning
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY 120 or PSY 121
    In-depth study of methods of learning among human and non-human species.
  • PSY
    308
    .
    Science of Emotion
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or PSY-121
    This course integrates perspectives from a variety of sub-topics within psychology. It will examine the function, expression, and regulation of emotion. The evolutionary origins and the biological processes involved in emotion will be examined. We will discuss the interrelationship of emotion, cognition, and culture. Topics will include discrete emotions such as anger, love, and happiness.
  • PSY
    310
    .
    Cognition
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Three courses in PSY or Permission
    Consideration of the psychology of thinking: input, processing, storage and retrieval of information. Also explores categorization, concept formation, mental structure, language, reasoning, and problem solving.
  • PSY
    312
    .
    Personality II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121; PSY-212
    In-depth examination of personality theory and of major controversial issues in the contemporary literature.
  • PSY
    314
    .
    Abnormal Psychology
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Examination of characteristics, causes and treatment of such disorders as depression, schizophrenia and stress-related illness. Discussion of social and ethical issues. Application of material to actual case histories.
  • PSY
    315
    .
    Clinical Interviewing
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Students develop skills in a mainstream approach to clinical interviewing, including applications to counseling with kids, resistant adults, couples and families, trauma survivors, and people from diverse backgrounds.
  • PSY
    331
    .
    Developmental Psychology
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Consideration of current theoretical perspectives and research on attachment, language acquisition, cognitive and moral development. Attention to role of ideological and philosophical commitments in study of development.
  • PSY
    336
    .
    Social Psychology
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121; SOC-101
    Consideration of current theory and research on person perception, social influence, attitude formation, intergroup relations, altruism and aggression. Emphasis on ethical and social issues in conduct and application of social psychological research.
  • PSY
    356
    .
    Neuroscience Seminar
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-201 or PSY-203, or permission
    In-depth examination of neuronal mechanisms involved in complex animal and human behaviors and of the methodology used in molecular, cognitive, clinical, behavioral, and developmental neuroscience. Course fee.
  • PSY
    385
    .
    Psychology Practicum
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121
    Participation in community institutions, agencies, schools and businesses combined with individual faculty supervision to allow students to apply concepts and locate literature relevant to their own experiences.
  • PSY
    390
    .
    Clinical Field Experience
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or 121; 212; 240 or 280; and 314; or Permission
    Participation in programs in hospitals, agencies, schools, businesses or the judicial system. Faculty and on-site professionals provide intensive supervision. Students improve abilities to apply concepts, principles and techniques and reflect on significant conceptual, ethical and personal aspects of the experience in written papers and oral discussions.
  • PSY
    399
    .
    Psychology Independent Study
    1 credit
    Either (1) an individually-designed program of reading on a topic not covered by formal courses or (2) research experience on a faculty-directed project.
  • PSY
    404
    .
    Sensation and Perception
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY 120 or 121, 220, and 225 or permission
    Study of sensory processes and their relationship to human perception. Concentrates on vision and audition with attention to recent theoretical approaches to perception. Laboratory. Course fee.
  • PSY
    421
    .
    Senior Seminar
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-120 or PSY-121; PSY-220; PSY-225; and at least junior standing
    Students will build knowledge and skills needed to pursue their next steps following degree completion including applying to graduate school and seeking employment. Students will work with the instructor to plan successful entry into the workforce. Professional and career development will serve as the foundation for this course.
  • PSY
    499
    .
    Psychology Independent Study
    2-4 credits
    Planned program of reading in preparation for senior thesis.
  • PSY
    500
    .
    Senior Thesis
    2-4 credits
    Prerequisite: PSY-499, Senior Standing and Permission
    Development and conduct of original, independent, empirical investigation. Required for departmental honors.