Course Offerings

Psychology

Course Offerings

Below is a list of current courses offered in the Department of Psychology. You can click on Undergraduate Courses to be taken directly to the list of undergraduate offerings or click on Graduate Courses to be taken directly to the list of graduate offerings.

Undergraduate Courses:

Lower-Division Courses

1502. Workshop in Applied Psychology. Study of selected contemporary psychology-related topics requiring no previous exposure to psychological theory. The department announces the topic and determines the credit, based on frequency and duration of workshop meetings. May be repeated for a total of 4 s.h. with change in topics. Not applicable to the psychology major nor the social studies area requirement. 1-2 s.h.

1560. General Psychology. An examination of scientific and clinical approaches to understanding the relationships between one's physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and quality of life, including the basic principles governing the growth and maintenance of behavior, emotion, and cognition. 3 s.h.

1560H. Honors General Psychology. An examination of scientific and clinical approaches to understanding the relationships between one's physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and quality of life, including the basic principles governing the growth and maintenance of behavior, emotion, and cognition. 3 s.h.

2617. Research Methods and Statistics 1. An introduction to psychological research methods and descriptive statistics. Students learn how to conduct ethical research and report their findings as well as to critically evaluate the research of others. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. Prereq.: C or better in PSYCH 1560 and psychology major, or consent of instructor. 4 s.h.

2618. Research Methods and Statistics 2. Further exploration of psychological research methods and statistical analysis, with emphasis on inferential techniques. Prereq.: C or better in PSYCH 2617 and psychology major, or consent of instructor. 3 s.h.

2692. Human Sexuality. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of human sexuality. Listed also as HSC 2692. 3 s.h.

Upper-Division Courses

3700. Social Psychology. Examination of the influence of social interactions on the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the individual and the group. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560 or SOCIO 1500. 3 s.h.

3700H. Honors Social Psychology. Examination of the influence of social interactions on the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the individual and the group. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560 or SOCIO 1500. 3 s.h.

3700L. Social Psychology Laboratory. An introduction to planning and conducting social psychological research. Topics include creating participant impact while minimizing loss of control, reducing demand characteristics and experimenter bias, and enhancing mundane and experimental realism. Two hours per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 3700. 1 s.h.

3701. Psychology of Music. Examines psychological research and theories pertaining to music. Topics include perception of musical attributes such as pitch, musical illusions, cognitive organization of music, and music and emotion. Previous musical knowledge is not required. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3702. Abnormal Psychology. Patterns of deviant behavior, including current systems of classification; classic syndromes; the nature and trend of major maladjustments; possible causative factors; and methods of prevention and treatment. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3702L. Abnormal Psychology Laboratory. An introduction to conducting research on psychological disorders, to include a critical review of research literature, examination of case studies, and gathering field-based data. Two hours per week. Prereq.: PSYCH 2617 with C or better; and Prereq. or concurrent: PSYCH 3702.

3705. Psychology of Learning. A study of the learning process with emphasis on factors such as reinforcement, respondent conditioning, discrimination, generalization, transfer, etc.; an introduction to modern learning theory. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618. 3 s.h.

3705L. Psychology of Learning Laboratory. Laboratory studies of learning processes. Students use observational and data-recording techniques as they apply to investigations of learning processes. Laboratory activities include investigations of classical conditioning, reinforcement, shaping, extinction, practice effects or other phenomena. Two hours per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 3705. 1 s.h.

3707. Psychology of Intimate Relationships. Psychological principles pertaining to intimate relationships, both marital and non-marital, and family dynamics. Includes topics such as communication, problem solving, domestic violence, and sexuality. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560 3 s.h.

3709. Psychology of Education. Principles of psychology as applied to the educational process, including characteristics of the individual learner, the classroom, the instructor, methods and techniques, and other factors in the learning process. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3709L. Psychology of Education Laboratory. Application of principles of psychology in a K-12 educational setting. Evaluation and synthesis of psychological principles, theories, and rsearch. Three hours per week, one hour to be arranged. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560; Concurrent: PSYCH 3709. 2 s.h.

3710. Psychophysiology. An introduction to the relationship between the psychological and physiological basis of behavior. Response systems, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal, as well as applications of principles and theories. Prereq.: PSYCH 2617; Concurrent: PSYCH 3710L.

3710L. Psychophysiology Laboratory. Measurement and research techniques in basic and applied psychophysiology. Two hours laboratory-discussion. Prereq.: PSYCH 2617; Concurrent: PSYCH 3710.

3712. Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Principles of psychology applied to business and industry with emphasis upon both personnel and organizational behavior topics including job analysis, selection, performance appraisal, organizational development, job satisfaction, motivation, and leadership. Prereq.: PSYCH 2617 or equivalent. 3 s.h.

3724. Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology. A continuation of inferential statistics: complex analysis of variance and nonparametric statistics; additional study of special correlational techniques and concepts of regression and prediction, Recommended for the student preparing to seek an advanced degree. Prereq.: C or better in PSYCH 2618. 3 s.h.

3728. Physiological Psychology. The structural-functional relationships of the various divisions of the neural system, their relationship to the organism as a whole, and their contributions to human behavior. Prereq.: PSYCH 2617. 3 s.h.

3728L. Physiological Psychology Laboratory. An introduction to experimental methods for studying effects of environmental stimuli on brain function and behavior in animals. Two hours per week. Prereq.: PSYCH 3728 with C or above or concurrent. Permit required.

3730. Psychology of Women. An exploration of psychological research and theories as they apply to girls and women. A critical examination of gender similarities and differences. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3730L. Psychology of Women Laboratory. Laboratory and field-based research techniques relating to the study of women and to gender similarities and differences. Two hours per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 3730. 1 s.h.

3734. ABA Principles I: Applied Behavior Analysis. Scientific and conceptual foundations of applied behavior analysis. Basic principles of behavior analysis and application in applied settings are emphasized. The behavioral approach is contrasted with other approaches to the understanding and treatment of behavior, with a focus on scientific criteria and methodological differences. Ethical standards are covered. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3740. Psychological Measurement. Theories and principles of test construction, and an overview of psychological tests and questionnaires use in mental health, educational, and vocational settings. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618. 3 s.h.

3745. The Minority Individual. Psychological research on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup dynamics of being labeled a minority individual as the result of one's race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. The behavioral effects of minority group membership and its impact on the relationship between the individual and the society. Prereq.: PSYCH 3700, and either 3755, 3756, or 3757. 3 s.h.

3748. Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Models. Theories and empirical research on the role of stress in physical and emotional illnesses, and an examination of the psychological and physiological aspects of stress. Prereq.: PSYCH 3700 or 3702. 3 s.h.

3750. Special Topics in Psychology. Selected areas of study not covered in the mainstream curriculum. May be repeated with different topics to a maximum of 9 s.h. toward the major. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3755. Child Development. Foundations of human development from conception through approximately th first decade of life. Fundamental issues of developmental processes in biological, cognitive, and social-emotional domains and their broader implications for society and later development of the individual. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3755L. Child Development Laboratory. Experimental and nonexperimental research methods for gathering data on the development of children. Two hours per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 3755. 1 s.h.

3756. Adolescent Development. Human development from preteen to young adulthood. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3757. Adult Development. Human development from adulthood through old age. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3758. Lifespan Development. Study of theory and research on development from conception to death. Focus upon psychological, physiological, social, and cultural influences. May not be taken for credit if the student has received credit for two or more of PSYCH 3755, 3766, 3757. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3760. Perception. Theories and experimental evidence on how environmental, physiological, and personal factors influence the reception, organization, and interpretation of sensory input. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618. 3 s.h.

3761. Cognition. Experimental methods, research findings, and current theories concerned with human cognitive processes. The information-processing approach, focusing on how information is transformed, stored, manipulated, and retrieved. Topics include attention, pattern recognition and categorization, memory, and language. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618; Concurrent: PSYCH 3761L. 3 s.h.

3761L. Cognition Laboratory. Laboratory demonstrations and experiments using research techniques in cognition. Two hours per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 3761. 1 s.h.

3763. Comparative Psychology. The variety of behaviors within the animal world. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618. 3 s.h.

3764. Psycholinguistics. An overview of language production, use, and comprehension including the biological basis of speech and language development, social aspects of language, and bilingualism. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618 or ENGL 3755. 3 s.h.

3764L. Psycholinguistics Laboratory. Research techniques in basic and applied psycholinguistics. Two hours per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 3764. 1 s.h.

3765. Experimental Social Psychology. Problems, principles, methods and techniques of experimental social psychology including field and laboratory work culmination in the presentation of an individual project. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week. Prereq.: PSYCH 2618 and 3700. 3 s.h.

3770. Individual Study. Individual study of a special problem, or a review of the literature relating to a specific psychological problem or issue. A written report is required, one copy of which remains on file in the department. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 s.h. with different problems. Prereq.: Psych 1560 and consent of the chairperson. 1-2 s.h.

3775. Personality. An investigation of the variables which determine personality. Normal patterns of behavior are discussed and consideration is given to the more prominent theories of personality. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3777. Cross-Cultural Social Psychology. A psychological examination of the impact of culture on individual social behavior as applied to topics such as attribution, moral reasoning, gender differences, and group dynamics. Prereq.: A minimum of 15 s.h. of Psychology including PSYCH 3700. 3 s.h.

3779. Careers in Psychology. Overview of career preparation and professional development. Students obtain information on career preparation, job search strategies, and graduate studies. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560 and 2617. 3 s.h.

3780. Psychological Aspects of Disease and Death. The primary factors affecting an individual's attitude toward illness, bereavement, and mortality. The psychological and physiological aspects of disease processes and death. Prereq.: PSYCH 1560. 3 s.h.

3785H. Honors Seminar in Psychology. Study of selected topics within psychology suitable to the honors program. Prereq.: Admission to the Psychology Honors Program, permit required. 1 s.h.

3790. Field Work in Psychology. Work in a community agency or organization. The work is supervised and evaluated on site. A paper is required which integrates the work experience with background reading. A maximum of 2 s.h. may be applied to the Psychology major. One s.h. for each 3 hours of field work per week. May be repeated up to 4 s.h. Prereq.: 9 s.h. in Psychology. 1-2 s.h.

4804. Conflict and Group Dynamics. Social psychological research and theory as applied to topics of conflict and group dynamics. Topics include: integrative bargaining, mediation, coalition formation, distributive and procedural justice, PD game, social facilitation, leadership, social dilemmas, group polarization and cohesiveness. Prereq.: PSYCH 3700 or consent of chairperson. 3 s.h.

4808L. Conflict Laboratory. Experimental research methods used to gather data in group dynamics, bargaining, and conflict settings. Two hours per week. Prereq.: PSYCH 2617 with C or better; Concurrent: PSYCH 4804. 1 s.h.

4815. Health Psychology. Psychosocial factors that affect the promotion and maintenance of helath, as well as the prevention and treatment of illness. Prereq.: 6 s.h. of 3700-level PSYCH courses. 3 s.h.

4833. Principles of Operant Behavior. Experimental analysis of behavior from an operant viewpoint, emphasizing simple and complex schedules of reinforcement and stimulus control. Prereq.: PSYCH 3705; Concurrent: PSYCH 4833L. 3 s.h.

4833L. Principles of Operant Behavior Laboratory. Experimental techniques for controlling the behavior of organisms with positive reinforcement. Laboratories include computer simulations. Two hours laboratory-discussion per week. Concurrent: PSYCH 4833. 1 s.h.

4835. Special Topics in Developmental Psychology. Advanced and specialized topics in developmental psychology. Topics vary over semesters, and may include the study of infancy, the development of exceptional children, cross-cultural developmental psychology, among others. May be repeated with different topics to a maximum of 6 s.h. toward the major. Prereq.: PSYCH 3755 or 3756 or 3757 or 3758. 3 s.h.

4836. ABA Principles II: Behavioral Assessment and Methodology. Behavior analytic techniques of functional analysis and descriptive analysis, demonstrating functional relationships and basic ABA research designs. Appropriate measurement, display, and interpretation of data with focus on research and evaluation methodology to evaluate interventions with single systems, including individuals, families, organizations, or other social systems. Prereq.: PSYCH 3734. 3 s.h.

4847. ABA Principles III: Behavior Change Procedures. Behavior analytic techniques of functional analysis, functional assessment, descriptive analysis, establishing, strengthening, and weakening behaviors in applied settings. Guidelines on the selection of effective procedures, managment of emergency situations, and methods of maintenance and generalization of successful behavior change. Emphasis on ethical conduct. Prereq.: PSYCH 4834. 3.s.h.

4841. History of Psychology. The development of scientific psychology, with major emphasis on trends since the mid-19th century. Prereq.: 9 s.h. of psychology 3 s.h.

4850. Seminar. Major topics in psychology not covered in listed courses. Two s.h. may be applied to the psychology major. Prereq.: Senior standing in psychology or consent of instructor. 2 s.h.

4857. Biopsychologial Aspects of Health and Aging. Broad overview of development and change across the adult lifespan, focusing on an examination and understanding of biological aging and how they affect functioning, adjustment, and wellness. Distinction between primary aging (normal, universal biological changes) and secondary agin (disease, lifestyle-determined changes) will be made. Prereq.: PSYCH 3757. 3 s.h.

4860. Motivation. Classical and contemporary theories of motivation. Overview of research and theory on the interactive role of biological, learned, and cognitive components in motivation of human behavior, including emotion, need for achievement, affiliation, and power. Prereq.: PSYCH 3705. 3 s.h.

4890. Senior Thesis. Data collection and a research paper on a topic approved by the thesis advisor. This project takes two semesters to complete. Must be repeated for a maximum of 2 s.h. Prereq.: 16 s.h. in psychology, including a C or better in PSYCH 2618, and consent of thesis advisor and departmental chairperson. 1 s.h.

4891H. Honors Thesis. The student prepares an empirical research paper on a topic approved by an honors thesis advisor and honors thesis committee. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 s.h. Prereq.: Admission to the Psychology Honors Program. 1-2 s.h.

4895. Senior Psychology Capstone Experience. A capstone experience for the major in psychology. Prereq.: Senior status in psychology, PSYCH 2618, and completion in one psychology laboratory course. 2 s.h.

5807. Introduction to Counseling. The role of the preprofessional in helping the clinical and counseling psychologist; theories of adjustment; area resources; referral; professional problems. Prereq.: PSYCH 3702. 3 s.h

Graduate Courses:

6903. Psychology of Learning. Examination of the teaching and learning process and its implications for use in education. 3 s.h.

6905. Human Growth and Development. A life-span perspective to theoretical and empirical issues of development from conception to death. 3 s.h.

6906. Advanced Child Development. Expanded aspects of child and adolescent psychology. 3 s.h.

6907. Psychology of Adjustment. Basic problems dealing with mental health, individual differences, motivation, and minor deviant behavior. 2 s.h.

6930. Child and Adolescent Health Psychology. Comprehensive theoretical and empirical coverage of topics in pediatric and health psychology. Prereq.: PSYC 6905. 3 s.h.

6936. Cognitive and Social Development. This course will survey major theories and empirical findings of cognitive development and the development of interpersonal relations across childhood. Prereq.: PSYC 6905. 2 s.h.

6940. Personality Theory. The study of major personality theories and their implications for psychotherapy and mental health work. Prereq.: PSYC 3740. 2 s.h.

6955. Psychopathology. The study of abnormal behavior with an emphasis placed on psychopathological conditions. Prereq.: PSYC 6940. 2 s.h.

6960. Fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis. An introduction to the scientific and theoretical foundations of applied behavior analysis including definitions and characteristics, principles and concepts, and behavior change procedures. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6961. Foundations of Experimental Analysis of Behavior. An examination of the roles that consequences, and their scheduling, play in the acquisition, maintenance, and structure of behavior, mechanisms, and theories about mechanisms by which consequences select and shape behavior, and issues surrounding methods, measurement, and quantification. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6962. Behavior Theory and Philosophy. The course is designed to help students understand the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of behavior analysis and to become familiar with some of the controversial issues surrounding the field from both modern and historical perspectives. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6963. Behavioral Interventions and Ethical Considerations. Introduction to the practice and application of empirically derived behavioral interventions, antecedent manipulations, extinction, differential reinforcement procedures, and punishment procedures for behavior maintained by social positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and automatic reinforcement. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6964. Observational Methods & Functional Assessment. This course provides intensive instruction in functional assessment procedures and direct observation methods to be used by the applied behavior analyst in service delivery in community, mental health and education settings. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6965. Behavioral Systems Analysis. The application of basic principles of behavior in business and industry settings. Students are expected to master fundamental principles of behavior analysis and apply those principles to a variety of performance problems in business and industry. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6966. Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis. This course covers direct measurement, graphing data, visual inference, single-subject research methodology, program monitoring and evaluation, and ethical issues in applied behavior analytic research. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6968. Practicum I. The first-year practicum will give students experience doing functional analyses and behavior assessments with a specific client population. Possible settings include indusstry, senior-care, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. This course will follow the experience guidelines of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (www.BACB.com), which requires 1,000 total hours of practicum experience. Students will work 20 hours per week at their practicum sites (BACB requirement for Practicum). Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6969. Practicum II. The second-year practicum will give students experience designing and implementing behavior analytic interventions with a specific client population. This population will be different than that encountered in Practicum I. Possible settings include indusstry, senior-care, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. This course will follow the experience guidelines of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (www.BACB.com), which requires 1,000 total hours of practicum experience. Students will work 20 hours per week at their practicum sites (BACB requirement for Practicum). Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h.

6981. Seminar in Special Education. (see SPED 6981) 1-2 s.h.

6990. Seminar in Psychology. Study of topics in psychology. To be announced by topic. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to 6 s.h. with change in topic. 1-2 s.h.

7000. Psychopharmacology. An introduction to the basic principles of pharmacology; a review of the structures and mechanisms of the central nervous system with emphasis on neurotransmission; and a survey of the drugs that especially affect the central nervous system including possible mechanisms of action. 2 s.h.

7010. Counseling Internship. (see COUNS 7010) 1-10 s.h.

7060. Thesis. Design, proposal, completion, and reporting of scholarly research deemed acceptable by the BATC (Behavior Analysis Training Committee). A student may register for 6 s.h. in one semester of for 3 s.h. in each of two semesters. Prereq.: Admission to the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program or permission of the instructor. 3-6 s.h.