Course list and descriptions
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* Courses in the Psychology Major Core
Psy 201, 202 General Psychology 8 hours
A study of the science of human behavior and experience. Areas covered include: biological bases of behavior, learning, memory, motivation, perception, development, personality, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy and social psychology.
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Psy 301W Introduction to Research Methods 4 hours
An exploration of psychological research including topics of design, methodology, statistical analysis and report writing. Student will design and conduct research and prepare a formal paper on this original research. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 218 Psychological Foundations of Education 3 hours
A survey of psychological topics relevant to educational settings. These topics may include child and adolescent development, learning, memory, cognitive processes, motivation, assessment and behavioral management.
PLEASE NOTE: This course is only for Education Majors. Psychology Majors should NOT take this course.
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Psy 311 Developmental Psychology 4 hours
The psychological study of human development from conception to death. Stages and issues of developmental psychology throughout the lifespan are identified and examined. Developmental theories, research and methods are studied and applied to the various stages and issues. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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A survey of theories of adequate and optimal psychological functioning. A study of processes which may lead to the development of adaptive functioning and its maintenance and how these processes may be brought into play in the individual's environment or community. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 334 Social Psychology 4 hours
The psychological study of how people think about, influence and relate to one another. Theoretical and research bases will be utilized to explore the nature and content of this field and its applications to social issues and every day events. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 349 Introduction to Behavior Modification 4 hours
A survey of behavior modification topics including principles of learning and relevant methodology. An exploration of practical applications. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 360 Cognitive Psychology 4 hours
This class provides an overview of basic topics in cognitive psychology including learning, memory, attention, sensation, perception, language/phonology and problem solving. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 373 Sensation and Perception 4 hours
Principles and theories relating to sensory stimulation and perceptual processes will be explored. Psychophysical methods will be used to demonstrate human visual and auditory processes. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 390 Theories of Learning 4 hours
Survey of fundamental concepts of conditioning, rate learning, discrimination, problem solving, memory and motor skill. Major theories of learning, memory and related experimental literature. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 398 Professional Issues in Psychology 4 hours
Exploration of the roles and functions of persons employed in occupations for which the study of psychology prepares students. Survey and practice of specific and non-specific skills of helping and interpersonal influence such as interviewing and small group dynamics. Ethics and other professional issues will be considered. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 399 Special Studies (1-4)
Terms and hours to be arranged.
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Psy 406 Special Individual Studies 1-6 hours
Designed for individual or special studies in a defined area of interest under the guidance of a designated faculty member.
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Psy 407 Seminar 1-15 hours
Terms and hours to be arranged.
Psy 408 Workshop 1-15 hours
Terms and hours to be arranged.
Psy 409 Practicum 4-12 hours
Field experience in applied psychology. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
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Psy 415/515 Psychology of Sports 4 hours
This course will survey the current state of the psychology of sports. Psychological theory and research findings will provide the basis for suggestions about applications to sport situations. A central focus will be on the critical and empirical evaluation of the common knowledge in this area. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 423 Interviewing and Appraisal 4 hours
Exploration of the interview as a method of information gathering and social influence. Topics include the uses of interviews, the strengths and weakness of the interview as a methodology, training in specific interviewing skills, and the relation of the interview to other methods of appraisal of human behavior. Applications will be drawn from many areas of human interaction including the helping professions and business. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 426 History of Psychology 4 hours
Historical study of psychologists, basic psychological concepts and theories. Prerequisite: minimum of 15 hours of upper-division psychology courses.
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Psy 435/535 Theories of Personality 4 hours
Major historical and contemporary theories of personality development and function and their relation to current issues in psychology. Prerequisite: a 300-level course in psychology.
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Psy 437/537 Advanced Social Psychology 4 hours
An in-depth study of several social-psychological theories and their application to social issues and interactions. Topics may include small group interaction and functioning, social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, social influence and social relations. Prerequisite: Psy 334 or equivalent.
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Psy 440/540 Small Group Theory 4 hours
Survey of major social-psychological theories and research related to small groups; application of theory and research to development, organization and functioning of small groups. Prerequisite: six or more hours of upper-division psychology courses.
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Psy 443 Group Processes 4 hours
This course exposes students to the psychological priniples that underlie effective teamwork and gives students an opportunity to develop their teamwork skills in applied group settings. PSY 201 and 202 or equivalent. PSY 334
recommended
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Psy 445 Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology 4 hours
A study of psychology as applied to work settings in industry, business, government, and social service. Topics include trends in organizational design, personnel selection and placement, human resource management, work motivation, job satisfaction and leadership. Prerequisites: PSY 201 and 202 or equivalent. PSY 334
recommended.
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Psy 446 Psychology of Leadership 4 hours
This course explores the psychological underpinnings of leadership by examining the myriad of theoretical approaches to understanding leadership including their strengths and weaknesses in aiding our understanding of effective (and ineffective) leadership. This course will also provide students with the opportunity to assess and develop their own leadership skills. Prerequisites: PSY 201 and 202 or equivalent. PSY 334 recommended.
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Psy 447 Organizational Development 4 hours
Organizational Development (OD) is a behavioral science aimed at fostering high performing organizations. This course will help students gain an understanding of the field of Organizational Development, become familiar with various techniques for enhancing organizational and individual effectiveness, develop insights into organizational functioning, and develop skills for effective managing/consulting
. Prerequisites: PSY 201 and 202 or equivalent. PSY 334 recommended.
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Psy 448 Topics in Organizational Psychology 4 hours
Topics may include at different times: strategic planning and implementation; productivity issues; career development with organizations; managerial participative management programs, negotiation, mediation and arbitration processes; and other topics of special interest. May be repeated under different subtitles. Prerequisites: PSY 201 and 202 or equivalent. PSY 334 recommended.
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Psy 450/550 Abnormal Psychology 4 hours
The nature, causes and treatment of various forms of unusual behavior and emotional disturbance. The full range of abnormality will be examined from extreme reactions to stressful events to psychotic breaks with reality as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The course will integrate perspectives generated from psychological theory, research and physiological findings. Prerequisite: a 300-level course in psychology.
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Psy 451/551 Biopsychology 4 hours
A study of the ways that the physiology of the body is related to behavior. Sub-topics may include sleep and dreaming, learning and memory, pain, sexual behavior, disordered emotional states and psychopharmacologic agents. Prerequisites: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 460 Cognitive Neuroscience 4 hours
This class covers advanced topics in cognitive science including cognitive development, cerebral localization of function, hemispheric interaction/differences, individual differences in cognition, object recognition, face recognition, spatial perception, and neuropsychological disorders. Prerequisite: Psy 360 or Psy 451
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Psy 463/563 Maladjusted Child 4 hours
Examination of the nature, causes and treatment of emotional and social maladjustments in children and adolescents. A broad range of disturbances will be examined from minor problems in living to psychotic breaks with reality and self-destructiveness. The home, school and cultural environments will be examined as well as possible genetic and biological determinations of the mental health of children and youth. Prerequisites: a 300-level psychology course.
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Psy 465/565 Motivation 4 hours
Deals primarily with human motivation. Topics such as stress, conflict, learned motives, arousal and unconscious determinants will be considered. Prerequisite: 3 or more hours of 300-level psychology.
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Psy 467 Quantitative Methods 4 hours
Methods which psychologists use to describe, summarize and make inferences about measurements made on people, things or events. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202 and 217 or equivalent.
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Psy 468 Research Methods 4 hours
An introduction to the experimental, correlational and survey methods employed in psychological research. Prerequisite: Psy 467.
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Psy 472/572 Psychological Assessment 4 hours
The use of psychological assessment approaches to developing understanding of individuals and groups. Basic principles of test theory and interpretation of test scores will provide a framework for test evaluation. Interviewing and non-quantitative assessment approaches will also be examined. Research and theoretical issues involving major constructs such as intelligence, aptitude, interest and personality will be addressed. Prerequisite: a 300-level psychology course.
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Psy 480/580 Infancy and Childhood 4 hours
Theory and research related to prenatal, infancy, and early childhood phases. Includes study of the motor, emotional, cognitive, social and linguistic domains with emphasis on applications for professionals offering services to young children and their families. Prerequisites: Psy 201 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 481/581 Middle and Late Childhood 4 hours
Theory and research related to children who are between school age and adolescence. Emphasis on socialization, cognitive development, and deviations from typical development. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 482/582 The Psychology of Adolescence 4 hours
Study of the transitions and issues of adolescence. Includes an overview of theory and research with an emphasis on applications for parents, teachers, and professionals offering services to adolescents and youth. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 483/483 Adulthood and Aging 4 hours
Examination of current models of aging. Includes theory and research relevant to early, middle, and late adulthood. Emphasis on applications of information concerning the issues of adulthood. Prerequisites: Psy 201, 202 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 484/584 Death, Dying and Grief 4 hours
Focuses on numerous topics related to the developmental processes of death, dying and grief throughout the lifespan. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202, and 311. Back to course list
Psy 487/587 Cross-Cultural Development 4 hours
Study of the relationship between culture and psychological functioning with an emphasis on developmental processes. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 488/588 Theories of Development 4 hours
Theories of human development across the lifespan are examined, integrated and compared. Assumptions of major, contemporary theories of development are studied including a review of related research findings and consideration of practical applications. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 489/589 Special Topics in Developmental Psychology 4 hours
Each quarter that this course is offered, a single special topic in development will be studied in-depth. Topics may include the development of sex roles, moral development, or social skills training. May be repeated under different subtitles. Prerequisite: Psy 201, 202 and 311 or equivalent.
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Psy 492/592 Psychology of Women 4 hours
Application of psychological methods to the study of women's roles and behavior. Sub-topics may include development, sexuality, achievement, aptitudes and work. Prerequisite: Psy 201 and 202 or equivalent.
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Psy 498/598 Advanced General Psychology 3 hours
A survey of the latest and most important research findings in the major areas of psychology including human development, physiological, social, learning, memory, motivation, personality, abnormal health, thinking and perception. Prerequisite: minimum of 15 hours of upper division Psychology courses.
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