Psychology Core

PSYC 1103 General Psychology

Introduction and survey of the basic concepts of psychology as a science of behavior and mental processes. Includes research and current information in the areas of learning, states of consciousness, human development, personality, and abnormal behavior.

PSYC 2203 Human Behavior - Prerequisite (s): PSYC 1103

A continuation of the introductory examination of psychology. Topics include biological psychology, sensation and perception, motivation, emotion, industrial / organizational psychology, and social psychology.

PSYC 3023 Writing in Psychology - Prerequisite (s): PSYC 1103

This is a writing-intensive course intended to provide training for psychology majors on the unique writing guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association. This course will prepare psychology majors to meet writing expectations of subsequent upper-division courses and for continued academic and professional success. Includes work in library and database research methods.

PSYC 3314 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences - Prerequisite (s): MATH 1003 or equivalent.

Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include data distributions, descriptive statistics, sampling distributions, interval estimation, one- and two-sample significant difference tests, one-way analysis of variance, correlation, and regression. The course also examines computerized statistical analysis.

PSYC 4123 History and Systems of Psychology - Prerequisite (s): 12 hours of psychology including 1103, 2203

A survey of the historical development of psychology. Important schools of psychology, major contributors, and the shaping influence of the past on contemporary psychology are all considered.

PSYC 4503 Psychological Tests and Evaluation - Prerequisite (s): PSYC 1103, 2203, and 3313

The basic principles of psychological evaluation, test construction, and administration. Includes a survey of current intelligence, interest, aptitude, and personality tests and their evaluation.

PSYC 4703 Research Methods in Psychology - Prerequisite(s): 12 hours of psychology including PSYC 3303 and PSYC 3314.

An introduction to descriptive and experimental designs used in the study of behavior. Course content emphasizes the evaluation of research, developing research questions and hypotheses, research ethics, psychological measurement, basic data analysis, and research report writing.

 

Applied Core

PSYC 3023 Human Sexuality - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103. May also be taken for sociology credit.

Basic study of human sexual behavior. Topics to be covered include psycho-sexual development, sexual attitudes and information, ethics, sexual deviations, sexual problems, therapy, and current issues.

PSYC 3233 Developmental Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 or consent of instructor.

A study in the development of behavior and mental processes across the life span. Includes normal and abnormal behavior. Also offered for nursing credit.

PSYC 3513 Substance Abuse - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and 2203.

Use and abuse of substances; socio-cultural, historical, legal, and clinical issues related to drug use; theories and an overview of therapeutic approaches for treatment and prevention.  This course is designed to familiarize students with the substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs) field including basic pharmacology, conceptualization and assessment of substance abuse, models of treatment and prevention and the family dynamics that result from substance abuse.

PSYC 3913 Personal Relations and Interactions - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203 or consent of instructor.

Learning and practice in personal and interpersonal skills. Emphasis is upon experiential role playing and practice in expression, listening, constructive confrontation, resolving conflicts, negotiation, and stress management.

PSYC 4113 Industrial/Organizational Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203 or consent of instructor.

Psychological theories and psychometric principles as applied to the selection, training, and evaluation of workers, worker motivation and job satisfaction, the employee-employer relationship, and consumer psychology.

PSYC 4143 Psychology of Self - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

This high participation seminar is designed for junior and senior students. The course provides an opportunity for students to understand the self from an intrapersonal perspective. Concepts such as self-esteem, self-concept, and self-fulfilling prophecies will be discussed. Some self-disclosure is consistent with this seminar format.

PSYC 4203 Psychology of Personality - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

A survey of the major theories of personality development and functioning, including an introduction to personality assessment and current research.

PSYC 4873 Special Topics in Psychology: Applied - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and PSYC 2203.

Intensive study and coverage of selected topics in psychology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

 

Academic Core

PSYC 3503 Social Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and 2203.

Introduction to major topics in social psychology, with an emphasis on cognitive processes.  The course examines how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others.  Major topics include, but are not limited to, attitudes and persuasion, beliefs and judgment, conformity and group influences, aggression, and prejudice.

PSYC 3703 Theories of Motivation - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

An examination of the concepts of needs, drives, and motives as they contribute to human behavior. Motivational processes are examined ranging from the primary, physiological drives, to higher-order motives like achievement, curiosity, and cognitive consistency.

PSYC 4003 Learning - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

Scientific research in learning processes; methods and techniques of collecting data on learning; the application of learning procedures to normal and abnormal behavior.

PSYC 4133 Information Processing

PSYC 4163 Cognition - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and 2203.

Introduction to the area of cognition.  The course examines cognitive processes, including perception, attention, memory, comprehension, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving.  The course will give an understanding of the methods used to gather and evaluate evidence about cognitive processes, and an understanding of the ways in which knowledge of these processes has been applied to solve problems and improve the quality of life.

PSYC 4173 Human Memory - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and 2203.

A survey of the basic principles of human memory research, both applied and theoretical.  The course examines classic issues in memory, as well as contemporary ones, and the experimental methods and predominant theoretical models used to investigate these findings.  Major topics discussed include, but are not limited to, sensory and short-term working memory, long term memory, implicit memory, episodic and semantic memory, autobiographical and eyewitness memory, false memories, memory retrieval, and disorders of memory.

PSYC 4223 Evolutionary Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and 2203.

This course will examine the mechanisms of the human mind through the understanding of evolutionary psychology.  We will evaluate the origins of many models of behavior (many still expressed by cultures still relatively untouched by “civilization”) that attempt to explain our current lives.  Topics such as sex and mating, how we parent, global kinship patterns, war and aggression, jealousy, and dominance hierarchies will be discussed as incorporated from outside readings along with the required texts.  Finally, this course will attempt to use evolutionary psychology as a unifying theme for the many related fields of science.

PSYC 4303 Critical Thinking in Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

Introduction to the process of critical thinking, and the application of this process to some of the more interesting and controversial topics in psychology. Content areas include cognitive biases and distortions, influence techniques, logical fallacies, propaganda, and analysis of psychology research.

PSYC 4973 Special Topics in Psychology: Academic - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and PSYC 2203.

Intensive study and coverage of selected topics in psychology.  May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

 

Clinical Core

PSYC 3603 Abnormal Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103PSYC 2203.

Historical views of mental disorders; the problems of identifying and classifying deviant behavior; current research concerning the background, development, symptoms, dynamics, and prognosis of the major categories of mental disorders.

PSYC 3853 Health Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

An examination of the contributions of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the improvement of the health care system and health policy formulation. Topics include the mind-body relationship, health-enhancing and health-compromising behaviors, stress and coping, patient-practitioner interaction, pain management, and psychological issues in chronic and terminal illnesses.

PSYC 4103 Clinical Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203, PSYC 3603.

A critical evaluation of the major theories and methods of psychological treatment and assessment.

PSYC 4153 Child Clinical Psychology - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103 and PSYC 2203 or consent of instructor.

Introduction to clinical disorders observed in children and adolescents. Course covers concepts of developmental psychopathology and the etiology of disorders. Discussion of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders experienced by children and adolescents from a system of care perspective.

PSYC 4773 Special Topics in Psychology: Clinical - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1103, PSYC 2203.

Intensive study and coverage of selected topics in psychology. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

PSYC 4801 Senior Thesis I - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 3314, PSYC 4703, must be a psychology major and have approval of department chair.

Outstanding students that receive department approval may undertake a research project for credit. The research project is expected to take two semesters to complete (register for 4801 first semester and PSYC 4802 the second semester). Summation of the project will include an oral presentation to the faculty and interested students. Ideally, the student will submit the findings to a regional or national conference or a refereed journal. 

PSYC 4802 Senior Thesis II - Prerequisite(s): PSYC 4801 and approval of department chair.

Completion of the senior thesis begun as PSYC 4801. Summation of the project will include an oral presentation to the faculty and interested students. Ideally, the student will submit the findings to a regional or national conference or a refereed journal.

PSYC 4903 Internship in Psychology - Prerequisite(s): Open only to psychology majors. The student must have completed 21 hours of psychology and must be approved by the course instructor.

Field experience in selected agencies.