Course Information
Categories: All courses in psychology have been placed into one of the categories below. Psy 100 is a prerequisite for all courses, with two exceptions: Students may use Edu 234 as a prerequisite for Psy 210 or 312.

Required	Social	Clinical	Experimental	Elective
Psy 100 Psy 200 Psy 300	Psy 210 Psy 212 Psy 310 Psy 312 Psy 410	Psy 320 Psy 324 Psy 420 Psy 422 Psy 424	Psy 330 Psy 332 Psy 334 Psy 430 Psy 432	Psy 120 Psy 340 Psy 342 Psy 440 Psy 499

Course Descriptions

PSY-100 Introduction to Psychology

An introduction to the scientific study of behavior and consciousness, including topics such as the neurobiological basis of behavior, perception, learning, memory and thinking, motivation, personality, normal and abnormal behavior, psychotherapy and social factors in behavior.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-120 Stress Management

The concept of stress in daily life is defined, and both general and specific sources are examined. The effects of stress and benefits of stress reduction are discussed. Experientially, students learn how to use techniques for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

1.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-200 Statistical Methods in Psychology

A survey of the fundamental techniques for describing and analyzing behavioral data. The course considers measures of central tendency and deviation, linear and function-free correlation, hypothesis testing, non-parametric techniques, and analysis of variance. Basic computer skills required. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-210 Life Span Developmental Psychology

A study of characteristics and changes from conception to death. At each stage, major topics covered are physical and motor change, cognitive development, emotional and personality growth and social development. Prerequisite: PSY-100 or EDU-234.

3.00 cr.(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-212 Psychology of Gender Roles

The understanding of gender roles from a psychological viewpoint. Topics included are a critique of the psychoanalytic view of gender differences, the effects of body states on personality, psychophysiological dysfunctions of the reproductive system, differences between male and female brains, differences in the way male and female infants behave, how sexual identity develops, self-esteem, achievement motivation, and changes in the roles the different sexes play during their lifetimes. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-299 Introduction to Research in Psychology

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will participate in the execution of an original research project that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration. Open to freshmen and sophomores. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of six semester hours. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

1.00-3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-300 Research Methods in Psychology

An introduction to the history, methods and ethics of general experimental psychology. Research studies will be developed, executed, analyzed, and reported in American Psychological Association style. Basic computer skills required. Prerequisites: PSY-100, PSY-200.

4.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-310 The Psychology of Children and Adolescents

A comprehensive review of development from infancy to adolescence, with an emphasis on factors which influence growth and learning. Applications of research and theory are directed toward designing appropriate interventions with children in individual and group settings. Prerequisites: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-312 The Psychology of Exceptional Individuals

An introduction to the psychological and educational issues associated with the major exceptionalities. Field observation is often a component of this course. Prerequisites: PSY-100 or EDU-234.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-320 Abnormal Psychology

A study of the major forms of behavioral pathology and current therapies. Topics covered include anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, affective disorders, schizophrenic disorders, and chronic brain syndromes. Prerequisites: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-324 Conditioning and Behavior Modification

An examination of the principals of classical and operant conditioning including reinforcement, stimulus control, and extinction, and the application of these principles in a variety of settings, including the control and modification of one's own behavior. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-330 Neuropsychology

A survey of the functional anatomy of the nervous system. Special emphasis on current views of the contributions of various subsystems to psychological phenomena. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-332 Perception

A study of the various senses and how they function. How needs, desires, expectations, and previous experiences influence perception. Understanding of the principles of psychophysics. The course also focuses on cognitive factors in perception. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-334 Animal Behavior

An introduction to the scientific study of animal behavior, a synthesis of comparative psychology and ethology. Students will also be introduced to genetic influences upon behavior, primate behavior and paleoanthropology. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-340 Community Field Experience

A field experience in psychology involving application of knowledge and skills in community agencies, mental health services, business, government, or educational settings which provides students with exposure to and experience in the profession of psychology. Attendance at a biweekly seminar and completion of a written project is required. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 5 credit hours may be earned. Instructor's consent required. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

1.00-3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-342 Autism Practicum

A practicum course providing students with an opportunity to use applied behavioral analysis techniques to work with preschool children with autism.  Each student is assigned to a child's team and works with that child on a one-to-one basis in the Meredith Autism Program Lab and in the child's home. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

2.00-3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-410 Social Psychology

A study of the theories and research relevant to interpersonal influence, the ways in which an individual is influenced by other people. Included topics: attitude change, conformity, interpersonal attraction, self consistency, aggression, altruism, and social cognition. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-420 Theories of Personality

Major contemporary theories of personality. Theories evaluated in light of research findings. Prerequisites: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-422 Psychological Testing and Evaluation

A study of the principles of psychological testing and evaluation in several settings. An introduction to the major types of tests, including tests of general and special abilities, aptitude, achievement, interests, and personality. Prerequisites: PSY-100, PSY-200.

3.00 cr. (Fall, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-424 Theory and Practice in Counseling

Introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of counseling as applied in clinical and educational settings. Intensive class interaction is expected. Observation, interviewing, role playing and videotaping are used in the course. A variety of theories are introduced. The student is strongly encouraged to take Abnormal Psychology or Theories of Personality before taking this class. Junior/Senior status. Instructor's consent required. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-430 History and Systems in Psychology

The focus of this course is the historical genesis of current concerns in psychology. Particular emphasis will be placed on the seminal work of the late 19th- and early 20th-century psychological pioneers. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-432 Memory, Language and Cognition

A survey of the major theories and empirical findings in the field. Emphasis placed on the active strategies and thought processes used in remembering, speaking and understanding language, reading, concept learning, and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

3.00 cr. (Fall, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-440 Special Topics in Psychology

A course focused on a special topic in psychology. Topics will be chosen in accord with faculty and student interest. Intended for students of demonstrated maturity, usually indicated by upper class standing. Topics may include current trends in research and/or professional issues (e.g., multicultural counseling, environmental psychology, research in gerontology). A description of the topic will be included in the registration schedule for the upcoming semester. May be repeated for credit but no more than three hours may be applied to the 18-hour minor requirement. Instructor's consent required. Prerequisite: PSY-100.

1.00-3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-498 Honors Thesis in Psychology

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will formulate and execute an original research project that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and the faculty mentor is required for registration. The project must meet Honors Program thesis requirements as well as the expectations of the psychology faculty. Open to seniors in the Honors and/or Teaching Fellows Programs who are majoring in psychology. Prerequisites: PSY-200, PSY-300.

3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)

PSY-499 Research in Psychology

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will formulate and execute an original research project that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and the faculty mentor is required for registration. Open to junior and senior psychology majors or minors and others by permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of six semester hours. Prerequisites: PSY-200, PSY-300.

1.00-3.00 cr. (Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)