Psycology program degree major

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Course Descriptions

PSYC105 | PSYC201 | PSYC203 | PSYC205 | SSCI213 | PSYC215 | PSYC294/394/494 | PSYC304 | PSYC305 | PSYC306 | PSYC309 | PSYC310/510 | PSYC312 | PSYC314 | PSYC318 | PSYC323 | PSYC324 | PSYC331 | PSYC332 | PSYC333 | PSYC342 | PSYC343 | PSYC348 | PSYC350 | PSYC360 | PSYC397/398 | PSYC401 | PSYC402 | PSYC403 | PSYC404 | PSYC414 | PSYC540 |


+PSYC 105. Introductory Psychology 3 credits
Basic introduction into concepts, theories, and methods of studying human and animal behavior and cognitive process. Gives an overall perspective of the field of psychology including its history and research methods, sensation and perception, the biology of behavior, health and stress, consciousness, learning, memory, personality, psychological disorders, and social thought and behavior.

+PSYC 201. Personal Adjustment 3 credits
Serves in the process of self examination, clarification of personal goals, skills, interpersonal relations, and study habits. Innovative techniques, such as group dynamics.

+PSYC 203. Psychology of Gender 3 credits
Theory, research, and discussion on the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the similarities and differences between men and women. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

PSYC 205. Psychology of Human Sexuality 3 credits
Physical, psychological, and social aspects of sexuality as a natural part of human living, including various problems associated with this interpersonal role. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

STAT 213. Statistics for the Social Sciences 3 credits
Cross-disciplinary course on how and why social behavioral scientists use statistics to describe and interpret information they gather. Topics include descriptive statistics and basic inferential statistics. Prerequisites: Introductory course in major field, MATH 151, or passing grade on screening test.

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PSYC 215. Research Methods 3 credits
An introduction to research methods used in studying human and animal behavior and cognitive processes. Provides skills for critical evaluation, public and professional literature dealing with the scientific study of behavior. Topics include the philosophy of scientific psychology, experimental and non-experimental methods of investigation, principles of experimental design and control, psychological testing, and discussion of applications in several areas of research. Some practice in design, implementation, and analysis of research. Prerequisite: PSYC 105. (Those with double majors in sociology and psychology may substitute SOC 350 for PSYC 215).

PSYC 294, 394, 494. Laboratory Practicum 1 - 2 credits
Practical and/or research experience working directly with a faculty member on scientific or applied projects of mutual interest. Prerequisites: PSYC 105 and permission of instructor.

+PSYC 284. Child and Adolescent Psychology 3 credits
Motor, mental, social, and emotional development through adolescent years. Prerequisite: PSYC 105. (Same as EDUC 284)

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+PSYC 305. Life-Span Developmental Psychology 3 credits
Biological, behavioral, cognitive, and social processes and development from conception through death and dying. Topics include the role of genetics in development, physical and cognitive growth, environmental influences on development, intelligence, and moral development. Prerequisite: PSYC 105 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 306. Social Psychology 3 credits
Theory and research on how the social environment influences human organisms' behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Topics include an overview of attitudes and persuasion, social cognition, prejudice, aggression, and interpersonal attraction. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

PSYC 309. Educational Psychology: Tests and Measurements 3 credits
Psychological principles in teaching and learning, preparation and use of devices to evaluate learning and instruction. Lecture. Prerequisites: PSYC 105; EDUC 205, 304. (Same as EDUC 309)

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PSYC 312. Women and Aging 3 credits
Biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development of women from age 20 through death. Includes a survey of the research that is focused on women's development, an exploration of the changing roles and expectations for women today, and of how women can maximize their adult experiences. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

WI-PSYC 314. Human Motivation 3 credits
Study of the causes for the variety of human actions. Comparison of behavioral, cognitive, and sociobiological models. Application of motivational models to organizational environments. Prerequisites: PSYC 105.

PSYC 321. Psychology and Law
This course is an overview of the interface between psychology and the law.  It examines the use of psychology and psychological experts in the legal system.  Topics include evaluation of mental competency of defendants, assessment of potential dangerousness, and expert testimony about the legal definition of insanity.  Other areas reviewed are jury selection, witness preparation, and children/adolescents in the judicial system. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

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PSYC 323. Personality Theories 3 credits
Major theories of personality with emphasis on normal personality. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

+PSYC 324. Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
Introductory course to acquaint students with the hypothesized biological, psychological, and sociocultural causes of various mental disorders. It also includes a presentation of different treatment modalities for abnormal behavior. Students will be provided with an introduction to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

PSYC 331. Learning and Memory 3 credits
Research and theories in classical and instrumental conditioning, human verbal learning, and memory. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: PSYC 105.

PSYC 332. Psychological Tests and Measurements 3 credits
Various assessment procedures, particularly those concerned with intelligence and personality. Prerequisites: PSYC 105, STAT 213, or permission of instructor.

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WI-PSYC 342. Theories of Counseling 3 credits
Introduction to counseling course that focuses on counseling theories and practices from a variety of cultural perspectives. Students have the opportunity to examine their personal counseling strengths and weaknesses as they begin to develop a more appreciative understanding of the counseling needs of our diverse population. Prerequisites: Junior status, PSYC 105.

PSYC 343. Family Counseling 3 credits
The structure and process of family counseling, its historical and theoretical foundations, the practice of family counseling, and training for and evaluation of family therapy. Prerequisites: PSYC 105.

PSYC 348. Supervised Field Experience 3 credits
Participation in service projects and field internship placements for which students have had suitable course preparation. Students must arrange a placement site no later than the semester prior to enrollment in the course. (SOC 355 may be substituted for PSYC 348 by those students with double majors in sociology and psychology.) Prerequisites: Junior status, PSYC 105, 12 semester credits in psychology, and permission of instructor. Transfer students must wait at least one semester before taking 348, but they may arrange their placement during the first semester.

PSYC 350. Health Psychology 3 credits
Psychology's contributions to theory and research on the reciprocal relationship between physical health, and behavior and cognitive processes. Prerequisites: PSYC 105.

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PSYC 355. Brain and Behavior 3 credits
Analysis of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system of animals and humans, with a focus on the biological mechanisms that are most relevant to key issues in psychology. Topics covered include the mind-body problem, the development of language and learning, sexual behavior, alcoholism, psychosomatic illness, anxiety, aggressive behavior, recovery from brain damage, depression, and schizophrenia. Prerequisites: PSYC 105.

PSYC 360. Behavioral Pharmacology 3 credits
Analyzes the effects of drugs on behavior, with particular emphasis on the development and classification of drugs; the effects of drugs on cognition, emotions, and psychomotor abilities; and the study of the chemical reactions and functions of the individual neuron or small populations of neurons. This course will take a biopsychological perspective in an attempt to build relationships between the empirical and experiential. Prerequisite: PSYC 105 or permission of instructor, one semester of biology or chemistry.

PSYC 397, 398. Topics in Psychology 3 credits
Courses in areas of psychology not included in other offerings in the department. Class topics will change each semester. Prerequisites: PSYC 105 and permission of instructor.

PSYC 402. Psychology of Sensation and Perception 3 credits
Examination of theoretical knowledge and experimental study of how information is gathered from the environment. Topics include psychophysics, vision, audition, touch and pain, smell and taste. Prerequisite: PSYC 105. Offered alternate years.

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PSYC 403. Behavioral Neuroscience 4 credits
Examination of the functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of human beings. Emphasis on the physiology and anatomy of the nervous system and the relationship between the nervous system and behavior and disorders that affect the nervous system. Prerequisites: PSYC 105, BIOL 101 or 103. Recommended: CHEM 101 or 105, or PHYS 203 or 251.

WI-PSYC 404. Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis  4 credits
In-depth examination of research and methodology with hands-on research experience during all phases of the course. Students are required to initiate a research project and carry it through to completion under instructor supervision. Prerequisites:  PSYC 105, C+ or better in STAT 213, PSYC 215.

PSYC 414. History of Psychology 3 credits
Historical roots of modern psychology in relation to current trends. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior status; PSYC 105, 215.

PSYC 540. Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology 5 credits
Comprehensive examination of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, including cell and molecular biology of the neuron, synaptic transmission, functional anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system, sensory and motor functions, homeostatic and arousal mechanisms, localization of higher functions, and development of the nervous system. Laboratory sessions will emphasize traditional work on nervous system anatomy and physiology, as well as application of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology in an applied setting. Prerequisite: Admission to the Physical Therapy Program or instructor permission.

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+ = Applicable toward general education degree requirements
wi = Writing intensive course


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