The curriculum in the Psychology Department is designed to:

1. give the student a background in the philosophical, theoretical and empirical aspects of the field;

2. develop the student’s basic skills in critical thinking, reading, writing, speaking, computer use, and research;

3. emphasize the role of liberal education in enhancing personal and professional development; and

4. assure that students have the background experiences necessary to pursue graduate education.

The bachelor of arts major in psychology consists of at least eight courses (28 hours), with additional courses required for the bachelor of science degree (34 hours). All majors must take the following core courses: PSY 101, 302, and 303 as well as one course from each of the following two groups: Group 1: PSY 210, 215, 221, 225; Group 2: PSY 230, 240, 245, 260, 270 and one of the following laboratory electives: PSY 305, 310, 325, 326, 385.

For a B.A. in Psychology, majors must complete an additional research requirement of either (a) an empirical project (PSY 490a and PSY 490b or PSY 496a and 496b) or (b) an additional laboratory elective from among PSY 305, 310, 325, 326, 385. B.A. majors must also complete one of the following seminar courses: PSY 401, 410, 420, 430, 485.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology

For a B.S. in Psychology, majors must complete: (a) an empirical project (PSY 490a and PSY 490b or PSY 496a and PSY 496b); (b) PSY 401; (c) at least 6 additional hours in Psychology of which at least 3 must be 300-level or above; (d) MAT 133, MAT 141, or MAT 191; (e) CHM 111 and 112 (or only CHM 115), and BIO 211. The following laboratory sequences are highly recommended: CSC 204 and 205; PHY 141/121L and 142/142L; or PHY 161/121L and 162/162L.

A minor in psychology consists of five courses: PSY 101; one course each from Group 1 and Group 2 above, PSY 302, and one other PSY course numbered 300 or higher. Various special topics courses may be substituted only with prior permission of the department chair.

Majors may attain Departmental Honors in psychology by fulfilling the following requirements: (1) maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in all psychology courses and a 3.0 overall grade point average; (2) file an application for attempting honors with the chair, and in order to be eligible to apply (a) have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 in all psychology courses attempted and an overall grade point average of 3.0; and (b) have completed at least three courses in psychology, which must include PSY 302; (3) complete PSY 496a and 496b, Honors Project in Psychology, in place of PSY 490a and 490b. PSY 101 is a prerequisite for all further work in the department.

PSY 101. Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
An introduction to and survey of the major content areas of psychology. The topics include biological, cognitive, social, and environmental influences on behavior, as well as the variety of philosophical, theoretical, and empirical approaches adopted by the discipline.

PSY 210. Biopsychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An investigation of the ways the nervous system interfaces with behavior to determine what we perceive, feel, think, say, and do. The course will provide an overview of the major divisions of biopsychology - neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, psychophysiology, and physiological psychology - with an emphasis on their relationship to behavior.

PSY 215. Cognitive Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An introduction to the major theoretical approaches and empirical research related to human thought processes. Topics include perception, attention, memory, thinking, problem solving, and decision making.

PSY 221. Health Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course will explore theoretical and empirical approaches to studying the influence of thought, feeling, and behavior on physical health. The class will examine the mind-body problem and how physical health is influenced by personality, social relationships, stress, expectations, behavior, and emotion expression.

PSY 225. Sensation & Perception (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
This course will provide the student with an understanding of how humans sense and perceive the surrounding environment. Topics will include the visual, auditory, vestibular, olfactory, and somatosensory systems.

PSY 230. Social Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An examination of behavior influenced by other people. The topics include interpersonal relationships, attitude development and change, group interaction, and the impact of culture and physical environments.

PSY 235. Industrial Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An overview of the applications of psychological theory and research to the workplace. The topics covered include personnel selection and management, interpersonal aspects of employment, and factors that influence performance.

PSY 240. Theories of Personality (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
A critical review of the major theoretical explanations of the development, structure and organization of personal attributes. The course also considers the empirical evidence which supports these theories.

PSY 245. Developmental Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An introduction to the study of the psychological development of the individual. The focus of this course is both theoretical and empirical, including coverage of growth in physical, social, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and personality traits across the life span.

PSY 260. Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
An overview of the concepts, methods, and issues involved in clinical psychology, including assessment procedures and intervention strategies from varying theoretical perspectives.

PSY 270. Psychology of Gender (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101 or consent of instructor.
Examination of the theory and context in which the social construct of “gender” develops, and the impact this has on our perceptions of ourselves, how others perceive us, and how we relate to others. Emphasis will be placed on the diversity of such experiences.

PSY 285. Special Topics (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 101
A survey of a content area in psychology that is not available through other departmental course offerings. May be taken more than once, for a maximum of six credit hours.

PSY 302. Behavioral Statistics (4 hours)
Prerequisites: one Group 1 PSY course or one Group 2 PSY course, and completion of the general education mathematics requirement.
This course will provide the student with an understanding of basic behavioral statistics and the ability to report them in written and oral formats. Topics will include descriptive statistics, basic research design, and inferential statistics. Assignments include laboratory investigations and written reports.

PSY 303. Research Methods (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 302
An introduction to the methodological skills necessary for conducting psychological research. Topics include strategies and problems of basic and advanced research design, drawing conclusions, writing research reports, and ethical issues. Assignments include laboratory investigations and written reports.

PSY 305. Psychology of Learning (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
An examination of the acquisition, maintenance and stimulus control of behavior from both empirical and theoretical perspectives. Laboratory investigations and written reports of these investigations are required.

PSY 310. Biological Bases of Behavior (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
An investigation of the relationship between biological and psychological processes. The biological bases of human and animal behavior will be explored and analyzed from the perspectives of psychophysiology, ethology, and behavior genetics. Laboratory investigations and written reports of experimental findings are required.

PSY 325. Tests and Measurement (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
Examination of the construction, evaluation, and use of psychological assessment devices. The topics include reliability, validity, measurement theory, and factors that influence the assessment process. Laboratory investigations and written reports of empirical findings are required.

PSY 326. Behavior Modification (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
An examination of the applications of learning principles in solving human problems. Consideration will be given to legal, social, and ethical issues related to these applications. Experiential or practical exercises applying principles learned and written reports of these findings are required.

PSY 385. Special Topics (4 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
An empirical study of some significant topic in psychology that is not available through other departmental laboratory course offerings. Laboratory investigations and written reports of empirical findings are required. May be taken more than once, for a maximum of eight credit hours.

PSY 390. Field Placement (1-15 hours)
Prerequisites: permission of the chair and senior status.
An opportunity to obtain experience with the activities typically performed by a practicing psychologist. Students are expected to work for the agency involved no fewer than 3 hours per week for each credit hour awarded. Specific academic assignments will also be negotiated with the faculty member involved and the agency supervisor. Graded S/U.

PSY 401. History and Systems of Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisites: senior status, PSY 303
An attempt to place in historical perspective the major concepts, philosophical assumptions, and theories of psychology. The course draws together content from across the curriculum and includes a critical examination of the field.

PSY 410. Social and Ethical Implications of Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303; senior status
A study of the impact of psychological research and practice on the individual and society. The ethical, moral, and legal implications of psychology will be examined.

PSY 412. Animal Behavior (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
The course seeks to describe and explain the causative and developmental factors that influence animal behavior at the level of the individual and social group. Investigations into the mechanisms underlying behavior will be stressed, primarily in non-human mammals.

PSY 420. Alternative Perspectives in Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303; senior status
A critical examination of humanistic, phenomenological, existential, and value-based perspectives in psychology.

PSY 430. Group Dynamics (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 303
A subspecialization of social psychology, this seminar focuses on human thought and behavior specifically in group situations. Topics may include group formation, structure, and development; cohesiveness; influence; power; group task performance; group decision-making; leadership; crowd behavior; and intra- and intergroup conflict.

PSY 460. Psychopathology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 240 or 260
A survey of the major categories of behavior pathology, including a consideration of etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

PSY 485. Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
Prerequisites: PSY 303 and consent of instructor.
An advanced study of psychological theories that is not available through other departmental course offerings. May be taken more than once, for a maximum of six hours credit toward the psychology major.

PSY 490a. Empirical Project in Psychology I (2 hours)
Prerequisites: PSY 303 and consent of chair.
The development and completion of an acceptable proposal for an empirical project on a psychological topic. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present the proposed empirical project.

PSY 490b. Empirical Project in Psychology II (2 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 490a
The implementation and completion of the project proposed in PSY 490a. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present the results of this empirical project.

PSY 495. Directed Independent Research (1-4 hours)
Prerequisites: PSY 303 and consent of supervisor and chair.
Requirements include selection of a problem area, survey of relevant literature, research and report of these findings. Graded S/U.

PSY 496a. Honors Project in Psychology I (2 hours)
Prerequisites: candidate for departmental honors in psychology, PSY 303
The student must make formal application to the departmental chair and, if approved, register for this course instead of 490a. The student then develops and completes an acceptable honors project prospectus for an empirical project on a psychological topic that meets the approval of a committee of three faculty members from the department. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present a proposed empirical project.

PSY 496b. Honors Project in Psychology II (2 hours)
Prerequisite: PSY 496a
The implementation and completion of the project proposed in PSY 496a. The student will produce a formal manuscript and orally present the results of this proposed empirical project.