Psychology Course Descriptions

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Blue Vertical DividerPSY 100 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
An introduction to the science of psychology, including how psychological data are gathered and applied to everyday life. Topics covered each semester include (but are not limited to) the amazing brain, intelligence, learning and memory, psycho pathology, the senses and sexually dimorphic differences. Three credit hours. Offered every semester (d & e).

PSY 207 PSYCHOLOGICAL STATISTICS
This course surveys both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques commonly used in psychology, education, and the behavioral nd social sciences. Emphasis is placed on methods and procedures involved inhandlijg, analyzing and presenting data. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or above. Offered as needed.

PSY 210 CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Presents foundations of child development through adolescence, based on consideration of culture, theories of development, genetics, prenatal influences, bonding, and socialization influences. Emphasis on the impact of role models in establishing relationships, setting limits, and moral development. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered Spring semester (e).

PSY 229 ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Organizational psychology can be divided into three levels of thought, inquiry and action. This course will focus on these divisions and incorporate the theories, research and practices of organizational psychologists. Emphasis is placed on behavior of individuals within organizations and principles of industrial psychology. Three credit hours. Offered as needed.

PSY 230 BIOPSYCHOLOGY
Biological psychologists strive to explain behavior in terms of its physiology, development, evolution, and function. This course focuses on the biological mechanisms that are most relevant to key issues in psychology topics such as the mind-body problem, the development of learning and memory, sexual behavior, homostatic regulation, recovery from brain damage, neuroanatomy, depression, and schizophrenia. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or BIO 160 or BIO 161. Offered as needed.

PSY 240 ADOLESCENCE
This course applies general principles and theories of development to the adolescent period. Topics include physiological change, cognitive development, social relations, identity, and issues of adolescence.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: HHS 100 or PSY 100. Offered Spring semester in even numbered years (d); offered Spring semester in odd numbered years (e).

PSY 247 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Cognitive psychology takes an information- processing approach to human behavior, including how humans interpret and understand the environment, how memory processes work, and how we acquire language. Emphasis is placed on such topics as intelligence and creativity, personal cognition and applied cognitive psychology. Three credit hours. Offered as needed.

PSY 250 RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
This course introduces students to methodology used in the research process, including inductive and deductive reasoning, hypothesis generation, theory formation and analysis of empirically collected data. Three credit hours. Offered as needed.

PSY 298 SPECIAL TOPIC IN PSYCHOLOGY
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)

PSY 310 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Social Psychology is the study of how an individual's behaviors, feeling and thoughts are influenced, or determined, by the behaviors and/or characteristics of others. Topics covered each semester include attraction and love, prejudice, attitudes, conformity, atltruistic behaviors, and aggression. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered Fall semester in odd numbered years (d & e).

PSY 320 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Health psychology deals with an understanding of the psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do get ill. Topics covered include preventive health behaviors and their modifications, the mind-body relationship, stress and illness, stress reduction, the patient in treatment settings, the management of pain and discomfort, and coping with chronic illness. Three credit hours. Prerequisite:
PSY 100. Offered as needed.

PSY 321 BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
In recent years, the fields of biology have increasingly found common ground; this convergence of disciplines defines the field of neuroscience. By drawing upon current research findings, this course will introduce students tothe major issues in enuroscience, from molecular biology to clinical science. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 230. Offered as needed.

PSY 349 PSYCHOLOGY OF ADULTHOOD
The purpose of this course is to help the student understand the adulthood years mainly from the developmental perspective including the critical importance of the biological, social, psychological and environmental factors. This course will deal with the last three stages in the life cycle--young adulthood, middle, and aging. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: HHS 100 or
PSY 100. Offered Spring semester in even numbered years (d); offered Fall semester in odd numbered years (e).

PSY 351 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the field of psychopharmacology, with special emphasis placed on the relationship between drugs, their mechanisms of action in the nervous system, and human behavior. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered as needed.

PSY 370 ABNORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR
This course is for upper-level students who wish to learn about the field of abnormal behavior. Topics include: theories of abnormality, its causes and treatment; classification systems and conditions, such as anxiety disorders, affective disorders, personality disorders, dissociative and somatoform disorders, psychosexual disorders, substance abuse and schizophrenia. Three credit hours. Prerequisites:
PSY 100 and Junior standing. Offered Spring semester in odd numbered years (d); offered Fall semester in even numbered years (e).

PSY 398 SPECIAL TOPIC IN PSYCHOLOGY
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)

PSY 420 PERSONALITY
Personality explores concepts and theories which have been formulated to explain and predict individual differences in behavior. Topics include: psychoanalytic theories, biological, social learning, and humanist theories as well as methods of personality assessment. Three credit hours. Prerequisite:
PSY 100. Offered as needed.

PSY 421 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
This course provides students with a current analysis of the most widely used psychological tests in schools, professional training programs, business, industry, the military, and clinical settings. Applications of the tests and examination of the issues shaping the future of testing will be emphasized. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered as needed.

PSY 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY

 

Page Updated 10/18/00 (lak)
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