Psychology
PSY 100 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
An introduction to the science of psychology, including how psychological data are gathered and applied to every-day life. Topics covered each semester include (but are not limited to) the amazing brain, intelligence, learning and memory, psychopathology, 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 and social sciences. Emphasis is placed on methods and procedures involved in handling, analyzing and presenting data.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: MAT 110 or above. Offered Fall semester (d).
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 (d & 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, homeostatic regulation, recovery from brain damage, neuroanatomy, depression, and schizophrenia.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or BIO 160 or BIO 161.Offered Fall semester (d).
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 (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 Spring semester (d).
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 Spring semester (d).
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, altruistic behaviors, and aggression.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered Fall semester in odd numbered years (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 Fall semester (d).
PSY 321 BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
In recent years, the fields of biology and psychology 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 to the major issues in neuroscience, from molecular biology to clinical science.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 230. Offered Spring semester (d).
PSY 349 PSYCHOLOGY OF ADULTHOOD
The purpose of this course is to help the student under-stand 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 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 Spring semester (d).
PSY 368 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
A study of the history of psychology highlighting people, ideas, and schools of thought. Individuals and con-textual forces influencing the history of psychology will be emphasized.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or Junior standing. 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 (d); offered Fall semester in even numbered years (e).
PSY 377 Undergraduate Internship
Students will complete 90 contact hours at an approved organization, plus on-campus supervision as assigned. Internships are designed to furnish the student with on-site experience in a setting consistent with the student’s career goals. Internships require instructor approval. A student may take this course twice for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
PSY 379 PARAPSYCHOLOGY AND PSEUDOSCIENCE
A critical look into parapsychology and other pseudo-sciences. Specifically, this course will examine historical and current evidence given in the search for parapsychological phenomena such as extra sensory perception, telepathy, clairvoyance, and the validity of horoscopes. Also, current controversies in the psychological and medical literature will be addressed on such topics as repressed memories, multiple personality disorder, and touch therapy.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Offered as needed.
PSY 385 SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
This course introduces students to the latest research and practices in applied sports psychology. Topics include cognitive techniques for building confidence and enhancing performance, concentration and attention control training, sports participation and youth development, team building strategies, motivation in sports and coaching concepts and strategies.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered Fall semester (d).
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 Fall semester (d).
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 Spring semester (d).
PSY 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN PSYCHOLOGY
