Bachelor’s in Psychology Curriculum

 PSYC 1020 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)

An introduction to theory, research, and applications in the field of psychology. Topics include biological bases of behavior, perception, learning and memory, psychological development, personality, social psychology, and the identification and treatment of mental illness. 

PSYC 1020H - Introduction to Psychology Honors (3 credits)

An introduction to theory, research, and applications in the field of psychology. Topics include biological bases of behavior, perception, learning and memory, psychological development, personality, social psychology, and the identification and treatment of mental illness. Prerequisite: Honors students only. 

PSYC 2600 - Psychological Research Methods (3 credits)

This course covers the methodological tools used in psychological research studies, with specific emphasis on observational, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs. Students will develop testable hypotheses, design a quantitative experimental research study, and use APA-format to write a report similar to those found in professional psychological journals. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020.

PSYC 2900 - Introduction to Quantitative Psychology (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the quantitative methods employed by psychologists and other social scientists to answer their empirical questions. You will learn both descriptive and inferential statistics during the semester. After you have taken this course, you should be better able to understand and interpret the results sections of articles in scientific journals. You will understand, for example, what it means to say that two groups have different levels of anxiety at a statistically significant level, and what calculations are involved in drawing such a conclusion. As another example, you should come away from this class with a good understanding of what it means (and, importantly, what it does not mean) to say that crime rates and ice cream sales are positively correlated. Prerequisite: PSYC 2600.

PSYC 3710 - History and Theories of Psychology (3 credits)

Exploration of the historical roots of psychology, and the bases and growth of psychology as a science. Examines the major historical and contemporary theories of psychology with an emphasis on enduring issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

PSYC 3760 - Multicultural Issues in Psychology (3 credits)

Issues relevant to the field of psychology. Examinations of different cultural groups and their values as they pertain to the individual, the family, time, proxemics (personal and interpersonal space), communication styles, and body language. Different cultural worldviews will be explored as they pertain to locus of control, conception of mental illness, and attitude toward seeking psychological help. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

PSYC 4880 - Senior Seminar (3 credits)

Students will have the opportunity to integrate information from a variety of specialties in psychology. Each seminar will have a focal theme that will allow students to gain new perspectives, as well as apply knowledge from prior courses and experiences. This course is presented as a capstone experience, therefore students with advanced standing in the psychology major will benefit the most from the seminar. Prerequisite: PSYC 2900.

Select 3 credits from the following courses:

PSYC 2010 - Cognitive Processes (3 credits)

This course will provide an introduction to experiments (methods and results) and theory in cognitive psychology. Topics covered will include object recognition, attention, memory, concepts, language, imagery, problem solving and reasoning and the neural bases of cognitive processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 2300 - Behavior Modification (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the concepts and principles of behavior analysis and behavior modification techniques applied to diverse areas such as mild and severe behavior problems in children and adults, behavior medicine, organizational behavior, sports psychology, and self-management. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 3520 - Principles of Learning (3 credits)

Principles of Learning examines theories and research concerning the basic principles and concepts of learning. Theories of classical and operant conditioning will be explored, in addition to selected theories which explore the interaction between learning, memory and motivation. Additionally, basic neuroanatomy and neurochemistry underlying various learning processes will also be introduced. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.

Select 3 credits from the following courses:

PSYC 2100 - Biological Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

This course provides a survey of genetic, neural, and endocrine bases of behavior. Focus topics include brain neuroanatomy, neural communication, sensory processes, motivation, emotion, and arousal. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

PSYC 3200 - Evolutionary Psychology (3 credits)

This course surveys the spectrum of human perception, cognition, and behavior—from consciousness and emotions to sex and violence—through the lens of evolution by natural selection. Students will develop an introductory understanding of the principles of biological evolution and will learn to apply that understanding toward the study of the human experience. Particular attention will be paid to addressing common misunderstandings of the field of evolutionary psychology, and to understand the fundamental differences between the evolutionary approach and traditional social science approaches. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.

PSYC 3920 - Sensation and Perception (3 credits)

This class will cover the fundamentals of the sensory world, such as taste, touch, vision, hearing and extrasensory phenomenon. Students in sensation and perception will explore the value of each sense in the perceptual world and will be encouraged to consider what life would be like without each sense. Perceptual illusions will be employed in order to encourage students to delve into the neural underpinnings of sensory perception. Through studying the pathways from sensations to perceptions, students will gain an appreciation of the fragility of perceptions. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

PSYC 4300 - Psychophysiology (3 credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of psychophysiology, with a focus on human psychophysiology and physiological measures of emotion and cognition. Students in this course will examine the theory of psychophysiology as well as common psychophysiological techniques. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 4400 - Hormones and Behavior (3 credits)

Students in Hormones and Behavior will develop an understanding of the many topics related to behavioral endocrinology. This course will review the interrelationships among the major classes of hormones, brain and behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H.

Select 3 credits from the following courses:

PSYC 2350 - Life-Span Human Development (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of systematic changes within the individual from conception through death. Unlike many studies of development, this course is structured around issues of development rather than examination of development from a chronological perspective. This structure will allow the student to more completely grasp life-span issues. Family, social roles, lifestyle, psychological disorders, mental abilities, and death and dying will be examined. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

PSYC 2360 - Adolescent Psychology (3 credits)

This course will provide an overview of the principles, theories, and research pertaining to the development of the adolescent. Topics include physical, emotional, social, intellectual, moral, and personality development, as well as the importance of the home, school, and community. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 2370 - Early Childhood Growth and Development (3 credits)

Students in this course will critically examine theories and research concerning the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development of the typical and atypical child from birth to age eight. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to observe and describe child behavior and to understand the principles and processes that govern growth and development in the early childhood years. Implications of knowledge of child development for parental behavior, professional practices, and social policy will also be considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

Select 3 credits from the following courses:

PSYC 2020 - Foundations of Clinical and Counseling Psychology (3 credits)

This course serves as an overview of Clinical and Counseling Psychology including a discussion of the training and employment of clinical/counseling psychologists; the assessment tools and treatment approaches routinely utilized by clinical/counseling psychologists; subspecialties of clinical and counseling psychology; and current trends and emerging issues in the field of clinical/counseling psychology. Various other related counseling professions are discussed throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 3210 - Personality (3 credits)

Survey of psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive, and behavioral theories of personality. Current issues and personality research. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 3260 - Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

Diagnoses, causes, and prognoses for the various categories of psychological disorders. Case studies supplement and illustrate theory and research. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

Select 3 credits from the following courses:

PSYC 2160 - Social Psychology (3 credits) OR PSYC 2160H - Social Psychology Honors (3 credits)

PSYC 2160 - Social Psychology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people. Topics such as self-perception, judgment and decision-making, rationalization, attitude change, conformity, social influence, obedience, attraction, love, aggression, violence, altruism, deception, nonverbal communication, and prejudice will be covered. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H. 

PSYC 2160H - Social Psychology Honors (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people. Topics such as self-perception, judgment and decision-making, rationalization, attitude change, conformity, social influence, obedience, attraction, love, aggression, violence, altruism, deception, nonverbal communication, and prejudice will be covered. Prerequisites: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H and honors students only. 

PSYC 3180 - Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination (3 credits)

This course examines how individuals, groups, and cultures develop stereotypes. The course also explores how these stereotypes are used for prejudicial and discriminatory purposes toward other individuals and/or groups. Finally, the course explores the impact of both implicit and explicit prejudice. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or PSYC 1020H.

PSYC 3360 - Psychology of Gender (3 credits)

This course examines theories about, as well as the psychological and social factors related to, gendered identities, roles, and behaviors. Prerequisite: PSYC 1020 or 1020H or SOCL 1020.

Select 3 credits from the following courses:

PSYC 3030 - Experimental Psychology (3 credits)

This course offers laboratory experience in various areas of experimental psychology. Fundamental assumptions and principles of scientific observation and research design are discussed. Students will learn how to conduct and report experiments in various core areas of psychology. Students will learn how to conduct, interpret and evaluate research and to communicate research findings. Prerequisite: PSYC 2900.

PSYC 4800 - Practicum in Psychological Research (3 credits)

This course provides practical experience in conducting psychological research. Students will read relevant research literature in professional psychological journals, develop a testable hypothesis, design and run an empirical research study, analyze data from the study, and write a full APA-format research paper. Prerequisite: PSYC 2900. 

PSYC 4810 - Practicum in Community Psychology (3 credits)

Experience in in applying psychological principles in a human services agency. Supervision onsite: weekly team meetings at the university. Written reports required. Prerequisites: PSYC 2000 or PSYC 2020 and PSYC 3450.

PSYC 4840 - Advanced Practicum in Psychology (3 credits)

Students will gain experience in a specialty area of Psychology by working with teams of Faculty members and Graduate students. They will be able to observe and participate in both research and applied clinical work. Prerequisite: PSYC 2900.

At least 12 of these credits must be at 3000/4000 level.