Psychology Major
Neuroscience Minor
Psychology Minor
Degree Type Offered: B.S. Major
Core Courses (17 credits)
PSY-101 General Psychology
Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall and Spring
Introduction to psychology as a natural and a social science. Topics include the methods of science, biological bases of behavior, developmental processes, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, conditioning and learning, memory and cognition, motivation and emotion, theories and assessment of intelligence and personality, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, and social-cultural influences on behavior. FILA general education: social sciences
PSY-210 Biological Psychology
Introduction to the biological bases of human and animal behavior. General introduction to the nervous system, including its development, structure, and function, with particular emphasis on the role of brain mechanisms in movement, circadian rhythms, hunger and thirst, sexual behavior, emotional behaviors and stress, learning and memory, and psychological disorders. Prerequisite: PSY-101
PSY-230 Research Methods
Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only
Exploration of descriptive, correlational, and experimental research methods and statistics. Topics include the scientific method, ethical research, hypothesis testing, reliability and validity, the nature and correct use of inferential statistics, and how to interpret main effects and interactions. Lab focus on SPSS analyses and a group designed research project. Three lecture hours and one lab per week. Prerequisite: PSY-101
PSY-240 Behavioral Psychology
Introduction to the experimental analysis of behavior. Historical and modern approaches in the scientific study of learning are discussed. Students are required to demonstrate factual knowledge in the major content areas, procedures, and other advanced issues in regards to simple forms of learning such as habituation and sensitization and more complex forms of associative learning exemplified in classical and operant conditioning. Prerequisite: PSY-101 Prerequisites or Corequisites: PSY-210 or PSY-230 or permission of instructor
PSY-300 Measurement and Statistics
Credits: 4 Term Offered: Fall Only
Introduction to basic principles of data analysis. Topics include data distributions, preparation of data and graphs, measurement of central tendency and dispersion, hypothesis testing, and descriptive and inferential statistics. Students develop expertise using SPSS and Excel through lab experiences and a summative group project. Prerequisite: PSY-230
Fundamental Courses (9 credits)
PSY-310 Abnormal Psychology
Empirical findings related to the description, classification, assessment, etiology and treatments of various psychological disorders. Specific disorders examined include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance-related disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. An important emphasis is understanding the impact of mental illness on individuals and their family and friends. Prerequisite: PSY-101 or SOC-101, or permission of instructor
PSY-330 Memory and Cognition
Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only
Investigation of the major areas of cognitive psychology. Topics include perception and attention, representation of knowledge, models of memory, problem solving/reasoning, language and intelligence. Analysis of the validity and reliability of measuring cognitive processes occur through participation in hands-on experiments and demonstrations. Prerequisite: PSY-101 or permission of the instructor
PSY-350 Social Psychology
Overview of the study of how people's behaviors, attitudes, and feelings are shaped by other people and the social environment. Topics include attraction, prejudice, deindividuation, persuasion, cognitive dissonance, social cognition, attribution theory and the social self. Emphasis on classic research and the latest studies in the field and their applicability to everyday experiences of the students. Prerequisite: PSY-101 or permission of the instructor
PSY-317 Biology of Mind
Examination of the contribution of neuroscience techniques to the understanding of sensation/perception, attention, learning, memory, language and consciousness. Lectures and papers involve an analysis of the interdisciplinary methods such as functional neuroimaging, electrophysiological methods , and the neurological impairments of brain-damaged patients. Prerequisites: PSY-101 and PSY-210 or BIOL-110, or permission of instructor Alternate years: offered 2017-2018 (Cross-listed as BIOL-317)
PSY-370 Developmental Psychology
Surveys historical approaches, basic issues, recent research, and current theoretical perspectives in developmental psychology. Emphasis on describing and explaining the changes that characterize physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional development across the lifespan. Prerequisite: PSY-101 or permission of instructor
PSY-390 Sensation and Perception
Survey of theories, principles, and facts concerning the sensory sciences. Emphasis on the study of physical, physiological, and psychological principles governing how we acquire information from the environment through the senses, and the organization of these sensations into meaningful, interpretable experiences. Although the focus is on mechanisms, the influence of disease, development, and aging are also considered. Prerequisite: PSY-210 or permission of the instructor Alternate years: offered 2018-2019
PSY-399 Psychology of Personality
Examination of the psycho-analytic, neo-analytic, trait, biological, and adjustment approaches to "normal" and abnormal personality. The contributions of major personality theorists (Freud, Adler, Erikson, etc.) are examined as well. Coursework emphasizes reflective essays and assessments to foster insight into the students' own personality. Prerequisites: PSY-101 and sophomore or higher standing, or permission of instructor
Applied Courses (6 credits)
PSY-319 Functional Neuroanatomy
Comprehensive analysis of the organization of vertebrate nervous systems is approached from a structural perspective with emphasis on the human central nervous system. Principles of organization are stressed. Laboratory component introduces students to neuroanatomical and neurohistological methods and techniques. Both he gross and fine microscopic anatomy of the nervous system are studied. Prerequisites: PSY-101 and PSY-210 or BIOL-110 or permission of instructor Alternate years: offered 2017-2018 (Cross-listed as BIOL-319)
PSY-320 Clinical Psychology
Introduction to the field of Clinical Psychology. Emphasis on covering the two main tasks of clinical psychologists: psychotherapy and testing. Content includes a variety of treatment approaches and therapeutic techniques, as well as testing situations and common clinical applications. Special emphasis given to clinical competence, client rights, and matching therapeutic techniques and tests with specific referral questions. Theoretical and applied material will be integrated so as to provide students with the rationale for, and a "hands-on" feel of, clinical psychology. As appropriate, students will have the opportunity to observe and/or informally administer psychological testing instruments and therapeutic techniques. Prerequisites: PSY-300 and PSY-310, or permission of instructor
PSY-340 Public Mental Health
Exposes students to a broad view of public mental health and psychology in the public interest. Stimulates the interest of future researchers, clinicians, and policy makers toward improvement of public mental health. Specific attention is given to discerning science from pseudoscience in the practice of psychology. Prerequisite: PSY-310 or permission of instructor
PSY-360 Psychopharmacology
Introduction to selected topics from the study of drug effects on behavior and other psychological processes, including memory, motivation and perception. Special emphasis on the reinforcing properties of drugs and substance abuse/dependence. Prerequisite: PSY-210 or permission of instructor
PSY-375 Applied Neuropsychology
Multidisciplinary course in neuroscience, with clinical ties to neurology, psychiatry, and psychology, as well as basic scientific links to biology, computer science, and cognitive studies. Examines how the structure and function of the brain relate to specific cognitive processes and overt behaviors through the use of neuropsychological testing methods. Topics include orientation, learning and memory, intelligence, language, visuoperception, and executive functioning. The administration, scoring, and interpretation of various neuropsychological measures are discussed. Prerequisites: PSY-230 or MATH-140 or SOC-322 and PSY-210 or PSY-317 or PSY-319 or BIOL-110 or permission of instructor Alternate years: offered 2017-2018 (Cross-listed as BIOL-375)
PSY-380 Human Sexuality
Overview of the psychological, social and biological aspects of sexuality that will be of use for communicating with romantic partners, doctors and family members. Topics include: sexual anatomy and physiology, sexually transmitted diseases, methods of contraception, prenatal sexual differentiation, sex research, attraction and love, sexual orientation and sexual dysfunction, and sexual ethics. Prerequisites: PSY-101 or SOC-101 and junior or senior standing
PSY-400 Applied Behavior Analysis II: Fundamentals of Behavior Change
Credits: 3 Term Offered: May Term & Summe
Emphasizes basic principles, procedures and ethical concepts of ABA. Specific topics include complexities and schedules of contingencies, antecedent analyses, prompting, shaping and fading in establishing alternative adaptive behaviors. Theory and application of techniques for improving communicative behaviors are covered, as are the evidence-based conditions for ABA. Completion satisfies part of the requirements needed for admission to the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination (BCaBA). Prerequisite: PSY-240
PSY-410 Applied Behavior Analysis II: Analysis And Intervention
Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring and Summe
Course covers ABA tasks and responsibilities in specific intervention situations. Ethical issues related to intervention are addressed. Focus is on person-centered responsibilities including problem identification; problem measurement and assessment; task analyses, selecting, developing and modifying individual and group interventions based on data; analyses of support systems in the environment; the fidelity of the implementation of the intervention; precision teaching; and the management and supervision of contingency systems. Completion satisfies part of the requirements needed for admission to the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination (BCaBA). Prerequisites: PSY-240 and PSY-400 or permission of instructor
Integrative Course (3 credits)
PSY-450 Historical Issues in Psychology
Credits: 3 Term Offered: May Term
Reviews the history of psychology by focusing on its recurring theoretical issues (specific focus may vary). The course will include; historical foundations, cultural "zeitgeist" influences, identification of influential persons, track historical progression or cycles, and conclude with the current state of the discipline - with some projection of the future. Prerequisites: PSY-101 and junior/senior standing; or permission of instructor
PSY-460 Interaction Rituals: Research Seminar In Contemporary Psychology
Overview of the psychology of social interactions involving status rituals and politeness expectations. Contemporary topics include forgiveness, lying apologizing, teasing and gossiping. Discussion based seminar causes students to examine their daily interactions more closely and gives them insight into their own status in their social groups. Daily reflective essays, class participation, seminar leadership and a final self-analysis paper are the bases of the course grade. Prerequisite: PSY-101 or permission of instructor
PSY-470 Special Topics
Directed study of a selected research topic. Designed to help the advanced student develop knowledge of a specific area of research or practice. Prerequisite: permission of instructor
PSY-475E Neuroethics
Delineates a new field of Neuroethics concerned with the social, legal and ethical implications of modern research on the brain. Brings together contemporary writings from neuroscientists, bioethicists, public policy makers and scholars in the humanities for discussion and debate on these issues. The relationship between different faith and philosophical positions on decision making from an applied (clinical) perspective will also be investigated. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350; ENG-110; and PSY-101 and PSY-210 or BIOL-110; or permission of instructor FILA general education: ethical reasoning Offered alternate years
PSY-480 Internship
Credits: 3 Term Offered: All Terms
Provides an opportunity for a student to gain field experience in an area related to the student's concentration or career goals. Supervision of an intern is provided by an appropriate faculty member and by a staff member of the agency or business in which the student is an intern. A student who wishes to engage in an internship must consult with the appropriate faculty member at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. A description of the internship, signed by the student and the faculty sponsor, must be filed with the director of internships by the first day of the semester prior to the start of the internship. Approval of each application for an internship is made by the director of internships based upon policies and guidelines as approved by the Council on Education and the faculty. To be considered for an internship, a student must have junior or senior status and at least a 2.00 grade point average. Internships are graded on an S or U basis. A student may enroll in an internship program for 3 credits per semester, and internship credit may be earned in subsequent semesters subject to the limitations that no more than two internships may be pursued in any one agency or business and a maximum of 9 credits in internships may be applied toward graduation.
PSY-481X Practicum in Applied Psychology
Supervised practicum experience in a public or private agency setting that provides psychological or educational services. A student may enroll in a practicum for three credit hours in a semester, and practicum credit may be earned in one additional semester. Grade based on supervisor evaluations, class attendance and participation, setting up a specific learning agreement, completing weekly note-writing, compiling a scientific rationale for intervention, and developing a case presentation. Prerequisites: PSY 230, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and junior or senior standing FILA general education: experiential learning
Plus 3 credits from any PSY course except PSY-499 (3 credits)
Degree Type Offered: Minor
-or-
BIOL-110 Principles of Biology I
Credits: 4 Term Offered: Fall and Spring
Introduction to the biological sciences, covering biological chemistry, cell/tissue structure and function, genetics and microevolution. Intended for biology, health and human sciences, and environmental science majors. Three lectures and one lab per week. Corequisites: MATH-110 or MATH-118 Biology and environmental science majors should take MATH-110. Other students should consult with their advisor about which course to take. FILA general education: natural and physical sciences
PSY-425 Neuroscience Methods
Credits: 4 Term Offered: Spring Only
Lecture and laboratory course exposing students to a variety of research techniques employed by neuroscientists: behavioral and cognitive procedures for measuring reward, memory, attention, and emotion; neuroanatomical procedures for staining and examining brain tissues; physiological procedures for recording the electrical activity of nerve cells, as well as commonly used techniques used to explore brain-behavior relationships (EEG, lesions, electrical and chemical stimulation). Prerequisites: PSY-317 or PSY-319 and CHEM-125 or higher or permission of instructor (Cross-listed as BIOL-425)
Plus 3 of the following :
BIOL/PSY-375 Applied Neuropsychology
Multidisciplinary course in neuroscience, with clinical ties to neurology, psychiatry and psychology, as well as basic scientific links to biology, computer science and cognitive studies. Examines how the structure and function of the brain relate to specific cognitive processes and overt behaviors through the use of neuropsychological testing methods. Topics include orientation, learning and memory, intelligence, language, visuoperception, and executive functioning. The administration, scoring and interpretation of various neuropsychological measures are discussed. Prerequisites: PSY-230 or MATH-140 or SOC-322 and PSY-210 or PSY-315 or PSY-317 or PSY-319 or BIOL 110 or permission of instructor Offered alternate years (Cross-listed as PSY-375)
BIOL/PSY-317 Biology of Mind
Examination of the contribution of neuroscience techniques to the understanding of sensation/perception, attention, learning, memory, language and consciousness. Lectures and papers involve an analysis of the interdisciplinary methods such as functional neuroimaging, electrophysiological methods, and the neurological impairments of brain-damaged patients. Prerequisites: PSY-101 and PSY-210 or BIOL-110, or permission of instructor (Cross-listed as PSY-317)
BIOL/PSY-319 Functional Neuroanatomy
Comprehensive analysis of the organization of vertebrate nervous systems approached from a structural perspective with emphasis on the human central nervous system. Principles of organization are stressed. Laboratory component introduces students to neuroanatomical and neurohistological methods and techniques. Both the gross and fine microscopic anatomy of the nervous system are studied. Prerequisites: PSY-101 and PSY-210 or BIOL-110 or permission of instructor (Cross-listed as PSY-319)
Students interested in graduate work or careers in neuroscience are strongly encouraged to complete BIOL-305 and BIOL-314.
Plus 4 additional PSY courses
PSY-150 Creativity and Problem Solving
Exploration of the field of creativity and problem solving through a study of creative people, the creative process, and creative products. Students gain a fundamental knowledge of the neurological, psychological and sociological issues related to the study of creativity while also improving their own creative and problem solving abilities.
PSY-490 Independent Study
Upon approval of the department and the division head, a student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 or better may engage in an independent study or research project. One desiring to pursue independent study or research must submit a written description of the proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. At the end of the semester, the supervising professor files with the registrar a grade for the student and a description of the work accomplished. Credit may be received for not more than three independent studies or research projects.
PSY-491 Research
PSY-499 Honors Project
An honors project is one in which a student researches a subject, by examination of relevant literature or by experimentation or both; the student reports the results in an accurately documented and well-written paper or appropriate representation of the work. Whenever the study deals with the subject of an established course, the student is expected to go well beyond the usual work of the course in research and in assimilation of the results as revealed in the report. Juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or above may register for an honors project. One desiring to pursue an honors project must submit a written description of his or her proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. Upon the completion of the Honors Project, the student must present an oral defense of his or her project. The final grade must include a satisfactory performance on the oral defense, assessed by a three-faculty member team. The Project Advisor will authorize the make-up of the oral defense team and will assign the final grade on the project. The honors project title will be noted on the student's transcript. It is the student's responsibility to provide a copy of the written paper or appropriate representation of the work to the library in compliance with specifications approved by the Council on Education. The library director arranges for binding and storage.