COURSES: 2009 - 2011
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
The study of behavior from a psychological perspective. Topics include: methods of psychological inquiry, motivation and emotion, thinking and language, learning, memory and physiological basis of behavior. Students taking PSY 101 are expected to be available for participation in research studies or equivalent activity. Fall
PSY 102 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
The study of behavior from a psychological perspective. Topics include: methods of psychological inquiry, human development, social behavior, psychological testing - personality, psychopathology and psychotherapy. May be taken before PSY 101. Students taking PSY 102 are expected to be available for participation in research studies or equivalent activity. Spring
PSY 110 Animal Learning 3 credits
Animal conditioning and memory research with emphasis on both theory and practice. The training of animals in zoos and other applied settings will be emphasized. Fall
PSY 201 Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences 3 credits
Descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing and inferential statistics. SPSS for Windows. Fall & Spring
PSY 202 Experimental Psychology 3 credits
Philosophical measurement and statistical concepts of common methods of experimental and non-experimental research. Design and execution of project required. Prerequisite: PSY 201. Fall & Spring
PSY 203 Developmental Psychology 3 credits
Important factors in the psychological development of the child. Social, biological and historical antecedents of behavior from birth through puberty. Fall
PSY 229 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 credits
Selection, evaluation and training of personnel, facilitation of group dynamics on the job, leadership, worker motivation and effects of workplace environment on performance and morale. Fall
PSY 235 Health Psychology 3 credits
Psychology of health-related behaviors, including coping with stress and ill health, physician-patient relationships, compliance with medication and psychological influences on specific disorders. Students conduct personal stress assessments and design interventions. Spring
PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
Overview of psychopathology: history, assessment, causes, DSM-IV, clinical symptoms and treatment. Review of major DSM-IV disorders with an emphasis on adults. Fall & Spring
PSY 307 Adolescent Psychology 3 credits
Physiological, psychological and emotional factors in achieving maturity. Extension of theoretical orientation to adolescent problems. Emphasis on real world problems and solutions. (Also counts for CRJ credit.) Spring
PSY 318 Social Psychology 3 credits
The self in social interaction: social perception and cognition, development and maintenance of relationships, attitudes, prejudice, social influence, group dynamics and related gender issues. (This course also counts for WST credit.) Fall
PSY 320 Motivation and Emotion 3 credits
Covers behavioral, cognitive and physiological theories of motivation and emotion with special focus on humanistic motivational theories. Through course activities and assignments, students will apply the theories learned in class to their own behaviors, examine the nature and progress made on their personal goals during the semester and understand the dynamic interplay between goal-directed behavior and emotion.
PSY 324 Cognitive Psychology 3 credits
The psychological processes that enable us to acquire, store, retrieve and use knowledge. Topics include: perception, memory, language, thinking, decision making. Applications in education, psychopathology. Spring
PSY 329 Leadership and Motivation 3 credits
Determinants of leadership effectiveness, factors influencing effectiveness in maintaining leadership position, influencing followers and accomplishing group objectives. Emphasis on communication competencies, group interaction, experiential learning. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 102; junior or senior status. Spring
PSY 334 Child, Family and Community Psychology 3 credits
Effects of social and non-social environments on emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Psychological reactions and adjustments to the nature of community life. Deals with social problems such as AIDS, alcoholism and child and elder abuse. (Also counts for CRJ credit.) Fall
PSY 369 Forensic Psychology 3 credits
Psychology’s role in the legal system; criminal behavior; trial process (competency evaluation, psychologists as expert witnesses, jury selection, jury deliberation, insanity defense); law enforcement and corrections; family law (divorce, domestic violence, child custody). (Also counts for CRJ credit.) Spring
PSY 373 Behavior Modification 3 credits
Application of conditioning principles to changing human behavior and cognitions; emphasis on practical problems. Fall
PSY 384 Child Psychopathology 3 credits
This course will introduce students to the signs and symptoms of various psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence (e.g., conduct disorder, ADHD). Spring
PSY 391 Biopsychology of Stress 3 credits
Examines the physiological and psychological components and effects of stress, including the involvement of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. Fall
PSY 395 Assessment in the Behavioral Sciences 3 credits
Overview of measures of intelligence, personality, achievement and aptitude for clinical, industrial and research use. Students construct and validate psychological tests. Prerequisite: PSY 201. Fall
PSY 397 Neurobiology of Mental Disorders 3 credits
Examines the role of the central nervous system and other biological factors underlying the symptoms, etiology and treatment of various mental disorders. Spring
PSY 398 Neurobiology of Childhood Mental Disorders 3 credits
A sequel to the Neurobiology of Mental Disorders course that is currently being offered. This course will focus on the neurobiological underpinnings of several developmental and other mental disorders affecting children today. PSY 397 or Behavioral Neuroscience/Neuropsychology course is a prerequisite. Spring
PSY 401 Advanced Statistics Seminar 3 credits
Topics include: bivariate and multiple regression, least-squares estimation, model-building techniques, assumptions and diagnostics, mediation and moderation, the logistic model and exploratory factor analytic techniques. SPSS will be used throughout. Students will conduct a final research project through secondary analysis of a large national data set. Spring
PSY 406 Selected Topics in Psychology 3 credits
Current and advanced topics which may vary from semester to semester will be covered in this seminar. Spring
PSY 410 Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology 3 credits
An advanced course that provides students with a perspective on the neural mechanisms underlying behavior. Material covered in the course will include (but not be limited to) structure and function of the brain from the cellular to the structural levels, brain imaging techniques, and brain development, plasticity and neurological disorders. Spring
PSY 452 Theories and Techniques of Counseling 3 credits
Theoretical foundations of counseling and psychotherapy with an emphasis on the mastery of technique and practical applications. Assessment and treatment planning to facilitate cognitive, emotional and behavioral change for a variety of patient populations. Fall
PSY 495 Research Seminar in Psychology 3 credits
Opportunity for students interested in designing and conducting empirical research to collaborate with faculty in research activities leading to undergraduate or professional conference presentations and possible publication. Prerequisites: PSY 101-102, PSY 201-202, PSY 497, junior or senior status and permission of instructor. Summer, Spring & Fall
PSY 497 Advanced Experimental Research 3 credits
Intended for advanced students with the interest, prerequisites and commitment to experimental research. Involves students in hands-on data collection and statistical analysis. Prerequisites: PSY 101-102, PSY 201-202, PSY 401, junior or senior status, OR permission of instructor. Summer, Spring & Fall
PSY 498 A-G Psychology Practicum 3 credits
Internships are available in animal behavior, clinical counseling psychology, forensic psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, counseling, school psychology, sports psychology, and leadership mentoring. Joint supervision by staff members and agency personnel. Registration requirements vary; six credit maximum. Prerequisite: Permission of chair or supervising faculty member. Summer, Spring & Fall
PSY 499 Independent Study 3 credits
Independent studies allow in-depth study of a specific topic and are most often reserved for seniors who cannot otherwise fulfill a graduation requirement. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor, department chair and associate dean. Summer, Spring & Fall