Department of Psychology

PSY 101  General Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course Description: General information about psychology in everyday life, designed to correct misconceptions and to give the student a better understanding of self and others.

CORE 42: MOTR PSYC 100; General Psychology (attribute MO11)

PSY 200  Intermediate Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Introduction to scientific psychology with emphasis on methodology and critical thinking about psychological ideas. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 104 or ENG 112.

PSY 210  Psychology of Personal Adjustment     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Principles and techniques for maintaining good mental health; the approach is practical rather than descriptive. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101.

PSY 220  Health Psychology/Stress Management     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: The psychological and social factors that influence health and disease. Attention is also focused on stress management, the health care system, and the evaluation of health-related research. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101.

PSY 222  Psychology of Gender     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: The similarities and differences between the female and male gender in the following psychological areas: role acceptance, gender identity, sexuality, parenthood, achievement and ability, personality, adjustment and mental health, and relationships. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 104 or ENG 112.

PSY 230  Psychology of Communication     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: The elements of interpersonal communication; emphasizes techniques of communicating thoughts and ideas, listening techniques, understanding meaning; designed to improve the students interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 104 or ENG 112. Microcredential students are exempt from the prerequisite(s).

PSY 240  Life-Span Developmental Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: The cognitive, personality, emotional, social, and physical changes that occur from conception through old age. This course is intended primarily for majors in fields which require a developmental psychology overview of the life span. Credit for this course is not applicable toward a psychology major. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101. Microcredential students are exempt from the prerequisite(s).

CORE 42: MOTR PSYC 200; Life Span Human Development (attribute MO11)

PSY 260  Cross-Cultural Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring (even-numbered years).

Course Description: Psychological issues from a cross-cultural perspective, enabling students to appreciate the diverse ecological and cultural settings in which their behavior is increasingly influenced by global diversity and the global economy. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 104 or ENG 112.

PSY 270  Psychology of Transpersonal and Spiritual Experience     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Transpersonal Psychology is the study of psychological experiences that transcend the ordinary or average human experience. This course focuses on current scientific research and theories applied to topics ranging from ancient shamanism and religion, to modern applications of meditation, psychedelic therapy, and near-death experiences. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101.

PSY 275  Psychedelic Science     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: In this course students will explore research which supports psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy as an effective technique to treat such mental health conditions as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Reading materials will examine how substances such as psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, ayahuasca, and medical marijuana have shown promise in alleviating mental health ailments through increased neuroplasticity and generation of mystical experiences. In addition this course discusses the new trend of micro-dosing and legal issues concerning psychedelic use, the ways these substances work in the brain, and methods of psychedelic risk reduction and peer support. This course is beneficial to students from a wide range of majors including psychology, nursing, biology/chemistry, philosophy, and business/marketing. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101.

PSY 290  Introduction to Forensic Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Examines the role of forensic psychologists in police training and selection, criminal profiling, jury selection, insanity and competency, child custody, and death penalty trials. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101.

PSY 300  Introductory Psychological Statistics     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Descriptive and inferential statistical procedures used in the social sciences. Both computer and manual computations will be performed. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101, PSY 200, MAT 110 or MAT 110E or higher, all with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in BIO 101 or BIO 105.

PSY 301  Psychology Research Methods     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Techniques and methods of scientific psychology; emphasizes construction of hypotheses, experimental design, data interpretation, and style of reporting research. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in PSY 101, PSY 200, and PSY 300.

PSY 303  Psychology Research Team     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Applied learning experience in designing and conducting original research in psychology, data analysis, writing and presenting research results. Prerequisite(s): Declared Psychology major and PSY 301 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 309  Abnormal Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Descriptive and exploratory consideration of abnormal behavior, with a survey of past and present theories, classifications, and therapies. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 104 or ENG 112.

PSY 310  Industrial/Organizational Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Research and theories of I/O Psychology and applied to the problems and issues of the work place with an emphasis on the role of cognitive activity in work-related behavior. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 314  Technology and Society     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Participatory course emphasizing a particular problem and/or issue related to technology and society. Class participants will investigate the semester's theme using currently available technologies. Same as BIO 314, ENG 314, HUM 314, PSC 314.

PSY 319  Child/Adolescent Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Life-cycle changes that occur from conception through early adolescence, emphasizing the origins and principles of normal development. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Microcredential students are exempt from the prerequisite(s).

PSY 321  Adult Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Life-cycle changes that occur from middle and late adolescence through old age and death; explores the changes in physical and sensory development, intelligence, personality, friendships, and work and family roles. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Microcredential students are exempt from the prerequisite(s).

PSY 325  Psychology of Personality     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Dynamics of personality development and human behavior; emphasizes theories of personality. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 104 or ENG 112.

PSY 335  Learning and Memory     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Major theories and applications of learning and memory in contemporary psychology. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and PSY 200 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 340  Cognitive Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: The field of Cognitive Psychology, including human learning, memory, problem solving, language, and attention. Artificial intelligence will be examined. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and PSY 200 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 350  Introduction to Neuroscience     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Introduction to the relationships between brain, mind, and behavior; includes brain mechanisms underlying perception, motivation, emotion, learning, memory, and higher cognition. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and PSY 200 with a grade of C or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

PSY 355  Sensation and Perception     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Data and theory concerning sensory and perceptual processes; includes sensory mechanisms, neuropsychological bases of perception, perceptual development, and psychological phenomena encountered in the various senses. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and PSY 200 with a grade of C or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

PSY 365  Social Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: The individual in relation to society; includes theoretical foundations, socialization, social cognition, group dynamics, and leadership. Prerequisite(s): A C or higher in PSY 101.

PSY 400  Introduction to Psychological Testing and Assessment     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Basic principles of tests, measurements, and assessment. Detailed study and evaluation of some of the most useful and meaningful person assessment techniques. Professional and ethical standards as well as social issues related to testing. Prerequisite(s): PSY 300 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 401  Motivation and Emotion     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course focuses on the connection between human motivational experience of drives, incentives, emotions, and self-actualization and how those impact behavior and decisions. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and PSY 200 with a grade of C or higher, cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and credit or concurrent enrollment in BIO 101 or BIO 105.

PSY 409  Principles of ABA Therapy     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: The application of behavioral principles to human problems. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101. Microcredential students are exempt from the prerequisite(s).

PSY 410  Introduction to Counseling Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: An overview of counseling as applied in a variety of institutional settings; reviews differing counseling techniques and theories as well as types of problems encountered in counseling; includes survey of research related to counseling. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101.

PSY 415  Intermediate Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Basic statistical procedures applied to behavioral research; focuses on the integration of the use of computers for data collection and analysis. Prerequisite(s): PSY 301 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 419  Animal Behavior     Credits: 4

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: An introduction to the principles of animal behavior, including the evolutionary, ecological, physiological, and psychological basis of animal behavior. Topics will include social interactions, mating behavior, communication, learning, foraging, predator-prey interactions, and habitat selection. Three hours lecture and three hours lab. Same as BIO 419. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in BIO 105, or a grade of C or higher in both BIO 101 and PSY 101.

PSY 420  Practicum in Psychology     Credits: 4

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Applied learning experience in applying psychological principles to workplace settings through on-site experiences, as well as weekly coursework and in-class discussions focused on workplace case studies, ethical dilemmas, and other professional development activities. May be repeated for credit up to 12 hours.

PSY 430  History and Systems in Psychology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: The major historical approaches to defining, organizing and explaining psychological phenomena. Prerequisite(s): PSY 300 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 440  Human-Computer Interaction     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Understanding human behavior and cognition at the human computer interface level. Particularly, it examines the emergent interactive technologies, human computer interaction, user centered design, usability analysis, and usability testing. LAS Computer Literacy. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and ACT 201 both with grades of C or higher.

PSY 445  Senior Seminar     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: An integrative, capstone experience for senior psychology majors. Emphasizes written and oral analyses of current issues in psychology based on integrative reviews of empirical research. Students will review and prepare for the departmental exit exam, and take the exam as part of their course requirements. Prerequisite(s): Declared Psychology major and PSY 301 with a grade of C or higher.

PSY 450  Independent Research/Project     Credits: 1-5

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Investigation of a research problem, project, or topic on an individual conference basis. This course requires special approval for microcredential students. May be repeated for credit.

PSY 460  Study Away in Psychology     Credits: 1-6

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course focuses on aspects of Psychology that require study away from the main campus. Examples include historical research or research in the lab of a faculty member at another institution. Content and objectives of the course will be negotiated before enrollment and approved by the department chair. May be repeated for up to 12 hours of credit. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 45 college credit hours and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

PSY 470  Child Psychopathology and Social Dynamics     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: An overview of childhood disorders and the group and personal dynamics they create within broad social systems. Includes discussion of the psychology of self-care for individuals who live and work with this population. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 and either PSY 240 or PSY 319.