Majoring in Psychology
Psychology Curriculum
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
See Courses Offered
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
| ENGL 101, 102 English Composition | 6 |
| Area I Area I core course in literature Area I core course in a second field Area I core course in a third field Area I core course in any field |
3 3 3 3 |
| Area II PSYC 101 General Psychology Area II core course in history Area II core course in a second field Area II core course in any field |
3 3 3 3 |
| Area III BIOL 227 Human Anatomy and Physiology BIOL 228 Human Anatomy and Physiology Area III core course in mathematics |
4 4 4 |
| Each of these courses are
required: PSYC 120 Introduction to the Psychology Major PSYC 295 Statistical Methods PSYC 321 Research Methods PSYC 335 Physiological Psychology PSYC 489 Capstone Perspectives on Psychological Issues |
1 3 4 3 3 |
| One course chosen from the
following: PSYC 405 Advanced Statistical Methods PSYC 421 Psychological Measurement |
3 |
| One course chosen from the
following: PSYC 343 Cognitive Psychology PSYC 441 Learning |
3 |
| One course chosen from the
following: PSYC 331 The Psychology of Health PSYC 455 Industrial/Organizational Psychology PSYC 459 Psychology and Law PSYC 357 Introduction to Counseling Skills |
3 |
| One course chosen from the
following: PSYC 309 Child Development PSYC 310 Adolescent & Adult Development |
3 |
| One course chosen from the
following: PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology PSYC 351 Personality PSYC 431 Social Psychology PSYC 438 Community Psychology |
3 |
| Upper-division psychology course | 3 |
| *Mathematics | 4 |
| Upper-division electives to total 40 credits | 12 |
| Elective to total 128 credits | 38 |
| Total | 128 |
| *This is in addition to the 4 math credits earned under the Area III core requirement. | |
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Course List
Courses Offered
PSYC 101 General Psychology (3-0-3)(F,S)(Area II). Provides the basis for understanding psychological science. Topics considered may include: scientific method, biopsychology, consciousness, sensation, perception, development, learning, cognitive processes, motivation, emotion, health psychology, personality, individual differences, social psychology, psychopathology, and psychotherapy.
PSYC 120 Introduction to the Psychology Major (1-0-1) (F,S).This course is designed to orient the prospective psychology major to the field of psychology and to inform the student about academic requirements, expectations, opportunities, career options and limitations. PREREQ: PSYC 101. PASS/FAIL.
PSYC 213 Psychology of Aging (3-0-3)(F/S). An examination of the functional changes occurring during the aging process. Topics will include contemporary methods in the study of aging, aging as a part of life-span development in perception, cognition, personality, achievement, and family relations. Attention will be given to mental health problems of the aged, diagnosis and therapy. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 261 Human Sexuality(3-0-3)(F,S). An overview of human sexuality emphasizing both physiological and psychological aspects of sexuality. Topics include sexual anatomy and physiology, sexual response cycle, childbirth, contraception, sexual dysfunction, sex role development, and sexual deviation. Cross-cultural values will be examined and a values clarification unit will be included.
PSYC 295 Statistical Methods(3-0-3)(F,S). Statistical concepts and methods commonly used in treatment of data in the social sciences. Topics covered will include: measures of central tendency and of variability, correlation measures, probability, and analysis of variance. PREREQ: PSYC 101, high school algebra.
PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology (3-0-3)(F,S). A descriptive approach to the study of the etiology, development, and dynamics of behavioral disorders, together with a review of current preventive and remedial practices. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 309 Child Development (3-0-3) (F,S). Designed for psychology majors, the course emphasizes theories of human development including psychodynamic, behavioral, social-learning, and cognitive. Contemporary views of genetic and environmental contributions will be examined. Research designs appropriate to developmental issues will be explored. The emphasis will be on development from the prenatal period to adolescence. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 310 Adolescent & Adult Development (3-0-3) (F,S). Designed for psychology majors, the course emphasizes theories of human development including psychodynamic, behavioral, social-learning, and cognitive. Includes contemporary views of genetics, the environmental, and research designs appropriate to developmental issues. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 321 Research Methods (3-1-4)(F,S). The application of scientific methodology to the study of behavior. Design of experiments, methods of analysis, and interpretation of data; reporting of behavioral research. PREREQ: PSYC 120, PSYC 295.
PSYC 331-331G The Psychology of Health (3-0-3)(F/S). Principles that have emerged from the experimental analysis of behavior will be examined. The principles include, but are not limited to, operant and classical conditioning. The course will deal with applications of these principles to the understanding and change of phobias, obesity, smoking, alcoholism, aberrant sexual behavior, and similar problems. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 335 Physiological Psychology (3-0-3)(F). Classical and current issues in physiological psychology including central and peripheral nervous systems, processing of information and organization of behavior, perception, motivation, emotion, and learning. PREREQ: PSYC 101, BIOL 227.
PSYC 351 Personality (3-0-3)(F,S). A study of the major contemporary theories and concepts of personality, with special emphasis on psychoanalytic, humanistic, and behavioral approaches. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 357 Introduction to Counseling Skills (3-0-3)(F,S). This course will explore relevant dimensions of the helping relationship, especially the role of the helper. Emphasis will be on developing effective communications and fundamental counseling skills through required student participation in role-playing, audio taping and especially videotaping, and group activities. Limited enrollment. PREREQ: PSYC 101. PASS/FAIL.
PSYC 398 Psychology Seminar (3-0-3)(S). Selected topics of special interest to persons planning careers in psychology. PASS/FAIL.
PSYC 401 Senior Review Practicum (0-3-3)(F,S). A systematic coverage of the general principles of psychology and an opportunity to teach them to others. Practical experience in rendering academic assistance to beginning students and managing large classes. Seminar discussion of difficulties encountered by those students. PREREQ: Senior or 2nd-semester junior standing in psychology with an upper-division GPA above 3.0 and PERM/INST.
PSYC 405-405G Advanced Statistical Methods (3-0-3)(S). Advanced topics in univariate statistics (for example, repeated measures designs) and multivariate techniques such as discriminant analysis, factor analysis, and principal component analysis. PREREQ: PSYC 321 or equivalent or PERM/INST.
PSYC 421-421G Psychological Measurement (3-0-3)(F). Theory and nature of psychological measurement together with a survey of types of psychological tests currently used. PREREQ: PSYC 321.
PSYC 431 Social Psychology (3-0-3)(S). The primary focus is the individual; the unit of analysis, the interpersonal behavior event. A study of individual motives, emotions, attitudes, and cognition with reference to interactions with other human beings. This course may be taken for either psychology or sociology credit, but not both. SOC 101 and a course in statistics or research design are strongly recommended. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 441 Learning (3-0-3)(F/S). Fundamental concepts of learning, with emphasis on classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. Human applications of animal learning principles are stressed. PREREQ: PSYC 321.
PSYC 455 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3-0-3)(S). This course examines the psychological theories and methodologies used to respond to the needs of industries and other organizations and to those of the individuals and groups within organizational settings. Topics include organizational theory, organizational behavior, motivation, job satisfaction, job design, group processes, leadership, performance evaluation, selection, placement, training, and development. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 459 Psychology and Law (3-0-3) (S). The course provides an overview of research in the field of psychology and the law, and documents how psycholegal research relates to pressing issues facing the legal system. A partial list of the topics covered include: eyewitness testimony, jury deliberations, criminal behavior, evidence, and the structure and function of the legal system. A course in statistics or research methods is strongly recommended. PREREQ: PSYC 101.
PSYC 488 Directed Research in Psychology (Variable Credit). An undergraduate student assists on a research project, supervised by a member of the psychology faculty. Enrollment is contingent on a voluntary commitment to a research by both parties (faculty and student). Course may be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits. PREREQ: Psychology major, cumulative GPA above 3.00, PERM/INST.
PSYC 489 Capstone Perspectives on Psychological Issues (3-0-3)(S). Controversial issues and social problems are addressed. Students analyze how different areas of psychology contribute to the understanding of contemporary problems making psychological theory and research relevant and understandable to community agencies/groups. PREREQ: PSYC 321 and senior standing in psychology.
PSYC 493 Internship in Psychology (Variable Credit). Some internship experiences are available through the department. Credit may be granted for psychological activities in applied settings. PREREQ: Psychology major, a cumulative GPA above 3.00, and PERM/INST.
PSYC 495 Senior Thesis (0-3-3)(F,S). An individual research project in psychology selected by student. Proposal must be approved by instructor before enrolling. Recommended projects are those which will contribute to the body of psychological knowledge or will apply psychological principles to practical problems. Recommended for psychology students planning on graduate school. PREREQ: PSYC 101 and PSYC 321, PERM/INST.
PSYC 496 Independent Study in Psychology (Variable Credit). Independent study is an opportunity to earn academic credit outside of the established curriculum. It assumes the confluence of two streams of interest - that of a student and that of a professor. Thus, enrollment is contingent on a voluntary commitment to the project by both parties. PREREQ: Psychology major, a cumulative GPA above 3.00, and PERM/INST.