Psychology Courses

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  • PSYC 3 / Introduction to Psychology (4) - view
    A consideration of the methods and discoveries of psychology in the study of behavior and experience. Includes both theoretical and experiential components. A prerequisite to all intermediate- and upper-level courses in psychology. Students may not receive credit for both AP psychology and PSYC 3. Offered every semester. Fulfills: BSS
  • PSYC 4 / Writing in the Discipline of Psychology (4) - view
    An introduction to critiquing the literature and methods of psychology and to scientific writing in the style of the American Psychological Association. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Corequisite or Prerequisite: MATH 3. Fulfills: WM
  • PSYC 11 / Life Span Development (4) - view
    An examination of development across the life span with an emphasis on evaluation of major theoretical approaches to biological, social, cognitive, and personality development. Prerequisite: PSYC 3.
  • PSYC 14 / Research Methods in Psychology (4) - view
    An examination of research methods and statistical analysis in psychology, with emphasis on experimental methodologies. Students will gain experience in all aspects of empirical research and writing. Prerequisite: PSYC 3, PSYC 4, and MATH 3.
  • PSYC 17 / Small-Group Dynamics (4) - view
    An examination of the phases of small-group development and the intrinsic factors that influence its unique evolution. Enrollment limit: 12. Enrollment priority: first- and second-year students. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years.
  • PSYC 19 / Biological Psychology (4) - view
    An examination of the biological bases of behavior. Topics include the anatomy and physiology of neuronal interactions, sensory systems, behavioral development, motivation, learning, memory, and psychopathology. Prerequisite: PSYC 3 and either PSYC 4 or a BIOL laboratory course. Same as: NEURO 19.
  • PSYC 19L / Laboratory in Biological Psychology (1) - view
    An optional laboratory course correlating with PSYC 19. Hands-on experience with physiological manipulations and behavioral measurement techniques used by biopsychologists. Enrollment limit: 12. Enrollment priority: Students concurrently enrolled in PSYC 19. Meets: Three hours laboratory. Corequisite: PSYC 19. Offered spring semester.
  • PSYC 27 / Educational Psychology (4) - view
    An exploration of the factors that facilitate learning within a classroom setting and implications for effective teacher practices. Focuses on cognitive development and socio-emotional learning, individual and cultural differences, intelligence, classroom processes, testing, and schools as social systems. Does not satisfy a portion of teacher certification requirements unless PSYC 11 is also taken. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years.
  • PSYC 30 / Selected Topics in Psychology: (2-4) - view
    An examination of a contemporary issue or topic in psychology. Selected topic and number of credits is determined at time of registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 107 / Theories of Personality (4) - view
    An examination of major theories of personality with emphasis on strategies for studying personality, including psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, trait and factor, and transpersonal. Also examines psychotherapies as implementations of personality theory. Prerequisite: PSYC 3, second year or higher standing. Offered every semester.
  • PSYC 108 / Abnormal Psychology (4) - view
    An examination of the theories of psychopathology with emphasis on current theoretical models and the relationships of the study of psychopathology to social issues. Discussion of the nature, classification, causes, and treatment of major forms of psychopathology. Prerequisite: PSYC 3, second year or higher standing required. Offered spring semester.
  • PSYC 113 / Principles and Methods of Social Psychology (4) - view
    The study of the individual in a social context. Examines the situational and personal factors that affect social behavior using the insights gained from theory and current research. Social processes investigated include self-presentation, social perception, attribution, prejudice, verbal and nonverbal communication, attitude formation and change, conformity, obedience, aggression, responses to victimization, pro-social behaviors, and group dynamics. Prerequisite: PSYC 3, PSYC 14 and third-year or higher standing. Offered every semester.
  • PSYC 114 / Advanced Research Project in Psychology (2) - view
    A course in advanced research methodology in which upper-level students will design and execute an independent research project in psychology. Strongly recommended for all psychology majors, especially those who intend to complete an honor's thesis in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 14, third year or higher standing. General topic and other prerequisites announced at time of registration. Offered each semester.
  • PSYC 115 / Learning and Memory (4) - view
    An examination of both the data and theory of animal and human learning and memory including such topics as: classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, transient memory, permanent memory, forgetting and recall. Prerequisite: PSYC 3 and PSYC 14, or one year of college biology. Offered fall semester.
  • PSYC 117 / Cognition (4) - view
    An examination of both the data and theory of cognition including such topics as: thinking, language, problem solving, reasoning, creativity, intelligence, decision making, categorization, expertise, and imagery. Prerequisite: PSYC 3 and either PSYC 14 or one year of college biology. Offered annually.
  • PSYC 118 / Cognitive Neuroscience (4) - view
    This course examines the mechanisms by which the nervous system supports higher mental functions, with a focus on how neural structures represent and transform information. The course draws on a variety of disciplines including cognitive psychology, neurobiology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy. Discussion topics include perception, attention, memory, language, executive function, emotion, development, social cognition, consciousness, and neuroethics. Laboratory and off-campus activities will expose students to a variety of empirical research techniques, such as functional neuroimaging, single-neuron electrophysiology, and electroencephalography, commonly employed in cognitive neuroscience research. Prerequisite: (PSYC14 and PSYC19) OR BIOL120 OR BIOL121 OR permission of instructor. Same as: NEURO 118.
  • PSYC 120 / History of Psychology (4) - view
    A consideration of the origins of psychology with attention to its European roots, development in the American schools, and transition to its current forms. Prerequisite: PSYC 3 and third-year or higher standing. Offered fall semester.
  • PSYC 124 / Directed Research in Psychology (1-4) - view
    Laboratory or field experience in psychology. Students participate in weekly lab meetings and all phases of ongoing psychological research. Final paper required. Number of credits are established at the time of registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. May be repeated for credit up to four times. Enrollment priority: Limited enrollment; consult department chair. Prerequisite: PSYC 3 and PSYC 14. Offered each semester.
  • PSYC 130 / Advanced Topics in Psychology (2-4) - view
    An in-depth exploration of a specialized issue or topic in psychology. Selected topic and number of credits is determined at time of registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: PSYC 3 and second-year standing or higher. Other prerequisites to be announced at time of registration. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 134 / Independent Research in Psychology (2-4) - view
    Independent laboratory or field research in psychology on a topic chosen in consultation with a faculty sponsor. A final research report is required. An approved research proposal is required prior to the beginning of the research project. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Signature of instructor is required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 3, PSYC 14, and PSYC 114.
  • PSYC 140 / Psychology Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Psychology (1-4) - view
    A review and discussion of contemporary issues in psychological theory and practice. Issues explored change from time to time. Selections are made by the department and announced prior to registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: Announced at time of registration. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 142 / Seminar in the Psychology of Women (2-4) - view
    A review of research focusing on women. Draws upon findings from the various subfields of psychology, including stereotyping, the social construction of gender, female personality development, women and mental health, gender differences in brain lateralization, hormonal influences on behavior, the psychology of women's health, and coping with victimization. Considers how psychological methodology enhances (or obfuscates) our knowledge about women's lives and experiences. The interface between psychology of women as a subfield of psychology and mainstream psychology is explored. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years.
  • PSYC 143 / Seminar in Developmental Psychology (2-4) - view
    An investigation of one or more subject areas in developmental psychology. Topics vary with instructor expertise. Specific topic is announced prior to registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 11. offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 144 / Seminar in Biopsychology (2-4) - view
    A review and discussion of current problems in the biological determinants of behavior. The particular issues explored are announced prior to registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 19. Offering to be determined. Same as: NEURO 144.
  • PSYC 145 / Seminar in Social Psychology (2-4) - view
    An investigation of one of more subject areas in social psychology. Topics vary with instructor expertise. Specific topic is announced at registration. Amount of credit is established at the time of registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor is required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 113. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 146 / Seminar in Learning, Memory, and Cognition (2-4) - view
    An investigation of one or more subject areas in learning, memory, or cognition. Topics vary with instructor expertise. Specific topics are announced prior to registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 115 or PSYC 117 as announced at registration. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 147 / Seminar in Social Issues of Psychology (2-4) - view
    Psychology has an almost 60-year history of involvement with social issues and social reform. This seminar focuses on psychological research on specific social issues as well as psychology's role in developing social policy and social intervention related to that issue. Possible issues include poverty and homelessness; prejudice, racism, and genocide; and war and peace. The specific social issue to be studied is announced prior to registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 148 / Seminar in Psychotherapy (2-4) - view
    A detailed study of the theory of specific psychotherapies with an emphasis on the implications of those theories for our understanding of both normal and abnormal human functioning. Not intended as training in psychotherapeutic technique. At times the course reviews a variety of therapeutic systems, and at times the focus is on a specific approach to therapy. The specific topic for each offering of the seminar is announced prior to registration. Amount of credit established at time of registration. This course may be repeated for credit when the specific therapeutic systems reviewed are different. Open only to students with third year or higher standing. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 3. Offering to be determined.
  • PSYC 149 / Seminar in Industrial Organizational Psychology (4) - view
    A review of psychological theory and methodology as it applies to human behavior in the workplace. Topics include basic measurement theory, testing and assessment, personnel selection, job satisfaction, work motivation, leadership, and organization theory. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Recommended: A course in statistics such as MATH 3 or equivalent. Prerequisite: PSYC 3, third-year or higher standing. Offered spring semester.