Professors Early, Lynch, Pranzarone; Associate Professors Buchholz, Camac (Chair), Friedman,Whitson; Assistant Professors Nichols, Osterman;Teaching Associate Allen
It is strongly recommended that students declaring a major in psychology have at least a 2.0 GPA in psychology at the time of the declaration of the major. Students who have taken three or more psychology courses and have not achieved at least a 2.0 GPA in psychology should seriously reconsider their intention to major in psychology.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology are required to complete a minimum of 12 units, including 101, 204, 205, 450 and one unit chosen from 420, 430 or 440. Of the remaining seven units, two units must be selected from Group A and two from Group B:
Group A: Development-Abnormal-Learning: 210 or 211 or 212 or 215; 230, 290.
Group B: Personality-Social-Psychology-Cognitive: 315 or 325, 330, 340, 350.
The final three units required may be selected from all Psychology courses offered except only one Internship or one Research Practicum or one Special Topics course unit or one INQ 260 PSYC unit may be applied to the major. Honors Project (495, 496, 497) may not count as one of the required electives in the major. BIOL 320 (Animal Behavior) may be applied to the major. Recommended: BIOL 101. PSYC 210 and 211 may not be counted towards the major if 215 has been taken. Students wishing to complete the Concentration in Human Development should take 210 and 211. Students may count one Neuroscience (NEUR) course as an elective in the major. It is recommended that students complete at least two 200-level psychology courses before enrolling in courses numbered 300 or higher.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology are required to complete a minimum of 13 units in psychology and four additional math and science units including Biology 120 and INQ 240. The psychology courses include 101, 204, 205, 290, 450 as well as two units of a research seminar requirement, one unit chosen from 420, 430 and 440 and a second unit chosen from 300, 420, 430, 440 and NEUR 410. With the permission of the department, 1 unit of an empirically based independent study (406 or 405 and 407) or 1 unit of Honors Project (496 or 495 and 497) may be substituted for the second unit of the research requirement. In addition, three units must be selected from Group B, and three Psychology electives may be chosen from all Psychology courses offered except only one Internship or Research Practicum or Special Topics, or INQ 260 PSYC unit may be applied to the major. Psychology 210 and 211 may not be counted towards the major if 215 has been taken. Students wishing to complete the Concentration in Human Development should take 210 and 211. Students may count one Neuroscience (NEUR) course as an elective in the major.
Group B: Personality-Social-Physiological-Cognitive: 315, 325, 330, 340, And 350
The four additional math and science units must include BIOL 120, INQ 240 and two units from Group C:
Group C: BIOL 125, 210, 230, 260, 320; CHEM 111, 112, 221, 222, 341; CPSC 120, 170, INQ 241(CPSC); MATH 111 or higher; PHYS 103, 104; STAT 202, 301, 403, 404.
(Note that many of these courses are prerequisites to others; some do not receive credit if a higher-level course is taken. These restrictions apply.)
Enrollment in Internship, Research Practicum,
Independent Study
For enrollment in Internship, Research Practicum, and/or
Independent Study, a written application must be submitted to
the department chairperson prior to registration. The department
faculty accepts or rejects the application. A student may
not register for Internship, Research Practicum, or Independent
Study without an approved proposal. Guidelines for preparation
of applications can be found in the Handbook for
Psychology Majors.
Minor in Psychology
The Psychology minor requires six courses in Psychology: two designated courses and four chosen from the Psychology curriculum. Requirements include:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 205 Research Methods in Psychology or
SOCI 251 Research Methods (for students
majoring in Sociology) or
CJUS/POLI/I.R. 209 Research Methods in Public Affairs (for students majoring in Criminal Justice, Political Science or International Relations)
Four courses chosen from the psychology course offerings excluding PSYC 316/317 (Internship), PSYC 318/319 (Research Practicum) and PSYC 405/406/407 (Independent Study). Two of the four courses must be at the 300 level or higher. Only one PSYC 240 (Special Topics) course may be applied to the Minor. Students may count one Neuroscience (NEUR) course toward the minor.
Concentration in Human Development
Professor Jan Lynch, Coordinator
The Concentration in Human Development has two purposes: (1) to provide focused coursework for students who plan to pursue a post-graduate degree in counseling psychology or school psychology, and (2) to prepare students for entry-level positions in a variety of careers that involve designing and/or implementing programs for children, adolescents, and/or the elderly.
To apply for the concentration, students must have a GPA of 2.0 of higher in the courses completed at the time of application. Successful completion of the following seven courses is required:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology*
PSYC 205 Research Methods in Psychology or
SOCI 251 Research Methods or
CJUS/POLI/I.R. 209 Research Methods in Public Affairs
PSYC 210 Child Development
PSYC 211 Adolescent Development
PSYC 212 Adult Development and Aging
Two courses chosen from
PSYC 300 (Test and Measurements)
PSYC 315 (Personality)
PSYC 316 (Internship)
PSYC 325 (Social Psychology)
PSYC 340 (Cognition)
Students who have competency in PSYC 101 will take only six courses for the concentration.
Psychology 101 is a prerequisite for all other courses in the department. Some courses have additional prerequisites, which are indicated in the course descriptions that follow.
101 Introduction to Psychology
An overview of the field of psychology with emphasis on basic
processes in human behavior. (Except where noted, this course
is a prerequisite for all other courses in the department.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
204 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
An examination of techniques used by psychologists to measure
behavior and to analyze and interpret the data. The course
includes an introduction to computer data analysis. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory 1 ½ hrs/wk.
205 Research Methods in Psychology
An examination of the research methods used in the fields of
psychology. Topics include introductions to and evaluations of
observational, relational and experimental research methods
and designs. Ethics and research, communication and research,
the development of research ideas and the reliability and validity
of research are also examined. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
210 Child Development
Behavior and development of the child from conception to
puberty. (1) (PSYC 210 and 211 may not be counted towards
the major if PSYC 215 has been taken. Students wishing to
complete the Concentration in Human Development should
take 210 and 211).
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
211 Adolescent Development
Behavior and development of the individual from puberty to
early adulthood. (1) (PSYC 210 and 211 may not be counted
towards the major if PSYC 215 has been taken. Students wishing
to complete the Concentration in Human Development
should take 210 and 211).
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
212 Adult Development and Aging
Behavior and development of the individual from early adulthood
to old age. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
215 Child & Adolescent Development
An examination of development from conception through
adolescence. Physical, cognitive and socioemotional development
will be discussed in the context of psychological theories,
research, current applications and historical events. Psychology
215 may not be counted towards the major if 210 or 211 has
been taken. Students wishing to complete the Concentration
in Human Development should take 210 and 211. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory 1 ½ hrs/wk.
220 Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving.
An introduction to creative thinking and creative problem-solving, including definitions, theories, and assessment of creativity as well as research about creativity and the creative process. Attention will be given to skills of creative thinking and presentation of a creative problem-solving model. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
225 Cross-cultural Psychology
The study of human behavior and mental processes, including
both differences and consistencies, across different cultures.
The aim is to examine systematic relations between cultural
factors and behavior, as well as the generalizability of psychological
principles across cultures.
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or permission.
230 Abnormal Psychology
Study of individual psychopathology and deviant behavior,
including diagnosis, theories, causes, and treatments. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
240 Special Topics in Psychology
A course offered in various formats, designed to give students
instruction in a subject not regularly offered. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
250 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Application of principles and methods of psychology to business,
industry, and other organizations, with emphasis on selection
of employees and organizational behavior. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
260 Human Sexuality
Human reproduction and sexual behavior; contemporary and
historical norms; dysfunction; cross-cultural perspective; the
bonding function of sexuality; and its expression in the arts,
religion, ethics, and law. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
270 Drugs and Behavior
An examination of the mechanisms of actions, uses, effects and
abuse liability of range of drugs. Both therapeutic drugs (such
as antidepressants and antipsychotics) and recreational drugs
(such as alcohol, stimulants and marijuana) will be addressed. (1)
Lecture 3 hrs/wk.
280 Evolutionary Psychology
Why do some humans like spicy food and drinking alcohol?
Why are younger women attracted to older men? Why would
we risk our life to save a total stranger? Evolutionary psychology
suggests that a considerable amount of human activity can
be explained as evolutionary adaptations. Human beings, like
other animals on this planet, evolved certain traits, preferences,
and abilities to deal with their environment. This class will
explore the latest research applying evolution to human psychology.
(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or NEUR 210.
290 Learning
Principles of learning processes, classic and contemporary theories,
and methods of research. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
300 Tests and Measurements
Principles and methods of psychological measurement and test
construction, with consideration of administration and psychometric
evaluation of representative tests. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: PSYC 204 or permission.
305, 306 Research Experience
Directed experience conducting empirical research under the
supervision of a faculty member. Open to all students (majors
and non-majors). (1/4, 1/4)
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
315 Personality
Theories of personality, applications, and extensions of these
theories, current research on individual differences, and methods
and issues in personality measurement. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
316, 317 Internship
Practical experience in a setting in which psychology is
applied. Placements in mental health facilities and other community
agencies and institutions. Seminar in professional conduct
and ethics. (One unit may be counted as an elective in the
major). (1, 1)
Prerequisite: Written application approved by department.
318, 319 Research Practicum
Directed study and empirical research under the supervision of
a faculty member. (Open to majors with the approval of the
department. One unit may be counted as an elective in the
major). (1, 1)
Prerequisite: Written application approved by department.
325 Social Psychology
Study of the influence of people on each other’s behavior,
including social influence and social interaction. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
330 Physiological Psychology
Study of the neurological and endocrinological substrates of
behavior. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or NEUR 210.
340 Cognition
An examination of the research and theory of complex cognitive
processes. Topics covered include memory, cognitive development,
language, thinking, concept formation, pattern
recognition, and problem solving. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
350 Sensation and Perception.
Study of the functionality of the different senses and how perception
arises within the human brain. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or NEUR 210.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study
Empirical research project or extensive literature review, with
faculty supervision. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisite: Written proposal and application approved by department.
420 Research Seminar: Personality/Social
An advanced, research-oriented seminar in personality and/or
social psychology. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: PSYC 204 and 205 and either PSYC 315 or PSYC
325.
430 Research Seminar: Physiological Psychology
An advanced, research-oriented seminar in physiological psychology.
(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: PSYC 204 and 205 and PSYC 330.
440 Research Seminar: Cognition
An advanced, research-oriented seminar in cognition. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: PSYC 204 and 205 and PSYC 340.
450 History of Psychology
Examination of the major systems in psychology with an
emphasis on its 19th-century origins to the present. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Senior standing or by permission.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic
creation, or performance. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major,
a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior
year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written
proposal and application must be approved by the committee and
department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495
Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. At least 1 unit
of Independent Study (405, 406, or 407) is a prerequisite to 495,
496, and 497. May not be used as one of the 11 units for the B.A.
degree.