Undergraduate Course Descriptions

PSY 101. Introductory Psychology: Study of human behavior including development, motivation, emotion, personality, learning, perception; general application of psychological principles to personal, social, and industrial problems. Students must participate in departmental research. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 216. Elementary Statistics: Basic probability and applied statistics: measures of central tendency and dispersion, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, tests between means, linear regression, correlation, and ANOVA. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and MTH 102 or equivalents. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 217. Experimental Psychology: Basic concepts of scientific methods as applied to psychological problems. Experiments to familiarize students with application of scientific methodology to study of human psychological processes. Required of all psychology majors. Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 216. 4 sem. hrs.

PSY 251. Human Growth and Development: Focuses on stages of human development from infancy through the aging adult. Emphasis is on various theoretical approaches and the development associated with each state. Psychology majores may not take for credit toward major. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 321. Cognitive Processes: Information- processing approach to attention, perception, memory, imagery, and thought. Theoretical structures including neuro modeling of higher cognitive and experimental processes. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 321L. Cognitive Processes Laboratory: In-depth discussion of seminal research in cognition. Collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Prerequisite: PSY 101, 216, 217, 321, or permission of instructor. 1 sem. hrs.

PSY 322. Learning: Foundations of the learning process. Classical and instrumental paradigms and variants of each considered in preparation for investigations of complex learning. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 323. Psychology of Perception: Introduction to major theoretical and experimental work in perception, including visual, auditory, proprioceptive, and other sensory systems. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 333. Psychological Tests and Measurements: Survey of major tests of intelligenc, aptitude, interest, and personality presently used in clinics, schools, personnel offices, and research settings. Emphasis on evaluation and comparison, rationale of construction, ethical considerations. Prerequisite: PSY 101, 216, or equivalent. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 334. Industrial Psychology: Introduction to modern efforts to improve human performance in industrial orgaization and society; selection and placement of employees, morale, training, and incentives. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

*PSY 341. Social Psychology: Survey of major theoretical and experimental work in the field; attitudes, conformity, emotions, group dynamics. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 344. Interpersonal Relations: Social psychological research in non-verbal behavior, social exchange, self-disclosure, and interpersonal attraction and how these are related to developing relationships. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 351. Child Psychology: Study of psychologicl processes from the developmental point of view; changes in perception, cognition, emotion, and social behavior from infancy to adolescence. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 352. Field Experience in Child Psychology: Practical experience with a community agency providing instructional, recreational, or therapeutic services. Volunteer 4-5 hours weekly. Prerequisite: PSY 101 and previous or concurrent registration is PSY 351. Grade option 2 only. 1 sem. hrs.

PSY 353. The Psychology of Adult Development and Aging: Provides a general introduction to the multi-disciplinary field of adulthood and aging with a specific focus on aspects of interest to psychologists: cognitive, intellectual, personality, and biological changes across adult development. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 355. Developmental Psychopathology: Survey of developmental theory and research related to the psychopathology of infants, children, and adolescents. Focus is on etiology, identification, and intervention. Prerequisite: PSY 101 and 351 or permission of the instructor. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 361. Personality: Introduction to the study of personality through analysis of such major theories as those of Freud, Skinner, Maslow, and Rogers. The development of personality and the stability of personality characteristics over time. Review of clincial and experimental findings. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 363. Abormal Psychology: Patterns of disordered behavior; social, psychological, and physiological factors; theoretical explanations of abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 364. Psychotherapy: Survey of current types of psychotherapy. Emphasis on similarities and differences in underlying theories of behavioral change and associated techniques. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 366. Health Psychology: Explores psychological research, theory, and techniques in health-related areas, such as health promotion, the identification of contributors to illness, illness prevention, stress and coping, stress management, changing health beliefs and behavior, pain and its management, and the management of chronic and terminal illnesses. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs

*PSY 375. Psychology of the Arts: Explores the psychological; experiences associated with the creation and appreciation of music, art, and literature. Course content is presented in terms of the theories, methods, and research findings in the fields of perception, cognition, and development. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 422. Physiological Psychology: Neurophysiological analysis of attention, sensation, perception, emotion, motivation, and learning. Electrophysiological methods are discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 431. Interviewing and Counseling: Integrated approach to the theorym, techniques, skills, and values of interviewing and counseling. Practice through written assignments, self-study, classroom exercises, and role-playing. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission of instructor. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 435. Human Factors: Essential psychological concepts and methods to improve use of human efforts and equipment. Principles governing design of equipment for human use. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

*PSY 443. Psychology of Women: Survey of topics related to the psychology of women, such as gender identity and roles, theories of female development, relationships, achievement, language, health issues, spirituality, sexuality, and violence. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

*PSY 444. Environmental Psychology: Study of the effects of the physical and social environent on human behaviors, attitudes, and affective responses. Prerequisite: PSY 101 and 341 or permission of instructor. 3 sem. hrs.

*PSY 445. Technology, Environment, and Behavior: Examines the cultural bases for the individual and societal choices which humans make about their use of technology. Technology is broadly defines to include human-machine systems. 3 sem. hrs.

*PSY 450. Psychology for Ministry: Human development and adjustment, interpersonal communication, and the psychology of religion. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Lay Ministry Program or permission of instructor. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 451. Psychology of Religion: Addresses the psychological study of the nature of religion and religious experience; explores the development of internalized beliefs, attitudes, and values and the effect they have on individual functioning. Prerequisites: Junior, Senior standing. An introductory course in psychology is highly recommended.  3 sem hrs.

PSY 452. Cognitive Development in Children: Major approaches to the study of cognitive development; attentional and mediational development in children's learning, memory, and problem solving; language development and Piaget's theory. Prerequisite: PSY 101 and 351 or permission of instructor. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 457. Television and Its Effects on Children: Readings in psycholigcal research on the broad effects of television on children. Emphasis on analyzing and evaluating the research. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 461. Current Implications of Drug Dependency: Survey of effects, symptoms, treatment, causalities, and myths associated with drug use and abuse. Emphasis on existing treatment methods and psychological implications of drug dependency. Prerequisite: PSY 101. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 462. Human Sexuality: Psychologicl factors in human sexuality including developmental, biological, and social perspectives. Such topics as sexual orientation, gender identity and roles, sexual relationships, sexual dysfunction, power and violence, and commercialization. 3 sem. hrs.

*PSY 471. History of Psychology: The evolution of psychology from its origins in philosophy, science, clinical, and applied settings. Emphasis on integrating these systems and schools of thought with modern psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission of instructor. 3 sem. hrs.

PSY 490. Internship in Psychology: Supervised experience arranged on an individual basis in appropriate settings. For psychology majors who have completed prescribed course work only. Consult internship director for details. May be repeated up to 6 sem. hrs. Grade Option 2 Only. 1-6 sem. hrs.

PSY 493. Independent Study: Problems of special interest investigated under faculty direction. Area and criteria for evaluation to be specified prior to registration. May be repeated for up to 6 sem. hrs. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 1-6 sem. hrs.

PSY 494. Readings in Psychology: Directed reading in a specific area of interest, under faculty supervision. Topic and criteria for evaluation to be specified prior to registration. May be repeated for up to 6 sem. hrs. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 1-6 sem. hrs.

NOTE: A total of no more than 6 sem. hrs. of PSY 490, 493, 494 and/or PSY 497 may be counted toward the required 34 sem. hrs. for a psychology major.

PSY 495. Special Topics in Psychology: Topics of special interest to faculty and students; intensive criticl evaluation of appropriate literature. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. 1-3 sem. hrs.

PSY 497. Service Learning Experience: Supervised community research or service experience in Psychology. Repeatable up to three semester hours.  No more than three semester hours can count toward graduation.  Co-requisite: A 300/400 level Psychology course. 1 sem. hr.

* General Education course. See Chapter V of the Bulletin.

Back to the Main Page Back to the Undergraduate Program Page