Department of Psychology

PSY 100. Introduction to Psychology. 3 Credits.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and its causes and the goal of psychology is to describe, explain, predict, and change behavior. Behavior is defined broadly to include mental and physiological processes, as well as observable behavior. This course provides tools to analyze why people behave the way they do, and these tools can be valuable to students across a number of different settings (e.g., work, school, family, peer, and romantic relationships). The course introduces the major concepts and findings in psychology, and it addresses topics relevant to students from diverse majors, including kinesiology, education, nursing, and marketing, to name a few. The course also introduces ethical concepts and their application in both psychology-related settings and in everyday situations.
Gen Ed Attribute: Behavioral and Social Science Distributive, Ethics Requirement.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

PSY 120. Multicultural Psychology. 3 Credits.

A survey course that will examine how psychological theory and research can contribute to our understanding of structural inequalities associated with ethnicity, race, income, class, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and religion.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 199. Transfer Credits. 1-10 Credits.

Transfer Credits.
Repeatable for Credit.

PSY 200. Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Well Being. 3 Credits.

Introduction to psychological perspectives that place an emphasis on positive emotional states including: happiness, joy, resilience, compassion, and forgiveness. We will examine a variety of topics and their relationship to subjective well-being including: positive coping, optimism, interpersonal relationships, spirituality, creativity and achievement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 210. Developmental Psychology: Lifespan. 3 Credits.

A survey of research findings and theoretical issues related to developmental processes from the prenatal phase to senescence. Majors are advised to take PSY 382 and/or PSY 384 rather than PSY 210.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 210 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

PSY 215. Liberation Psychology: Sustaining Community Change. 3 Credits.

This class will take a Liberation Psychology approach to examining the cross section of societal forces and our individual lives as "community change workers" such that we can sustain ourselves and those we might work with professionally and in the community. Students will be introduced to a toolkit of practices for sustaining their own resilience, well-being, and engagement in community change framed critically to combat oppression and internalized oppression (ranging from Cognitive Behavioral self-help tools to mindfulness, peer support to movement building, and more). Students will gain in-depth practice in using active listening, reflection, and interpersonal communication as one way to process the effects of oppression. Students will also have opportunities to learn presentation skills, including final projects that will allow them to explore in more depth one or more of the strategies studied by formulating a model of sustaining self for the future, a model that aims to be aware of the critical perspectives on psychology and structural injustices studied in this course.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 215 requires a prerequisite of RUX 110 or YES 250 or PSY 100 or PSY 120.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Cross listed courses PSY 215, RUX 215.

PSY 230. Introduction to Primatology. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the taxonomy, distribution, morphology, and behavior of human beings' closest living relatives, the nonhuman primates. This course is designed to provide students with the background to take more advanced courses within the interdisciplinary subject of primatology as well as provide them with a deeper understanding of nonhuman primates, evolution, and where humans fit in the world.
Gen Ed Attribute: Interdisciplinary Requirement.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.
Cross listed courses ANT 230, PSY 230.

PSY 245. Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. 3 Credits.

Descriptive and inferential statistical concepts and techniques and their application to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of behavioral data. Computer-assisted computation procedures will be employed.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 245 requires a prerequisite of MAT 113, MAT 115, MAT 131 or any MAT course with MAT 113, MAT 115 or MAT 131 as prerequisites.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

PSY 246. Research Methods in Psychology. 3 Credits.

Critical examination of research methods in psychology, including experimental and quasi-experimental designs, correlational methods, and survey methods. Students will receive practical experience in the design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation of data, and in preparation of written reports for research projects.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 246 requires a prerequisite of PSY 245.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

PSY 254. Social Psychology. 3 Credits.

The study of the ways in which the individual is affected by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Topics include social influence, self and social group identity, interpersonal and intergroup relations, diversity, group behavior, violence, and prosocial behavior.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 254 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 255. Introduction to Biological Psychology. 3 Credits.

Basic concepts concerning the reciprocal relationship between behavior and biology will be introduced.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 255 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

PSY 257. Theories of Personality. 3 Credits.

A course in personality that examines the theories and writings of Freud, Jung, Adler, Fromm, Erikson, Rogers, and other major personality theorists.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 257 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 265. Industrial/Organizational Psychology. 3 Credits.

A basic course for psychology and business majors interested in the application of psychology to the workplace. The course includes a survey of the theory, research, and applications of the major topical areas of Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Topics may include work motivation, job satisfaction, performance appraisal, leadership, personnel selection, training and development, communication, psychological testing, and organization development.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 265 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 268. Drugs, Behavior and the Brain. 3 Credits.

A survey of how drugs affect the brain and behavior. Drugs that are used to treat psychological disorders and those used recreationally will be studied.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 268 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

PSY 270. Mind in the Courtroom: Psychology & the Law. 3 Credits.

The course focuses on the application of Cognitive Psychology and Social Psychology to understand legal issues such as inaccurate eyewitness identifications, false memories, false confessions, lie detection, racial profiling, and jury decision-making. Students will learn both content and the processes by which scientific knowledge in this domain is acquired.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 280. Health Psychology. 3 Credits.

A study of the behavioral, biological, psychological and social factors involved in physical health and illness. Disease prevention, health behaviors, and psychosocial adjustment to illness will be explored.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 280 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Gen Ed Attribute: Interdisciplinary Requirement.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 327. Applied Behavior Analysis. 3 Credits.

A survey of the principles and practices employed in inducing behavioral changes in clinic, institution, agency, and school settings.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 327 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 335. Animal Behavior. 3 Credits.

The evolution and adaptiveness of behavior. Emphasis on physiological, genetic, and learning processes underlying animal behavior.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 335 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100 or BIO 100 or BIO 110.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

PSY 336. Animal Behavior Laboratory. 3 Credits.

Laboratory exercises and experiments in the principles of animal behavior and comparative psychology.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 336 requires prerequisites of PSY 100 and PSY 245 and PSY 246 and co-requisite of PSY 335.
Typically offered in Fall.

PSY 350. Biopsychology of Emotion. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce students to the basic biological and sociocultural factors that contribute to the generation and regulation of emotion across the life span.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 350 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 356. Biological Psychology Laboratory. 3 Credits.

Laboratory exercises and experiments in basic biological psychology.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 356 requires prerequisites of PSY 100, PSY 245, PSY 246, and PSY 255.
Typically offered in Fall.

PSY 362. History and Systems of Psychology. 3 Credits.

An integrated overview of the history of psychology as well as the systems, theories, and fundamental issues with which psychologists have concerned themselves in the past, recent, and current stages of the science.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 362 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 363. Psychology of Learning. 3 Credits.

Basic laws and theories of learning.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 363 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 365. Psychology of Women. 3 Credits.

A study of the behavior and experience of women. Biological, cultural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal determinants of women's actions, thoughts, and feelings will be explored.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 365 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 366. Learning Laboratory. 3 Credits.

Laboratory exercises and experiments in the principles of Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 366 requires prerequisites of PSY 100 and PSY 245 and PSY 246 and co-requisite of PSY 363.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 375. Psychopathology. 3 Credits.

A study of the description, etiology, and treatment of the spectrum of psychological disorders among different populations.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 375 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 376. Social Psychology Laboratory. 3 Credits.

Electronic and/or laboratory exercises in social psychology.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 276 requires prerequisites of PSY 100 and PSY 254.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 380. Body Image. 3 Credits.

This interactive workshop explores the development of body image, the effects of negative body image on mental health and well-being, the assessment of body image, and the treatment and prevention of body image disturbance. Special attention is given to gender, cultural, and racial differences in body image, the role of obesity, and body image disorders such as Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 382. Infant, Child and Adolescent Development. 3 Credits.

Study of the normal child from conception to puberty. Emphasis on current theoretical issues involved in the effects of early experience and environment.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 382 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

PSY 384. Adult Development. 3 Credits.

Study of psychological development throughout the period of adulthood up to and including death and dying.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 384 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 386. Professional and Practical Skills in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. 3 Credits.

This course is an applied course designed to provide an overview of the tools, methods, and techniques used in the field of I/O Psychology. In addition, the course will also enable students to evaluate research literature in the field and apply it in creating evidence based organizational interventions. The course involves several "applied projects" that will help students develop essential skills required to work as a personnel psychologist or a human resource professional. By end of this course students will (1) understand and evaluate both classic and current research in industrial-organizational psychology; (2) translate research findings into real-world interventions through applied projects; and (3) demonstrate their oral communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 386 requires a prerequisite of PSY 265.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

PSY 390. Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy. 3 Credits.

A review of theoretical assumptions underpinning various approaches to counseling and psychotherapy with particular reference to comparative outcome data.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 390 requires prerequisites of PSY 257 or PSY 375.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 400. Senior Seminar in Psychology. 3 Credits.

In-depth study of advanced topics in psychology. Students will prepare and present written and oral presentations describing and analyzing current issues in psychology.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 400 requires prerequisites of PSY 245 and PSY 246.
Gen Ed Attribute: Speaking Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter.

PSY 410. Research in Psychology. 3 Credits.

Special research projects, reports, and readings in psychology.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 410 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

PSY 413. Group Intervention 1. 3 Credits.

This class is designed as an introductory course, integrating theory and practice of psychodrama as a psychotherapeutic modality. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic psychodramatic and sociometric techniques from a theoretical perspective with emphasis placed on how to use these basic techniques in applied situations.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 413 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 421. Issues in Autism: Diagnosis and Behavioral Treatments. 3 Credits.

Study of the assessment and treatment of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, related disorders, and associated problems. Detailed coverage of current validated assessment and treatment practices, with emphasis on behavior analytic procedures. Instruction will occur via current books, periodicals, testing materials, videos, and play activities.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 421 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100; PSY 327 strongly recommended.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 430. Human Sexual Behavior. 3 Credits.

An intensive study of those variables under which human sexual behavior functions. Research from sociological and medical studies is integrated with psychological knowledge.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 430 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 441. Field Experience in Psychology I. 3 Credits.

A work-study program in an educational, business, or mental health facility under joint supervision of the instructor and the staff psychologist of the field institution. Permission of instructor required.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 441 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 442. Field Experience in Psychology II. 3 Credits.

Continuation of PSY 441.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 445. Organizational Development. 3 Credits.

The study of human behavior in task group and organizational contexts. PSY 265 recommended.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 445 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 447. Interpersonal Relationships within Groups. 3 Credits.

A study of processes and factors in establishing, maintaining, and terminating relationships via the use of group methods. This class is designed as an introductory course, integrating theory and practice of psychodrama and cognitive behavioral therapy as a psychotherapeutic modality. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic psychodramatic and cognitive behavioral techniques from a theoretical perspective with emphasis placed on how to use these basic techniques in applied situations.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 447 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Summer.

PSY 448. Field Experience in Psychology III. 3 Credits.

A work- study program in a Head Start preschool program serving a population of children and families that are mostly low-income and of ethnic and racial minority backgrounds under joint supervision of the instructor and the staff of the field institution.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 448 requires a prerequisite of PSY 100 and 21 total hours of psychology courses or permission of instructor.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 449. Field Experience in Psychology IV. 3 Credits.

A continuation of PSY 448.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 449 requires a prerequisite of PSY 448.
Gen Ed Attribute: Diversity Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 464. Biopsychology Seminar. 3 Credits.

Anatomical, endocrinological, and physiological processes underlying behavior, including motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Special attention is given to the biological bases and treatments of mental illness. PSY 100, or BIO 100 or 110 recommended.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 464 requires prerequisites of PSY 255 or BIO 100 or BIO 110.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 470. Sensory and Perceptual Processes. 3 Credits.

A study of how we process sensory information and perceive our environments.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 470 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Fall.

PSY 475. Cognitive Psychology. 3 Credits.

This course explores our scientific understanding of mental processes such as perception, attention, language, memory, decision-making and problem-solving, from both basic science and applied perspectives.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 475 requires prerequisite of PSY 100.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

PSY 476. Cognitive Laboratory. 3 Credits.

An experiential-learning course in which students learn first-hand how cognitive psychologists measure human thought processes such as perception, attention, language, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 476 requires prerequisites of PSY 245 and PSY 246, and a corequisite of PSY 475.
Gen Ed Attribute: Ethics Requirement, Writing Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 481. Eating Disorders. 3 Credits.

An in-depth study of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other variants of disordered eating.
Pre / Co requisites: PSY 481 requires prerequisites of PSY 257 or PSY 375.
Typically offered in Spring.

PSY 490. Topical Seminar in Psychology. 1-3 Credits.

Special topics in psychology not offered under existing, regularly offered courses. Consent of instructor or chairperson recommended.
Repeatable for Credit.