Psychology Course Descriptions

PSY 205 Introductory Psychology 4 hours
General Education requirement. Prerequisites: LS 105, ENG 107; Term: 1, 2, 3
An introduction to the study of psychology as a behavioral and social science. Theories, principles and empirical findings about human and animal behavior are examined. Topics include perception, motivation, learning, development, physiology, memory, social influence, psychological disorders and others. General Education option.

PSY 220 Methods in Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisite: None; Term: 1
An introduction to psychology as a scientific discipline. This course teaches the student to distinguish between science and pseudoscience. It introduces the scientific method and research techniques, including correlation, experimental design, and statistical reasoning.

PSY 240 Developmental Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 205; Term: 1, 2
Overview of human development and factors that influence it. Covers physical, intellectual, social and emotional development from infancy through adolescence.

PSY 288 Cooperative Field Experience 2-6 hours
Prerequisite: Department approval
Supervised work experience in psychology.

PSY 300 Modules in Psychology 1 hour
Offered as needed. Prerequisite: PSY 205
Covers selected topics designed to fit special needs and interests in order to provide an opportunity to delve more deeply into topics which cannot be adequately or fully treated in other courses.

PSY 301 Experimental Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisites: MTH 100, ENG 108, ENG 312, PSY 205, PSY 305;
Term 2; alternate years
Significant aspects of experimental psychology, methods and techniques. Laboratory included. Continued emphasis on statistical procedures using computer software.

PSY 305 Introductory Statistics 4 hours
Prerequisite: MTH 100 or equivalent; Term: 1, 2, 3
Fundamental principles of descriptive and inferential statistics with applications to social sciences.

PSY 320 Psychology of Women 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 205; Term: 1; alternate years
An overview of the biological, social and cultural factors affecting female development throughout the lifespan. Topics include development, stereotyping, gender roles, gender differences and similarities in mental abilities, personality, social behavior, as well as specific topics such as work, education, mental health, violence, and sexual abuse.

PSY 330 Psychology of Adjustment 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 205; Offered as needed
Processes involved in interaction of an individual with environment. Emphasis on theories of adjustment; stress and its effects; problems of adjustment through the life-span, techniques of adjustment, and maladaptive reactions.

PSY 335 Psychology of Personality 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, PSY 205; Term: 2; alternate years
Study of current personality theories. Progress toward independent study and writing in the discipline of psychology. Writing intensive course.

PSY 343 Adolescent Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisite: ENG 108, PSY 205; Term: 2
Overview of physical, intellectual, social and emotional development from preadolescent through late-adolescent period. Topics include family and peer relationships, identity achievement, adjustment problems, and acceptance of the adult role.

PSY 346 Aging Individual in Society 3 hours
Prerequisite: ENG 108, PSY 205; Term: 1
Later years of human life explored mainly from the perspective of developmental
psychology. Includes biological and sociological aspects, as well as areas of problems.

PSY 348 Death and Dying 3 hours
Prerequisite: Junior or senior status; PSY 205; Term 1: alternate years
Discussion of death in our society and in different cultures, attitudes toward death, children & death, grief & bereavement, suicide, lethal behavior, search for immortality & other topics.

PSY 352 Business and Industrial Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisites: MTH 099, ENG 108, PSY 205; Offered as needed
Application of psychological principles and techniques to business and industry. Includes impact of globalization, communication, leadership and followership, career strategies, dealing with racism and sexism; leadership, decision-making and organizational theory.

PSY 360 Social Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisites: MTH 099, ENG 108, PSY 205. PSY 240 or PSY 343 recommended. Term: 2
Study of how behavior is affected by the social environment. Topics include the self, interpersonal attraction, aggression, prejudice, attitude change, power, altruism. Service learning component.

PSY 365 Group Dynamics 3 hours
Prerequisite: ENG 108, PSY 205; Term: 1
Group processes as they apply to task, community and organizational groups. Theories will be demonstrated by participating in dyads, small groups, and large groups in class.

PSY 365L Group Dynamics Lab 1-3 hours
Prerequisite: ENG 108, PSY 205; Permission of instructor Term: 1
An opportunity to apply group organization principle to immigrant groups. Includes travel to New York City or other major immigrant centers.

PSY 388 Cooperative Field Experience 2-6 hours
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Supervised work experience in psychology.

PSY 390 Special Topics in Psychology 2-3 hours
Offered as needed. Prerequisite: PSY 205
Various topics in psychology are offered on a rotating basis according to demand. May be elected for a maximum of six non-duplicate credit hours.

PSY 435OL Abnormal Psychology 3 hours
Online. Prerequisites: PSY 205, 335, junior or senior standing; Term: 1; alternate years
Historical review of the developments in the treatment of mental disorders. Discussion of the treatment and etiology of the major current diagnostic categories of psychopathology. Service learning component.

PSY 436OL Clinical Perspectives: Interviews & Surveys 3 hours
Online. Prerequisites: PSY 205, 335, 435, junior or senior standing;
Term 2, alternate years
Survey of mental health care techniques with a focus on interview skills and surveys. How societal and political issues impact mental health care and prevention are discussed.

PSY 438 Psychology Practicum 2-3 hours
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, psychology major, permission of instructor Practical application of classroom education and skills in a related field placement. Professionally supervised.

PSY 470 Learning and Memory: Psychology of Learning 3 hours
Prerequisites: MTH 100, ENG 108, ENG 312, PSY 205, PSY 305, junior or senior standing; or permission of instructor. Term: 1, alternate years
Theory and research on learning including conditioning; cognition; theories in learning and memory; strategies for memory improvement. Emphasis on class experiments in learning and memory, as well as writing reports in psychological research style. Writing intensive.

PSY 488 Cooperative Field Experience 2-6 hours
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Supervised work experience in psychology.

PSY 491 Independent Studies 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: PSY 205, junior or senior standing, departmental approval For intensive advanced research with specified methodology and product.

PSY 496 Department Research: Senior Seminar 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 312, PSY 301, 305, 335, psychology major, second semester junior or senior standing; Term: 1
Topic to be selected by student with approval of instructor. May be library research based or an original research project. Requires written and oral presentations. Writing intensive.

PSY 496S Senior Seminar for the Social Sciences: Psychology Concentration 3 hours
Please refer to the Social Science section of current catalog.