Psychological Sciences (PSYS)
PSYS 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 Hours
An introductory course dealing with principles of behavior, scientific methods of psychology, measurement, learning, perception, motivation, development, personality, abnormal behavior, social behavior, intelligence, and other topics. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SB | SB
Equivalent(s): PSY 100
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 160 Introduction to Biopsychology 3 Hours
An introductory class emphasizing the contributions of molecular, cellular, physiological, and evolutionary biology to the scientific understanding of psychological processes. Topics include the brain and nervous system, sensation and perception, hormones and behavior, and the interaction of genes and environment. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-NS | NS
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 161 Introduction to Biopsychology Laboratory 1 Hour
A laboratory class that accompanies an introductory class emphasizing the contributions of molecular, cellular, physiological, and evolutionary biology to the scientific understanding of psychological processes. This class provides hands-on experience in a cross section of techniques used in this area of science. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SL | SL
Prerequisite(s): PSYS 160 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 175 University Experience 1 Hour
Transition to university experience for Psychological Science majors. Topics include learning skills, campus resources, research tools, exploration of majors, specializations within the discipline, career trends, and professional development.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 210 Research Methods in Psychology 3 Hours
Introduction to scientific thinking, research design, and research methods in psychology. Includes the nature of scientific explanations, validity, reliability, measurement scales, the rationale underlying hypothesis testing, critical evaluation of scientific evidence presented in journals and popular media, and how to write research reports.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 with a minimum grade of C or PSYC 100C with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 100 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 160 with a minimum grade of C or Psychology with a score of 3)
Corequisite(s): PSYS 211
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 211 Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory 1 Hour
Laboratory course to accompany PSYS 210. Laboratory exercises involving research design, methodology, data collection, methods of organizing and presenting data, and research report writing.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 with a minimum grade of C or PSYC 100C with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 100 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 160 with a minimum grade of C or Psychology with a score of 3)
Corequisite(s): PSYS 210
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 220 Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3 Hours
A general course in developmental psychology covering the entire life span. Included are a description of growth stages, theories of development, and research methods of development. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SB | SB
Equivalent(s): PSY 220
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 290 Supervised Study in Psychological Sciences 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Directed readings or research under faculty supervision. Students must make their own arrangements in advance for supervision by a faculty member. Does not count towards completion of the major in Psychological Science.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100 or PSYS 160)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 300 Writing in the Psychological Sciences 3 Hours
How to write about research in neural and behavioral science within the discipline and for a lay audience. Includes learning how to write in American Psychological Association (APA) style. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code F-W2 | WC
Prerequisite(s): ENG 200 and (PSYS 160 or PSYS 100 or PSY 100)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 313 Statistics in Psychology 3 Hours
Methods of organizing, describing, and analyzing psychological data.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Equivalent(s): PSY 313
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 321 Child Developmental Psychology 3 Hours
An introduction to the factors influencing normal psychological development during infancy and childhood. Theories, methodology, and current research in child development, including prenatal, physical, language, cognitive, social, and personality development, are considered.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYC 100C or PSYS 100 or PSYS 160 or PSYS 220 or PSY 220)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 322 Laboratory in Developmental Psychology 1 Hour
This course provides a laboratory-based introduction to research in developmental psychology. Students will learn about the unique research designs, methodologies, and ethical concerns related to conducting developmental psychology research. At the same time students will learn some of the major methods used by developmental psychologists through hand-on experience using a variety of research techniques. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 201 with a minimum grade of C) and PSYS 321 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSYS 331 Principles of Human and Animal Learning 3 Hours
Overview of theory and research in human and animal learning, emphasizing classical and instrumental conditioning, aversive conditioning, and comparative psychology. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 332 Laboratory in Human and Animal Learning 1 Hour
Laboratory emphasizing experimental design and data collection in human and other animal learning.
Prerequisite(s): PSYS 331 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 333 Cognitive Psychology 3 Hours
Overview of theory and research in human cognition, with primary emphasis on attention, memory, judgment and decision-making, and problem solving. Cognition in special populations (e.g., elderly, brain-injured, mentally disordered) is also covered. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 334 Laboratory in Cognition 1 Hour
Laboratory emphasizing experimental design and data collection in cognitive psychology. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C) and PSYS 333 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 350 Social Psychology 3 Hours
A general introduction to social psychology for majors and non-majors in psychology. The psychology of how people think about and relate to others. Topics include love, altruism, aggression, conformity, behavior in groups, leadership, intergroup conflict, prejudice, and persuasion. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC | SB
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Equivalent(s): PSY 350
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 353 Psychology of Prejudice and Stereotyping 3 Hours
Presents classic and current social-psychological theory and research in the area of prejudice and stereotyping. You will learn some of the social-cognitive principles by which these phenomena occur, and have the opportunity to apply this learning to your own life. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100 or SOCL 100) and 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; summer 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; winter 2024; summer 2024
PSYS 360 Behavioral Neuroscience 3 Hours
An examination of the neurological bases of behavior emphasizing brain processes and structures underlying major psychological constructs such as sensation, learning, emotion, and psychological disorders. Only one of the two courses PSYS 360 and PSYS 362 can be counted towards the Psychological Science major or minor, or the Neuroscience minor. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 362 Behavioral Neuroscience with Lab 4 Hours
An examination of the neurological bases of major psychological constructs including lab-based activities such as dissections, physiological recordings and behavioral measures. Open only to psychological science minor/majors and neuroscience minors. Only one of the two courses PSYS 360 and PSYS 362 can be counted towards the Psychological Science major or minor, or the Neuroscience minor. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Neuroscience (434) , Psychological Science (440) , Psychological Science (747) or Psychological Science (747E)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
PSYS 363 Sensory and Perceptual Systems 3 Hours
Examination of human/animal sensory and perceptual systems using neurophysiological and psychophysical methods. Examination of both subcortical and cortical brain functioning. Empasizes the visual, tactile/haptic, and auditory systems. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 365 Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience 1 Hour
Laboratory emphasizing neural anatomy and function with an emphasis on the biological bases of behavior.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C) and PSYS 360 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 370 Industrial / Organizational Psychology 3 Hours
The application of psychological principles and research techniques to organizational topics, such as selection, training, performance appraisal, leadership, teamwork, work stress, and employee attitudes. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 380 Psychology and Science Fiction 3 Hours
Examination of mind and behavior as portrayed in science fiction. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 413 Psychological Measurement 3 Hours
The consideration of methodological, theoretical, and ethical problems involved in test construction and use. Topics covered include reliability, validity, and measurement theory.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 or PSY 210) and (PSYS 211 or PSY 211)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2024
PSYS 415 Programming for Social Sciences 3 Hours
Use a programming language to approach problems faced in the social sciences. Develop programming skill to address issues related to experiments, analyses, and simulations within a social science context.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C and PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C) or (PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C and PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C) or SOCL 300 with a minimum grade of C or SOCL 302 with a minimum grade of C or ECON 206 with a minimum grade of C or PS 301 with a minimum grade of C or PS 302 with a minimum grade of C or PH 383 with a minimum grade of C
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 423 Psychology of Adult Life and Aging 3 Hours
Psychological processes in adulthood and aging. Emphasis on contemporary theories, methodological issues, and interactions of psychological, biological, social, and environmental factors in adulthood and aging. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 424 Topics in Developmental Psychology 3 Hours
A consideration of special topics to acquaint students with theoretical and research issues of particular interest in developmental psychology. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 220 or PSY 220) or PSYS 321
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSYS 425 Developmental Psychopathology 3 Hours
Examines the interaction between the dynamic processes underlying both normative human development and the development of psychopathology. Theoretical and empirical research will be reviewed, focusing on the psychological science of the principles of adaptation and maladaptation. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C and PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSYS 220 or PSYS 321 or PSYS 440)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 431 Psychology of Language 3 Hours
Overview of scientific study of human language abilities, with primary emphasis on individual psychological mechanisms. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSYS 433 Judgment and Decision Making 3 Hours
Description and analysis of how actual decisions differ from optimal decisions. Survey of judgments under risk and uncertainty and of major topics in judgment research. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 or PSY 210) and (PSYS 211 or PSY 211)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 440 Abnormal Psychology 3 Hours
Introduction to abnormal psychology emphasizing forms of abnormal behavior, etiology, developmental factors, interpretations, behavioral manifestations and treatment programs. Note: Six hours in psychological science or psychology including one of the prerequisite courses or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYC 100C or PSYS 100 or PSYS 160)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Equivalent(s): PSY 440
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 442 Psychology of Suicide and Self-Injury 3 Hours
Focuses on the study of self-harm behavior, specifically on suicide and self-injury. Topics include theories of suicide, risk and protective factors, assessing and managing suicide risk in clinical settings, treatment for suicidal patients, ethics, nonsuicidal self-injury, the neurobiology of suicide, and prevention and post-vention. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): PSYS 440 with a minimum grade of C
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2024
PSYS 444 Psychology of Substance Use Disorders 3 Hours
Focuses on the study of substance use disorders, including definitions, psychopharmacology, theories of addiction, and evidence-based assessment and treatment of substance use disorders in clinical and research settings.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSYS 160)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2023
PSYS 450 Psychology of Personality 3 Hours
Overview of the major theoretical approaches to the study of personality, including historical as well as contemporary theorists, avenues of analysis, and concepts. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): PSYS 100 (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 451 Psychology of Religion 3 Hours
Study Classical theories and current research in the psychology of religion.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100 or PSYS 160)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSYS 453 Psychology of Women 3 Hours
Scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of girls and women. Topics include gender differences and similarities, inclusion of females in psychological research, psychological development of girls and women, sexuality, and mental health issues. Note: Six hours in psychology are required in addition to the prerequisites or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024
PSYS 462 Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuroscience 3 Hours
Introduction to the neural basis of cognition. Topics include the psychophysiology and behavioral assessment of learning and memory, attention, language and category development, decision making, and brain-related impairment of cognitive functioning. Note: Instructor permission may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C and PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C) or (PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C and PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSYS 463 Evolutionary Psychology 3 Hours
A survey of the research methods and core concepts of evolutionary psychology as they apply to human adaptive problems, including problems of survival, sex and mating, parenting and kinship, and aggression. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 160 or PSY 100 or PSYC 100C or PSYS 100)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSYS 465 Psychopharmacology 3 Hours
Examination of psychoactive drugs and their effects upon the brain and neural mechanisms responsible for mind and behavior. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 473 Training in Business and Industry 3 Hours
An introduction to theories, research and methods of training needs analysis, program design, implementation, and evaluation. Note: Permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 311 or PSYS 370)
Equivalent(s): MGT 473
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 481 History of Psychology 3 Hours
Overview of major historical developments in psychology and related scientific disciplines, such as medicine, neurophysiology, and physics. Emphasizes developments over the past 500 years. History of the scientific study of human/animal behavior, as well as cognitive, perceptual, and mental functioning. Note: Nine hours in psychological science/psychology including the prerequisites or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C or PSY 100 or PSYS 160)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Equivalent(s): PSY 481
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
PSYS 482 Psychology of Sexuality 3 Hours
Explores psychological, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural aspects of sexuality including sexual development across the life span, consensual and coercive sexual behavior, sex and gender, sexual orientation, sexuality and religious traditions, and sexuality education. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100) or (PSYS 220 or PSY 220) or PSYS 160 and 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
PSYS 490 Independent Study in Psychological Sciences 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
Advanced students will conduct research and/or readings in psychological science under the direction of the faculty. The course may be repeated. No more than six credits will count toward completion of the extended option of the psychological science major, and no more than three credit hours will count toward completion of the non-extended option of the major or the psychological science minor.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
PSYS 499 Senior Seminar in Psychology 3 Hours
Seminar in which major concepts and issues in psychology are considered. Directed reading, guest lectures, field trips, and/or oral reports by students are utilized. Note: 12 hours in psychological science and/or psychology, including PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYS 160 are required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSY 100 or PSYS 160 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023