Department of Psychological Sciences

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