course descriptions

REQUIRED AND ELECTIVE COURSES

Ps151 Introduction to Psychology
Exploration of the methods and applications of psychology; introduction to research techniques, concepts, theories, and findings about normal and abnormal behavior.

Ps160 Personal Adjustment
Practical and theoretical approaches to human adjustment with emphasis upon stress management and related personal and family issues. May not be taken by students who have six or more credits in psychology.

Ps170 Marriage and Family
Examination of the dynamics and functioning of family systems (forming relationships, communication, marriages, sexuality, childraising, crossgenerational interactions, possible estrangements, the influences of gender and culture, and family therapy) through lecture, discussion, and class participation.

Ps180 Creativity
Psychological investigation of the creative process and creative individuals with a focus on techniques which stimulate creativity. An examination of the dynamics of the artistic process. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps200 Statistics and Research Methods
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on research methodology and applications in psychology. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps205 Experimental Psychology
Examination and training in experimental methodology with a focus on the scientific method and empiricism. Topics include the philosophy of science, statistics, developing and testing hypotheses, control techniques, designs, and ethics. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps210 Computers in Psychology
An overview of the ways in which computers are used in psychology. Topics include e-mail, newsgroups, www, statistical packages including SPSS, experimental data analysis, and library research using PsycLIT, for example. Lectures supplemented by computer-assisted sessions. Prerequisites: Ps151; Ps200.

Ps220 Social Psychology
Study of the individual in the social environment; examination of such topics as attitude formation and change, social influence, leadership and community, intergroup relations, aggression, and altruism. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps230 Childhood and Adolescence
A survey of the physical, intellectual, social, and personality development that occurs during infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, and adolescence. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps235 Life Span Development
Comprehensive examination of the basic principles, stages and aspects of human growth and development from birth to senescence. Prerequisite: Ps151. May replace Ps230 as a required course.

Ps240 Adulthood and Aging
Examination of the developmental changes in the human life cycle from young adulthood through maturity. Focuses on patterns of change and growth during adulthood, social attitudes, and gerontological psychology. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps250 Personality
Exploration of personality theories including psychoanalysis, cognitive, behavioral and humanist approaches as they describe the development, functioning, and organization of the individual. Examination of the personal and clinical relevance of the theories. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps260 Abnormal Psychology
Description of normal and abnormal personality with emphasis on etiology, manifestations, dynamics, treatment, and prevention of social/psychological dysfunctions. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps270 Educational Psychology
The study of learning and instruction as applied to education. Includes an appreciation of the role of research, application of research to classroom settings, and reviews of psycho-social development, individual differences, behavioral and cognitive views of learning, classroom management and assessment. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps295 Cooperative Education

Ps305 Tests and Measurements
Introduction to the theory and methods of assessing intelligence, attitudes, human abilities, and personality. Supervised experience with tests. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps306 Laboratory in Tests and Measurements (1)
Prequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps305.

Ps310 Social Experimental Psychology
The study of individual behavior in the social environment with an emphasis on quantitative experimental techniques used to examine theories and models. Techniques include observational research, ethics in human research, questionnaire research, formal experiments, naturally occurring studies, archival studies and non-interventional field research. Topics include attitude formation, social influence, leadership, intergroup relations, aggression and altruism. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps311 Laboratory in Social Experimental Psychology (1)
Prerequisites: Ps200 or Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps310.

Ps320 Learning
An examination of the major historical and contemporary theories of learning. Discussions will focus mainly on the critical analysis of experiments conducted on both animals and humans. Lectures will be supplemented with classroom demonstrations and exercises. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps321 Laboratory in Learning (l)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps320.

Ps330 Sensation and Perception
An examination of the various theories of sensation and perception. Although discussions will focus mainly on visual and auditory processes, other senses will also be studied. Lectures will be supplemented with numerous classroom demonstrations as well as static and animated computer displays. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps331 Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (l)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps330.

Ps340 Physiological Psychology
Relationships between physiological processes and behavior with emphasis on the role of the central nervous system in human behavior. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps341 Laboratory in Physiological Psychology (l)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps340.

Ps350 Cognitive Processes
Examination of the issues, theories, and applications of memory, attention, pattern recognition, organization of knowledge, language, reasoning, and problem solving. In studying these topics, we will use the informationprocessing and connectionist approaches. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps351 Laboratory in Cognitive Processes (1)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps350.

Ps355 Selected Topics in Contemporary Psychology
Exploration of a selected topic in contemporary Psychology. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps356 Selected Topics Laboratory
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in related Ps355.

Ps360 Comparative Psychology
Study of animal behavior with an emphasis on implications for humans; the historical development of the field through modern applications of studies on the ecology, evolution, and mechanisms of behavior. Topics include animal communication, reproduction, social organization, animal cognition, migration, and feeding behaviors. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps361 Laboratory in Comparative Psychology (l)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps360.

Ps370 Motivation
Investigates influences on arousal, strength, and direction of behavior, including biological bases, psychoanalytic, humanistic, optimal-level, field, and achievement theories of motivation. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps371 Laboratory in Motivation (l)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps370.

Ps380 Human Factors
The study of psychological variables that influence how well humans interact with machines and artificial environments. An examination of cognitive and perceptual limitations will show how machines can be designed to be more efficient and safe. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps381 Laboratory in Human Factors (1)
Prerequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in Ps380.

Ps382 Psychopharmacology
This survey course will cover topics of: medication for psychological disorders, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, routes of administration, side effects, drug-drug interactions, and use in special populations.

Ps398 Undergraduate Psychology
Research Readings, reports and conferences aimed at preparing the student for independent research under supervision of a staff member. Prerequisite: approval of instructor.

Ps400 Practicum in Psychology
Practical experience in gaining testing and interviewing skills as utilized by various theoretical viewpoints. Prerequisites: Ps151 and approval of the instructor.

Ps405 Internship in Psychology
Field exprience at a mental health facility, such as rehabilitation programs at hospitals or half-way houses. Course available on a tutorial basis. Prerequisites: Ps151 and approval of instructor.

Ps410 Psychology of Gender
Focuses on various tenets of psychological theory as they concern gender issues. Topics include development of gender identity, sexuality, parenthood, issues and attitudes towards achievement and success, and adjustment to changing sex roles. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps420 History and Systems
Survey of the origins and historical development of psychology leading to an analysis of main theories and systems. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps430 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Study of behavior in organizational and business-related settings. Examination of such topics as employee motivation and satisfaction, communication patterns, effective leadership strategies, and organization development. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps435 Forensic Psychology
The application of psychology to the legal and criminal justice systems including psychology and the law, incarceration of the mentally ill, the psychology of policing, competency to stand trial, risk assessment, psychometric testing, evaluation of witness and expert testimony. Prerequisites: Ps151.

Ps440 Applied Psychology
An understanding of how psychology is used in the world of business, education, and the community. Emphasis on practical applications in the areas of personnel and job selection, career and family management. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps445 Sport Psychology
he study of behavior in sport and exercise with a focus on how psychological factors affect physical performance and how sport and exercise affect psychological development, health, and well-being. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps450 Cross-Cultural Psychology
Focuses on the study of human behavior as a result of living in a given culture. Topics include bilingualism, comparison of personality, perceptual, and cognitive development in different societies, sexroles, and special issues in cross-cultural research. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps455 Biological Foundations in Human Sexuality
Focuses on the biological foundations of human sexuality. Topics include sexual anatomy and physiology, human reproduction, development, dysfunctions, therapy, and health. Prerequisites: Ps151 and permission of instructor.

Ps470 Interpersonal and Group Dynamics
An examination of both theoretical and applied approaches to interpersonal and small group processes. Active participation in a group experience. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps480 Special Topics in Contemporary Psychology
An advanced exploration of a selected topic in contemporary psychology. Prerequisite: Ps151.

Ps481 Special Topics Laboratory (1)
Prequisites: Ps200 and Ps300 and concurrent registration in related Ps480.

Ps490 Seminar in Psychology
An advanced seminar limited to psychology majors and minors. Specific topics to be announced. Prerequisites: Ps151 and approval of the instructor.

Ps495 Independent Research
Employing the scientific method, the student engages in psychological research. In collaboration with a faculty member, the student designs a research project, conducts experiments, analyzes data, and prepares a lab report or poster. Course available on a tutorial basis. Prerequisites: Ps151 and approval of instructor.