Department of Psychology

PS 101. Introduction to Psychology.3 Credits.

Students are introduced to the background and breadth of contemporary psychological science. Five perspectives on the study of psychology form the basis for topics within the course, these include the biological, cognitive, social, developmental and scientist-practitioner perspectives. The course emphasizes psychology's philosophical origins, its research methods, and the relationship of the discipline of psychology with other areas of inquiry. A minimum grade of C- is required in this course to advance to any 200-level PS course.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, All
UC: Social Sciences

PS 101H. Honors Introduction to Psychology.3 Credits.

Students are introduced to the background and breadth of contemporary psychological science. Natural science, social science and applied science form the basis for topics within the course such as psychology's philosophical origins, its research methods, the study of learning, neuroscience, issues in mental illness, child development and the application of psychology to contemporary social issues. A minimum grade of C- is required in this course to advance to any 200-level PS course.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed
UC: Social Sciences

PS 150. Special Topics in Psychology.1 Credit.

Offered in response to special demands and conditions. Not all courses are offered regularly - see the current course schedule for availability.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101
Offered: As needed

PS 190. Career Development Through Psyc Literacy.1 Credit.

How do you find career paths that are right for you? Applying the knowledge and skills from psychological science can help. In this course, we will explore various attitudes, characteristics, and behaviors that have been shown to relate to career fit. The course will involve readings, self-assessment, and reflection as we engage in exploring career areas that are a possible match for your values, interests, and goals. You will leave the course with not only a good understanding of career areas, but also with a plan for how to gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences that will make you a good candidate for jobs in those areas. The course is a 7-week, online asynchronous course.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101
Offered: Every year, All

PS 199. Independent Study.1 Credit.

Prerequisites: None

PS 200. Special Topics in Psychology.3 Credits.

Offered in response to special demands and conditions. See current announcements at time of registration (available on request at psychology department office).

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed

PS 206. Introduction to Statistics in Psychology.3 Credits.

This course covers statistical concepts and procedures as they apply to psychology. Students learn to perform statistical tests using both calculators and SPSS. Topics include: descriptive statistics, Z scores, t-tests, chi-square, correlation and analysis of variance. For Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience majors only. Minimum grade of C- is required to pass.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit; and MA 110, MA 140, MA 141, MA 151 or MA 170.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring

PS 210. Human Sexuality.3 Credits.

This course focuses on human sexuality, including the physiological, psychological and social aspects of sexuality. Students are encouraged to consider diverse perspectives, e.g., in sexual orientation, experiences, beliefs and behaviors. Additional course topics include: domestic violence, abuse, sexual assault and harassment.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring
UC: Social Sciences, Intercultural Understand

PS 225. Health Psychology.3 Credits.

The application and contribution of psychological research and practice to the promotion and maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of illness are explored. Topics covered include stress and illness, psychological aspects of pain, management of chronic and terminal illness, obesity, smoking and other addictive behaviors, sleep disturbances, personality factors in illness and patient-practitioner interaction.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 232. The Concept of Personality and Its Development.3 Credits.

Personality is viewed from a variety of perspectives, including theories of its formation, social functioning and human evolution. Certain theories are examined, as are philosophical implications underlying diverse models of the nature of personality.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, All
UC: Social Sciences

PS 233. Cognitive Psychology.3 Credits.

Cognition is studied from a multi-method perspective with an emphasis on information-processing. Topics include models of memory, memory distortion, perception, expertise, cognitive neuroscience, imagery, problem solving, language and cognitive development. The interrelationship between applied and basic research is emphasized.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring

PS 234. Adult Development & Aging.3 Credits.

Facts, theory and current issues in adult development and aging are covered in this course, which focuses on physical, cognitive and psychosocial development as well as family and career patterns.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring
UC: Social Sciences

PS 235. Communicating Effectively: A Cognitive Perspective.3 Credits.

What do turn signals, lions' roars, and this paragraph have in common? They're all forms of communication. Not only is communication everywhere, but employers consistently list effective communication as a skill that they look for in new hires. What is communication? How can we learn to communicate more effectively? We will explore these questions using traditional topics (e.g., attention, memory, judgment and decision-making) and methods from Cognitive Psychology.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 236. Child and Adolescent Development.3 Credits.

Prenatal period, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence are surveyed in terms of an individual's physical, cognitive and social/emotional development. Students learn about the major theories and research methods used by developmental psychologists. Results of research studies are used to think about real-world applications.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring
UC: Social Sciences

PS 242. School Psychology.3 Credits.

Theoretical and pragmatic concerns of the school psychologist are considered. Topics include child development, psychoeducational assessment, applied behavior analysis, special education legislation, and the role of the public schools as a social institution. Identification and treatments of various school-related exceptionalities such as learning and intellectual disabilities, speech and language disorders, autism, ADHD and giftedness are investigated.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed

PS 244. Psychology of Prejudice.3 Credits.

This course presents an analysis of intergroup discrimination and prejudice. The focus is on group and individual determinants of factors that produce this social phenomenon. Insights from disciplines of history, economics and sociology are included, as well as an overview of the successes and failures of the theories and programs to reduce prejudice.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed
UC: Social Sciences, Intercultural Understand

PS 245. Exploring Psychological Perspectives through Film.3 Credits.

This course adopts a real-world approach to psychology by focusing on how the classic and contemporary films we watch and enjoy influence our identity, our behaviors, and our attitudes. The course also demonstrates how five psychological perspectives (developmental, cognitive, physiological, scientist-practitioner, and social) are incorporated into popular films.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 250. Parenting Science.3 Credits.

This course examines the scientific research on parenting using the framework of the developmental perspective in psychology. Topics will include determinants of parenting, associations between parenting behaviors and child outcomes, parental roles at different ages, and contemporary issues related to parenting. Practical applications of this research will also be considered.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 251. Learning and Memory.3 Credits.

This course introduces students to the psychological study of learning and memory. History, theory, and research will be examined with a focus on long-term potentiation, non-associative learning, classical and operant conditioning, working memory, and long-term memory. Students will also explore social learning, the role of emotion in learning and memory, how learning and memory change across the lifespan, and practical implications of research findings.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 252. Biological Psychology.3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to the interactions between biological and psychological processing that are the basis for emotion, cognition and behavior. Topics include research methods, brain structure and function, neural plasticity, sleep, learning, memory, reproduction, drug action, sensation, perception and psychological disorders.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, All

PS 261. Social Psychology.3 Credits.

This course examines the effect of social forces on the individual, and the role of the situational context in human behavior. Topics include attitudes and behavior, issues in social cognition, attributions, helping behavior, interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, aggression, stereotypes, cross-cultural psychology, and aspects of social psychology and law.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring
UC: Social Sciences

PS 262. Psychology of Women and Gender.3 Credits.

In this course, students examine the complexity of gendered experiences from a psychological science perspective and explore the research regarding gender differences and gender relations. Many approaches are taken to understand gender, including biological, social, evolutionary, cognitive and cultural points of view. The goal is for students to appreciate the complexities of gender and to challenge one's assumptions and judgments about gender.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C-.
Offered: Every year, Fall
UC: Social Sciences, Intercultural Understand

PS 265. Psychology in the Workplace.3 Credits.

This course takes a scientist-practitioner perspective in psychology to examine the application of psychological principles and practices to business, industrial and organizational settings. The course explores the ways Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychologists study and develop evidence-based interventions for such issues as job analysis, personnel selection, training, performance appraisal, employee attitudes, worker motivation, occupational stress and health, leadership, teams and organizational development.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, All
UC: Social Sciences

PS 268. Occupational Health Psychology.3 Credits.

This course explores the history and development of research and practice in the field of occupational health psychology. Topics include, but are not limited to, stress theories and models, specific stressors and strains, safety, employee health and well-being, work schedules, the work/non-work interface and occupational health interventions.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 272. Psychopathology.3 Credits.

Causes, description and classifications of abnormal behavior and "mental illness" are explored, along with theories of psychopathology. Both historical and contemporary approaches to understanding mental health problems and their treatment are examined, with an emphasis on evidence-based approaches to mental health care.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: Every year, All
UC: Social Sciences

PS 283. Introduction to Forensic Psychology.3 Credits.

Students learn about both the theoretical and applied components to the field of forensic psychology. The theoretical aspect of the course addresses criminality from a psychological perspective by examining theories of aggression, for example. Applied sections of the course explore the intersection of psychology and the legal system as well as crime scene behavioral analysis and offender profiling.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed

PS 284. LGBTQ Identities and Communities.3 Credits.

This course explores the social, socioeconomic, historical, psychological, and political factors that have contributed to our understanding of what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Psychological research on identity development, the social construction of identity, and the psychological, social, and political benefits associated with "identifying" as LGBTQ, are discussed. The course explores historical events that led to the development of LGBTQ communities and the benefits of being involved in these communities, including the positive impact of allies. Finally, the course explores the positive and negative effects of the LGBTQ community becoming more mainstream.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed
UC: Social Sciences, Intercultural Understand

PS 286. Psychology and the Law.3 Credits.

Psychological science offers much in understanding and reforming our legal system with empirical research regarding criminal investigations, trials, and the punishment and rehabilitation of adults and adolescents. The course explores police interrogations; the myth of deception detection; false confessions; eyewitness identifications and testimony; pseudoscientific and scientific forensic testing; judicial and jury decision making; and adolescent experiences in facilities.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed

PS 290. The Psychology of Self-Improvement: Popular and Scientific Perspectives.3 Credits.

This course provides an introduction to the popular and scientific psychological literature related to self-improvement. Students learn about important concepts such as mindset, grit, goal-setting, procrastination, as well aspects of health psychology (e.g., sleep, nutrition, and exercise) and the importance of social relationships. Students also gain a greater facility with reading and critically evaluating different types of literature and navigating conflicting claims of self-improvement.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed

PS 299. Independent Study in Psychology.1-6 Credits.

Prerequisites: Take PS 101; Minimum grade C- or transfer credit.
Offered: As needed

PS 300. Special Topics in Psychology.3 Credits.

Offered in response to special demands and conditions. See current announcements at time of registration (available on request at psychology department office).

Prerequisites: Take two courses from psychology.
Offered: As needed

PS 307. Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology with Lab.3 Credits.

This course provides an introduction to the tools, methods and findings of classic and contemporary experimental and non-experimental psychology. Topics include logical reasoning, statistical inference, research ethics, research design and APA style report writing. Course includes both lecture and lab components. For Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience majors. Minimum grade of C- is required to pass.

Prerequisites: Take PS 206; Minimum grade C-.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring

PS 308. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology with Lab.4 Credits.

This course builds on the statistical analyses, experimental methods and nonexperimental methods learned in PS 206 and PS 307. Each section focuses on a different area of study in psychology or neuroscience. Students design, conduct and formally present a major piece of psychological research, including statistical analysis, on a topic in that research area. Course includes both lecture and lab components. For Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience majors only. Minimum grade of C- is required to pass.

Prerequisites: Take PS 307; Minimum grade C-.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring

PS 320. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.3 Credits.

This course provides an overview of psychological research related to sport and exercise. Topics from a variety of perspectives within psychology are covered, including personality, motivation, group dynamics, concentration and health and well-being. The course emphasizes the importance of a thorough understanding of underlying theoretical concepts as well as practical applications to teaching, coaching and one's personal exercise regimen.

Prerequisites: Take two courses from psychology.
Offered: Every other year, Fall

PS 333. Applied Cognition.3 Credits.

Through hands-on projects and active engagement, students learn how principles of cognitive psychology are applied in the modern workforce. Some of the topics explored include consumer psychology and behavioral design, human factors and ergonomics, and data science. By applying cognitive principles to real-world problems, students gain a deeper understanding of cognitive findings and theories and learn about the opportunities and necessary skills for pursuing a career related to cognitive psychology.

Prerequisites: Take PS 233.
Offered: As needed

PS 353. Research Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience.3 Credits.

This course provides a comprehensive view of biological and physiological psychology and the methods utilized in behavioral neuroscience research. Topics may include measurement and techniques of animal behavior, ethics and guidelines associated with neuroscience research, logic of experimental design, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, neurophysiology, gross anatomy and scientific presentation skills. This is a recommended course for behavioral neuroscience majors and gives students a background to succeed in research endeavors. A minimum grade of C- is required to pass this course.

Prerequisites: Take PS 252; and PS 307 or BIO 298.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PS 354. Sensation and Perception.3 Credits.

This course considers the sensory systems as gateways to the mind. Psychological mechanisms of vision, audition, taste, smell, pain and other senses are explored, as well as the psychophysics, anatomy and physiology of these sensory systems.

Prerequisites: Take PS 233 or PS 252.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PS 357. Drugs, Brain and Behavior.3 Credits.

This course introduces students to the effects and mechanisms of action of psychoactive drugs. Drugs used in the treatment of psychological disorders as well as drugs of abuse are covered. In addition to describing basic principles of neuropharmacology, the course covers theories of tolerance, dependence and abuse in depth. Pharmacotherapy for substance abuse and major mental disorders is described from both a biological and clinical perspective. A minimum grade of C- in PS 252 is required to take this course.

Prerequisites: Take PS 252; Minimum grade C-.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PS 359. Psychology Elective.3 Credits.

Prerequisites: None

PS 360. Psychology of Meditation.3 Credits.

This course investigates the similarities and differences in meditation made by Western scientific approaches and the Buddhist traditions from which they primarily derive and hold them both up to experiential and scientific scrutiny. We will consider modern Western psychological evidence for the benefits of meditation associated with physical, emotional, and mental health. We will spend a lot of time "meditating" or more precisely, observing, becoming familiar with, and transforming, the only mind we can have any direct, first-person experience of; our own. Topics will include mindfulness-based approaches to physical and psychological well-being, cultivation of positive emotions and various ways of dealing with negative emotions.

Prerequisites: Take two 200-level psychology courses
Offered: As needed

PS 366. Advanced Personnel Psychology.3 Credits.

This course presents an in-depth exploration of the traditional ideas and innovations of industrial psychology. Topics include, but are not limited to: recruitment and selection of employees, development and implementation of performance appraisal systems, issues involved in training employees, employment law and labor-management relations.

Prerequisites: Take PS 265.
Offered: As needed

PS 367. Advanced Organizational Psychology.3 Credits.

The history and new developments within organizational psychology are examined closely. Topics include, but are not limited to: organizational theory, research and theories of leadership, leadership development, motivating employees, job attitudes, teamwork, work-family balance and workplace stress.

Prerequisites: Take PS 265.
Offered: As needed

PS 371. Clinical Psychology.3 Credits.

The principles and practices of clinical psychology are introduced. The course includes a review of legal-ethical issues and the training of clinical psychologists. The course focuses on methods of clinical assessment and the practice of psychotherapy, including extensive use of case studies.

Prerequisites: Take PS 272.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PS 372. Child Psychopathology.3 Credits.

This course provides students with an understanding of child and adolescent problems within the framework of developmental and child clinical psychology. Theoretical and methodological issues are addressed early in the course. Thereafter, the nature, etiology and treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders affecting children from infancy through adolescence is examined.

Prerequisites: Take PS 272.
Offered: As needed

PS 373. Positive Psychology.3 Credits.

This course reviews and evaluates recent developments in positive psychology. Historical foundations are discussed, including the work of William James and Abraham Maslow. Research on resilience, positive coping and post-traumatic growth are covered, as well as topics such as gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, happiness and mindful meditation.

Prerequisites: Take PS 272.
Offered: As needed

PS 391. Applied Clinical Science Seminar (SL: Service Learning).3 Credits.

For psychology majors in the applied clinical science concentration only. Professional, theoretical, clinical and ethical issues related to each student's fieldwork experience represent the content of the course. Students are simultaneously registered in PS 393.

Prerequisites: Take PS 371.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PS 393. Fieldwork in Applied Clinical Science (SL: Service Learning).3 Credits.

For Psychology majors in the applied clinical science concentration only. Students are placed in a community service agency to gain supervised experience in applied clinical programs. Placements total a minimum of 120 hours during the semester, and may include youth counseling agencies, rehabilitation services, mental health clinics, research sites, centers for people with mental retardation, psychiatric hospitals, schools for special populations and others. Due to a commitment of services to clients or patients, particularly strict standards of attendance and responsibility are maintained. PS 393 is taken in conjunction with PS 391. All students in PS 393 must plan to take PS 394 in the spring semester. This course is graded pass/fail.

Prerequisites: Take PS 371.
Offered: Every year, Fall

PS 394. Fieldwork in Applied Clinical Science (SL: Service Learning).3 Credits.

For psychology majors in the applied clinical science concentration only. Students are placed in a community service agency to gain supervised experience in applied clinical programs. Placements total a minimum of 120 hours during the semester, may include youth counseling agencies, rehabilitation services, mental health clinics, research sites, centers for people with mental retardation, psychiatric hospitals, schools for special populations and others. Due to a service commitment to clients or patients, particularly strict standards of attendance and responsibility are maintained. This course is graded pass/fail.

Prerequisites: Take PS 391, PS 393.
Offered: Every year, Spring

PS 397. Fieldwork in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.3 Credits.

For psychology majors in the industrial-organizational concentration only. Students are placed in a corporation or consulting firm under the supervision of an industrial-organizational psychologist or HR manager. A minimum of 120 hours of work is required. Due to a commitment to professionalism, particularly strict standards of attendance and responsibility are maintained. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed

PS 399. Independent Study in Psychology.1-6 Credits.

Pursuit in depth of a specific topic or area. Topics and expected outcome must be specified in advance, groups interested in the same topic may meet together.

Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed

PS 401. Integrative Capstone for Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Majors.3 Credits.

This seminar is the capstone course for Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience seniors only. It consists of extensive readings of original research, theory and history on a topic selected by the student under the guidance of the professor. A senior thesis, written according to departmental standards, is a central part of the requirement. As a capstone course, this course must be taken as a seminar during the academic year and cannot be taken as a tutorial. Most sections are offered in the spring. Senior standing required. This course counts as the university's Integrative Capstone requirement for PS and BNS majors.

Prerequisites: Take PS 307. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: Every year, Fall and Spring

PS 499. Independent Study in Psychology.1-6 Credits.

Same as PS 399 but on the senior level. Topic and objective must be specified in advance. Students are limited to a maximum of six hours of independent study per year, unless warranted by exceptional circumstances.

Prerequisites: Take PS 307 or PS 308. Minimum grade C-.
Offered: As needed, All