MAJORING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

A major program of study in psychology is composed of a minimum of  9.5 courses (out of a total of 36 courses counted toward graduation). The department has structured the major to expose you to as many of the fundamental areas of psychology as possible in an undergraduate major. Thus, you are required to take a basic introduction to the fundamental concepts and terms used in all areas of psychology; you must take a course early in your major covering research methods to allow you to critically assess the information presented in advanced classes; you must take a course emphasizing the role that theory plays in scientific psychology; you must also take courses that emphasize both the laboratory and social based research methods; in addition, since psychology is relevant to many of our daily concerns and has been applied to these problems, you must take a course covering one of the areas of psychological applications. There is no limit on the maximum number of psychology courses a student may take, so students are encouraged to take as many as feasible beyond the minimum required, especially if a graduate career is desired.

Requirement (Number of courses required)
Courses to choose from are listed below the description for each requirement. You can see a map of the major program here.
Introduction to Psychology (1)
PSY 111 Basic Principles of Psychology.
A basic introduction to the field and profession of psychology. This course counts toward the satisfaction of the Social Science general degree requirements. This course is a prerequisite for all higher level courses in the department, unless otherwise noted.

Research Methods in Psychology (1)
PSY 220 Research Design and Statistics.
Considers the basic design of psychological research (experimental, correlational, survey, case study, etc.) and the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data. This course has the prerequisite Math 147 (Applied Statistics). This course must be completed before the beginning of the junior year.

Laboratory Based Research (two courses organized as shown below)
One of the following two courses:
PSY 162 Neuropsychology.
The study of the central neurological bases of sensation, learning, motivation, emotion, and higher cortical functions. Laboratory exercises emphasize the constraints placed on behavior by environment and biology. Rats and humans are used as subjects. Part of the Natural World LADR. Bio 162 or 161 must be taken first.

PSY 164 Sensation and Perception.
An investigation of the basic processes by which humans gather information about the surrounding world. Topics include psychophysical methods and the major senses. A laboratory experience is provided. Part of the Natural World LADR requirement.  The other NW LADR can be any course and taken before or after this course. 

Followed by one of the following two courses (these courses also have PSY220 as a prerequisite):

PSY 333 Cognitive Psychology.
Introduction to the higher mental processes, including attention, memory, language, and problem solving. A laboratory component of the course using human subjects is part of the course. Prerequisites include completion of the Natural Science Sequence requirement.

PSY 337 Learning
Examines the basic processes of human and animal learning. Includes a laboratory component and research project.

Social Based Research (two of the following three courses)

PSY 231 Personality Theory
Examines the development, structure and functioning of personality as formulated by various theorists. Reviews research, assessment methods, and clinical applications associated with various theories. Considers psychodynamic, humanistic, trait and cognitive-behavioral theories.

PSY 244 Childhood and Adolescence
The biological, social, and psychological dimensions of human growth and development from conception through adolescence.

PSY 251 Human Sexuality.
The study of the psychology, physiology, and sociology of human sexuality.

Advanced Social Based Research.  Choose one of following two courses (these courses have PSY220 as a prerequisite):

PSY 344 Social Psychology.
A theoretical and empirical review of the situational correlates of human social behavior.

PSY 346 Adulthood and Aging
The biological, social, and psychological dimensions of human development through adulthood to death.

Culminating Experience (1.5)
PSY 401 Advance Research
A forum for developing a sensitivity to psychological research ethics, design, and methods (including statistics). Offered Fall Term of Senior Year, .50 credit. Prerequisite: 220.

PSY 462 Research Seminar
A seminar for exploring significant psychological research questions. A laboratory component is scheduled for the design and conduct of student-initiated collaborative projects. Culminating Experience in Psychology. Offered Winter Term of Senior Year. 1 credit. Prerequisite: 401.

In addition to the above list of courses, as a psychology major you are required to take two other courses. That course could be one of the courses you did not select from the above list or any other course the department offers. 

Electives

PSY 163 The Individual, Society, and Film
Explores cinematic representations of the interaction between cultural and individual processes (such as personality, cognition, and behavior disorders) in modern society. Additional focus on how film impacts these processes. In combination with Pls 163, satisfies the Modern Society LADR.

PSY 165 Psychology of the Family
Examines the nature of the family unit and the development of the individual within the family. Special attention is paid to how family socialization differs across sub-cultures in the United States and cross-nationally. In combination with His 165, satisfies the Modern Society LADR.

PSY 243 Behavior Disorders
Consideration of the symptoms (diagnosis), antecedents (etiology), and treatment (therapy) of various forms of psychopathology, including anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders, and depression. Prerequisite: 111.

PSY 250 Psychology of Film
Examines the psychological and rhetorical qualities of film as they apply to filmmakers, audiences, and cinematic texts. An interdisciplinary approach integrates experimental, qualitative, and interpretive research from the domains of psychology, mass communication, film studies, and literary criticism. Identical to Com 250. Prerequisite: 111 or Com 212 or Com 242.

PSY 330 Human Factors
Application of fundamental principles of human mental and behavioral processes to the design of more useful and comfortable equipment, computers, and workspaces. Includes design exercises focusing on human factors. Prerequisites: 111 and General Degree Requirement III.A, or permission of the instructor.

PSY 332 Counseling and Psychotherapy
Survey of the theoretical and practical concerns involved in helping people with emotional problems, emphasizing both individual and group techniques. Includes a practicum. Prerequisites: 231 and 243.

PSY 1/2/360 Special Topics in Psychology.
Coverage of issues not included in the regular curriculum. Topics change with staff and student interests. Some topics evolve into integral additions to the curriculum. Offered on an irregular basis depending on availability of staff and demand. (This course is not to be confused with "Directed Studies" which is not offered by the Department of Psychology.) For example, in Spring Term 1994, one Special Topics courses will be offered.

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