Psychology Major
The psychology major requires a total of 35 semester hours. Courses are divided into 3 categories: required courses, core courses, and electives.

Required courses include 15 semester hours that must be taken in sequence (101, 201, 202, and 420). In addition, majors are expected to complete PSYCH 415 sometime in their junior or senior year.

Majors are also expected to complete 12 semester hours in core courses. This requires majors to complete four courses from the following list, including at least two from the 300 level (231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 302, 303, 315, 318, 320, 325, 327, 335, 340).

Finally, majors are expected to complete 6 semester hours of electives, including at least one 300 level course.  Elective courses are any of the following (250, 251, 282, 345, 350, 351, 352) or any core course after the core course requirement is completed.

Required Courses  (17 semester hours)

PSYCH 101 (4)    Introduction to Psychology
PSYCH 201 (4)    Research and Methods I
PSYCH 202 (4)    Research and Methods II
PSYCH 415 (2)    Readings in Psychology
PSYCH 420 (3)    Research Seminar

Core Courses (12 semester hours, at least 2-300 level courses)

PSYCH 231 Child Development
PSYCH 233 Social Psychology
PSYCH 235 Theories of Counseling
PSYCH 237 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYCH 239 Health Psychology
PSYCH 241 Adult Development
PSYCH 243 Mind, Brain, and Behavior
PSYCH 302 Advanced Experimental Psychology
PSYCH 303 Drugs and Behavior
PSYCH 315 Learning and Motivation
PSYCH 318 Biopsychology
PSYCH 320 Cognition
PSYCH 325 Advanced Counseling Seminar
PSYCH 327 Sensation and Perception
PSYCH 335 Abnormal Psychology
PSYCH 340 Personality 

Elective Courses (6 semester hours, at least 1-300 level course)

PSYCH 250 Special Topics
PSYCH 251 Research Practicum
PSYCH 282 Cultural Psychology
PSYCH 345 Animal Behavior (Cross-listed with BIOL 345)
PSYCH 350 Special Topics
PSYCH 351 Independent study
PSYCH 352 Internship in Psychology

Psychology Minor:
A minor in psychology consists of at least 19 semester hours including: PSYCH 101, PSYCH 201, plus 4 core/electives (2 must exceed the 300 level).

Course Descriptions

101G. Introduction to Psychology. An examination of the scientific study of psychology. Lecture sessions emphasize current concepts in the biological roots of behavior, learning, perception, human memory, social behavior, psychopathology, and applied psychology. Laboratory sessions stress the application of quantitative interpretations of data and the scientific method to the study of human and animal behavior. (Four Credits)

201. Research Methods I: Design and Analysis. An introduction to the scientific method as applied in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, the design and analysis of experiments, and the drawing of logical conclusions from behavioral data. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Four Credits)

202. Research Methods II: Synthesis and Communication. A continuation of Psychology 201. An introduction to the methods involved in behavioral research. Includes the logic, preparation, and design of controlled experiments. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of data and the communication of results. Experience is gained in literature search and writing reports using appropriate style and format. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: Mathematics 106 and Psychology 101 and 201. (Four Credits)

231. Developmental Psychology. An exploration of the ways in which physical growth, intellectual activity, and social behavior change with age. These changes are viewed through the life span of the individual and include biological and cultural determinants. Particular emphasis is given to prenatal and child development. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Three Credits)

233. Social Psychology. A study of humans as complex social beings, the development of individual differences, and the effects of society in shaping persons. Topics include attitudes and attitude change, the formation of the self-concept, emotional experience, prejudice, group dynamics, and social norms and values. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Three Credits)

235. Theories of Counseling. A survey of major theories and practices in counseling and psychotherapy. Topics include: cognitive, affective and behavioral models, directive and nondirective approaches, tests and other assessment devices, the ethics of intervention, and the evaluation of research in counseling and psychotherapy. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 (Three Credits)

237. Industrial/Organizational Psychology. An overview of work and human organization. Topics include learning, motivation, attitudes, group dynamics, and leadership as they apply to work in organization. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 (Three credits)

239.  Health Psychology.  This course will explore the psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do become ill. Topics include the links between stress and immune system function and disease, psychological factors that mediate reactions to stress, and behaviors that endanger health. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Three credits)

250. Special Topics. A study of a subject of special interest. Topics previously offered include humanistic psychology, drugs and behavior, the psychology of language, and the application of psychology to community issues. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Three Credits)

251.  Research Practicum.  Faculty supervised participation in a research project.  The student will work on a research project under the direction of a faculty member.  Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.  May be repeated for credit. (One to three credits.)

282G. Cultural Psychology.  This course will expose students to issues of gender, race, and enculturation as they relate to psychology.  Topics include culture's influence on research, health, development, social behavior, communication, emotion and abnormality.  The focus of these topics will include global and regional cultures.  Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or consent of the instructor. (Three Credits)

302.  Advanced Experimental Psychology.  Students will investigate a major subject area in psychology.  Students will engage in an in-depth experience in the methodology of studying psychology.  Course topics will alternate with topics such as: social psychology, cognitive psychology, and learning and motivation.  Includes laboratory.  Prerequisites:  Psychology 202.  May be repeated for credit with consent of the instructor. (Four credits.)

303.  Drugs and Behavior.  An exploration of the psychological, social and biological factors involved in drug use, drug abuse, and treatment and prevention of substance use disorders. Topics include legal drugs such as alcohol and nicotine, and illegal drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and marijuana. Prerequisite: Psychology 243. (Three credits.)

315. Learning and Motivation. The study of the general principles of learning and behavior change. Topics include classical and instrumental conditioning, extinction, biological and social motives, and the relation between performance and motivation. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or consent of the instructor. (Three Credits)

318. Biopsychology. This course emphasizes understanding the function of the brain and its relation to behavior. Topics include the biochemistry of neural conduction and synaptic transmission, the physiology of sensation and movement, the biochemistry of learning and memory, and mechanisms of action of psychoactive drugs. Prerequisite: Psychology 243, or Biology 111 and consent of instructor. (Three Credits)

320. Cognition. This course explores learning, memory, problem solving, judgment and decision making, concept formation and language. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Psychology 243. (Three Credits)

325. Advanced Counseling Seminar.  A seminar focusing on the analysis and application of the major theories and practices in counseling and psychotherapy.  Topics include empirical support for approaches, listening skills practice and ethics. Prerequisites: PSYC 201 and PSYC 235. (Three credits.)

327. Sensation and Perception.  This course examines how sensory information is received and translated into meaningful interpretations of the world we live in. A major emphasis on visual perception will make it possible to discuss diverse theories of perception and the methodologies that support them. Our exploration of these topics will lead us to consider both human and animal research investigations. Prerequisite: Psyc 101 and Psyc 243 or consent of instructor.

335. Abnormal Psychology. A study of the origins, symptoms, and classification of mental illness, including the study of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Includes comparisons among the various biological and psychological approaches to therapy. Prerequisite: Two psychology courses or consent of the instructor. (Three Credits)

340. Personality. A theory-oriented exploration of human differences and similarities. Covers psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioristic models. Topics include the role of the family, cross-cultural variables, and the immediate social-environment in shaping personality. Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Three Credits)

345.  Animal Behavior. A study of the diverse and fascinating range of animal behavior. How do we explain that in various animals we can observe infanticide, competition, and polygamy, but also cooperation, altruism, and monogamy? Using an evolutionary approach, this course will examine both the proximate mechanisms and ultimate reasons that explain the great variety of animal behavior as elucidated by animal behaviorists through ingenious experimentation and patient observation. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or BIOL 101 or 111. Cross-listed with BIOL 345. (Three credits.)

350. Special Topics in Psychology. A seminar on selected topics in psychology permitting in-depth analysis of an important psychological problem or phenomenon. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 and 201, or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (One to Three Credits)

351. Independent Study. Directed individual study in an advanced area of psychology. The student selects a topic in consultation with a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: Junior standing and consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (One to Three Credits)

352. Internship in Psychology. An experience designed to allow students in Psychology to apply the concepts and ideas developed during study in the major to a particular workplace or setting. Prerequisites: At least junior standing and prior approval of the department.  May be repeated for credit. (One to three credits)

415. Readings in Psychology. This course will investigate selected readings in advanced psychology topics. Course topics will alternate. Some examples are; history and systems, multivariate statistics, psychology & law, psychology and health, phenomenology, and cross-cultural psychology. Prerequisites: Psychology 202 and at least Junior Standing. (Two credits)

420. Research Seminar. The development and completion of a major research project during the senior year. The students will read and critique their own and other research literature, and conduct and report their research project. The senior comprehensive examination is administered. Prerequisite: Psychology 101, 202, senior standing, and consent of the instructor. (Three Credits)