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Courses by Category
Introduction and Methods
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1300
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Principles of Psychology
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An introduction to the major domains of psychological knowledge, informed by biological, cognitive, environmental and motivational perspectives.
Emphasizes scientific theory and methods supplemented by applications to everyday experience.
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2401
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Statistics and Methods I
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Instruction in measurement processes, descriptive statistics, correlational and inferential reasoning and basic statistical procedures.
Students become acquainted with major procedures and issues involved in the framing of psychological research.
Instruction includes the use of computer-implemented statistical packages and the method and style of writing about psychological research.
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2402
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Statistics and Methods II
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Instruction in additional techniques in inferential reasoning, including analysis of variance, and major nonparametric statistics.
All topics are presented within the context of research design and methodology.
Related statistical packages for computer-assisted analysis and further instruction in writing are included.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2401 or consent of instructor
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Cluster 1: Basic physiological and perceptual processes
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2310
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Introduction to Neuroscience
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A survey of basic neuroscience, starting with fundamentals of neuronal structures and ending with higher brain functions and their relations to mind and behavior.
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2312
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Principles of Learning
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Major principles of learning, derived from empirical research with a variety of organisms.
Historically important and contemporary theories of learning are introduced.
Topics also include applications to child rearing, education, and psychotherapy and implications for issues concerning freedom and responsibility.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
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3311
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Sensation and Perception
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Study of sensory and perceptual systems.
Emphasis is on the relationship of neurophysiological and cognitive principles.
Major focus is on vision (visual neurophysiology, spatial vision, form, color, depth and motion) with some discussion of psychophysical methods, audition, speech perception and the chemical senses.
Demonstrations and conducting experiments are part of course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and 2401
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Cluster 2: Development
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2320
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Lifespan Development
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Overview of contemporary theoretical and empirical approaches to life span development.
Biological, social and psychological dimensions of behavior will be examined from conception and infancy through late life.
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3321
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Cognitive Development
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Examination of contemporary theoretical and empirical approaches to cognitive development from birth through adolescence.
Major areas of cognition (e.g., perception, categorization, memory, language) are studied from a developmental perspective.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
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3322
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Social Development
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Investigation of social development from infancy through adolescence.
The course focuses on topics including infant attachment, gender development, the understanding of race/ethnicity, the development of morality, and the influence of peers, parents and the media on social development.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
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Cluster 3: Cognition
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2330
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Fundamentals of Cognition
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An introduction to the principles of cognitive psychology.
Topics include the development of the cognitive paradigm, attention, higher order processes in perception, language, memory, problem-solving and human-computer interaction.
Application to other domains in Psychology and disciplines will be discussed.
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3331
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Memory and Cognition
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Examination of the fundamental principles of memory and thought, the experimental evidence to support these principles, and the theoretical perspectives used to understand them.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and 2402 or consent of instructor
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3333
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Simulation of Neural and Cognitive Processes
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The interrelations among the study of the mind, the elaboration of brain mechanism, and studies in artificial intelligence.
Discussion of modern computers as a model of brain functioning with emphasis on the question of parallel versus serial processing and contemporary approaches to information processing in the nervous system.
Students will gain experience in modeling these processes on computers.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 or 2330
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Cluster 4: Social and Individual Differences
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3340
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Psychopathology
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Examination of current theory and research findings concerning major psychological disorders.
Causes, treatment, and phenomenology of psychopathology are explored, with emphasis on relevant social, intrapsychic, and physiological factors.
Includes a critique of approaches to differentiating pathological and adaptive behavior.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
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2341
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Social Psychology
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Examination of how individuals think, feel, and behave in different social contexts.
Explores basic and applied research on topics such as aggression, attitudes, attribution, prejudice, relationships, self-perception, and social influence.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
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3342
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Personality and Individual Differences
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Examination of the following perspectives on personality process: psychoanalytic, trait, genetic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic.
Major research methods and issues of each perspective are stressed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and 2401
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Companion Courses
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2110
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Neuroscience Laboratory
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The neuroscience laboratory provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding the scientific method through neuroscientific techniques and data analysis, including anatomical, electrophysiological and computer simulations.
Students will engage in laboratory exercises as well as in solving problem sets.
This course is approrpiate for both non-science majors and science majors.
Spring semester only.
(Also listed as NEUR 2110.)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 2310
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2323
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Psychology of Gender
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Biological, social and cultural contributions to gender role development.
Specific topics to be discussed will include psychological theories of gender role development (biological and social), gender differences in cognition, the neurobiological models of gender differences, masculinity and femininity, representation of masculinity and femininity in literature and the media, gender based sexuality, peer relationships, and gender based development of identity and self.
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3338
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Comparative Psychology
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An examination of the theories used to interpret animal behaviors such as communication, territoriality, and aggression.
Research and observation pertinent to differences among these major theories are stressed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
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3351
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Clinical Psychology
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Exploration of the field of clinical psychology, with a focus on theories and practices of intervention.
The major approaches to intervention, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and systems, are examined.
These approaches are critically evaluated with attention to relevant research issues.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and 3340
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3353
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Psychological Assessment
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The history, principles, purposes, and problems of psychological assessment.
Recent interest in gender, age and cultural differences is integrated with the examination of major assessment techniques.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and 2401
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3355
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Behavioral Medicine
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Examination of the basic psychological processes that influence health and illness.
Specific behaviors, illnesses, and physical conditions such are smoking, obesity, cancer, HIV, and hypertension are explored with a focus on theoretical models and psychological interventions.
Prerequisite: 3340 or consent of instructor
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3360
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Special Topics in Psychology
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In depth study of theory and research within a particular domain of psychology.
May be repeated on different topics.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
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4370
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History and Systems
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Survey of the scientific and philosophical concepts that served as the precursors to contemporary psychology.
Emphasis on the historical development of psychological theories in America.
Prerequisite: Senior status
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4390
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Senior Seminar in Psychology
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In depth study of theory and research on a topic that spans subdisciplines within psychology or relates psychology to cross-disciplinary interests.
Prerequisite: Senior status or consent of Instructor
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Individual Experience
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3357
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Directed Field Practicum
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Field work conducted as part of the academic curriculum.
May be repeated once for credit on a different topic.
Pass/Fail basis only (does not count toward the major).
Prerequisite: PSYC 3340 and consent of instructor
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3161
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Reading and Research
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Independent study under supervision; three hours per week is assumed, on average; may be repeated twice.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
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3368
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Supervised Research
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Independent research, using empirical methods.
May be repeated once.
Nine hours per week will be distributed across research activities, colloquia attendance, and student presentations.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2401
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4395
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Thesis I
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Independent research and scholarly investigation conducted with faculty supervision and culminating (with PSYC 4396) in the preparation of a written thesis.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2401, 2402 and consent of instructor
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4396
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Thesis II
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Completion of research initiated in PSYC 4395, and the presentation of the written thesis according to departmental guidelines.
Prerequisite: PSYC 4395 and consent of instructor
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