Undergraduate Catalog 2005- 2006

Psychology

Department of Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences
283 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4110

Phone: 716.645.3650, ext. 283
Fax: 716.645.3801
Email: cmgreen@acsu.buffalo.edu
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/psychology

Paul A. Luce
Chair

James R. Sawusch
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Christa M. Greenberg
Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies

About the Program

Psychology is the science of behavior and the mind. The study of psychology provides an understanding of basic processes of sensation, perception, learning, cognition, development, and personality along with principles of social psychology, clinical psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Knowledge of psychological principles and of scientific methods for evaluating theories and research in the social and behavioral sciences is essential in our rapidly changing society.

The requirements for the psychology major are designed to provide students with foundational skills in statistics (PSY 207) and scientific methods (PSY 250) that are essential for subsequent coursework in psychology. The additional requirements for the psychology major are intended to introduce students to the great breadth of psychology as a scientific discipline; therefore, students are required to complete courses in four complementary areas of psychology. A second course in research methods (PSY 450) and experience in psychological research (PSY 499) are recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology.

Degree Options

The B.A. degree allows students to pursue diverse interests while obtaining a strong foundation in the behavioral sciences. The requirements and flexibility of this program readily allow students to pursue double majors or multiple minors to complement their interests in psychology. At the same time, the requirements for the B.A. degree program ensure that students have a solid foundation for advanced training in a variety of disciplines.

The B.S. degree in psychology provides students with a challenging undergraduate major that includes a strong science-training component. The basic goal is to provide a program that emphasizes the scientific foundations of psychology to prepare students for advanced training in psychology, medicine, cognitive science, neuroscience, and other related disciplines. The B.S. degree program is explicitly aimed at helping to prepare students for graduate study in the sciences and science-based professions. Even if students do not continue their education at the graduate level, the background in science and mathematics that is part of this program provides students with knowledge and skills that broaden their career opportunities. Sample descriptions of programs that fulfill the requirements for the B.S. in psychology for students interested in cognitive psychology or cognitive science and for students interested in behavioral neurosciences (this program also fulfills typical requirements for a pre-med program) are available in 283 Park Hall.

Joint Major. The joint major is possible only with other majors that offer the B.A. degree. Students must complete PSY 101, MTH 115 or equivalent*, PSY 207, PSY 250, and five additional courses: four 300-level courses (one in each of four substantive areas) and one 400-level course. See B.A. requirements for additional information. The joint major requires 25 credit hours in psychology.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students who bring psychology coursework to UB must meet the same criteria for acceptance into the department as students who start at this university. Students may transfer coursework required for admission into the department, as well as additional psychology coursework; however, courses taken in statistics and research methods, as well as upper-level psychology courses, must be evaluated and approved by the department. A minimum of three upper-level psychology courses must be taken at UB.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

Students must earn the following GPA in all psychology courses in order to graduate with departmental honors: 3.2 with distinction; 3.5 with high distinction; 3.75 with highest distinction.

The Psychology department’s honors program is open to a limited number of seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 both overall and in psychology. The yearlong program involves the development and execution of an original research project under faculty supervision. During the fall semester, honors students meet as a group to examine advanced methodological issues and to discuss their research in a seminar format (PSY 400). This program is particularly valuable for students who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology or related disciplines. Students’ transcripts indicate graduation with honors, high honors, or highest honors in psychology. Each spring, the student with the most outstanding honors thesis is recognized with the department’s Feldman-Cohen Award for Distinguished Honors Achievement. Prior or concurrent completion of PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods is a requirement for participation. Prior research experience (PSY 499) and prior or concurrent completion of PSY 405 Data Analysis Techniques are recommended. Students interested in the honors program should obtain a detailed program description in 283 Park Hall during their junior year.

Notable Program Features

The Department of Psychology at UB, established in the 1920s, is situated in Park Hall. This modern building provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for psychological research into language processes, auditory and speech perception, memory, attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder, social interactions, personality, anxiety disorder, small-group processes, behavior therapy, human psychophysiology and biofeedback, behavioral medicine, and neurochemical and electrophysiological investigations into the physiological bases of behavior. The department’s computerized research facilities include eye tracking, real-time systems and networks for studies of behavior and physiological processes. The Psychological Services Center provides facilities for therapy and assessment with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Many opportunities are available for undergraduate students to become involved in research in psychology with department faculty and graduate students, primarily through PSY 499 Independent Study.

The Undergraduate Psychology Association (UPA) is open to all students. This organization sponsors guest speakers on topics of interest to psychology students, workshops on such topics as applying to graduate schools, social activities for students and faculty, travel to regional and national psychology conferences, and an undergraduate psychology graduation ceremony.

Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to psychology majors who have a minimum GPA of 3.1 overall and a minimum GPA of 3.4 in psychology courses. The UB chapter of Psi Chi sponsors workshops on careers in psychology and social activities for students and faculty. Information regarding membership is available in 283 Park Hall.

Career Opportunities/Further Study

Students who major in psychology are well prepared for graduate study in psychology and related mental health fields, medicine, education, law, or business, and for any career that requires a good understanding of individual behavior and interpersonal relations.

Psychology - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.

Advising Notes

A minimum GPA of 2.0 in psychology courses is required for graduation. Majors whose GPAs in psychology courses fall below 2.0 during any semester are automatically placed on probation. Majors whose GPAs remain below 2.0 in consecutive semesters are dismissed from the department.
PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience, PSY 497 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching, and PSY 498 Independent Work do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
PSY 400 Honors and PSY 499 Independent Study may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group count toward major requirements.
400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. Students are advised to go to 283 Park Hall and to apply early for the major, preferably while enrolled in PSY 250. Acceptance decisions can then be made contingent upon completion of PSY 250, and registration in upper-level courses is facilitated.
Students who have completed 60 credit hours but have not completed the prerequisite courses or achieved the minimum GPA of 2.5 may be provisionally accepted by the department (283 Park Hall). Students who are accepted provisionally must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisites to be fully accepted into the department. Students who do not have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisites must repeat appropriate prerequisite coursework. The second grade in the repeated course is honored by the department for the purpose of admission to the psychology major.

Prerequisite Courses

PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
MTH 115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent* or higher
PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology

Required Courses

Seven additional PSY courses distributed as follows:
Four 300-level courses, one from each of the four substantive areas listed after the B.S. chart
Minimum of three courses at the 400 level

Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 35

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

FIRST YEAR
Fall—PSY 101, MTH 115* or higher
Spring—PSY 207, one 300-level PSY course

SECOND YEAR
Fall—PSY 250, one 300-level PSY course
Spring—One 300-level PSY course

THIRD YEAR
Fall—One 300-level PSY course
Spring—One 400-level PSY course

FOURTH YEAR
Fall—One 400-level PSY course
Spring—One 400-level PSY course

*Unless exempted by SAT score, Advanced Placement credits, or transfer credits


Psychology - B.S.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.

Advising Notes

A minimum GPA of 2.0 in psychology courses is required for graduation. Majors whose GPAs in psychology courses fall below 2.0 during any semester are automatically placed on probation. Majors whose GPAs remain below 2.0 in consecutive semesters are dismissed from the department.
PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience, PSY 497 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching, and PSY 498 Independent Work do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
PSY 400 Honors and PSY 499 Independent Study may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group count toward major requirements.
400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. Students are advised to go to 283 Park Hall and to apply early for the major, preferably while enrolled in PSY 250. Acceptance decisions can then be made contingent upon completion of PSY 250, and registration in upper-level courses is facilitated.

Prerequisite Courses

10 credit hours in psychology and 8 credit hours in mathematics:
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
One two-course mathematics sequence (MTH 121-MTH 122 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I-II or MTH 141-MTH 142 College Calculus I-II)

Required Courses

BIO 200 Evolutionary Biology
CHE 101-CHE 102 General Chemistry or CHE 105-CHE 106 Chemistry: Principles and Applications
Nine additional PSY courses, distributed as follows:
Four 300-level courses, one from each of the four substantive areas listed below
A minimum of five courses at the 400 or graduate level (500 level and above, taken with special permission as part of the undergraduate program), including PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology or another laboratory-based upper-level PSY course (from a department-approved list)
Two courses from the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Courses, listed below

Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 60

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

FIRST YEAR
Fall—CHE 101 or CHE 105; MTH 121 or MTH 141
Spring—CHE 102 or CHE 106; MTH 122 or MTH 142

SECOND YEAR
Fall—BIO 200, PSY 101
Spring—PSY 207, one 300-level PSY course

THIRD YEAR
Fall—PSY 250, two 300-level PSY courses
Spring—PSY 450, one 300-level PSY course, one 400-level PSY course

FOURTH YEAR
Fall—Two 400-level PSY courses
Spring—One 400-level PSY course

Electives and Course Groupings

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience

PSY 402 Psychopharmacology
PSY 416 Reasoning and Problem Solving
PSY 419 Biological Bases of Memory
PSY 421 Systems and Theories of Psychology
PSY 426 Biological Bases of Mental Disorders
PSY 428 Language Development
PSY 429 Psychophysiology
PSY 434 Animal Behavior
PSY 435 Psychology of Reproduction
PSY 436 Neuropsychology
PSY 439 Biopsychology of Stress
PSY 440 Hormones and Behavior
PSY 445 Memory
PSY 446 Animal Cognition
PSY 447 Psychology of Music
PSY 448 Psycholinguistics
PSY 451 Drug Addiction
PSY 457 Cognitive Development
PSY 470-PSY 475 Senior Seminars (in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience areas)
PSY 485-PSY 490 Special Topics (in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience areas)

SUBSTANTIVE AREA 1: CLINICAL
PSY 321 Psychology of Personality
PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 323 Community Psychology
PSY 324 Clinical Psychology
PSY 325 Health Psychology

SUBSTANTIVE AREA 2: SOCIAL
PSY 331 Social Psychology
PSY 332 Social Conflict and Its Resolution
PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organizations
PSY 336 Developmental Psychology

SUBSTANTIVE AREA 3: COGNITIVE
PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind
PSY 343 Sensory Processes and Perception

SUBSTANTIVE AREA 4: BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
PSY 351 Biopsychology



Course Descriptions

PSY 101 Introductory Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

General survey of perception; learning and memory; cognitive, developmental, personality, abnormal, and social psychology; and behavioral neuroscience. Requires participation in research or a short paper.

 

PSY 207 Psychological Statistics

Credits:  4
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites:  MTH 115 or equivalent
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC/REC

View Schedule

Graphs; permutations; combinations; probability; regression; correlation; analysis of variance; descriptive and inferential statistics; parametric and nonparametric tests appropriate to psychological research. Three hours of lecture and one hour of recitation weekly.

PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites:  PSY 101, PSY 207
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The research process; deductive and inductive reasoning in science; nature of theory; hypothesis testing and empirical data; scientific knowledge and its applications.

 

PSY 321 Psychology of Personality

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Theory, research, and measurement related to the description, development, and dynamics of the normal personality.

PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Theory and description of the major behavior disorders and the psychopathology of everyday life; causes and treatment of these disorders.

 

PSY 323 Community Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None

View Schedule

Introduces theoretical concepts and developing practices in community psychology and community mental health. LEC

PSY 324 Clinical Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Introduces clinical psychology. Methods of assessing abnormal behavior, modes of intervention, theories of treatment, and ethical issues.

 

PSY 325 Health Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Introduces the scientific study of the behavioral and social aspects of health.

PSY 331 Social Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Behavior of individuals and their relations with others; aggression; attraction; attitude formation and change; conformity; obedience; helping; stereotypes; group processes.

 

PSY 332 Social Conflict and its Resolution

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Overview of social conflict theory and of conflict resolution practice. Topics include the nature and cause of conflict, strategic choice in conflict, escalation, negotiation, and third-party intervention. Emphasizes psychological approaches, but is not limited to them.

PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organizations

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Theory, research, and practices of organizational psychologists; behavior of individuals within organizations; principles of industrial psychology.

 

PSY 336 Developmental Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Major developmental changes in areas of human behavior, cognition, personality, and social life from the perspective of current theories about development.

PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Information-processing approach to human behavior; how people interpret and understand the environment; recognition; memory; language.

 

PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

An interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of knowledge and mind, guided by principles of formal systems and computation. Concepts and approaches from psychology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and neuroscience.

PSY 343 Sensory Processes and Perception

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Surveys experimental data and theories of perception. Perceptual organization and neurophysiology of brain systems, and neural and computational representations involved in vision, hearing, and cutaneous and chemical senses.

 

PSY 351 Biopsychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Physiological studies, mainly on the nervous system, relevant to selected theoretical issues in perception, learning, motivation, and problem solving.

PSY 400 Honors

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major, permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Independent research for two semesters with a faculty member. Apply in junior year.

 

PSY 402 Psychopharmacology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Basic brain chemistry and its influence on behavior. Distribution and elimination of drugs, drug-receptor interactions, and the neuroanatomical distribution of specific neurotransmitter systems. Special topics in biological psychiatry.

PSY 404 Alcohol and Health

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The relationship between alcohol use and psychological, social, and physical well-being. Conceptualizes problem drinking within a social psychological paradigm; implications of different conceptions for the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems.

 

PSY 405 Data Analysis Techniques

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Instruction and hands-on experience employing SPSS statistical package on desktop computers. Includes nonparametric statistics, T-tests, ANOVA (including factorial and repeated measures designs), and introduces correlation, regression, and factor analysis. Emphasizes appropriate choice among statistical methods.

PSY 407 Consciousness and the Self

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

Examines how the unconscious mind works, how much of the self resides in the unconscious, and how the unconscious can and can not be accesses. Class is broken up into a number of different activities; each is designed to develop different skills while learning about consciousness and the self.

 

PSY 408 Small-Group Processes

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Reviews research on small-group dynamics, with attention to applying these concepts to improve groups in organizations.

PSY 409 Organizational Development and Change

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Studies methods of working with organizations to improve their effectiveness. Involves individual, group, and organizational-level change processes.

 

PSY 410 Existential Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Existential thinking pervades our concepts of personality, motivation, learning, cognition, and more. In addition, this course explores how our views of human relationships influence our satisfaction in love, therapy, and family.

PSY 411 Self and Self-Esteem

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Social psychological theory and research on the self. How the self-concept and self-esteem develop; consequences of self-views on affect, cognition, and behavior.

 

PSY 412 Psychology of Aggression and Violence

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Theory and data about the causes and control of human violence and aggression.

PSY 413 Social Cognition

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 331, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Overview of recent theory and research in social cognition, including attribution theory, schema, social memory, stereotyping, and heuristics.

 

PSY 414 Assessment of Individual Differences

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Personality differences and intellectual functioning; IQ tests; projective tests; behavioral assessments.

PSY 415 Psychology and Law

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Examines legal issues related to selected social problems in light of psychological theory, research, and clinical experience.

 

PSY 416 Reasoning and Problem Solving

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 341 or PSY 342, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Discusses some principles of rational thought and some of the psychological processes that lead to successful and unsuccessful resolution of problems and other conceptual tasks. Explores how age and experience affect these processes.

PSY 417 Psychology of Identity

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Conceptions of identity or self as they appear in current psychological literature; how people develop and maintain a view of self and the self-referent nature of their world.

 

PSY 418 Behavior Modification and Behavioral Medicine

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 322, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Introduces current knowledge in behavior modification and behavioral medicine; critical examinations of the limitations, as well as the assets, of particular methods; ethical issues raised by work in this area.

PSY 419 Biological Bases of Memory

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Surveys recent research in the neurosciences concerning the processes involved in long-term registration of information in the central nervous system. These processes range from the level of single synapses to complex brain systems.

 

PSY 421 Systems and Theories of Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major, completion of at least two 300-level requirements
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Historical antecedents and the evolution of contemporary theoretical approaches and concepts of psychology.

PSY 422 Anxiety Disorders

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major; PSY 322 recommended
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

In-depth analysis of the symptoms, etiology, and treatment of the major anxiety disorders from the perspective of both the practicing clinician and the research scientist.

 

PSY 423 Mood Disorders

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major, PSY 322 recommended
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Contemporary ideas and research on mood disorders, including their classification, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment.

PSY 424 Abnormal Child Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major, PSY 322 recommended
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Description, diagnosis, causes, and treatment of childhood disorders, including ADHD, aggresion, depression, anxiety, autism, and others.

 

PSY 425 Psychology of Human Sexuality

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Why and how we behave sexually; biological origins, and psychological and social determinants; private and public morality; absolute versus relative standards; hormones; psychosexual development; variations and deviations in sexual behavior.

PSY 426 Biological Bases of Mental Disorders

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Biological factors in mental disorders; for example, in schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

 

PSY 427 Adult Development and Aging

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Developmental theory, methods, and empirical evidence needed to describe and understand the psychological changes that take place in adulthood and old age.

PSY 428 Language Development

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 341, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Starting with a consideration of the infant’s basic perceptual capacities, examines the role of innate and experiential factors in developing the capacity to speak and understand language.

 

PSY 429 Psychophysiology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Basic physiological processes; physiological aspects of behavior, emotions, and cognition; psychophysiological methods.

PSY 430 Evolutionary Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Major assumptions and research on how human behavior has evolved; grounded in Darwin’s theory of evolution but focuses on psychological processes. Topics include survival behaviors, mating strategies, parenting, help giving, and dominance.

 

PSY 432 Psychology and Environmental Hazards

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Psychological approaches to understanding the effects of environmental hazards, including background in epidemiology, cancer, clinical psychological assessment, and case studies.

PSY 434 Animal Behavior

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Analyses instinctive and learned behavior in characteristic animal types, correlating structure and function, fundamental principles of adaptation.

 

PSY 435 Psychology of Reproduction

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Research on brain and hormone involvement in the control of behaviors relevant to all phases of reproduction (parental behavior and sex); infrahuman and human systems.

PSY 436 Neuropsychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Reviews and, wherever possible, synthesizes research studies carried out mainly on humans that increase our understanding of how the brain works.

 

PSY 437 Cross-Cultural Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Examines the difference in concepts of the self, interpersonal processes, and group processes across cultures.

PSY 438 Sport and Exercise Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Topics include the nature of sport psychology, personality and sport, motivational orientations in sport, self-referent thought in sport and physical activity, the arousal-athletic performance relationship, gender and sport behavior, and group dynamics.

 

PSY 439 Biopsychology of Stress

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Stress and the body’s various reactions to it.

PSY 440 Hormones and Behavior

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Familiarizes students with the structure, function, and principles of the endocrine/neuroendocrine system and how this system helps to initiate and regulate behavior (e.g. stress, reproduction, cyclicity in behavior, ingestion, and aggression).

 

PSY 443 The Neurobiology of Communication in Animals

Credits:  3
Semester: Sp
Prerequisites:  PSY 351
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Focuses on the evolution, function, design, and diversity of animal communication systems such as song and visual signaling in birds, calls and echolocation in dolphins, echolocation and olfactory signaling in bats, olfactory signaling in insects, and electrical signaling in fish. Discusses the following topics: the production, transmission, and reception of signals; optimizing information transfer; and game theory and signaling strategies.

PSY 445 Memory

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major; PSY 341 recommended
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

How knowledge is represented, stored, and retrieved by humans; attention; language comprehension; nature and causes of forgetting.

 

PSY 446 Animal Cognition

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major, PSY 341 recommended
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Focuses on animal minds, including perception, attention, representation, concept and rule learning, judgments of time and number, tool use, communication, self-awareness, and awareness of the other.

PSY 447 Psychology of Music

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major, PSY 341 recommended
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

How we perceive, remember, and respond to music. Representation of musical knowledge, emotional and aesthetic response to music, listening styles of novices and experts, music’s role in human culture.

 

PSY 448 Psycholinguistics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 341, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

What individuals know when they know a natural language; how that language is acquired; what the facts of language tell us of the structure of the mind.

PSY 449 Motivational Theory

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Development of ideas concerning the problem of motivation; important experiments in the development of these ideas; current theories of motivation; data relevant to an examination of these theories.

 

PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Development and application of skills needed to conduct and evaluate research. Strongly recommended for students who plan to attend graduate school.

PSY 451 Drug Addiction

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 351, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The scientific study of drug addiction, emphasizing biological and psychological theories.

 

PSY 452 Psychology of Race and Racism

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

Psychological aspects of historical and contemporary race relations in the United States. Topics include stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, conflict, and cooperation.

PSY 455 Applied Behavior Analysis with Children 1

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  permission of instructor
Corequisites:  PSY 498 or PSY 499
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

 

PSY 456 Applied Behavior Analysis with Children 2

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  permission of instructor
Corequisites:  PSY 498 or PSY 499
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

PSY 455 and PSY 456 offer students the opportunity to 1) learn about current assessment and treatment methodologies for school-age children with disruptive behavior problems and 2) apply this knowledge in hands-on interactions with children within actual school settings. Topics covered include an overview of disruptive behavior disorders found in school-age children, functional behavioral assessment tools used with children, and empirically supported treatments for children with disruptive behavior problems.

PSY 457 Cognitive Development

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  PSY 341, psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The growth of cognitive functioning from infancy to adolescence. Considers the major theoretical approaches that are taken in studying cognitive development.

 

PSY 461 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

PSY 464 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

 

PSY 465 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

PSY 466 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

 

PSY 467 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

PSY 468 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

 

PSY 469 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses.

PSY 470 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses. PSY 470-PSY 475 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses.

 

PSY 471 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses. PSY 470-PSY 475 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses.

PSY 473 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses. PSY 470-PSY 475 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses.

 

PSY 474 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses. PSY 470-PSY 475 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses.

PSY 475 Senior Seminar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Topical seminars and laboratory courses. PSY 470-PSY 475 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses.

 

PSY 476 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 477 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 478 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 479 Sepcial Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 480 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 481 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 482 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 483 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 484 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 485 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. PSY 485-PSY 490 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 486 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. PSY 485-PSY 490 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 487 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. PSY 485-PSY 490 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 488 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. PSY 485-PSY 490 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 489 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. PSY 485-PSY 490 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses. Specific topics and content change each semester.

 

PSY 490 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Current theories, research, and controversies in the major subareas of psychology. PSY 485-PSY 490 are part of the Cognitive and Behavioral neurosciences courses. Specific topics and content change each semester.

PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience

Credits:  1 - 8
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

A program of applied work in a community, government, or private agency or organization related to the major in psychology. Must be agreed upon by the student and a faculty sponsor in the department. Credit does not count toward the major. Graded P/F.

 

PSY 497 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching

Credits:  1 - 8
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) positions are available for certain psychology courses to those students who have completed the course or its equivalent with a grade of A, have achieved junior status, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall. Students must apply for UTA positions with the appropriate instructor. Credit does not count toward the major. Graded P/F.

PSY 498 Independent Work

Credits:  1 - 8
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

A program of work to be agreed upon by the student and a faculty sponsor in the department. Credit does not count toward the major. Graded P/F.

 

PSY 499 Independent Study

Credits:  1 - 8
Semester:
Prerequisites:  psychology major
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

A program of scholarship to be agreed upon by the student and a faculty sponsor in the department, including procedures for evaluating student performance. Student receives a letter grade.

Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:50:17 AM

ÿ