An introductory course in modern scientific psychology. Covers major domains of scientific psychology including biological foundations, sensations, perception, learning, motivation, human development and abnormal psychology. Examines major psychological and professional applications. Canvas Course Mats $35/Lumen applies.
Covers major domains of scientific psychology including biological foundations, sensation and perception, learning, motivation, human development, and abnormal psychology. Examines major psychological and professional applications. Students will be expected to write at least two papers and work collaboratively.
Explores genetic and environmental influences on human development and behavior from conception and birth through old age and death. Examines typical physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes at each developmental stage throughout the life span. Explores major theoretical perspectives on human development. Canvas Course Mats $66/McGraw applies.
Examines knowledge about key concepts and findings from the science of psychology. Applies effective strategies, grounded in psychology, to their own lives in areas that will help them to be healthier and happier. Key topic areas include: stress, social influences and interpersonal communication, relationships and life transitions, and mental and physical health.
Exposes students to psychology as a field of study and as a career option and serves as a foundation of their undergraduate education. Teaches the basics of social science writing convention (scholarly tone, precise language, APA style, etc.). Shows how psychology can provide insight into important social and scientific requirements.
Integrates cognitive psychological theory in an experiential setting to build personal communication skills. Helps students better understand their interactions with others. Teaches practical skills used in personal, professional, and social relationships. Studies problem-solving models and conflict resolution methods.
Examines the psychology, historical explanations, and current biological and psychological theories of abnormal behavior. Emphasizes the description of mental disorders according to the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Canvas Course Mats $35/Lumen applies.
Provides an overview of the scientific study of human strengths and virtues. Examines topics such as happiness, optimism, gratitude, altruism, forgiveness, human strengths, optimal performance, and personal fulfillment. Knowledge gains are reinforced with personalized experiential learning activities.
Introduces neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Includes how neurons communicate to coordinate various functions and behaviors. Addresses research methods used to study the brain and the nervous-system mechanisms to control functions and behaviors.
Presents selected topic in Psychology and will vary each semester. Approaches subjects from cross-disciplinary perspective. Requires a project demonstrating competency in the specific topic. May be repeated for nine credits toward graduation.
Interdisciplinary course in human sexuality, exploring topics in biology, health, psychology, and sociology. Introduces basic concepts of human sexuality, including anatomy, reproduction, and sexual response across the life-cycle. Studies gender roles, sexual orientation, dysfunction, and sexually transmitted disease. Examines sexual behavior from the perspective of ethics, religion, the law, and education. Students assess their sexual attitudes and should be able to make responsible sexuality decisions.
Beginning course on research in psychology. Explores psychological literature to investigate topics of interest. Requires individual initiative and responsibility. Includes limited formal instruction and faculty supervision. Projects will vary based on the student's needs and interests but may include literature searches, materials creation, data collection, or other options as approved by the instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation.
Explains the logic of the classical true experiment and how it permits causal inferences. Compares and contrasts the benefits and drawbacks of quasi-experimental and correlational research designs. Includes the design of an empirical psychological study. Covers compliance with guidelines for ethical research as codified in law and the American Psychological Association's ethics code. Requires collection, analysis, and presentation of quantitative data for an empirical psychological study. Includes a lab.
For Behavioral Science majors and others interested in gender issues from a psychological perspective. Examines the topic of gender behaviors and attitudes that relate to (but are not entirely congruent with) biological sex. Discusses biological influences on gender, gender differences, gender development, and the influence of gender on various dimensions of daily life.
Examines underlying biological, psychological, and social factors, that interact and contribute to illnesses. Examines how beliefs, attitudes, and lifestyles contribute to overall health. Includes preventative strategies and techniques. Introduces motivational strategies to work productively with patients in healthcare settings.
Introduces use of statistics for research purposes. Teaches descriptive and inferential statistics. Includes central tendency, variability, correlation and regression, probability (particularly probability distributions), and various inferential techniques such as t-test for independent and dependent samples, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, post-hoc tests, and non-parametric statistics.
Introduces concepts, theories, and research on normative processes of infant and child development. Describes developmental change in biological, socioemotional, and cognitive domains. Explores topics such as attachment, temperament, emotion development, relationships, aggression, and moral development. Situates infant and child development in the context of families, peers, neighborhoods and communities, and the larger cultural contexts. Includes how theories and empirical findings can be applied to promote positive development throughout infancy and childhood.
Introduces concepts, theories, and research on normative processes of adolescent development. Describes developmental change in biological, socioemotional, and cognitive domains of development during adolescence. Explores topics such as self and identity, intimacy, autonomy, morality, and sexuality, and psychosocial problems during adolescence. Situates adolescent development in the context of families, peers, neighborhoods and communities, and the larger cultural contexts. Includes how theories and empirical findings can be applied to promote positive development throughout adolescence.
Introduces concepts, theories, and research on normative processes of adult development and aging. Describes developmental change in biological, socioemotional, and cognitive domains of development during adulthood. Explores topics such as mental health, social roles and relationships, and transitions in work and retirement. Situates adult development in the context of families, social relationships, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities, and the larger cultural contexts. Includes how theories and empirical findings can be applied to promote healthy adult development and aging.
Examines motivation and emotion that underlie thought and behavior from a variety of perspectives. Explores the various theoretical approaches to motivation and emotion such as biological, phenomenological, cognitive, developmental and social constructivist approaches. Examines the historical background of motivation and emotion research, as well as a number of current applied motivational approaches.
Introduces the core concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in cognitive psychology. Includes perception, attention, memory, and higher cognitive processes. Explores animal as well as human research.
Provides firsthand experience with core concepts and empirical practices within cognitive psychology. Creates opportunities for the application of practical research skills. Includes a discussion of topics such as sensation, perception, attention, memory, and higher-order cognition.
Addresses basic principles of nervous system function with emphasis on communication between nerve cells. Focuses on therapeutic drugs as well as drugs of abuse to include mechanisms of action and behavioral effects.
Identifies major interactions between physiology and behavior. Covers physiological analysis, structures, and functions of the nervous system. Investigates topics including sensory and motor function, states of consciousness, sexual behavior, psychopathology, learning and memory. Course lab fee of $15 for supplies applies.
Introduces the basic psychological theories attempting to answer the question 'What is Personality?' Examines the scientific study of the uniqueness of each of us as individuals. Explores how individuals develop personality similarities as well as differences by examining classical personality theories, societal influences, cultural variations, behavioral genetics, anatomy and biochemistry, sex and gender differences and family function. May be delivered hybrid and/or online. Canvas Course Mats of $66/McGraw applies. Course fee of $15 for materials.
Examines major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in the scientific study of behavior. Focuses on application of psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues, as appropriate. Stresses use of critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior.
Provides a foundation in how sensory systems interpret the world. Explores each of the primary sensory systems by defining the physical energy that is detected. Examines how that energy is transduced into neural impulses, and samples how aspects of that information are encoded to provide a representation of our world. Takes a neuroscientific approach to the topic, beginning with an overview of the nervous system, including the organization of the brain and spinal cord, how neurons work, and how neurons communicate with each other. Course lab fee of $15 for supplies applies.
Studies the ways in which social context influences behavior. Reviews both social and psychological research. Includes culture and personality theory. Presents a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding human behavior. Requires a research project to observe and report individual or group behavior in a real life setting. May be delivered hybrid.
Explores the scientific investigation of the biological basis of emotion in human and non-human animals. Provides an overview of the neural correlates of emotional states. Examines the role of neurotransmitter systems, anatomical structures, and neural circuits. Requires collection, analysis, and presentation of current primary research.
Introduces the complex field of forensic psychology which involves the overlap between the science of psychology and the law. Builds a basic understanding of the psychological principles and concepts that are part of the legal system. Highlights how the science of psychology potentially contributes to improvements and changes in the legal system. Outlines the role of forensic psychologists with regard to the legal system. Emphasizes ideas regarding potential careers in the field. Provides students the opportunity to customize course activities to suit their learning needs and styles from a variety of choices.
Provides an integrated approach to understanding the roots of good and evil in human behavior. Explores theories and studies of human caring and destructiveness. Analyzes and develops psychological explanation of why individuals choose different courses of action under similar circumstances. Explores such concepts as attachment and parental discipline, bystander phenomena, response to authority, genocide, killing during war, group identity, bullying, views of the other and racism, forgiveness and reconciliation, and psychopathology and the biology of emotion.
Introduces the history of psychological tests, examines tests in use at the present time and considers the appropriate roles of psychological testing in modern society. Studies individual and group assessment in the areas of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, personality and interest. Critically evaluates tests and other instruments of measurement for validity and reliability.
Surveys concepts and practices of major therapeutic systems. Introduces students to the major psychotherapeutic models. Addresses basic counseling issues including ethics and professionalism. Develops skills in relationship development, interviewing, initial assessment and intake procedures.
Discusses group therapy theory, research applied to client assessment and outcomes, legal and ethical issues. Includes learning activities such as screening, assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination of group members.
Analyzes questions about how people engage in moral thinking and in moral behavior from the perspectives of the philosophy of mind, ethics and psychology. Explores topics such as virtue and character, reason and passion, altruism and egoism, agency and responsibility, and moral intuitions.
Identifies key contributors, historical systems and theories within the field of psychology. Includes contributions to present knowledge of affect, behavior, and cognition. Stresses similarities and differences between theories. Especially for students planning to take the Advanced Psychology Subject Test portion of the GRE.
Examines Eastern and Western spiritualities and their application to mental health. Synthesizes these systems of belief with Western phenomenology. Critiques the theory and practice of psychology from this broader spiritual perspective. Applies these spiritual systems to the theory, research and practice of psychology. Provides experience of meditation, spiritual centering, and respectful spiritual discourse.
Explores theories about human intelligence and how intelligence impacts health, social, and psychological outcomes. Considers how cognitive and biological variables are related to individual differences in human intelligence.
Presents selected topic in Psychology and will vary each semester. Requires a project demonstrating competency in the specific topic. May be repeated with different topics for 9 credits toward graduation.
Offers an opportunity to develop an appreciation for the interplay between psychological and cultural contributions to personal and group growth and well-being. Explores how culture influences the lived experience, particularly as it pertains to relationality. Gives consideration to both within and between culture variability.
Provides integration of classroom learning with learning that takes place in an on-site internship. To be taken concurrently with BESC 481R, Senior Internship. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits toward graduation.
Allows psychology students with non-clinical orientation to receive psychology credits for interning in a governmental, corporate, or private agency apart from their regular employment. Provides practical and research experience over the course of the 15-week semester. Requires professional supervision. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits toward graduation.
Builds a foundation for teaching at the college level through the study of best practices in college pedagogy via primary sources, review papers, and expert perspectives. Applies pedagogical knowledge through the delivery of multiple guest lectures on campus after creating appropriate course materials.
Expands research experience by either (1) significantly assisting on a faculty member's research project or (2) carrying out an independent research project of the student's design under faculty mentorship. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits toward graduation.
For qualified students who wish to undertake a well-defined project or directed study related to an area of special interest. Requires individual initiative and responsibility. Includes limited formal instruction and faculty supervision. Projects may include writing a publishable paper, passing a competency exam, producing an annotated bibliography, oral presentation, or other options as approved by instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
Provides an in-depth experience applying knowledge from two or more of the following areas of psychology: statistics/research methods, biological, developmental, cognitive, social/personality, and mental and physical health. May not be part of the student’s regular employment. Requires professional supervision. Requires faculty approval and signed written contracts. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits toward graduation.
Provides integration of classroom learning with the student's capstone internship. Reinforces learning outcomes of the psychology capstone internship. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits toward graduation.