The curriculum in psychology reflects both the diversity of its subdisciplines and the universality of their reliance on methodological sophistication. All students who major in psychology are required to take courses that represent the main topical areas within the psychological sciences, plus a year-long statistics and methods sequence. Through a rigorous advising program, students are encouraged to choose electives to develop their particular interests. Students who intend graduate study are encouraged to choose research experiences, as well as seminars related to their interests.

Psychology(Minor)

Cluster 1: Basic Physiological and Perceptual Processes (PSYC)

PSYC-2110 Neuroscience Laboratory
Description
The neuroscience laboratory provides students with a hands-on approach to understanding the scientific method through neuroscientific technique 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 appropriate for both non-science majors and science majors. Spring semester only. (Also listed as NEUR 2110.) Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSYC/NEUR-2310.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-2310 Introduction to Neuroscience
Description
A survey of basic neuroscience, starting with fundamentals of neuronal structures and ending with higher brain functions and their relations to mind and behavior. (Also listed as NEUR 2310.) Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-3311 Sensation and Perception
Description
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 the course. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3411 Sensation and Perception
Description
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 the course. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division

Cluster 2: Developmental Psychology (PSYC)

PSYC-2320 Lifespan Development
Description
Overview of contemporary theoretical and empirical approaches to lifespan development. Biological, social, and psychological dimensions of behavior will be examined from conception and infancy through late life.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | The Child and Adolescent
PSYC-2350 Language Development
Description
Examination of children's language acquisition. Topics include theories of acquisition, comparison of human language with animal communication, infant speech perception, word learning and syntactic development. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 or consent of instructor
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Constructing and Deconstructing Language
PSYC-3321 Cognitive Development
Description
Examination of contemporary theoretical and empirical approaches to cognitive development from birth to adolescence. Major areas of cognition (e.g. perception, categorization, memory, language) are studied from a developmental perspective. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Constructing and Deconstructing Language
PSYC-3322 Social Development
Description
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.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Capacities | Understanding Diversity
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | The Child and Adolescent
PSYC-3421 Cognitive Development
Description
Examination of contemporary theoretical and empirical approaches to cognitive development from birth to adolescence. Major areas of cognition (e.g. perception, categorization, memory, language) are studied from a developmental perspective. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Constructing and Deconstructing Language
PSYC-3422 Social Development
Description
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.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Capacities | Understanding Diversity
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | The Child and Adolescent

Cluster 3: Social and Clinical Psychology (PSYC)

PSYC-2341 Social Psychology
Description
Examination of how individuals think, feel, and behave in different social contexts. Explores the basic and applied research on topics such as aggression, attitudes, attribution, prejudice, relationships, self-perception, and social influence. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-3340 Psychopathology
Description
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.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3342 Personality and Individual Differences
Description
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. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and 2401.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3440 Psychopathology
Description
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.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division

Cluster 4: Learning, Memory & Cognition (PSYC)

PSYC-2330 Fundamentals of Cognition
Description
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. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-3312 Principles of Learning
Description
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 application to child rearing, education, and psychotherapy and implications for issues concerning freedom and responsibility. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and at least one additional course in Psychology
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Foundations of Behavior Change
PSYC-3412 Principles of Learning
Description
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 application to child rearing, education, and psychotherapy and implications for issues concerning freedom and responsibility. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and at least one additional course in Psychology
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Foundations of Behavior Change
PSYC-3431 Memory and Cognition
Description
Examination of the fundamental principles of memory and thought, the experimental evidence to support these principles, and the theoretical perspectives used to understand them. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisite: PYSC 2402 or consent of instructor.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Capacities | Written Communication

Companion Courses (PSYC)

PSYC-2360 Special Topics in Psychology
Description
In depth study of theory and research on a topic that spans subdisciplines within psychology or relates psychology to cross-disciplinary interests. (Offered occasionally) Prerequisites: PSYC 1300.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-3310 Neuroethics
Description
In this course students review and discuss ethical theories and principles, and then discuss ethical dilemmas arising from several currently devoted topics relevant to the brain, cognition, and behavior. Relevant bioethical and philosophical principles will be applied to each issue allowing students to acquired and develop skills in ethical analysis. In addition, relevant neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurotechnologies will be discussed. (Also listed as NEUR 3310.) (Offered every other year.) Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and PSYC/NEUR 2310 or Permission of Instructor
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Ethics and Justice
PSYC-3355 Behavioral Medicine
Description
Examination of the basic psychological processes that influence health and illness. Specific behaviors, illnesses, and physical conditions such as smoking, obesity, cancer, HIV, and hypertension are explored with a focus on theoretical models and psychological interventions. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Foundations of Behavior Change
The Capacities | Written Communication
PSYC-3360 Special Topics in Psychology
Description
In depth study of theory and research within a particular domain of psychology. May be repeated on different topics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3368 Supervised Research
Description
Independent research using empirical methods. Nine hours per week will be distributed across research activities, colloquia attendance and student presentations. May be repeated twice with consent of instructor. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, PSYC 2-61, and PSYC 2401.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Capacities | Oral and Visual Communication
PSYC-3410 Neuroethics
Description
In this course students review and discuss ethical theories and principles, and then discuss ethical dilemmas arising from several currently devoted topics relevant to the brain, cognition, and behavior. Relevant bioethical and philosophical principles will be applied to each issue allowing students to acquired and develop skills in ethical analysis. In addition, relevant neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurotechnologies will be discussed. (Also listed as NEUR 3310.) (Offered every other year.) Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and PSYC/NEUR 2310 or Permission of Instructor
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Ethics and Justice
PSYC-3451 Clinical Psychology
Description
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. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 3340.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3455 Behavioral Medicine
Description
Examination of the basic psychological processes that influence health and illness. Specific behaviors, illnesses, and physical conditions such as smoking, obesity, cancer, HIV, and hypertension are explored with a focus on theoretical models and psychological interventions. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Foundations of Behavior Change
The Capacities | Written Communication
PSYC-4390 Senior Seminar in Psychology
Description
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 with a major in psychology or consent of instructor.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-4490 Senior Seminar in Psychology
Description
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 with a major in psychology or consent of instructor.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division

Individual Experience (PSYC)

PSYC-2161 Lab Experience in Psychology
Description
This course is designed to give students the background experiences needed to conduct research in Psychology. Students will engage in research-related activities such as reading empirical papers, data collection, data coding, and learning research protocols. May be taken for 1 or 2 credit hours. This course may be repeated once.(Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and PSYC 1300
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-2261 Lab Experience in Psychology
Description
This course is designed to give students the background experiences needed to conduct research in Psychology. Students will engage in research-related activities such as reading empirical papers, data collection, data coding, and learning research protocols. May be taken for 1 or 2 credit hours. This course may be repeated once.(Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and PSYC 1300
Credits
2 credits
Level
Lower Division
PSYC-3161 Advanced Research in Psychology
Description
This course is designed to allow students to develop advanced research skills (e.g., data analysis, manuscript preparation), as well as provide students with the opportunity to complete ongoing research projects. For each credit hour, three hours per week will be distributed across research experiences. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisites: PSYC 3368, and consent of instructor.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3180 Psychology Peer Tutor
Description
Peer tutoring in a psychology course for either 1 or 2 credits. Under the guidance and supervision of the course instructor, tutors will assist students in learning psychological concepts and related skills taught in the course but will have no grading responsibilities. Office hours and possibly class attendance required. The instructor will determine the number of credits available. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. (Offered Occasionally.) Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and consent of instructor.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3261 Advanced Research in Psychology
Description
This course is designed to allow students to develop advanced research skills (e.g., data analysis, manuscript preparation), as well as provide students with the opportunity to complete ongoing research projects. For each credit hour, three hours per week will be distributed across research experiences. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisites: PSYC 3368, and consent of instructor.
Credits
2 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3280 Psychology Peer Tutor
Description
Peer tutoring in a psychology course for either 1 or 2 credits. Under the guidance and supervision of the course instructor, tutors will assist students in learning psychological concepts and related skills taught in the course but will have no grading responsibilities. Office hours and possibly class attendance required. The instructor will determine the number of credits available. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. (Offered Occasionally.) Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 and consent of instructor.
Credits
2 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3357 Directed Field Practicum
Description
Field work conducted as part of the academic curriculum. May be repeated once for credit on a different topic. Pass/Fail basis only. Prerequisites: PSYC 3340 and consent of instructor
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3361 Advanced Research in Psychology
Description
This course is designed to allow students to develop advanced research skills (e.g., data analysis, manuscript preparation), as well as provide students with the opportunity to complete ongoing research projects. For each credit hour, three hours per week will be distributed across research experiences. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisites: PSYC 3368, and consent of instructor.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-4395 Thesis I
Description
Independent research and scholarly investigation conducted with faculty supervision and culminating (with PSYC 4396) in the preparation of a written thesis. Prerequisites: PSYC 2401, 2402, and consent of instructor.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-4396 Thesis II
Description
Completion of research initiated in PSYC 4395 and the presentation of the written thesis according to departmental guidelines. Prerequisites: PSYC 4395; consent of instructor.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division

Introduction and Methods (PSYC)

PSYC-1300 Principles of Psychology
Description
An introduction to the major domains of psychological knowledge, informed by biological, cognitive, environmental and motivation perspectives. Emphasizes scientific theory and methods supplemented by applications to everyday experience.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
Pathways:
Approaches to Creation and Analysis | The Social & Behavioral Sciences
PSYC-2401 Statistics and Methods I
Description
Instruction in measurement processes, descriptive statistics, correlation 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. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300 or BIOL 1311
Credits
4 credits
Level
Lower Division
Pathways:
Approaches to Creation and Analysis | Quantitative Disciplines
PSYC-2402 Statistics and Methods II
Description
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.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Lower Division
Pathways:
The Capacities | Written Communication

Psychology (PSYC)

PSYC-3362 Cross-Cultural Psychology
Description
Examination of the many factors that contribute to how we experience culture. Explores basic and applied cultural research that disentangles culture's direct and indirect influences on diversity in thought and behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3420 Neuropsychopharmacology
Description
Neuropsychopharmacology provides a deeper understanding of nervous system pharmacology and its importance in behavioral/psychological functions. This course will also provide understanding in how pharmacoloigcal compounds produce effects within the nervous system. Finally, the course will examine how these pharmacological principles affects neural circuitry in the context of understanding neuropsychiatric disorders. (Also listed as NEUR 3420) Prerequisites: NEUR/PSYC 2310
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3457 Directed Field Practicum
Description
Field work conducted as part of the academic curriculum. May be repeated once for credit on a different topic. Pass/Fail basis only. Prerequisites: PSYC 3440 and consent of instructor
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
PSYC-3462 Cross-Cultural Psychology
Description
Examination of the many factors that contribute to how we experience culture. Explores basic and applied cultural research that disentangles culture's direct and indirect influences on diversity in thought and behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
Pathways:
The Capacities | Global Awareness
Kevin McIntyre
Kevin McIntyre, Ph.D.
Department Chair
Professor
headshot of Matthew Binder_2023
Matthew Binder, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
William Ellison
William Ellison, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
" "
Alan Hernandez Cortes
Visiting Assistant Professor
headshot of Kah-Chung Leong_2022
Kah-Chung Leong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Harry Wallace
Harry Wallace, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Headshot of Elaine Wong
Elaine Wong, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Carol Yoder
Carol Yoder, Ph.D.
Professor

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