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Psychology
student is involved in literature review, hypothesis generation, research design, data collection, data
analysis, and interpretation. Students join the team at whatever stage the project is at. Each student
experiences all stages of the research process, but at times these are not in the order described above.
Over the course of a project, students gain all of these skills but may not gain all skills in a given
semester. Students are expected to demonstrate gains in leadership, skills, synthesis, and writing in each
subsequent semester of collaborative research. Prerequisites: PY299 for PY300, PY300 for PY301, PY301
for PY302, and consent of the instructor.
PY305 Learning and Cognition 4 credits
Learning and cognition engages students in learning principles and cognitive psychology. Using a
historical perspective in psychology, students first examine classical conditioning, operant conditioning,
and observational learning, including the ideas of Pavlov, Watson, Skinner, and Bandura. In the second
half, the course focuses on the roles of perception, attention, and memory in the process of cognition.
Students participate in computer-based laboratory simulations and experiments outside of class.
Emphasis is placed on the students’ abilities to critically analyze readings, research methodology, and
research data, as well as to effectively communicate their ideas in writing. Prerequisites: PY111 and
either PY211 or PY220.
PY306-309 Special Topics in Psychology
1 credit
These courses are designed to provide an opportunity to survey and discuss current trends and meet
special need of students. Often the course includes both a theoretical and experimental emphasis.
Topics vary from year to year depending on student and faculty interest. Perquisites vary; consent of
instructor is required.
PY310 Social Psychology 3 credits
Social psychology is the scientific study of how we perceive people and social events as well as how we
influence and relate to one another. Areas covered include social cognition; prejudice, discrimination
and stereotyping; the self; interpersonal attraction and close relationships; helping; aggression;
attitudes and persuasion; conformity, compliance and obedience. Applications of social psychology to
academics, the workplace, the media, and social relations are examined. Prerequisites: PY111, PY290,
and either PY211 or PY220.
PY340 Biopsychology 4 credits
Biopsychology provides an overview of physiological, genetic and evolutionary explanations of
behavior. Areas covered include neurophysiology, psychopharmacology, brain imaging techniques,
addiction, learning and memory, body weight regulation, circadian rhythms, stress and health,
psychological disorders and biological therapies. The interrelationships among social, genetic and
neurologic processes are examined. Prerequisites: PY111. Recommend PY211 and PY220.
PY370 Personality Psychology 4 credits
Personality psychology examines the question, "What does it mean to be a person?" This course
includes historical ways in which we have tried to understand human persons. Classical personality
theories including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, trait and humanistic/existential are studied
and evaluated. Contemporary research in personality areas such as attachment, temperament, the
big five traits, and psychological well-being is studied and integrated with historical and classical
approaches. Prerequisites: PY111, PY220, PY305, and PY310.
PY410 Individual and Group Counseling 3 credits
This course offers an introduction to basic and advanced interviewing skills in counseling psychology.
Individual counseling, group counseling, and ethical and professional issues are examined. Students
consider research and theory, and apply these to speciality groups. Some hands-on experience
with basic skills in individual and group formats are supervised and required. Prerequisite: PY220.
Recommended: PY370.
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