- Thirty-six credits in Psychology which must include PSY-121; 201 or 204; 212; 220; 225; 331 or 336; 305; 314 and 4 additional elective credits in PSY.
- The ETS Major Field Test for Psychology is required for the comprehensive evaluation.
Twenty-four credits of Psychology.
Four credits from PSY, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Natural Sciences — Life Sciences.
Neuroscience Major Requirements (NSC)
- Thirty-six credits which must include courses from the four content areas as described below:
a. Psychology: PSY-121; 201, 204; 256; 310 or 314; 500.
b. Biology and Chemistry: BIO-121; 204; 301 and CHM-115; 223; 224; 230; BCM-321
c. Mathematics: Eight credits from MTH-116; 121; or PSY-220
d. Philosophy: PHL-229 or 347
- PSY121.Introduction to Psychology4Survey of major areas of psychology: learning, perception and cognition, human development, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal psychology. Laboratory. Course fee.
- PSY*200.Animal Behavior4PSY-121 or BIO-120 and PermissionIntroduction to the ethological approach: aggression, courtship, cooperation, social structure and means of communication in a variety of species. Includes laboratory and field experience in observation and recording of behavior.
- PSY*201.Physiological Psychology4PSY-121Study of physiological processes and structures underlying behavior and development. Laboratory techniques for investigation of electrical and chemical brain activity. Laboratory. Course fee.
- PSY*204.Sensation and Perception4PSY-121Study of sensory processes and their relationship to human perception. Concentrates on vision and audition with attention to recent theoretical approaches to perception. Laboratory. Course fee.
- PSY*212.Personality I4PSY-121Comparison of major conceptual and research strategies in study of personality: psychoanalytic tradition, trait and social learning theories, and humanistic, cognitive and biological approaches. Introduction to psychological testing and journal literature.
- PSY*220.Statistics4PSY-121 or PermissionIntroduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, and factorial analysis of variance. Appropriate for both life and social sciences.
- PSY*225.Research Methods4PSY-121 and 220Development of skills in conduct and assessment of experimental and field research and of sensitivity to ethical and social aspects of scientific inquiry. For students in psychology, education and business. Course fee.
- PSY*231.Developmental Psychology4PSY-121Consideration of current theoretical perspectives and research on attachment, language acquisition, cognitive and moral development. Attention to role of ideological and philosophical commitments in study of development.
- PSY*236.Social Psychology4PSY-121 and SOA-101Consideration of current theory and research on person perception, social influence, attitude formation, intergroup relations, altruism and aggression. Emphasis on ethical and social issues in conduct and application of social psychological research.
- PSY*240.Behavior Modification4PSY-121Application of psychological principles to human concerns including teaching, child care, stress management, study skills, self-control and persuasion.
- PSY*245.Human Sexuality4PSY-121Examination of variety and origins of human sexuality from physiological, evolutionary and social-learning perspectives.
- PSY*260.Psychology of Aging2PSY-121Examination of current psychological theory and research concerning physical changes, cognition, personality and psychopathology in the later years of life.
- PSY*275.Psychological Testing & Measurement2PSY-121Consideration of principles involved in constructions, use and evaluation of tests of ability and personality. Application to such issues as personnel selection, sex differences and therapeutic practice. Emphasis on actual clinical data, ethical and value issues in test construction and use.
- PSY*280.Topics in Psychology2-4PSY-121Exploration of areas of mutual interest to instructor and students. Topics include depression, stress and coping, clinical interviewing and counceling, psychological problems of childhood, and neurological disorders. May be taken more than once for credit. May have other prerequisites in addition to PSY-121.
- PSY*305.Motivation & Learning4PSY-201 or 204; PSY-220, 225 or PermissionIn-depth study of theoretical background and current research on motivation and learning among human and non-human species.
- PSY*310.Cognition4Three courses in PSY or PermissionConsideration of the psychology of thinking: input, processing, storage and retrieval of information. Also explores categorization, concept formation, mental structure, language, reasoning, and problem solving.
- PSY*312.Personality II4PSY-121 and 212In-depth examination of personality theory and of major controversial issues in the contemporary literature.
- PSY*314.Abnormal Psychology4PSY-121 and 212Examination of characteristics, causes and treatment of such disorders as depression, schizophrenia and stress-related illness. Discussion of social and ethical issues. Application of material to actual case histories.
- PSY*331.Developmental Psychology4PSY-121 and 212Consideration of current theoretical perspectives and research on attachment, language acquisition, cognitive and moral development. Attention to role of ideological and philosophical commitments in study of development.
- PSY*385.Psychology Practicum2-4PSY-121Participation in community institutions, agencies, schools and businesses combined with individual faculty supervision to allow students to apply concepts and locate literature relevant to their own experiences.
- PSY*390.Clinical Field Experience4PSY-121; 212; 240 or 280; and 314; or PermissionParticipation in programs in hospitals, agencies, schools, businesses or the judicial system. Faculty and on-site professionals provide intensive supervision. Students improve abilities to apply concepts, principles and techniques and reflect on significant conceptual, ethical and personal aspects of the experience in written papers and oral discussions.
- PSY*399.Psychology Independent Study1-4Either (1) an individually-designed program of reading on a topic not covered by formal courses or (2) research experience on a faculty-directed project.
- PSY*499.Psychology Independent Study2-4Planned program of reading in preparation for senior thesis.
- PSY*500.Senior Thesis2-4PSY-499, Senior Standing and PermissionDevelopment and conduct of original, independent, empirical investigation. Required for departmental honors.