The purpose of a major in psychology is to provide a background of knowledge for students going on to graduate work in psychology, as well as for those students going into a variety of professions that require an understanding of the principles of human behavior.

Major Requirements

The following courses are required (12 units):

PY 101
PY 204 and 304
PY 312
PY 410
PY 470 and PY 472
at least one course from the Learning/Cognitive grouping: PY 407, 408
at least one course from the Clinical grouping: PY 311, 313, 413
at least one course from the Social/Developmental grouping: PY 203, 214, 303, 320
two additional units in PY

Majors are expected to take PY 204 and 304 consecutively and as early as possible, preferably by the end of the sophomore year. PY 410, PY 470 and PY 472 are open only to seniors. Electives in psychology may be taken at any time following the completion of PY 101.

Minor Requirements

PY 101
four elective units in PY

Courses in Psychology

PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (1)

An introduction to the research, theory, and methods of psychological science. Fall, Spring.

 

PY 203 Group Dynamics (1)

A survey of theory and research bearing on small group behavior, including group formation, structure, leadership, power, performance, and conflict (a Leadership Studies designated course). Prerequisite: PY 101.

 

PY 204 Statistics For Research (1)

A laboratory course designed to introduce students to experimental research design, statistical theory and techniques, and computer data analysis. Fall.

 

PY 206 Special Topics in Psychology (1)

An in depth exploration of theory and research in a sub-disciplinary area of psychology. Topics will vary each year.

 

PY 214 Developmental Psychology (1)

An overview of the theoretical approaches and research methods in developmental psychology with an emphasis on the hereditary and environmental influences on physical, social, cognitive, and personality development in childhood and adolescence.

 

PY 215 Sex, Gender, and Society (1)

A survey of theory and research on males and females; biological and cultural factors in development and abilities; perception and treatment of the genders by society; current gender issues and their historical context. Also listed as SO 215, this course may be counted for credit in either psychology or sociology. Prerequisite: PY 101 or SO 101. Spring.

 

PY 217 Drugs, Brain, and Behavior (1)

A seminar format study of licit and illicit drugs (focusing on drugs of abuse) examining their effects on the brain and on behavior. Topics will also include addiction and treatment, history of drug use, and the influence of drugs on the unborn child, the individual, and on society. Prerequisite: PY 101 or consent. Spring.

 

PY 220 Environment and Behavior (1)

A study of the reciprocal relationships between human behavior and the natural, architectural, and social environments. The environment is examined as the context in which behavior occurs, the affordances it provides for behavior, and as the object of influence and modification by behavior. Prerequisite: PY 101 or ES 150. Spring.

 

PY 225 Creativity: Person, Process, Place (1)

A seminar that reviews and critiques current psychological theory and research on the creative process in all fields. Students are given the chance to reflect on their own creative process as well as that of specific scientists and artists in the area. Topics include creative problem solving, cognitive and behavioral traits of creative individuals, the development of creativity in childhood, innovation and creativity in the workplace, and social and physical contexts conducive to creativity. Also listed as HON 225, this course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment of their course requirements.

 

PY 228 Family: Myth, Metaphor, and Reality (1)

A seminar examining the concept of family-its definition, development, and dynamics. The course explores the stages of development of families, the interrelationships of family members, and the changing definitions and compositions of families through study of psychology, sociology/anthropology, family therapy, law, and literature. Also listed as HON 228, this course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment of their course requirements.

 

PY 300 Service: Motivations and Outcomes (1)

A multi disciplinary examination of the motivations for service and the results of service work. Topics include altruism and prosocial behavior, empathy, moral decision making, cross cultural communication, and service outcomes. Students are expected to participate in an on going service learning project during the semester. Also listed as HON 300, this course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment of their course requirements (a Leadership Studies designated course).

 

PY 303 Social Psychology (1)

The study of the social phenomena that affect the behavior of individuals, including social perception, social cognition, and social influence. Topics may include stereotypes and prejudice, self perception, impression formation, persuasion and conformity, attitudes, group processes, aggression, prosocial behavior, and attraction. Also listed as SO 303, this course may be counted for credit in either psychology or sociology. Prerequisite: PY 101 or SO 101.

 

PY 304 Research Methods for Psychology (1)

An in depth study of experimental design techniques, psychological research methodology, and research report writing in APA style. This course has a laboratory component in which students will conduct experiments, including researching a topic with primary sources, collecting data, analyzing results, and writing up the study in APA style. Prerequisite: PY 204 the previous semester or consent of instructor. Spring.

 

PY 305 Advanced Topics in Psychology

An in-depth exploration of theory and research in an advanced area of psychology. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: PY 101 and sophomore standing or consent.

 

PY 307 Psychology of Motivation (1)

A study of the biological, learned, and cognitive determinants of major motives, including sexuality, aggression, sleep, hunger, addictions, creativity, stress and health.

 

PY 309 Work Behavior (1)

The application of the methods and principles of the science of human behavior to people at work. Also listed as SO 309, this course may be counted for credit in either psychology or sociology. Prerequisite: PY 10 or SO 101.

 

PY 310 Psychological Testing (1)

A study of the theory and techniques of test development and use in applied and research settings. Assessment in educational, clinical, counseling, and personnel settings, as well as issues surrounding the use of evaluative information are examined. Prerequisite: PY 204 or consent.

 

PY 311 Psychology of Personality (1)

A survey and analysis of the major theories of personality, including the psycho-dynamic, trait, phenomenological, and learning approaches. Prerequisite: PY 101.

 

PY 312 Biological Psychology (1)

A study of the biological bases of behavior. Includes the study of brain and neural anatomy, communication between neurons, and the function of major brain areas. The rest of the course will build on this knowledge to study the effects on various behaviors including: vision, movement, learning, memory, sexual behavior, lateralization of function, drug taking behavior, and psychopathology. Prerequisite: PY 101. Spring.

 

PY 313 Psychological Disorders (1)

A survey of psychopathology and abnormal behavior with an emphasis on the systems and criteria of diagnosis. Theories on the development and treatment of disorders are also discussed. Prerequisite: PY 101.

 

PY 320 Cross-Cultural Psychology (1)

A survey of the research areas and methodological issues specific to cross cultural psychology. Discussion of research on cultural influences on cognition and perception; child rearing practices and development; motivation, emotion, and aggression; and sex roles follows an extensive analysis of the components of culture. Sociocultural influences on health behavior, work behavior, and leadership style are also discussed (a Leadership Studies designated course).

 

PY 407 Cognitive Psychology (1)

The study of processes involved in such complex human behaviors as memory, attention, perception, language, decision making, and problem solving with an emphasis on classic and current experimental findings and theories. This course has a laboratory component. Prerequisite: PY 101.

 

PY 408 Psychology of Learning (1)

A survey of the theories, components, and applications of Pavlovian and Operant learning in humans and animals. This course has a laboratory component in which students will demonstrate and apply principles learned in class, resulting in first hand experience with psychological experimentation. Prerequisite: PY 101. Fall.

 

PY 410 History and Systems of Psychology (1)

A study of the philosophical foundations and historical development of the major theories and research areas of psychology. Classic studies in psychology, as well as the lives of major figures in the field, are also discussed. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Spring.

 

PY 413 Clinical Psychology (1)

An introduction to the development and current practices of clinical psychology. Emphasis is placed on models of therapeutic intervention, assessment, trends in psychotherapy, and ethical, professional, and research issues. Prerequisite: PY 101.

 

PY 417 Research in Psychology (1)

Involvement of the student (alone or with other students) in the development and execution of a research project. Topics of research vary according to the interests of the student and the professor. The project typically requires the student to write a research report in APA style. Prerequisites: PY 101, 204, 304, and consent.

 

PY 470 Senior Research Seminar in Psychology I (1)

An examination and critique of contemporary research and emerging theory in psychology. Central and controversial issues and trends in the field will be discussed. Specific topics will vary from year to year. Students will develop and write a formal research proposal, including a literature review and methods, for a research project to be conducted and presented in the spring. Required for senior psychology majors. Prerequisite: PY 304. Fall.

 

PY 472 Senior Research Seminar in Psychology II (1)

A continuation of the Senior Research Seminar in Psychology I (PY 470). This seminar format course will allow students to conduct independent research under the supervision of the psychology faculty. Students will have regular meetings to discuss ongoing projects, allowing students to teach and learn from others in the class, culminating in a formal public presentation of research. In addition, there will be regular readings addressing the philosophy of science, current issues in psychology, and future directions in psychology. Required for senior psychology majors who have taken PY 470 the previous fall. Spring.

 

PY 393, 493 Independent Study (1)

Directed readings and inquiry into selected areas in psychology. Prerequisite: PY 101 or consent.

 

PY 397, 497 Preprofessional Externship in Psychology (1)

 

PY 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Psychology (1)

 

PY 499 Senior Project in Psychology (1)

A substantial research project resulting in a review of the literature in a specified area of psychology and/or a research report written in APA style. The project may be executed in the context of a currently offered psychology interim class, in conjunction with an internship or practicum experience, or as the result of independent or collaborative empirical research. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent.