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Holly Deemer, Terry Goodrick, J. Richard McCallum,
Shane Pitts, Lynne S. Trench
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.
The following courses are required (12 units):
- PY 101
- PY 204 and 304
- PY 312
- one unit in area one: PY 203, 230, 303, or 324
- one unit in area two: PY 311, 313, or 330
- one unit in area three: PY 407 or 408
- two senior seminar units in area four: PY 410, 417, 450, or 497
- three additional units in PY
Majors should take PY 204 and 304 consecutively and as early as possible, preferably by the end of the sophomore year. Elective units may include additional courses from the four areas above.
The following courses are required (5 units):
- PY 101
- four elective units in PY
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 or LS 200.
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. Prerequisites: consent.
PY 207 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 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.
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 230 Cross-Cultural Psychology (1)
A survey of the research areas and methodological issues specific to cross-cultural psychology. A 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; an IC 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 the study in APA style. Prerequisite: PY 101, PY 204 the previous semester, or consent. Spring.
PY 305 Advanced Topics in Psychology (1)
An in-depth exploration of theory and research in an advanced area of psychology. Topics will vary. Prerequisites: PY 101 and sophomore standing, or consent. Additional prerequisites may apply depending on topic.
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 101 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.
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 315 Animal Behavior (1)
An examination of the immediate causes and evolutionary explanations for the behavior of animals. Emphasis is placed on exposure to historical perspectives and current ideas about animal behavior, training in the methodology of behavioral experimentation, and development of independent, critical thought. Topics include sexual selection, bird song learning, and aggressive behavior. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week (one weekend field trip may be required). (Also listed as BI 315.) Prerequisites: BI 105, BI 115, and PY 101, or consent. Fall.
PY 324 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. Prerequisite: PY101.
PY 330 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 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 theories and research. This course has a laboratory component. Prerequisites: PY 101 and junior or senior standing, or consent.
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. Prerequisites: PY 101 and junior or senior standing, or consent.
PY 410 Senior Seminar: 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 psychology major standing. Spring.
PY 417 Senior Seminar: 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 450 Senior Seminar: Advanced Topics in Psychology (1)
An in-depth exploration of contemporary research on selected topics. Topics vary according to the instructor’s interests. Prerequisites: PY 101, PY 204, PY 304, senior standing psychology or biology-psychology major, and consent.
PY 393, 493 Independent Study (1)
Directed readings and inquiry into selected areas in psychology. Prerequisite: PY 101 or consent.
PY 497 Senior Seminar: Pre-professional Externship in Psychology (1)
Supervised experience in applying psychological principles in a field or applied setting. Students prepare a substantial research paper or a literature review on a topic related to the externship, work on an empirical project with the off-campus supervisor, and meet regularly with the course instructor. Prerequisites: PY 101, PY 204, PY 304, senior standing in psychology or biology-psychology major, and consent. Permission of the instructor and an off-campus supervisor is required.
PY 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Psychology (½ or 1)
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