188 / 242
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2016-2017
187
choices, and choice satisfaction. The course will also examine how research findings in
judgment and decision making apply to human history, current events, and daily human
experience. A Leadership Studies designated course. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least
sophomore standing.
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. Prerequisites: PY
101 and PY 204.
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. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least
junior standing.
PY 314 Cognitive Neuroscience (1)
An investigation of the biology of the human mind at the systems level. Broad topics
include the structure and function of the nervous system, hemispheric specialization,
sensation and perception, attention, action, memory, emotion, and language. Special
topics include current theories of human consciousness, social cognition, and morality.
Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least junior standing.
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: PY 101,
BI 115, and BI 225. Spring.
PY 316 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (1)
A survey of psychological disorders that primarily affect children and adolescents. The
course takes a developmental approach to childhood psychopathology, focusing on
diagnostic criteria and familial, educational, and individual features associated with each
disorder. Research on etiological theories and treatment is also discussed. Prerequisite:
PY 101.