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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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PY 305 Advanced Topics in Psychology (1)
An in-depth exploration of theory and research in an advanced area of psychology.
Topics will vary. Some topics may require additional prerequisites. Instructor consent
required. Prerequisite: PY 101.
PY 308 Judgment and Decision Making (1)
An exploration of classic and contemporary scientific theory and research in the
psychology of judgment and decision making. Topics may include heuristics used and
biases shown when making estimations, evaluations, predictions, and choices; automatic
vs. deliberate processing; and personal and situational factors that influence judgments,
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 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 313 Abnormal Psychology (1)
An examination of abnormal behavior with an emphasis on the etiology, symptomatology
and epidemiology of mental health disorders within child, adolescent, and adult
populations. Empirically-based theories of assessment, development and treatment of
disorders are also discussed. Prerequisite: PY 101.
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