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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
development of independent, critical thought. Topics include sexual selection, bird song
learning, and aggressive behavior. (Also listed as BI 315.) Prerequisites: BI 225 and PY
101. Spring of odd-numbered years.
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.
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 370 Cognitive Psychology (1)
Introduction to the concepts, theories, and methods of cognitive psychology or the
empirical study of the mind and mental processes. Topics may include neuroscience,
attention and consciousness, perception, memory, knowledge, language, problem solving,
reasoning, judgment, and decision making. Emphasis is placed on theoretical models
grounded in empirical support. Laboratory required. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least
junior standing; PY 204 highly recommended.
PY 372 Psychology of Learning (1)
A survey of the theories, components, and applications of Pavlovian and Operant learning
in humans and animals. In the laboratory component, students will demonstrate and apply
principles learned in class, providing first-hand experience with psychological
experimentation. Laboratory required. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least junior standing.
PY 374 Sensation and Perception (1)
Survey of the processes by which the information available in the physical world is
encoded and transformed to produce our perception of the world. Mechanisms that
mediate perceptual phenomena and their interaction will be highlighted. Topics may
include sensory physiology and perceptual phenomena in major sensory systems: vision,
hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Laboratory required. Prerequisites: PY 101 and at least
junior standing.
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. May be repeated for credit when the focus is
different. Instructor consent required. Prerequisites: PY 101, PY 204, PY 304, and
psychology major.
PY 470 Senior Seminar: Research in Psychology I (1)
Involvement of the student (alone or with other students) in the literature review for and