Fall 2005
Course Descriptions
PSYC 100: Understanding Psychology
(4 credits)
Staff
Prerequisites: None
An introductory-level survey course in psychology with a focus on how psychology
can be applied to other fields of study and life in general; intended for students
who do not plan to major or minor in psychology. Covers topics in biological
foundations of behavior, learning and memory, developmental psychology, motivation
and emotion, abnormal psychology and psychotherapy, personality and social psychology.
PSYC 107: Statistics
(4 credits)
J. Brookings
Prerequisites: To register for Psychology 107, a student must have a 23 or higher
Mathematics Placement Level. Contact the Math Workshop for details regarding
this prerequisite. A student may not receive credit for more than one statistics
course.
This is a course in applied statistics. Its emphasis is on the mechanics of
summarizing and analyzing data, with examples from the behavioral sciences.
The purpose of the course is to prepare students for other courses in Psychology
and related disciplines and to help them interpret data.
PSYC 120: Proseminar II: Learning
(2 credits)
Staff
Prerequisites: None
This course is an introduction to the scientific bases, methods, theories, and
findings in the study of learning and memory in humans and animals. Includes
operant conditioning laboratory exercises. Grade is based on exams and lab performance.
In addition, students are required either to participate in a limited number
of research studies or to write a research paper.
PSYC 130: Proseminar III: Developmental
(2 sem hrs.)
M.Zembar
Prerequisites: None
This course examines the history of psychology and development across the life
span. The first third of the course focuses on the history of psychology and
how research is carried out. The second third of the course focuses on prenatal
development and the changes in physical, motor, cognitive and social skills
that take place in the early years of life. The last third of the course focuses
on developmental issues unique to adolescents (puberty, at-risk behavior) adults
(marriage, career development) and the aged (retirement, Alzheimer’s disease).
Students are required to participate in a limited number of research studies
and to gain practical experience with children and adults by completing an observational
and interview project.
PSYC 207: Experimental Design
(5 credits)
Staff
Prerequisite: Psychology 107 or another statistics course.
This laboratory course offers a systematic introduction to relevant aspects
of the scientific enterprise, namely the design and analysis of experiments.
The focus of the course is on the design of experiments in an analyzable manner,
and on their subsequent statistical analysis. In the laboratory, participants
will perform statistical analysis by calculator and computer. Course performance
evaluation is based on lab projects, tests, and class participation.
PSYC 251: Abnormal Psychology
(4 credits)
S. Little
Prerequisite: Psychology 150
A study of the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders
in adults. Various theories, models and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
are investigated in the context of research and case studies. An advanced course
which primarily serves students interested in clinical psychological, social
work, counseling, and related health specialties. Writing Intensive. Service
Learning 100 is possible with this course.
PSYC 280: Special Topics in Psychology
(4 credits)
Staff
This course will be on a special psychology related topic.
PSYC 311: Behavioral Neuroscience
(5 credits)
J. Wilson
Prerequisites: Psychology 107 or another statistics course and Psychology 110.
This course provides the student with a solid background in the biological basis
of behavior. Topics covered in lectures include the study of neurons, gross
and fine neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, sensory systems, and the physiological
basis of motivation (thirst, hunger, sex, and sleep), emotions, learning, memory,
brain damage and psychopathology. Final grade is based on four tests, in different
formats, a final exam, and laboratory reports on weekly 3-hour laboratory sessions.
.
PSYC 341: Psychological Testing
(5 credits)
J. Brookings
Prerequisites: Psychology 140 and Psychology 207.
This is a laboratory course examining principles of test construction, validation,
and interpretation, with emphasis on measures of cognitive ability, personality
characteristics, and vocational interests. Classes will be in lecture/discussion
format. Lab exercises emphasize psychometric evaluation of published psychological
tests. A group project requires students to construct and validate a psychological
test.
PSYC 390: Junior Seminar
J. Brookings
This seminar meets one hour per week and is designed to help students understand
their various options as psychology majors. This includes topics such as senior
research projects and internships, senior comprehensive and GRE exams, possible
career paths, graduate school applications, and graduate school and job interviews.
Students are required to take this no-credit seminar for one semester during
their junior year.
PSYC 400: Research: Developmental
(4 credits)
M.Zembar
Prerequisite: Psychology 130, Psychology 107, or another statistics course,
Psychology 232 or Psychology 231 and permission of instructor.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with research experience
with children/adolescents. Students will become familiar with the literature
in a specific area, they will learn how to administer assessment tools, collect
and analyze data and write a research paper using the APA format. Great emphasis
is placed on refining writing skills as numerous drafts of the paper are encouraged.
The final grade is based on class contribution, drafts of the paper and the
final paper. The class typically meets twice a week and is writing intensive.
PSYC 400: Research: Physiological Psychology
(4 credits)
J.Wilson
Prerequisite: Psychology 110, and Psychology 107 or another statistics course.
This is an advanced course designed to sharpen students’ skills in conducting
physiological research. Students will read and prepare oral and written reports
of published research articles, design and conduct a research project of their
own, and write and revise a paper describing the results of their study, using
the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
