Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required Core Courses:
PSY 110 General Psychology

This course is designed as an introduction to the conceptual and methodological foundations of psychological science. Through a broad exploration of neuroscience, cognition, social processes, development, and psychopathology, the course provides a conceptual background for understanding behavior, and active engagement with the scientific process including the addressing of connections between research and theory, and the role of empirical data, in understanding psychological processes. 3 credits.

PSY 211 Research Methods in Psychology

This foundational laboratory course introduces students to scientific methodology and experiment design as it applies to psychology. Students learn how to identify research questions through literature reviews, develop hypotheses, appropriately design and conduct research projects, and draw conclusions from the findings. The course engages students in data-collection laboratory experiences that culminate in the development, execution, analysis and APA-style presentation of an original experiment on a behavior-related topic of their own choosing. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: PSY 110 and 125, or NEU/PSY major with Sophomore standing, or completion of at least 6 credits of PSY courses. 4 credits.

PSY 312 Statistics and Data Analysis

This laboratory course explores the basic quantitative and qualitative statistics and data-based analytical methods used by scientists to interpret and understand behavior. Topics include the logic of the scientific method applied to data analysis, descriptive statistics, the foundations and utility of inferential statistics, and the statistical methodologies of simple and advanced hypothesis testing. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: PSY 211, or junior level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 4 credits.

Complete any 3 credits from the following Foundational Courses:
PSY 220 Lifespan Development

This course provides an overview of developmental phenomenon focusing heavily on the prenatal environment through adolescence and highlighting adulthood and aging. Further, we will go beyond a 'milestone approach' to developmental psychology - in other words, rather than just memorizing what ages and stages children acquire certain skills, we will strive to understand why and how those skills are developing. Students will learn to articulate the relationship between theory and data and synthesize information to critically evaluate current developmental theories and apply developmental concepts to real-world issues. This course cannot be completed by students who have already taken PSY 238. 3 credits.

PSY 238 Developmental Psychology

A comprehensive overview of current theories and approaches to developmental psychology for psychology majors. We will use a comparative approach to investigate mechanisms underlying development of perception, action, cognition, language, and social interactions emphasizing infancy and early childhood. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. This course cannot be completed by students who have already taken PSY 220. 3 credits.

PSY 246 Social Psychology

A study of the inter- and intra-personal relationships between individuals and groups, with emphasis on theories and research studies. The topics covered may include attitude development and change, conformity, persuasion, person perception, attribution, attraction and group processes. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 3 credits.

PSY 257 Addictions and Behavior

The course will cover drug mechanisms, theories of addictions, treatments of addictions, and the impact of addictions on people and society. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 3 credits.

PSY 263 Cognitive Science

This course explores the human mind by integrating various perspectives on the mechanisms and processes underlying thinking. Specific topics discussed in this framework include perception, recognition, attention, memory, knowledge organization, imagery, language, intelligence, reasoning, and thought-related dysfunctions. Students will work towards understanding the connections between cognitive theories and both real-world events and lab-based data, as well as how to synthesize information when developing conclusions about how the mind works. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 3 credits.

PSY 265 Abnormal Behavior and Experience

This course is intended to: (1) Familiarize students with models of conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of psychopathology; (2) Review the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral experiences considered indicative of specific psychological disorders; and (3) Allow students to develop an empathic understanding of the personal experiences of individuals living with symptoms of mental illness. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 3 credits.

PSY 275 Psychological Measurements

An introduction to the principles of psychological measurement, methods of test design and construction, and applications and interpretations of existing psychological tests. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 3 credits.

PSY 278 Brain and Behavior

This course provides a basic introduction to the structures and functions of the nervous system, while exploring the methods and theories that allow us to understand normal and abnormal behavior. Students will learn the essentials of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, including a basic introduction to neurons, brain organization, and functional specialization of brain structures related to behaviors such as learning and memory, reward, sexuality, language, and sensory/motor systems. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with NEU 278)

Complete any 4 credits from the following Analytic Seminars:
PSY 320 Analytic Seminar: Human Development

This course applies the central themes of human development (e.g. nature versus nurture, continuity versus discontinuity) to a particular sub-topic (e.g. language) or specific age-range (e.g. infancy, adolescence) to consider the scientific foundations and implications of human development. Students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw conclusions. Within the course, the primary focus will be on this type of critical analysis through a variety of activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits.

PSY 330 Analytic Seminar: Cognitive Processes

This course examines how thinking occurs. Students will take a broad issue within cognition (which could arise anywhere from the initial attending to sensory inputs that lead to early perceptual organization, to deeper cognitive activities that play roles in imagery, memory, language, reasoning, and intelligence) and then critically examine focused theories concerned with the mechanisms argued to underlie how that element of thought manifests itself. The nature of this field provides an appropriate context by which students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw conclusions. Within the course, the primary focus will be on this type of critical analysis through a variety of activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits.

PSY 342 Analytic Seminar: Science of Emotion

This course examines the philosophical, psychological, and scientific foundations and implications of the emotion process and relevant psychological concepts (e.g. motivation, cognition, and social perception). The nature of this field provides an appropriate context by which students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits.

PSY 351 Analytic Seminar: Clinical Treatment

This course examines clinical treatment from a multi-disciplinary perspective, emphasizing empirically supported theories and research. The nature of this field provides an appropriate context by which students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits.

PSY 360 Analytic Seminar: Behavioral Neuroscience

This course will examine the role of biological mechanisms in influencing human experiences such as perception, learning, memory, cognition, and motivation. The nature of this field provides an appropriate context by which students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits. (This course is cross-listed with NEU 360)

PSY 361 Analytic Seminar: Psychopharmacology

This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to examining the neurochemistry and physiology of the brain, related behaviors, and how drugs affect both brain and behavior. The nature of this field provides an appropriate context by which students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits. (This course is cross-listed with NEU 361)

PSY 367 Analytic Seminar: Behavioral Genetics

This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to examining variations in genotype and their behavioral correlates. We will study the biological principles of genetics and how they relate to personality traits, diseases, and disorders. The nature of this field provides an appropriate context by which students will be able to (a) analyze and interpret data and (b) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various competing theories and the evidence used to assess these theories to draw activities, readings, and/or projects. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and 312. 4 credits. (This course is cross-listed with NEU 367)

Complete 3 additional Elective PSY credits from the following, including any 200 level or above PSY course not already used to meet other minor requirements:
PSY 148 Health Psychology

This course is designed as an introduction to health psychology/behavioral medicine. It will consider the role of psychology in the health field, including medical settings. It covers the relationship between psychological factors and physical disease from predisposition through maintenance. The study of behavioral medicine will include treatment of stress and stress-related disorders, preventive health behaviors and factors related to adherence of treatment programs. It also explores the psychological connections of pain and pain management, and how personal control is related to both health and the disease process. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with EXSC 148)

PSY 149 Psychology of Sport

This course is designed as an introduction to sport and exercise psychology. It will consider the role of psychological variables in training and performance, including personality, arousal, and motivation, and review overtraining, burnout, and injury. It will explore the role of communication, leadership, and team dynamics. It will cover psychological skills training techniques and strategies for performance improvement. 3 credits.

PSY 170 Forensic Psychology

This course will focus on three critical areas that fall under the umbrella of forensic psychology. First, students will be introduced to the area of legal psychology, including applied empirical research on issues important to the legal system such as eyewitness accuracy, police selection, jury decision making, and legal assumptions about human behavior relevant to the rights of defendants, victims, children, and consumers of mental health services. Second, the area of psychological jurisprudence will be explored by studying efforts to develop a philosophy of law and justice based on psychological values. Third, students will be introduced to the concepts generally thought of as forensic psychology, such as criminal profiling, insanity defense, competence to stand trial, and child custody decisions. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with SOC 170)

PSY 173 Junk Science and Paranormal Phenomena

This course addresses the mechanisms underlying the formation of beliefs, with an emphasis on exploring both (a) real-world junk science (that corrupts scientific methods in order to manipulate and exploit the general public on issues with broad societal impact) and (b) paranormal claims (that involve describing perceived events with explanations that extend beyond the boundaries of established science). In addition, the course focuses on the importance of skeptical inquiry, critical thinking, logical inference, information literacy skills and scientific procedures when evaluating issues that span from everyday/mundane matters to those with supernatural/questionable elements. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: FYE 111 and 112, or sophomore standing. 3 credits.

PSY 175 Neuropsychology

This course serves as an introduction to the content areas and methodology of neuropsychology, the study of the relationships between brain function and behavior. Topics include basic communication in the nervous system, organization and function of sensory and motor systems, hemispheric specialization, localization of function, brain injury and plasticity, and issues associated with neuropsychological assessment. 3 credits.

PSY 405 Collaborative Research

The goal of this course is to help students become proficient researchers. Working with a faculty mentor, students will demonstrate their ability to apply the skills developed within the psychology curriculum via their application within the context of every aspect of a research project (literature reviews, experimental design, participant recruitment, data collection/coding/analyses, and presenting results in various formats). In additional to gaining firsthand knowledge about a specific research field, students will also acquire technical and practical skills (e.g. critical thinking, oral and written presentations, collaboration, personal responsibility) that will be helpful to both major coursework and career preparation. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in professional activities in the academic community (e.g. conference presentations and journal articles). Course may be repeated for credit, for up to 7 credits toward the Psychology major, and up to 12 credits toward graduation requirement. Enrollment by permission of the instructor only. 1-3 credits.

PSY 406 Collaborative Research (immersive)

Working with a faculty mentor, students will complete a research apprenticeship that will require them to utilize the work skills developed within the psychology curriculum via their application within the context of every aspect of a research project (literature reviews, experimental design, participant recruitment, data collection/coding/analyses, and presenting results in various formats). Students will also acquire technical and practical skills that will be helpful to both major coursework and career preparation, have the opportunity to participate in professional activities in the academic community (e.g., conference presentations and journal articles), and complete a written reflection paper addressing how this immersive experience helped them grow socially, intellectually and professionally. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Enrollment by permission of the instructor only. 1-3 credits.

PSY 550 Advanced Research

This seminar is structured to allow Junior/Senior-level Psychology students to explore their research-based interests - and synthesize all the skills gained throughout the psychology program -- via the completion of an independent data collection project on a psychological topic of their choosing. Students will review the literature on their topic in an integrative manner, formulate a novel study that addresses some aspect(s) of their chosen discipline, and collect and analyze their obtained data. Various portions of the projects will be disseminated - via classroom and public presentations -- in written and oral reports. Advanced Research in Psychology Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. Graded pass/fail. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing as a Psychology or Neuroscience major, one PSY-3XX Analytical Seminar course, and permission of the instructor. 1-3 credits.

NEU 285 Introduction to Psychopharmacology

This course surveys the most commonly used substances to treat mental disorders, such as antianxiety, antidepressant, antipsychotic, mood- stabilizer, psychostimulant, and cognitive enhancer medications. The course also discusses the brain and its most common neurotransmitters, how transmitting neurons send and receive electrochemical information, the pharmokinetics (metabolism and elimination) and pharmacodynamics (absorption, distribution, and effects) of each drug as well as the action sites, side effects, and mechanisms of each drug. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology major or minor. 3 credits.