Psychology Graduate Course Descriptions
PY 400 History and Systems
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 204 or PY 211 and junior standing or instructor permission. Majors should take this course in their junior year.
Examination of the philosophical and historical roots of psychology culminating in an analysis of current major theoretical perspectives of modern scientific psychology.
PY 401 Behavior-Genetic Analysis
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H or G and junior standing or instructor permission. PY 305 and biology courses in genetics and evolutionary theory recommended.
The study of the interactions of genotypes and environments in the production of phenotypes and behavior. This course explores the biological and environmental evidence for the concept of individuality; the definition and misinterpretation of interactions; the use and misuse of measurement in description, classification, prediction and control of human behavior; and the implications of a behavior-genetic analysis for science, psychology, society and the individual. Understanding of the biological and psychological perspectives of individuality will be emphasized throughout this course.
PY 403 Behavior Assessment and Evaluation
4 cr. (4-0-2)
Prerequisites: PY 203, one 300 level psychology course, and junior standing or instructor permission.
Analysis of the behavior of individuals and society with emphasis on intervention procedures that are effective in bringing about behavior change. Where applicable, the course includes opportunities for students to engage in field experience and research with strong emphasis on reviews of research exploring effectiveness of intervention strategies and techniques.
PY 404 Advanced Physiological Psychology
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Prerequisites: PY 204 and junior standing or instructor permission.
Seminars on relevant topics, selected by students, including independent laboratory experience involving bio-behavioral or sensory processes of humans or other animals.
PY 410 Sensation and Perception
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 204 and junior standing, or instructor permission.
Scientific exploration of sensory and perceptual phenomena with emphasis on relevant psychological laws, neurological mechanisms, the relationship between brain function and mental experience, and the practical implications of each. Laboratory investigation of methods and phenomena.
PY 411 Learning Processes
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Prerequisites: PY 211 and junior standing or instructor permission.
Advanced principles of learning processes, related theories and research, with laboratory and independent research activity.
PY 435 Advanced Social Psychology
4 cr. (3-1-2)
Prerequisites: PY 335 and junior standing, or instructor permission.
Focus on researched topics in social psychology, with attention to research design, development of a research proposal and independent laboratory and field research activity.
PY 436 The Psychology of Organizational Behavior
4 cr. (3-1-0)
Prerequisite: PY 335 recommended, junior standing or instructor permission.
A focus on empirically researched areas of industrial psychology, including group performance, leader behavior, social influence, interpersonal conflict, organizational environments, feedback, etc., and on implementing programmatic changes through the use of researched psychological techniques. Field and laboratory investigations included when appropriate.
PY 441 Individual Differences In Development
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 205, PY 241, PY 305, PY 320 or equivalents and junior standing or instructor permission.
The application of the idiosyncratic methodological approach as applied to the understanding of individual differences in development, incorporating multi-disciplinary study of physical, cognitive and psychosocial domains of development.
PY 455 Psychopathology
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 355 and junior standing or instructor permission.
Selected topics in psychopathology central to an advanced examination of the variety of patterns of disordered or dysfunctional behavior and the perspectives through which they may be understood, as well as a consideration of relevant theory, research and treatment techniques.
PY 458 Introduction to Small Group Processes
4 cr.
Prerequisite: Two 300 level psychology courses, junior standing or instructor permission.
Consideration of scientific theory and research on small group processes from both an applied and research perspective.
PY 460 Administration of Preschool Programs
2 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 156, PY 251 and PY 256, junior standing or instructor permission.
Study of program development, implementation and control. Operational topics include staffing, licensing, certification requirements, equipment and facilities for operating a preschool education facility.
PY 470 Psychological Aspects of Athletic Performance
2 cr.
Cross listed as PE 470.
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H or G, junior standing or instructor permission.
Study of psychological applications in the field of sports and coaching. Topics include behavioral coaching of motor skills, competition anxiety analysis and management, mental rehearsal techniques and aggression control.
PY 490 Seminar
1-4 cr.
May be repeated.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and instructor permission. When taught as Senior Seminar, enrollment is limited to psychology majors who have previously taken Junior Seminar.
Study of topics currently being researched by members of the department with special attention to the background, research findings, theoretical implications and heuristic value of the problem under study.
PY 491 Practicum/Seminar in Psychology
4 cr. (1-0-12)
Prerequisite: Senior standing; PY 241; 270 & 272; 290.
The purpose of this course is to reinforce and integrate the skills and knowledge that must be maintained to build on the traditions and practices used by most community agencies and child-care facilities. This course provides the opportunity to carry out practical activities with people directly employed in the human service setting, providing services for young children and families.
PY 492A Practicum
1-4 cr.
May be repeated for a total of four credits.
Prerequisites: PY 203 or PY 211, PY 403 junior standing and written department permission.
Experience for advanced students in applying behavioral techniques. Students are typically required to perform daily work in local settings in addition to attending course meetings. Students must demonstrate knowledge from PY 403 in the following areas: proper methodology in observing and recording behavior, ethical sensitivity and accountability through the use of single subject designs.
PY 492B Advanced Practicum
1-4 cr.
May be repeated for a total of four credits.
Prerequisites: PY 492A, junior and written department permission.
Continuing and more advanced experience in applying behavioral techniques for students who have successfully completed PY 492A.
PY 495 Special Topics in Psychology
1-4 cr.
May be repeated if topic differs.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and instructor permission.
Formal study of content areas of psychology that have a research or theoretical base but that are not regularly offered as part of the curriculum.
PY 496 Special Topics in Psychology
1-4 cr.
Graded S/U.
May be repeated.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and instructor permission.
Formal study of content areas of psychology that have a research or theoretical base-but that are not regularly offered as part of the curriculum.
PY 497 Directed Research/Directed Study
1-4 cr.
Graded S/U.
May be repeated.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and department permission.
Directed individual laboratory research of current problems in psychology. This course requires regular meetings with the instructor throughout the semester.
PY 498 Directed Research/Directed Study
1-4 cr.
May be repeated.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and department permission.
Directed individual laboratory research of current problems in psychology. This course requires regular meetings with the instructor throughout the semester.
PY 500 Development of Modern Psychology: Fields and Careers
4 cr.
Content addresses the beginnings of modern psychology from the late 19th century founding of the American Psychological Association (1892) through the 20th-century developments of physiological, learning theory, cognitive, Gestalt, humanistic, behavioral, social, psychoanalytic, and the various applied psychologies of the 21st century. Students will also learn about the structure of the American Psychological Association and its role in both the academic and professional components of the discipline.
PY 503 Analysis of Behavior: Advanced Theory and Methods
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 403 or permission of the instructor
Radical behavioral epistemology underlying the experimental analysis of behavior. Roots of psychology as a science of behavior and the nature of scientific explanation in psychology are discussed. Additional topics covered in this course are: Skinner’s three-term paradigm of the operant contingency relation, procedural vs. operational definitions, single organism research methods, and issues of internal and external validity of such methods.
PY 504 Behavioral Neuroscience
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 204 or BI 201, BI 202 or permission of the instructor
Foundation course in the biological basis of behavior: neuronal function, sensory and motor systems, limbic system, and higher cortical functions.
PY 505 Advanced Research Methods and Experimental Design I
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 205 and PY 305, or consent of the instructor
Survey of methods and statistics with emphasis on procedures beyond the introductory level, computer applications, and preparation for thesis research.
PY 506 Advanced Research Methods and Experimental Design II
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 205, PY 305, and PY 505 or consent of the instructor
Training on multivariate statistical procedures, with emphasis on conceptual understanding and computer applications, with emphasis on preparation for thesis research.
PY 508 Program Evaluation
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 305, PY 505, PY 506 or permission of the instructor
Basic methods of evaluation research allowing the student to undertake systematic evaluation of community and social programs.
PY 511 Behavior Modification
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 203 or PY 211 and consent of the instructor
The scientific principles of behavior; its development, control and change. Emphasis will be placed on techniques of modifying behavior in applied settings.
PY 512 Advanced Learning: Theory and Methods
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 211 and senior or higher standing or permission of the instructor
Learning theory, historically crucial experiments, and modern developments in learning, with laboratory and independent research activity.
PY 535 Social Psychology: Advanced Theory and Methods
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 435 or permission of the instructor
Provides an overview of the major research areas in social psychology, including major theories and historical origins of the research areas and examples of recent research in these areas.
PY 541 Advanced Child Psychology
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G, and PY 211 or PY 341 or consent of the department
Theory and research concerning the physiological and psychological development of the child with emphasis on current research findings and methodology. Lab experience where appropriate.
PY 561 Cognition: Advanced Theory and Methods
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 211 or PY 311; PY 305 and PY 205 or permission of instructor
Advanced course in cognition and selected issues in cognitive psychology. Includes theoretical review of memory and cognition issues and seminar-style presentations of selected topics in cognition.
PY 598 Directed Studies 1-4
(Graded A/F)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department head
Independent study under the supervision of a member of the department. Supervisor and study must be selected prior to enrollment in the course and appropriate directed study forms must be completed. The content of the course does not duplicate existing course content.
PY 599 Thesis
4-8 cr.
The student develops a thesis with the help of a thesis committee. Appropriate thesis forms must be completed prior to enrollment. The thesis must be approved by the thesis committee and the College of Graduate Studies. The student should consult the department and the
College of Graduate Studies for specific requirements.
3 cr.
Attention focuses on the processes and methods, including helping theories, used by adult learning facilitators.
PYTD 505 Designing Learning
3 cr.
Designing, creating, and developing learning interventions to meet identified needs; analyzing and selecting the most appropriate strategy, methodologies, and technologies to maximize the learning experience and its impact.
PYTD 510 Delivering Training
2 cr. (1-2-0)
Delivering learning solutions (courses, guided experience) in a manner that both engages the learner and produces desired outcomes; managing and responding to learner needs; and ensuring that the learning solution is made available or delivered in a timely and effective
manner.
PYTD 515 Facilitating Organizational Change
3 cr.
Leading, managing and facilitating change within organizations.
PYTD 520 Managing Organizational Knowledge
2 cr.
Attention is directed to serving as a catalyst and visionary for knowledge sharing; developing and championing a plan for transforming the organization into a knowledge-creating and knowledge-sharing entity; and driving, and integrating the organization’s knowledge management efforts.
PYTD 525 Improving Human Performance
3 cr.
Applying a systematic process of discovering and analyzing human performance gaps; planning for future improvements in human performance; designing and developing cost-effective and ethically justifiable solutions to close performance gaps; partnering with the
customer when identifying the opportunity and the solution; implementing the solution; monitoring the change; and evaluating the results.
PYTD 530 Managing the Learning Function
3 cr.
Providing leadership in developing human capital to execute the organization’s strategy. Planning, organizing, monitoring, and adjusting activities associated with the administration of workplace learning and performance.
PYTD 535 Measuring and Evaluating Training
3 cr.
Gathering data to answer specific questions regarding the value or impact of learning and performance solutions, focusing on the impact of individual programs and creating overall measures of system effectiveness; and leveraging findings to increase effectiveness and
provide recommendations for change.
PYTD 540 Executive Coaching
2 cr.
Using an interactive process to help individuals and organizations develop more rapidly and produce more satisfying results; and improving others’ ability to set goals, take action, make better decisions and make full use of their natural strengths.
PYTD 555 Research Procedures
2 cr.
Students focus on the existing methodologies and procedures used in training, development, and performance improvement research and design the research proposal. Students examine existing research and methodologies and evaluate how they pertain to their area of interest.
PYTD 560 Research Seminar
2 cr.
Addresses current research with attention to the evaluation and application of research findings to current practice. Action research models and research design for training and development are a major focus of the course.
PYTD 590 Field Research
2 cr.
A capstone experience designed to evaluate each student’s ability to synthesize the key theories, principles and current research. The student will apply analytical skills to an identified current professional or organizational issue, need, question, or problem, and will prepare a
scholarly report at the course conclusion.
PYTD 599 Thesis
2 cr.
The student develops a thesis with the help of a thesis committee. The thesis committee and the College of Graduate Studies must approve the written thesis.
