Undergraduate Psychology Course Descriptions

PY 100S Psychology as a Natural Science
4 cr.
Repeats PY 100L, H or G.
Satisfies the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirement.
Does not meet the laboratory course graduation requirement.
Introduction to the natural science of behavior and to the scientific principles and content areas of psychology. This course includes a focus on the philosophy and methodology of science, using selected problems from psychology as examples for application and demonstration.

PY 100L Psychology as a Natural Science with Laboratory
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Repeats PY 100S, H or G.
Satisfies the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirement.
Satisfies the laboratory course graduation requirement.
Content similar to PY 100S with added laboratory experience.

PY 100H Honors Psychology as a Natural Science
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Repeats PY 100S, L or G.
Satisfies the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirement.
Satisfies the laboratory course graduation requirement.
Prerequisite: Honors program membership or permission of department.
Content similar to PY 100S with added laboratory experience and individual research opportunities.

PY 100G Psychology as a Social Science
4 cr.
Repeats PY 100S, L or H.
Usually offered only as an off-campus course.
Satisfies the foundations of social sciences requirement.
Content similar to PY 100S. This course is more general in approach than PY 100S, L, or H and does not provide laboratory experiences or demonstrations.

PY 102 Individual and Family Relationships
3 cr.
Use of personal and family resources, human and material, to achieve more satisfying individual and family living. Consideration of relationships within the family. Needs, responsibilities, human sexuality and changing roles of members throughout the family life cycle.

PY 156 Children, Families, School and Community
2 cr.
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the specific services that are available for young children and their families. The major emphasis of this course will be on the special needs child and the legislation that has impacted the kind and extent of services provided by the early childhood caregiver.

PY 170 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education
2 cr.
An overview of the early childhood education field, including an introduction to its historical roots, current theories/practices, program models and issues and trends in the field.  It is designed to give students a comprehensive view of the critical educational elements pertinent to working with young children.

PY 190 Psychology Colloquia
1 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H, or G, or department permission. May be taken once for credit and may be attended without course enrollment.
A series of presentations and discussions of topics of current interest to the discipline of psychology. Presenters will include experts from the department, the university and outside the university. Some topics may require follow-up reading.

PY 203 Applied Behavior Analysis
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
The study and application of learning and conditioning procedures to human behavior. An emphasis on management and modification of behavior in various situations as influenced by the needs of the class.

PY 204 Physiological Psychology
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Satisfies the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirement.
Satisfies the laboratory course graduation requirement.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
Study of the biological bases of behavior with emphasis on central nervous system anatomy and physiology and its relation to various psychological functions, drug effects and neuropsychological disorders, with structured laboratory experience.

PY 205 Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, G or H.
An introduction to the methods and designs used to acquire knowledge within the psychological sciences, both causal (i.e., controlled experimental) and non-causal (e.g., survey, correlation, naturalistic observation). Design and methodology will be presented, as will a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of each.  Additional topics will include literature searching and evaluation, scientific report writing and research ethics.

PY 211 Learning
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
The study of basic learning processes from simple conditioning to thinking and understanding, with laboratory replication of important animal and human learning phenomena.

PY 235 Psychology of Gender
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G or instructor permission.
Review of research on gender and an examination of its impact on personal lives. Topics include biological aspects of sex differences and similarities, social development and maintenance of sex role stereotypes, consequences of sex roles, and sex role influences in mental health. Both female and male perspectives will be examined.

PY 241 Child Psychology
4 cr. (4-0-Arr) 
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
Survey of topics in child psychology from prenatal development through adolescence with emphasis on current empirical data and practical applications for parenting, education and nursing. Interpretation of research reports and techniques for objective analysis of children’s behavior are also included. Laboratory experience is included when appropriate.

PY 245 Infant/Toddler Development
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 241.
Examines the theoretical/empirical research and practical experience relating to the first three years of life. The course will trace the ontogenesis of various developmental processes including parent-child relationships; peer relationships; early socialization patterns of young children; individualized learning, language and personality; and, motor, social and other abilities. Observing and recording the behavior/development of an infant or young child is also included.

PY 247 Infant/Toddler Programming
2 cr. (1-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 241.
This course is intended to provide the student with an in-depth view of programming requirements, administration, planning and curriculum for infants/toddlers, ages zero to three, in a child-care setting. Areas covered are administration, staffing, developmental curriculum, working with families and program evaluation.

PY 255 Sexual Behavior: Psychological Perspectives
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
Examination of sexual behavior from historical, cross-cultural and contemporary viewpoints. The focus is on psychological perspectives and implications of this material for the student so as to lead to knowledgeable personal decision making. Additional emphasis is placed on current sex therapies and sex research.

PY 270 Activity Planning I: The Creative Arts
2 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 170; PY 241 or permission from instructor.
The purpose of the course is to develop active learning experiences that reflect the interest, impulses and capacities of the young child. The course will emphasize the creative arts - drama, movement, fine arts and language arts - of the early childhood curriculum.

PY 272 Activity Planning II: The Sciences
2 cr.
Prerequisite: Taken concurrently with PY 270; PY 241.
This course is the application of teaching concepts used in the teaching of the sciences to young children. Emphasis will focus on incorporating a foundational knowledge of the sciences--physical, social and natural into the early childhood curriculum.

PY 285 Developmentally Appropriate Program/Practice (DAPP)
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 241; can be taken concurrently with PY 270 and PY 272.
The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for the role of classroom teacher in an early childhood setting. Emphasis will be placed on the generation of developmentally appropriate teaching strategies/materials used in effective early childhood programs.

PY 290 DAPP Field Experience
4 cr. (1-0-12)
Graded S/U.
Prerequisite: PY 270; PY 272; PY 285.
This course will provide the opportunity for students to practice and integrate the skills taught in the previously taken courses through a mentor providing quality child care programming.  The field experience provides a minimum of 168 clock hours of supervised time with young children at an identified child-care site.  A weekly seminar will aid in problem-solving classroom experiences. Students will be supervised by both an on-site child-care provider and a university field coordinator.

PY 291 Topics in Applied Psychology
1-4 cr.
May be repeated.
When taught as Junior Seminar enrollment is limited to majors in psychology.
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H or G and instructor permission.
A series of courses and workshops varying in type of applied topic.

PY 295 Special Topics in Psychology
1-4 cr.
May be repeated if topic differs.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
The 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 296 Special Topics
1-4 cr.
Graded S/U.
Prerequisite: Freshmen or sophomore standing only.
Basic course in area of study.

PY 297 Directed Research/Directed Study
1-4 cr.
Graded S/U.
Prerequisite: Written department permission.
Directed individual laboratory research of current problems in psychology.

PY 298 Directed Research/Directed Study
1-4 cr.
Prerequisite: Written department permission.
Directed individual laboratory research of current problems in psychology.

PY 299 Apprenticeship
1-2 cr.
May be taken twice.
Prerequisite: Written department permission.
Directed apprentice activities in laboratory sections of courses, in research and in service.

PY 302 Aggression: Observed and Measured
(Corrected description. Print copy is incorrect)
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 100L, S, H, or G, and one of the following: PY 203, PY 204, PY 211, or PY 241 or permission of instructor.
Study of the factors that influence aggression, including possible biological, environmental and social influences. The aggression and violence that occur in various settings will be considered in light of these influences, and methods for preventing and controlling aggression will be discussed.

PY 303 Human Neuropsychology
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY100G, S, L, or H and junior standing; one or more 200-level psychology courses are recommended; or instructor's permission.
Introduces the student to the brain mechanisms of human psychological functions such as movement, sensation, perception, memory, language, cognition and emotion through a study of how these functions become impaired as a consequence of brain damage.

PY 304 Animal Behavior
4 cr. (4-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 204 or PY 211, or instructor permission.
An ethological survey of behavioral forms and mechanisms displayed by various animal species, taken from a psycho-biological and evolutionary point of view. Laboratory and field investigations included.

PY 305 Psychological Statistics
4 cr. (4-0-Arr)
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.
Satisfies the upper division liberal studies requirement.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor permission. If taken as liberal studies upper division course, the foundations of communication requirement must also be completed.
The interpretation and application of basic descriptive statistics and an introduction to statistical inference, including chi square and analysis of variance. Computer laboratory experience included when appropriate.

PY 311 Thinking and Cognition
4 cr. (4-0-Arr)
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G. PY 204 or PY 211 recommended.
Survey of methods, findings and theories regarding cognitive functions, including such topics as perception, attention, memory, language, thought, judgment and choice. Laboratory investigations included.

PY 313 Introduction to Linguistic Theory
4 cr.
Cross-listed with EN 313.
Prerequisite: EN 211, junior standing or permission of instructor.
An introduction to modern (Chomskyan) linguistics as the foundation of empirical psycholinguistics. This course emphasizes morphological, syntactic and semantic analyses of language and language behavior.

PY 314 Early Language/Literacy Development
3 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 241, PY 245, and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
Literacy and language are essential to everyday life and central to all learning. Through reading, listening, writing, and talking, children come to understand the world. This course describes the most recent theory and evidence of how young children's language and literacy develop. It will also suggest ways that the early childhood providers can help children become fluent, flexible, effective users of oral and written language.

PY 320 Psychological Measurement
4 cr. (4-0-Arr)
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H or G and junior standing.
The basic theory of measurement techniques, including test selection and construction, interpretation and use of test results, and types of testing programs. Lab experience is included when appropriate.

PY 335 Social Psychology
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
A focus on social facilitation, interpersonal attraction, group processes, leader behavior, attitude measurement and attitude change, inter-group conflict, helping behavior and environmental psychology with both field and laboratory research.

PY 344 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 100S, L, H or G.
The study of lifespan development brings together and applies knowledge from psychology (e.g., physiological, perceptual, personality, cognitive, and social psychology) and related fields (e.g., developmental neurology, genetics) to better understand the needs and critical issues facing humans from conception through old age and death. Physical, intellectual, and socioemotional domains of development, and the interaction between domains, will be the focus of discussion, as will the importance of environmental variables (e.g., parenting styles, socioeconomic status, culture) in ensuring healthy development  and adaptive behavioral, cognitive, and emotional adjustment across the lifespan.

PY 345 Psychology of Exceptional Children
4 cr. 
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H or G and junior standing.
Examination of selected principles, procedures and issues pertaining to the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of children who have intellectual, physical, or social-emotional impairments.

PY 350 Observation/Assessment of Young Children
2 cr. (1-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 241.
This course is designed to acquaint the early childhood professional with a variety of methods/procedures used to observe, record and assess the behavior of young children.
Observational techniques are compared, and their applications to the curricular problems and research issues faced by teachers are identified.  Critical issues in early developmental assessment are identified and addressed. The course assists the student in becoming knowledgeable in types of assessment measures and diagnostic support services available for families.

PY 351 Psychology of Personality
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H or G and junior standing or instructor permission.
The basic principles of psychology involved in the development, assessment and modification of personality and a description and analysis of major personality theories.

PY 352 Child Guidance Techniques
4 cr.
Prerequisite: PY 241.
Techniques for organizing and sustaining a positive atmosphere for children and adults in the preschool learning environment.

PY 353 Psychology of Aging in the Family
4 cr.
A human needs approach to the aging process with focus upon individual, family and community planning for the middle and later years of life. Emphasis is placed upon the following topics: developing potentialities, building interpersonal relationships, fulfilling housing, recreation and life enrichment needs, understanding and maintaining health and nutritional needs, study of clothing style and construction, alterations in housing and household needs, resource management and concerns of the caretaker role and community service for successful aging.

PY 355 Abnormal Psychology
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 100S, L, H, or G and junior standing, or instructor permission.
Examination of the variety of patterns of disordered or dysfunctional behavior and the perspectives through which they may be understood, and a consideration of relevant theory, research and treatment techniques.

PY 358 Meaning and Development of Play
4 cr. (3-0-2)
Prerequisite: PY 241.
This course will explore the meaning and development of play from infancy through adulthood.  It will also examine the various manifestations of play, (solitary activity, socio-dramatic play and games with rules) in light of developmental and education concerns.

PY 360 The Ethics and Practice of Clinical Psychology
4 cr.
Prerequisites: PY 351 or PY 355 and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
An introduction to the field of clinical psychology including the history, current trends, educational requirements, training, assessment procedures and therapeutic interventions.

PY 390 Western Childhood
4 cr.
Prerequisites: Completion of the foundations of communication requirement and junior standing.
Study of childhood in a historical perspective, which explores how images of children and childhood reflect the prejudices and aspirations of human culture. Includes readings and viewings in history, literature, anthropology, art and film.

PY 399 Advanced Apprenticeship
1-2 cr.
May be repeated for a total of four credits. However, the total combined credit for PY 299 and PY 399 may not exceed six credits.
Prerequisite: Written department permission.
Directed apprentice activities in laboratory sections of courses, in research and in service.

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 270, PY 272, and PY 352, 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.