Psychology

Psychology | Courses | Faculty

Tobin Hall

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Contact: Professor Lucille Halgin

Chief Undergraduate Adviser

Office: 403 Tobin

Phone: 545-0377

Chair of Department: Melinda Novak. Asso-ciate Chair: Arnold Well. Chief Undergraduate Adviser: Lucille Halgin; Distinguished University Professor Rayner; Professors Aizen, Anderson, Averill, Berthier, Blass, Blaustein, Bogartz, Carlson, Chumbley, C. Clifton, R. Clifton, Daehler, DeVries, Feldman, Fite, Forger, Halgin, Harmatz, Janoff-Bulman, MacDonald, Meyer, Moore, Pollatsek, Powers, Royer, Staub, Strickland, Todd, Wade, Whitbourne, Wisocki; Associate Professors Arnold, Beal, Jakob, Johnson, Perry-Jenkins, Pietromonaco; Assistant Professors Harvey, Isbell, Rotello, Simonson; Lecturers Kohler, Vorwerk; Visiting Faculty Corp, Packard.

The Field

Psychology may be defined as the science which focuses on behavior and mental processes. The scope of psychology is extremely broad and the 49 faculty members in the department reflect great diversity. The major areas of interest represented in the department are Biopsychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Personality, and Social Psychology.

The Major

Students select psychology as a major for many reasons. Some students wish to prepare themselves for graduate study and careers as professional psychologists, physicians, or lawyers. Others have general interests in fields such as social work and community mental health or may wish to work with young children, adolescents or the elderly. Many students aspire to careers in business, and perceive the psychology major as a marketable background. Others derive great satisfaction from developing insights into human behavior, and view the science of psychology as an important component of their liberal arts education.

Admission to the Major:

Although some first-year students are admitted directly into the Psychology major before they enter the University, the major is restricted for students already on campus. For the latter, admission to the major is based on successful completion of the three predictor courses, PSYCH 100 Elementary Psychology, PSYCH 240 Statistics in Psychology, and PSYCH 241 Methods of Inquiry in Psychology, for which no more than one grade may be lower than C. Any student who fulfills these requirements and satisfactorily completes an application form will be admitted to the major.

The three predictor courses should be taken as soon as possible, and in sequence, as they are prerequisites to many upper-level psychology courses. Ideally, PSYCH 241 should be completed by the end of the first semester of the junior year. No course taken more than twice may be counted toward the major.

Applications are accepted during one period each semester: October 1-15, and March 1-15.Contact Professor L. Halgin in the Psychology Advising Office, Tobin 403, for further information.

Requirements:

The major consists of a minimum of 39 credits in Psychology courses, distributed as follows. Any requests for exception or substitution must be made to the Chief Undergraduate Adviser, Professor L. Halgin.

1. One Introductory course:

100 Elementary Psychology

2. Two Methodology courses:

240 Statistics in Psychology

241 Methods of Inquiry in Psychology

3. Four Core courses:

Choose one from each core:

Core A: Cognitive

315 Cognitive Psychology

320 Learning and Thinking

Core B: Biological

330 Physiological Psychology

335 Emotion and Motivation

Core C: Developmental and Social

350 Child Behavior and Development

360 Social Psychology

Core D: Personality

370 Personality

380 Abnormal Psychology

4. Junior Year Writing:

392 Junior Writing Seminar. Students who complete four departmental honors courses may petition for exception to this requirement.

5. One advanced departmental psychology laboratory course, departmental seminar, or designated departmental small course.
Commonly selected examples:

304 Brain, Mind and Behavior

318 Psychology of Language

404 History and Systems of Psychology

405 Human Stress and Emotion

415 Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology

420 Animal Learning Laboratory

430 Laboratory in Physiological Psychology

450 Laboratory in Child Behavior and Development

460 Laboratory in Social Psychology

486 Psychology of the Exceptional Child

530 Human Neuropsychology

535 Drugs and Behavior

580 Clinical Psychology

581 Applied Behavior Analysis

585 Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy

586 Psychology of Persuasion

591 Seminar: Primate Behavior

591 Seminar: Forensic Psychology

591 Seminar: Coping With Stress

Students may petition to substitute a form of independent study (PSYCH 396A/B, Readings in Psychology) or research (PSYCH 397A/B, Special Topics in Research) for this requirement. Such petitions must be made in advance.

6. At least three psychology elective courses numbered 200 and above.

At least one of these must be in a regular course; remaining electives may include independent study, assistantships, or practica. Commonly selected courses include:

213 Human Sexuality

217 Cruelty and Kindness: Psychology of Good and Evil

305 Educational Psychology

307 Industrial Psychology

308 Psychology of Women

310 Sensation and Perception

355 Adolescent Psychology

365 Psychology of Aging

Core courses (taken in addition to the minimum required) may also count as departmental electives.

Restrictions on Courses for the Major:

Courses applied to major requirements may not be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. No more than one course applied to major requirements may be graded lower than C. A maximum of 15 Psychology credits may be earned in independent study.

Limitation on Transfer Credit:

It is generally required that PSYCH 240 and 241 be completed in the department. One of the departmental core courses (requirement 3) and at least three other courses, not including independent study, must be completed while in residence in the department.

Enrollment Priorities:

Generally, majors have preference in all courses. Students who are double majors will receive preference only if Psychology is their primary major.

Enrollment priority in PSYCH 392 is given to juniors.

Exchange, Internships, Cooperative
Education:

Prospective majors who are considering one of these opportunities must first complete the pre-major requirements (PSYCH 100, 240, 241).

Honors Courses

The Department of Psychology tries to offer at least four or five honors courses each semester. These are small classes (20 students) which are intended to be intensive learning experiences. Admission to Psychology Honors courses is generally open to declared honors students.

Psychology/Neuroscience Track

The Psychology/Neuroscience track is an undergraduate program offered within the department that emphasizes the biological and neurological bases of human and animal behavior. This program is particularly suited for students planning a professional career in any of the neurosciences (e.g., neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, or behavioral neuroscience) or individuals enrolled in pre-medical or pre-veterinary studies who are interested in neuroscience and behavior. Course requirements for the Psychology/Neuroscience track are as follows:

Psychology

100; 240; 241; 330; 392; any two out of 320, 315, or 335; any one out of 350, 360, 370, or 380; and one advanced neuroscience-related elective including 530 Human Neuropsychology, 535 Drugs and Behavior, 572 Neurobiology (cross-listed with Biology), 650 Brain Development and Behavior, 711 Sensory Processes, 731 Neuroanatomy, 732 Neurochemistry, 733 Psychopharmacology, or any seminar (500+) offered by a Biopsychology faculty member. Note that courses at the 600 level or above require consent of instructor.

Laboratory Requirement

Students must satisfy a requirement for a laboratory experience in neuroscience. This requirement may be satisfied in one of several ways: a) course optionóPSYCH 430 (Laboratory in Physiological Psychology) or BIOL 697 (Neurobiology Laboratory); b) Independent Study optionóPSYCH 397A (Special Topics in Research) taken for at least three credits with a faculty member in Biopsychology; or c) Honors Thesis optionóPSYCH 499T, taken for at least three credits with a faculty member in Biopsychology.

Natural Science and Mathematics

a) CMPSCI 121, or MATH 127 and 128 (choose either option)

b) BIOL 102 or BIOL 100 and 101 (choose either option)

c) One advanced Biology elective. Select from BIOL 283, 285, or one course 300 or above.

d) CHEM 111 and 112

e) CHEM 261 and 262/269

f) PHYSIC 139 or 131-134

g) BIOCHM 420 (421 lab is optional) or BIOCHM 523 and 524 or BIOL 560

In selecting their science and mathematics courses, students should be aware of prerequisite requirements for higher level offerings and, if appropriate, the requirements for admissions to medical or veterinary school (see Dr. Brian O'Connor, Morrill N330, tel. 545-3674 for further information). Also note that the same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one Psychology/Neuroscience track requirement (e.g., BIOL 560 cannot fulfill both c) and g) above).

For more information and/or to register yourself as a Psychology/Neuroscience student, contact the Undergraduate Neuroscience Coordinator (Dr. Neil Carlson, 527 Tobin, tel. 545-0166).

Suggestions for Additional Tracks

While it is not mandatory for psychology majors to follow a specific departmental track during undergraduate years, some recommendations can be made for students whose career goals are clearly defined and who wish to profit from a tracked curriculum. The Psychology Undergraduate Handbook includes suggestions for tracks in: 1) Human Services; 2) Developmental Psychology; 3) Animal Behavior; 4) Social Psychology; 5) Cognitive Psychology; and 6) Industrial Psychology. Other possibilities exist, and students are encouraged to consult the Chief Undergraduate Adviser for further suggestions and amplification.

Specialization in Developmental Disabilities and Human Services

The letter of Specialization in Developmental Disabilities and Human Services is designed for psychology majors who may work after graduation in the field of human services, particularly with developmentally disabled individuals. By taking a combination of courses and fulfilling a one-semester, three-credit internship, psychology majors can enhance their skills and future employment opportunities. At the conclusion of the program, participants receive a letter from the Department of Psychology certifying their participation in the program.

In addition to the one-semester, three-credit internship, participants must take the following six courses, which also count toward the major: 1) 480 Mental Retardation; 2) 581 Applied Behavior Analysis; 3) 350 Child Behavior and Development or 365 Psychology of Aging; 4) 486 Exceptional Children or EDUC 325 Introduction to Special Education; 5) 305 Educational Psychology; 6) 307 Industrial Psychology or MGT 301 Organizational Management.

Specialization in Mental Health Interventions

The Letter of Specialization in Mental Health Interventions is designed for Psychology majors who wish to specialize in the area of mental health. The specialization is designed to enhance the preparation and skills of majors who may work with people with mental health disorders following graduation. The program consists of six courses (that may also count toward the completion of other departmental requirements) and a three-credit internship. Upon com-pletion of the required courses and internship, participants will receive a letter from the Department of Psychology, stating that they have participated in the specialization program.

In addition to the one-semester, three-credit internship, participants must take the following six courses: PSYCH 380 Abnormal Psychology or PSYCH 580 Clinical Psychology; 2. PSYCH 581 Applied Behavior Analysis; 3. PSYCH 535 Drugs and Behavior or PSYCH 330 Physiological Psychology or PSYCH 304 Brain, Mind and Behavior; 4. PSYCH 350 Child Behavior and Development or PSYCH 391 Children and the Family or PSYCH 355 Psychology of Adolescence or PSYCH 365 Psychology of Aging; 5. PSYCH 591 Forensic Psychology; and 6. PSYCH 360 Social Psychology or SOCIOL 481 Sociology of Mental Health.

Study Abroad

The University offers a wide variety of international exchange and overseas study programs. Traditionally, psychology majors have been well represented in such programs, studying in various institutions in Great Britain, Japan, Germany, France, Israel, Italy, Australia, Spain, and Canada. International Programs, William S. Clark International Center, tel. 545-2710, may be consulted for specific information on these and other overseas study opportunities. Psychology majors must complete PSYCH 240 and PSYCH 241 prior to embarking on exchange.

Career Opportunities

The undergraduate major in psychology is not a professional or vocational program which trains or prepares students for a specific job. However, there are employment possibilities which favor a psychology emphasis at the Bachelor's level and jobs do exist in schools, hospitals, agencies, government, and business. To become a professional psychologist a student must go on to graduate school. In most cases this means earning a doctorate (approximately four years) or at least a Master's degree (approximately two years). Psychology majors often enter graduate programs in related areas such as social work, gerontology, legal studies, or medically oriented fields.

The Minor

The minimum requirements for the minor include at least 15 graded credits in Psychology distributed as follows:

1) 100 Elementary Psychology

2) Two of the following Core Courses:

315 Cognitive Psychology

320 Learning

330 Physiological Psychology

335 Emotion and Motivation

350 Child Behavior and Development

360 Social Psychology

370 Personality

380 Abnormal Psychology

3) Two additional psychology courses numbered 200 and above.

Restrictions:

No requirements for the minor may be taken Pass/Fail. No substitutions of courses. Independent Study and Practicum courses (with the exception of PSYCH 397) are not counted toward the minor. At least one core course and 9 of the 15 credits must be taken on this campus. For students entering in Fall 1993 or later, all courses used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed with a grade of C or better. Prior to graduation, the student must submit an updated transcript and a declaration of minor form to the Undergraduate Secretary in Tobin 401.

Psychology | Courses | Faculty