Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study and application of knowledge concerning the behavioral and cognitive processes of humans and other animals. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. This degree prepares students for employment in applied settings or for graduate study in psychology or related fields. Students who choose not to continue toward a graduate degree may find employment in a wide variety of organizations and agencies as well as in research settings where knowledge of behavior and cognition is useful. For such students, a B. S. in Psychology offers a broad liberal arts background. Those students who obtain an advanced degree (typically an M.S. or a Ph.D.) may find employment in research settings, academic settings, or private practice, although individuals with advanced degrees also work in a wide variety of other organizations.
The psychology curriculum introduces students to the basic scientific and applied areas of the discipline. It emphasizes theories, methods, and terminology, as well as research findings in each of psychology's major subareas. Students learn about various research methods used to study psychological phenomena, as well as the strengths and limitations of each. Through undergraduate research experience with faculty, students are encouraged to undertake research activity of their own or to perform fieldwork in an area related to psychology.
Prerequisite Requirements
Any student who enrolls in a psychology course without having passed all prerequisite(s) with a "C" or better grade will be required to withdraw from the course.
Curricula in Psychology
The program leading to a B.S. degree offers a psychological science and applied psychology options. Within these options, students select the appropriate psychology electives and career electives in consultation with their advisors based on the student's career goals and interests. Options and electives are described below. Psychology majors cannot have a grade less than "C" in a PSY course used to satisfy graduation requirements.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE and APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY OPTIONS
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 110--Public Communication | 3 | ||
| WRIT 101W--College Writing I | 3 | ||
| PSY 100--Introductory Psychology | 3 | ||
| Take at least one of the following | |||
| BIOL 100--Organism Function | 3 | ||
| BIOL 102--Molec & Cellular Biol | 4 | ||
| BCHM 104--Chem of Human Life | 4 | ||
| University Core, PSYCH, and Career Elects | 18-19 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| PSY 221--Research Desgn & Anlsis I | 3 | ||
| PSY 231--Research Desgn & Anlsis II | 3 | ||
| PSY 282--Introduction to Learning | 3 | ||
| PSY 301--Physiological Psychology | 3 | ||
| PSY 382--Abnormal Psychology | 3 | ||
| University Core, PSYCH, and Career Elects | 15 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| PSY 341-- Learning & Motivation | 3 | ||
| PSY 361--Memory and Cognition | 3 | ||
| PSY 452--Social Psychology | 3 | ||
| Take at least one of the following: | |||
| PSY 489/490--Instruction/Undergrad Research/Creative Activity | 1-6 | ||
| PSY 491--Field Practicum | 3 | ||
| University Core, PSYCH, and Career Elects | 15-20 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| PSY 493--Senior Thesis Capstone | 3 | ||
| Univesity Core, PSYCH, and Career Elects | 17 | ||
| 30 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
Career Electives
All students selecting one of the two Psychology Options must complete additional courses that complement their career goals from a rubric other than PSY. Specific courses are selected by the student in consultation with and following approval by a faculty advisor. Each student should carefully consider electives based on career plans and goals. Areas from which electives may be selected include: biology, chemistry, computer science, human development, industrial and management engineering, business, management, or statistics. A minimum of 12 credits is required, although students are encouraged to take more than this minimum.
Applied Psychology Option.
Students interested in areas of applied psychology such as industrial/organizational psychology, human resource management, or organizational behavior, may consider the Applied Psychology Option and choose career elective courses in business (BUS), management (MGMT), mechanical and industrial engineering (ME or I&ME), or statistics (STAT).
Psychological Science Option
Students interested in areas related to scientific psychology may consider the psychological science option and choose elective courses in biology (BIOL), chemistry (CHEM), biochemistry (BCHM), computer science (CS), or statistics (STAT).
Students interested in advanced study in clinical psychology or counseling may follow either the Psychological Science or the Applied Psychology Option and should elect career elective courses in Biology (BIOL), or Human Development Child and Family (HDCF). Students in either psychology option should consider taking career elective courses in other social science areas such as Sociology (SOC), Anthropology (ANTH), Political Science (POLS) or Justice Studies (JS). Students should carefully examine course descriptions and meet with their advisor to discuss specific recommendations before registering for any elective course. A minimum of 12 credits is required, although students are encouraged to take more than this minimum.
PSYCHOLOGY MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
| Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Take one of the following: | |||
| BIOL 100--Organism Function | 3 | ||
| BIOL 102--Molec & Cellular Biol | 4 | ||
| BCHM 104--Chem of Human Life | 4 | ||
| PSY 100--Introductory Psychology | 3 | ||
| PSY 221--Rsch Desgn & Analysis I | 4 | ||
| PSY 231--Rsch Desgn & Analysis II | 3 | ||
| PSY 301--Physiolog Psy | 3 | ||
| PSY 341--Learning & Motivation | 3 | ||
| PSY 361--Memory and Cognit | 3 | ||
| PSY 382--Abnormal Psychology | 3 | ||
| PSY 411--History & Systems Psy | 3 | ||
| PSY 452--Social Psychology | 3 | ||
| 30 |
