Psychology (Minor)

College of Arts and Sciences

Curriculum

Psychology Minor Requirements (19 credit hours)

Required courses: (6 credit hours)

(Click a course name below to view course details)

• PY 101 Introduction to Psychology

  Introduction to the scientific foundations of the study of behavior and a survey of basic topics of psychology such as sensation and perception, the brain and nervous system, learning and memory, language and thinking, intelligence, motivation, emotions, personality, development, stress, and abnormal behavior. This course is a prerequisite for all other courses in Psychology except PY 200, PY 211, PY 222 and PY 250 or HS 250 or MA 240.
  Course Syllabus

• PY 353 Introduction to Psychological Research

  Examination of research design issues in psychology and related disciplines with emphasis on accurate reading of published articles. Students will write a research proposal including a literature review, an operationally stated hypothesis, and data gathering procedures. Students continuing on to PY 354 Experimental Psychology carry out their research proposal. Enhancements for PY 353 provide instruction in American Psychological Association manuscript style. Prerequisites: PY 101 and PY 250 or HS 250 or MA 240 (PY 250 or HS 250 or MA 240 may be taken concurrently)
  Course Syllabus

Plus one of the following courses:

• PY 301 Personality Theory

  This course covers major psychodynamic, behaviorist, trait, humanist, and cognitive theories of personality. Situational and biological influences, traits and cognition, life stories, psychobiography, and other contemporary issues are discussed. Application of personality theory to the understanding of individual lives is encouraged. Prerequisite: PY 101
  Course Syllabus

• PY 320 Human Memory and Cognition

  Addresses the ways in which people gain knowledge about their world and about self. Topics covered include: memory and forgetting, language, thought processes, and creativity. Prerequisite: PY 101
  Course Syllabus

• PY 368 Learning Theory

  Emphasizes the development of theoretical approaches to learning, as well as applications of behavioral learning principles in applied contexts. The principles of classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, and social learning theory will be investigated in the course. The course will also present how learning principles are used in such areas as child management, interpersonal communication, and self-control. Prerequisite: PY 101
  Course Syllabus

• PY 371 Biological Psychology

  Study of biological influences on human behavior and mental processes. Includes a survey of brain and nervous system anatomy and how researchers learn about functions of these systems in relation to behavior. Emphasis on normal development, adaptation, and learning but a variety of syndromes and problems also are included. Study of Biology or Anatomy and Physiology are helpful but not required. Prerequisite: PY 101
  Course Syllabus

• SO 345 Social Psychology

  Psychological and sociological principles that affect the behavior of individuals as members of groups. Representative topics include the biological foundations of behavior, prejudice, culture and personality, leadership, small group interaction, crowd behavior, mass media, childhood, adolescence and old age. Offered once a year, but alternates between day and evening programs. Prerequisites: SO 101 and PY 101, or permission of instructor.

In addition, three more psychology courses (of which 3 credit hours must be at 300- 400-level)