WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Psychology

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 SH
An introductory survey course covering some of the major topics of psychology. Mandatory areas to be studied include: history of psychology, research methods, neuroscience and biopsychology, learning, memory and cognition, personality, psychological disorders, and social or developmental psychology. Other topics may include: sensation/perception, consciousness, language, intelligence, motivation, emotion, therapy, stress and health. This course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses in psychology. Every semester.

PSY 110 Orientation to the Psychology Major 1 SH
This course introduces Freshmen Psychology majors to the WCSU campus, Psychology’s subfields  and the Psychology department. Students will learn about academic expectations and habits for college success such as organizational skills, time-management and study strategies. Students will become familiar with information literacy specific to the discipline and will learn how to take an active role in their education by utilizing opportunities in the department and on campus. Required of all incoming PSY-declared Freshmen. Students must earn a minimum grade of D– to enroll in any Psychology course at the 200 level or higher. Prerequisite: Psychology Major. Competency: First Year Navigation (FY).

PSY 202 Psychopathology 3 SH
The course scrutinizes all major forms of psychopathology listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Syndromes will be evaluated with regard to etiology, symptomatology and treatment. Representative research on all syndromes will be discussed. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY 203 Clinical Psychology 3 SH
A course which focuses on theories, diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities in the field of clinical psychology. Consideration will also be given to social, legal and philosophical issues in the assessment and treatment of mental illness as well as in problems of daily living. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY 204 Psychological Statistics 3 SH
The course will cover inferential statistical procedures employed in psychological research. Emphasis will be on teaching students the appropriate statistical test to employ for a given experimental design. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100; Psychology major. Competency: Quantitative Reasoning (QR).

PSY 205 Social Psychology 3 SH
The study of human behavior as affected by social stimulus variables. The course is experimentally oriented and covers such topics as: attitudes; interpersonal perception and attraction; attributions; and structure and dynamics of groups and social motivations (e.g., affiliation, aggression, conformity, altruism, obedience, etc.). Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY 206 Industrial Psychology 3 SH
Industrial psychology is the application of the science of psychology to people at work with emphasis on major personnel practices and functions. Topics include methods of assessment for employee recruitment, selection, classification, and performance evaluation; job design and analysis; effective training methods; and relevant legal issues. Students interested in careers in industrial/organizational psychology, management, human resources, or training, will find this a valuable introduction to applications of psychological research and methods to personnel related issues in the workplace. Fall semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 207 Organizational Psychology 3 SH
Organizational psychology is the application of the science of psychology to the study of individual and group behavior in organizational settings. Topics include: Individual behavior and attitudes in work/organizations; motivation; leadership styles; teams and teamwork; and organizational change and development. Issues related to workplace psychological health, including violence, health, work conditions, and stress in the workplace, will also be covered. Students interested in careers in industrial/organizational psychology, management, human resources, or training, will find this a valuable introduction to applications of psychological research and methods within organizations. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 210 Child Psychology 3 SH
Provides an overview of current psychological theory and research on normative development during infancy and childhood, with an emphasis on applying the developmental knowledge base to understand today’s child. Covers major theories and research findings in child development, including: lhe influence of genetics and heredity, prenatal development, and physical, cognitive, psychological, and psychosocial changes that occur during childhood. Discusses the influence of parents, peers, school, and sociohistorical context in development during childhood. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY 211 Adolescent Psychology 3 SH
An overview of normative development during adolescence. Emphasis is placed on the cognitive, psychological, psychosocial, and contextual changes that occur during adolescence. Developmental tasks of adolescence are discussed, as well as the role of parents, peers, school, and sociohistorical context in development during the adolescent years. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Not open to students who have taken EPY 204. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY 215 Psychology of Personality 3 SH
A systematic study of the development of personality from infancy through adulthood. The contributions of the major theorists are discussed and evaluated in relation to current research studies. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY/WS 217 Psychology of Women 3 SH
An investigation of the behaviors of women from various perspectives, such as physiological, psychoanalytic, social learning and cognitive points of view. The course is designed for persons who recognize the changing roles of women in our society and who wish to examine the psychological theories and research surrounding female development and behavior. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 218 Principles of Behavior Modification 3 SH
The student will become familiar with a series of learning and cognitive restructuring techniques which can be used to reach behavioral goals in such situations as the home, school, mental institution and mental health clinic. Behavioral treatment of such problems as anxiety, obesity, depression, social skills deficiencies and sexual dysfunctions will be studied. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 219 Psychology of Men 3 SH
This course will examine the basic issues that confront men today. Biological, psychological and environmental forces which govern some of the new roles played by men will also be considered. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 220 Psychology of Learning 3 SH
A survey of principles and theories of learning with emphasis upon the implications for human learning. Fall semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 230 Introduction to Brain and Behavior 3 SH
This is an introduction to the brain for anyone interested in one of the most complex structures in the universe. This course includes basic brain geography (where everything is located and what it’s called), how neurons communicate with each other, and how these physical structures and mechanisms produce psychological experience and adaptive behavior, including learning and memory, emotional experience and psychological disorders. No dissection required. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 245 Psychology of Creativity 3 SH
Creativity is one of the defining aspects of the human experience. Great periods of cultural creativity (Ancient Greece, the Renaissance, the Information Age) have transformed society, culture and our individual experiences. Highly creative individuals (Michelangelo, Einstein, Curie, Mozart) are revered through the ages. But creativity can range from the mundane (e.g., solving personal and interpersonal problems) to these profound issues (creating works of art, making scientific discoveries). This course is an introduction to the psychological study of creativity, including: theories of creativity; the processes of creativity; characteristics of creative people; the motivation to create; the creative mind; the study of creative artificial intelligence, and the use of creative thinking tools for solving problems. Although the course focuses on creative behavior in individuals, it also examines creative outcomes in groups and organizations, and highlight aspects that are common to all three. A critical aspect of this course is that students participate in an individual creative project, present their concept to classmates, receive feedback, fine-tune their project, present a finished product, and reflect upon and analyze their own experience with creativity. Alternate Fall semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Creative Process (CP).

PSY 251 Psychology of Cognition 3 SH
Designed to introduce the student to theories, issues and research in such cognitive areas as thinking, memory, attention, problem-solving, concept formation, creativity, language and imagination. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

PSY 260 Health Psychology 3 SH
Health psychology is the application of the science of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health. A biopsychosocial model of human behavior is presented which explores the development of both healthy behaviors such as exercise and stress management and risk-compromising behaviors such as smoking, drug abuse, unhealthy eating, and dangerous sexual behavior. Topics covered include stress and coping; pain management; psychological factors in managing chronic and terminal illness; psychoneuroimmunology; and the psychology of lifestyle interventions aimed at preventing diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke and diabetes. The course includes consideration of the impact of human actions on the health of the complex interrelationship between species and environment known as the ecosystem. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 262 Sports Psychology 3 SH
This course presents a comprehensive overview of the field of sport psychology, including the history of the field, major theories, research methods, and current issues. Various perspectives are offered, including developmental, systems, and cognitive-behavioral views of the psychology of sport and of athletic participation. Topics covered include motivation, stress and anxiety, competition, teamwork, leadership, communication, student-athletes, self-regulation of performance, imagery skills, concentration, goal-setting behavior, coping with athletic injuries, burnout and overtraining, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, aggression, and sportsmanship and character development. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 270 Psychology of Sustainability 3 SH
Because human behavior is at the root of the sustainability problem, psychology, the science of the mind and behavior, offers important insights for understanding and changing unsustainable individual activities and societal policies and practices. This course introduces students to the field of conservation psychology, the scientific study of the reciprocal relationships between humans and the rest of nature, with a particular focus on how to encourage conservation of the natural world (Carol D. Saunders, 2003). It also introduces students to the psychological principles of sustainable development – development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 271 Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3 SH
An overview of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development over the human lifespan, from conception to death. Emphasis is placed on the interactions among individuals, the developmental tasks they face, and the contexts in which they are immersed over the lifespan. Prerequisite: PSY100. Every Spring. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT).

PSY 280 Professional and Career Development for Psychology Students 1 SH
This course provides an overview of careers in psychology and professional development for psychology students. Topics include skills acquired within the psychology major, career options in various subfields of psychology at the bachelor’s and graduate levels, and self-management strategies related to academic and career success. Students will formulate a career development plan based on self-evaluations of skills, interests, goals, and opportunities at WCSU. Other topics include career preparation, such as resumes, cover letters, and professional social media profiles, and considerations for graduate study, including the graduate application process. Prerequisite: PSY100 and two additional courses in psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and two additional courses in psychology.

PSY 290 Guided Readings in Psychology 1–3 SH
Readings will be assigned to the individual student in terms of the student’s background, interests and his/her specific goals in the field of psychology. Each student must obtain a faculty member to supervise and evaluate his/her performance. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100; if the instructor believes that other courses are necessary for the student to implement the semester’s work, the instructor will designate such courses; students must receive the permission of the department prior to registering for this course.

PSY 291 Practicum in Psychology 1–3 SH
A course which allows the student to obtain practical experience in the field of psychology. An activity such as working under supervision in a community agency is representative of the types of experiences acceptable for credit in this course. The student will work under the supervision of an instructor in the psychology department on an individual basis. Not more than three hours of this course may be used toward the psychology major. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100. If the practicum involves the content of a specific course(s), the instructor may stipulate additional prerequisite. Students must receive the permission of the department prior to registering for this course.

PSY 298 Faculty Developed Study 1–6 SH

PSY 299 Student Developed Study 1–6 SH

PSY 305 Psychology of Persuasion 3 SH
This course will take an empirical approach to the psychological study of persuasion and social influence. Major topics will include attitudes and attitude change, the attitude behavior relationship, interpersonal and group influence, resistance, strategies and techniques of persuasion and influence, and the impact of culture, personality and gender on these processes. Special attention will be given to the major theoretical approaches. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY 205 or instructor approval.

PSY 306 Internship in Applied Psychology 3 SH
In this course, students obtain experience in the application of psychological principles in community settings. These settings include social service, mental health, medical, and educational agencies. Students collaborate with the course instructor in selecting their practicum site, and must obtain 120 hours of practicum experience in a semester, over a period of at least 10 weeks in a spring or fall semester. Students also meet for one academic hour of classroom instruction per week. Prerequisite: PSY 202 or PSY 203; Psychology Major or Minor status; Junior or Senior standing; Instructor’s permission.

PSY 307 Psychology of Close Relationships 3 SH
This course provides an overview of current research and theory in the field of close relationships with an emphasis on adult romantic relationships. Specific topics include attraction, relationship cognitions, communication, interdependence, love, sexuality, jealousy, relationship strains, conflict, relationship maintenance strategies and relationship dissolution. These topics will be examined through classic as well as contemporary research. Prerequisite: PSY 205.

PSY 309 Social Psychology and the Law 3 SH
An applied course in social psychology in which various stages of the legal process will be examined from a social psychological perspective. Research and theories from areas such as person-perception, attribution, impression management, decision making and social influence will be applied to such issues as arrest, interrogation, eyewitness testimony, trial by jury and correction. Alternate years. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 205.

PSY 313 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 SH
This course evaluates the cross-cultural applicability of psychological theory and research. It will examine the influence of culture, broadly construed, on psychological processes such as perception and cognition, development, social interactions and relationships, gender roles, self-understanding, persuasion, and psychopathology. This course will also investigate the methodological constraints and opportunities presented by cross-cultural differences. Fall semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 205. Competency: Intercultural (IC).

PSY 322 The Adult Years 3 SH
An overview of normative development and aging over the adult years. Emphasis is placed on the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes that occur with aging as well as the dynamic interactions between individuals and their contexts that shape development. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and either PSY 210 or PSY 211 and WRT 101/101P or appropriate placement. Every semester.

PSY 324 Experimental Psychology 4 SH
This is a lecture and laboratory course that provides an introduction to the way in which the scientific method is applied in several content areas in psychology. As a result of this course, students will develop skills used throughout the entire research process. Students will: 1) Conduct literature searches using appropriate databases, 2) Critically evaluate journal articles, 3) Design studies (including formulating the research question, stating the research hypothesis, and selecting or designing an instrument or tool for data collection), 4) Collect data, 5) Use SPSS to analyze collected data, 6 ) Write at least one research report based on having conducted a true experiment in person. Prerequisite: PSY 100, and PSY 204 (C- or better), and a Writing Tier 1 course. Competency: Scientific Inquiry (SI).

PSY 332 History of Psychology 3 SH
This upper-level course guides students through an in-depth examination of the methods and theories used in contemporary psychology by exploring the intellectual history and methodological traditions of psychology. The course covers the philosophical approaches that were antecedents to scientific psychology, the rise of scientific psychology, and the major historical and contemporary approaches to psychology, including structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, gestalt, humanistic, cognitive and evolutionary psychology. Much of the material covered is relevant for a student preparing for the Psychology GRE. Learning projects in this course introduce students to important current issues such as mental health in society, the practice of psychology in applied fields, and critical evaluations of contemporary psychological science, utilizing historical research methods. Students become familiar with the skills needed to locate, evaluate, and utilize original sources in this course. Spring semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100 plus 9 additional hours in psychology courses or permission of the instructor. Competency: Information Literacy (IL).

PSY 334 Psychological Assessment 3 SH
This survey course provides an examination of the fundamentals of psychological assessment and testing. Topics include the history of testing, individual differences, test selection, individual and group testing as well as a review of test construction and standardization. General tests of intelligence, ability, vocational interest, personality, neuropsychological functioning and clinical symptoms will be examined. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and critique psychometric instruments; be able to understand and analyze basic assessment data; and understand the role of test scores in psychological reports. Alternate spring semesters. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and PSY 201. 

PSY 341 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology 3 SH                                                
This upper-level course is designed to introduce students to the variety of childhood psychological disorders, using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychological Disorders (DSM) as a basis for the overview.  Issues of etiology, classification and treatment of children and adolescents who exhibit a variety of psychopathological disorders ranging from transitory nightmares to autism will be covered.  A variety of theoretical frames of reference will be considered as they influence evaluation, etiological models and treatment approaches, including psychodynamic, behavioral, biological, cognitive and family systems approaches. Alternate spring semesters. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and at least one of the following: PSY 202, PSY 203, PSY 210, PSY 211. 

PSY 346 Moral Development 3 SH
An overview of moral development throughout the life span. Emphasizes theories and current psychological research, as well as influences on moral development. Among the topics discussed are approaches to promoting moral development, moral education, and the gap between moral reasoning and behavior. Alternate fall semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and one of the following: PSY 210, PSY 211, PSY 222, EPY 203, EPY 204. General Education: Psychology.

PSY 347 Developmental Psychology and Social Policy 3 SH
Research in developmental psychology holds applied relevance for enhancing the lives of children, youth, and adults. This course examines the intersection of developmental psychology and social policy, including an introduction to theory, methods, and a sample of the social issues addressed by developmental psychology. Topics include the influence of contextual factors, such as neighborhoods and communities, on development, how research on cognitive and social development has been disseminated to influence policy and court decisions, and how developmental findings can be applied in constructing interventions to aid children, youth, and families. Offered every other Fall. Prerequisite: PSY 210 or PSY 211.

PSY 349 Psychology of Perception 3 SH
A survey of theories, issues and research in visions, audition, olfaction, gustation, skin and pain senses, and vestibular sense. Emphasis will be placed on current research topics and theories about perception. Fall semester. Prerequisite: PSY 100 plus 6 additional credits in psychology courses.

PSY 352 Cognitive Neuroscience 3 SH
This course addresses the biological mechanisms associated with normal and abnormal cognitive functioning, using information from a wide variety of current and historical research techniques. The course is an advanced-level seminar, in which there will be active participation and discussions on recent and historical research from this explosive area of research into thinking, learning and memory. Every other year. Prerequisite: PSY 230 or PSY 251 or PSY 349.

PSY 392 Substance Use Counseling: Assessment and Counseling 4 SH
This course provides four hours of academic credit and is divided into four equal parts. The first two parts concern the assessment of substance abuse and treatment planning. This will include: reviews of the prevalence and etiology of substance abuse, the assessment of substance abuse by interviews and psychometric instruments, individual differences among substance abusers, comorbidity, the determination of the level of care necessary for substance abusers, and assessments of patients’ readiness to change. The third and fourth parts will address these issues in assessment and treatment planning with adolescents and children, and ethnic minorities. Alternate spring semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 202. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 393 Substance Use Counseling: Drugs & Behavior 4 SH
This course provides four hours of academic credit and is divided into six equal parts. The first two parts will concern the pharmacology of the classes of psychoactive substances and of the most commonly used substances within each class. This discussion will also address tolerance, withdrawal, and protocol for detoxification from psychoactive substances. The third part will focus on HIV/AIDS, especially within populations of substance abusers. The fourth part will be devoted to the ethical requirements for substance abuse counselors. The fifth and sixth parts will be devoted to studying counseling that is consistent with the traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and alternative self-help groups. Alternate fall semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 202. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 394 Substance Use Counseling: Counseling Techniques 4 SH
The topic of this course will be counseling substance abusers. The theories and techniques of the major schools of individual and group counseling and psychotherapy with substance abusers will be studied. Empirical research comparing the effectiveness of these schools of counseling and psychotherapy will be evaluated. The counselor’s role in supporting the 12-step fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and in preventing and managing relapse will be considered. Counseling issues with women, ethnic minorities, adolescents and children, and HIV/AIDS patients will be evaluated. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to implement treatment plans in individual and group counseling. Alternate spring semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 202. Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 395 Substance Use Counseling: Applied Individual and Group Counseling  4 SH
The focus of this course will be counseling techniques with substance abusers. Techniques endorsed by divergent schools of counseling and psychotherapy will be emphasized. Methods for engaging uncooperative and resistant clients will be reviewed. The application of these techniques in counseling couples will be studied. Counseling issues related to gender, ethnicity, and age groups will be examined. Relapse will be examined from the viewpoint of a stages-of-change model, and interventions appropriate to specific stages of change will be evaluated. Alternate fall semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and PSY 202. General Education: Psychology; Competency: Health & Wellness (HW).

PSY 412 Advanced Developmental Psychology 3 SH
An upper-level course in which students will explore advanced topics in developmental psychology. The course may cover a variety of areas in developmental psychology, such as physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development across the lifespan.  Prerequisites: Satisfaction of CE and W3 prerequisite:  PSY 324; two of the following courses: PSY 210, PSY 211, PSY 222, PSY 346; plus three additional hours of psychology courses. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 415 Advanced Social Psychology 3 SH
This upper-level course offers an advanced exploration of a topic within the area of social psychology. The course can focus on a specific research area within social psychology, according to the interests and expertise of the instructor. Instructors may choose to assign a comprehensive literature review in a topical field; ask students to develop and present an appropriate research proposal in a topical field; or design and carry out an original undergraduate study, submit a report, and present their findings, when possible, at appropriate scientific conferences. Students will develop their proficiency in formulating testable hypotheses, critical thinking skills and ability to convey ideas through scientific writing in APA style. Alternate fall semesters. Prerequisite: PSY 324 and PSY 205; plus either PSY 305, PSY 307, PSY 309 or PSY 313; plus three additional hours of psychology courses. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 425 Advanced Cognitive Psychology 3 SH
This upper-level course offers an advanced exploration of a topic within the area of cognitive psychology. The course can focus on a specific research area within cognitive psychology, according to the interests and expertise of the instructor.  Students will either design and carry out an original undergraduate study, with an APA style report, or develop an in-depth APA style research proposal. Students will develop their proficiency in formulating testable hypotheses, critical thinking skills and ability to convey ideas through scientific writing in APA style. Alternate fall semesters. Prerequisites: PSY 324 and PSY 251; and two of the following: PSY 230, PSY 349 or PSY 352. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 426 Advanced Seminar in Applied Psychology 3 SH
This upper-level course further enhances the knowledge base of students in applied areas of psychology. The course can be taught in a variety of primary areas, according to the expertise of the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit, provided the subject matter is different. Areas that can be offered include: • Clinical and counseling psychology • Health Psychology • I/O Psychology (Industrial/Organizational) • Applied Social Psychology (Psychology and Law, Forensic Psychology, etc.) • School psychology Students will be expected to focus on up-to-date applied research in the selected field, and to be introduced to the theory and practice of psychological interventions in this area. Each student will write a final report that meets both the research and writing standards for graduates of the psychology program. Instructors may choose to assign a comprehensive literature review, APA-style, in a topical field; ask students to develop and present an appropriate research proposal in a topical field; or design and carry out an original undergraduate study, submit an APA-style report, and present their findings, when possible, at appropriate scientific conferences. Prerequisite: PSY 324 and two of: PSY 202, PSY 203, PSY 205, PSY 206, PSY 207, PSY 218, PSY 260, PSY 309, PSY 334, PSY 341 or instructor’s permission. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 439 Community Psychology 4 SH
Community Psychology is a capstone course for Psychology majors. Its focus is the amelioration of conditions that inhibit optimal development.  These conditions may foster dysfunction and psychopathology as well as inhibit the development of competencies such as academic skills.  The prevention of disorders as well as tertiary care, or the remediation of pathology, are also of primary interest.  Populations that are typically underserved in the existing health care system are considered in detail.  These populations include: maltreated children, ethnic minorities, women, the elderly, and substance abusers.  Classroom attendance and a practicum of five hour per week are required. Practicums are completed in community agencies such as mental health clinics, substance abuse treatment facilities, Head Start, schools, and related social service settings.  Since, this is a capstone course for Psychology majors, 50% of student grades will be determined by a term paper. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 324 and one additional course from among the following: PSY 202, PSY 203, PSY 205. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 450 Research Seminar in Psychology 3 SH
An upper-level course in which students will explore advanced topics in psychology and will be expected to design, execute and analyze their own empirical study, and submit an APA-style report.  Prerequisite: PSY 324, and three additional courses in psychology and one exposure to each of the general education competencies (FY, CP, CT, HW, IC, IL, OC, QR, SI, and WI). Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 452 Advanced Neuroscience of Mental Health Disorders 3 SH
This course is an advanced, research‐based course taking a behavioral neuroscience approach in studying various disorders under one or more of the following categories: a) developmental, b) genetic, c) neurological, and d) psychopathological. Biological, cognitive, clinical, and pharmacological dimensions of the behavioral neuroscience approach to understanding mental disorders will be addressed. Current research will be covered to gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary experimental methods and treatment strategies. Instructors may choose to assign a comprehensive literature review in a topical field; ask students to develop and present an appropriate research proposal in a topical field; or design and carry out an original undergraduate study, submit a report, and present their findings, when possible, at appropriate scientific conferences. Students will develop their proficiency in formulating testable hypotheses, critical thinking skills and ability to convey ideas through scientific writing in APA style. Prerequisites: PSY 324, and one of the following: PSY 230, PSY 349, or PSY 352; must also have satisfied prerequisites for CE and W3. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Tier 3 (W3).

PSY 460 Independent Study in Psychology 3 SH
The student will do an approved original research project related to his/her field of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. The semester’s findings will be summarized in a formal paper. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 324, plus at least nine additional hours of psychology courses; minimum GPA of 3.0 and grade no lower than a “C” in PSY 201, PSY 204 and PSY 324. Students must receive the permission of the department prior to registering for this course.

PSY 475 Honors Guided Reading in Psychology 3 SH
Students will complete preparatory work leading to PSY 476: Honors Thesis in Psychology. Emphasis will be placed on performing an extensive literature review and reading a particular topic in psychological science. The content and scope of the PSY 475 will be negotiated with the supervising faculty, and is intended to provide students with significant exposure to existing research in the relevant topic and to facilitate the development of a theoretical basis for PSY 476. Each student must obtain a faculty member to supervise and evaluate his/her performance. Prerequisite: PSY 324 and the psychology advanced seminar (PSY 412, PSY 415, PSY 425, PSY 439 or PSY 450) must be completed prior to PSY 475. If the instructor believes that other courses are necessary for the student to implement the semester’s work, the instructor will designate such courses; students must receive the permission of the department prior to registering for this course; Junior standing; minimum Psychology GPA of 3.5 and a minimum overall GPA of 3.3.

PSY 476 Honors Thesis 3 SH
The student will do approved original research related to his/her field of interest under the supervision of a Psychology faculty member. The research question must be substantially different from (although it may be related to) the work completed by the student in PSY 324 or the Advanced Seminar, and is an outgrowth of PSY 475. The research findings will be summarized in a formal paper. Every semester. Prerequisite: PSY 475; the Psychology Advanced Seminar (PSY 412, PSY 415, PSY 425, PSY 439 OR PSY 450); students must receive the permission of the department prior to registering for this course; Junior standing; minimum Psychology GPA of 3.5 and a minimum overall GPA of 3.3.