Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Introduces the major chemical and biological principles through the study of the human body and emphasizes the interrelationships between the body organ systems. Systems physiology, diseases, nutrition, genetics, and human ecology are the major topics. This is the second course in a two-term sequence of Biology courses, expounding on basic principles covered in the prerequisite Introduction to Biology Course. The BIOL200 e-lab is designed to reinforce understanding of the topics covered in lectures. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, BIOL150. Credits: 4

Provides a broad introduction to psychology as a scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This course includes such topics as memory, learning, the study of the nervous system, psychological disorders and therapy, sexuality, attitudes, conformity, persuasion, and motivation, as they have emerged through time. Students gain an increased awareness of the broad range of phenomena investigated by psychologists, a greater ability to understand and critique psychological research and to comprehend the historical timeline of psychology as it has emerged as a scientific study of human behavior. Prerequisites: GE105. Co-requisites: GE106. Credits: 3

Introduces students to the basic concepts and problems encountered in social scientific investigation, types of and stages in scientific research, selection, and formulation of the research problem. Definitions including types of data and measurement, sampling, probability, and research design. This course emphasizes the importance and limitations of theory and methodology in social science research, as well as the purposes of applied research, program evaluation and research ethics. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, Co-req: PSY150, PSY340. Credits: 3

Studies the basic concepts and mechanisms inherent in the process of human development from conception to pre-school years. The course describes the nature and context of human development, the role of heredity and environment in life span development, motor and sensory development, cognitive development, language, social and physical development, personality, and individual differences in infancy. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL150, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY200, Co-req:PSY340 Credits: 3

This course describes typical development during school and adolescent years, including physical and cognitive development. Focus is on Piaget, Vygotsky, information processing, language and learning, social and personality development, moral development and aggression, adolescent egocentrism, risk taking, self and identity formation, Marcia’s theory, sex relations and psychosexual identity. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200, PSY220, PSY340 Credits: 3

Introduces students to the theoretical issues of Social Psychology, examining people’s behavior in interaction within the social context. It involves methodological issues in social psychology, development of meta-theories, reductionism, levels of explanation regarding human behavior, positivism, and understanding how people influence and are influenced by others around them. Topics covered include causal attribution and social knowledge, nature and measurement of attitudes, attitude change, persuasion, attitude behavior discrepancy and cognitive dissonance, forms and effects of prejudice, discrimination, and altruism. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, Co-req: PSY150, PSY340 Credits: 3

The primary goal of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding needed to analyze in depth the dynamic characteristics of interpersonal relationships within the context of social interaction. Focus is placed on communication and interpersonal relationships through systemic approaches, verbal and non-verbal communication, and close relationships within different social and cultural settings. Focus is placed on multiculturalism and social and economic problems facing the world today. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY240, PSY340 Credits: 3

This course provides knowledge of how statistics are used to evaluate theories in the social sciences, confidence limits and parameter estimates, hypothesis testing, statistical criteria and statistical significance, statistical errors, and power analysis. Students are familiarized with a variety of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as frequency distributions, analysis of covariance, post-hoc and a-priori comparisons, parametric and non-parametric statistical methods in analysis of variance designs, statistical significance of the correlation coefficient and introduction to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate techniques. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340 Credits: 3

The course introduces students to the biological bases of behavior and cognition, covering the structure and function of the central nervous system and emphasizing the molecular aspects of human neuroscience. Focus is on how the brain’s functioning affects human experience and behavior from the level of the neuron to that of neuronal systems, the effect of pharmaceutical and narcotic substances on the brain, organization and functions of the cerebral cortex, methods of investigating the living brain and changes that take place throughout the life span. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY200, Co-req: PSY340, PSY370 Credits: 3

The course is an introduction to adult psychopathology, focusing on problems in defining psychopathology, cultural dimensions, developmental parameters, and classifications systems (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-Revised (DSM-5), International Classification of Diseases-11 (ICD11) Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM). Reviewing the history of psychopathology, focus is given to contemporary approaches to psychopathology, biological-neuro-scientific approaches, psychopathological syndromes, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, psychoses, mood disorders, eating disorders, substance-related disorders, psychosomatic disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and organic syndrome. Major theoretical approaches and empirical findings regarding etiology and intervention in a clinical setting are examined. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340 Credits: 3

This course equips the entry-level clinician with an understanding of the variety of ethical dilemmas faced in clinical psychology. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the American and British Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, the ethical paradigm with which effective counseling can be practiced and to study legal precedents that have been established in the clinical field. Focus is placed on self-awareness of personal values, and multicultural issues concerning ethical decision making. Prerequisite(s): GE105; Co-requisites: GE106 Credits: 3

This course focuses on the definition and history of Cognitive Psychology; research methods, the biological bases of cognition and information-processing theory. Focus is on the basic principles associated with human cognition exploring such topics as perception, attention, memory, knowledge, problem solving, reasoning, language comprehension and production. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY200, Co-req: PSY340 Credits: 3

Examines related cognitive theories and how the scientific method works within the context of Cognitive Psychology. The course focuses on the definition and nature of methodological issues in the study of thinking, problem solving, reasoning, analogical thinking, language, and metacognitive processes. Special attention is given to understanding how research and theory in cognitive psychology have been applied to real-world problems. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340, PSY370 Credits: 3

This course examines the fundamental principles and concepts of classical and contemporary theories of personality. Students are encouraged to focus on the way that scientists of different theoretical disciplines describe the structure and motives of personality that explain individual differences in the way that people think, feel, and react in various circumstances. Different theories will be comparatively examined and specific topics such as the relationship between personality and intelligence as well as the relationship between personality and physical health will be studied. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340 Credits: 3

Introduces students to the philosophy, principles, and methods of scientific research in experimental psychology. The focus of the class is on experimental research methods, although non-experimental and descriptive research techniques are also covered. Among the many topics to be discussed are the goals, assumptions, and requirements of science; the steps of the scientific method; ethics, experimental control, and research design; sampling and generalization; and hypothesis testing and statistical significance. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY230, PSY245, PSY260, PSY300, PSY340, PSY375 Credits: 3

Provides students with opportunities for learning through practical experience in a professional setting. The intern will be given the chance to relate principles presented in textbooks and classroom settings to real-life situations, under responsible supervision. Internship is a total of 250 hours, 60% clinical hours and 40% non-clinical hours. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all core BSPSY requirements Credits: 4

Aims to bring together the organizational, statistical, and expressive skills fostered during undergraduate work. This course is the culminating activity in the psychology major. Students are expected to conduct a small-scale, thorough, empirically based research project (e.g., a survey, a field observation, or an experiment) in any area of psychology. This research, with a specific purpose and hypothesis of the student’s choice, must include review of the relevant professional literature, systematic data collection, analysis and interpretation, and professional write-up of the overall work. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all core BSPSY requirements Credits: 3

Introduces the field of educational psychology and explores the development of cognitive functions and language, individual and cultural differences, and research on teaching and learning. The course also covers conceptual approaches, stages of process, structure, and effectiveness of psychological and educational interventions for children and adolescents, linking theory, research, education, and intervention in the school community. The course also focuses on symptoms and interventions for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and ADHD. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106 Credits: 3

The aim of the course is to promote understanding of the applications of psychology to the judicial system in the field of Forensic Psychology. The content of the module includes the psychology of violence and aggression, victimology, the association between mental health and crime, the role of expert witnessing in courts and the role of the forensic psychologist within forensic settings and the police. Focus is on the understanding of inventories, procedures, case conceptualizations and interventions based on Forensic Psychology theory and practice. The course is structured in such a manner as to give students the opportunity to work on their practical and critical skills and focus on how theory is embedded in practice and case performance. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150 Credits: 3

Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding psychometric testing. Emphasis is placed on understanding statistical concepts related to test construction and the psychometric properties of test scores, reliability, and validity and how these test characteristics are estimated and applied in practice. Emphasis is also placed on learning the logic and assumptions of methods, approaches, and techniques used to develop psychometric instruments, such as item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Item Response Theory (IRT). Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340 Credits: 33

This course introduces the student to the field of contemporary Clinical Psychology, assessment, intervention, prevention, and research. The basic contemporary theoretical models with respect to etiology and intervention are presented. Assessment methodology is also studied, using instruments such as the Bender-Gestalt test, the Wechsler series (WAIS, WISC, WPPSI), the Stanford-Binet Test, Raven’s Progressive Matrices, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory (MMCI) and the Rorschach Inkblot test. Attention is given to the development of professional identity and client relationships according to different approaches and the skills required for professional attention. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200 Credits: 3

This course examines the scope of Cross-Cultural Psychology, its historical roots, and relations with other disciplines. The course examines methodological issues, similarities, and differences in behavior across cultures, cognitive styles, intelligence, child development and cultural transmission. Emphasis is placed on personality and social behavior, values, individualism and collectivism, gender issues, aggressive behavior, acculturation, and intercultural relations. Attention is also given to gender roles, ethnic groups, subcultures, urban and rural societies, cultural and differing family life patterns. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY340 Credits: 3

This course provides students with an introduction to applied health psychology, a study of the biopsychosocial model, factors related to the appearance, course and outcome of disease and the relationship between personality and health related behaviors such as smoking, diet, obesity, alcohol, and exercise. Focus is on chronic disease and disability, terminal disease, loss and bereavement, prevention and health management of stress, and pain. Students will also study effective interventions for specific health behaviors and disorders, quality of life, burn-out, staff and patient relationships and effective communication skills. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL150, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340 Credits: 3

The course introduces the basic concepts of psychopathology, and methodological issues in studying disorders. Focus is on the study of specific syndromes of problem behaviors during infancy, preschool, school age and adolescence which represent main aspects of cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional development. Attention is given to the underlying causes of psychopathology, placing emphasis on the skills required when dealing with case studies. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200 Credits: 3

The course aims at linking behavior and cognitive functions in a comprehensive overview of the field of Neuropsychology. Areas covered include the history of neuropsychology, basic anatomy of the brain, methods of investigation of the brain, common disorders of the nervous system, structure and function of the cerebral lobes, brain asymmetry, memory, the neuropsychological evaluation, and the role of the clinical neuropsychologist. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY200, PSY300, PSY340 Credits: 3

This course offers a comprehensive journey through the historical and theoretical landscapes of learning, behavior modification, and the psychology of beliefs and values. The focus is on a variety of theoretical frameworks and research methodologies, from conditioning to the assessment techniques of Thurstone, Likert, and Schwartz, uncovering the underpinnings of behavior and societal expectations. Students study social axioms, stereotypes, and prejudices, and the role they play in shaping motivation and behavior. Through emic and etic approaches, the dynamic interplay between individual beliefs and cultural values are also considered including contemporary issues such as mindfulness in attitude formation, the impact of the 1960s-1970s Social Psychology crisis on epistemological principles, and the evolving discourse in psychology. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, PSY150, PSY200, PSY340 Credits: 3

Helps students develop a critical understanding of contemporary psychological approaches to the understanding of addiction. Students consider the relative contributions of psychological theories from the fields of biological, behavioral, social, and cognitive psychology to understanding, treatment, and prevention of both drug-related addictions and selected addictive behaviors, such as gambling, overeating, alcoholism etc. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, BIOL200, PSY150, PSY200, PSY300, PSY340 Credits: 3