The behavioral sciences department offers majors and minors in criminology, psychology and sociology, and a certificate in substance abuse counseling.
Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes, encompassing both research - learning about human and animal behavior - and practice - applying knowledge to solve problems. Opportunities for work in this field are expanding in number and scope within psychology's many subfields.
Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes, encompassing both research, through which we learn about human and animal behavior, and practice, through which knowledge is applied in helping to solve problems. Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat patients with mental and emotional disorders. Opportunities for work in psychology are expanding in number and scope as evidenced by psychology's sub-fields - biopsychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, engineering psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, social psychology and sports psychology.
Requirements for psychology major and education licensure - In addition to the psychology major, students may complete the adolescent to young adult licensure program for integrated social studies. This program prepares the student to seek licensure for teaching all social studies in grades 7-12 in the public schools of Ohio. For information regarding this licensure program, contact the Education Department.
Major and Minor Requirements for Psychology
The major in psychology requires 42 hours of course work. PSY 100 (1); PSY 110 (4); PSY 200 (1); BESCI 210 (4); PSY 220 (4); PSY 310 (4); PSY 320 (4); PSY 330 (4); PSY 340 (4); PSY 350 (4); PSY 360 (4); PSY 410 (4). Course descriptions are provided below.
Minor requirements include: PSY 110, BESCI 210, PSY 220, and 2 of the following courses; PSY 310, PSY 320, PSY 330, PSY 340, PSY 350, and PSY 360.
A psychology major who declares a second major in criminology or sociology is waived from the corresponding 100 and 200 Seminar courses, and may not enroll in the corresponding 301 and 401 Seminar courses./p>
Psychology Course Offerings
100 SEMINAR I - INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGY - ( 1 ). An introduction to psychology for new majors, including information about degree and career planning, skills for college success, advising resources, professional associations, e.g., the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society, the publication manual of the discipline, library skills, electronic mail, and the World Wide Web. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisite: None.
110 PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY - (4). An introduction to psychology: biopsychology, sensation/perception, learning, memory, language, thought, motivation, personality, emotion, stress, development, social psychology and psychological disorders and therapies. Attention is given to the methodology of the social sciences. Prerequisite: None.
200 SEMINAR II - ETHICS - (1). An introduction to ethical reasoning in psychology including an interpretation of the ethics code as applied to evaluation, assessment, intervention, advertising, public statements, therapy, privacy, confidentiality, teaching, research and publishing. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: PSY 100.
201 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - (3). The foundation for critical thinking about the observation of teaching and learning, including teaching in relation to individual, developmental and cultural differences; research and applications from behavioral and cognitive perspectives; and educational measurement strategies. Includes an intensive field-based experience with self analysis and evaluation. Prerequisites: PSY 110.
210 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE STATISTICS - (4). Gen Ed. 7. A study of descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation, regression and hypothesis testing using the t, F and chi square tests. Prerequisites: PSY 110, MATH 120 or equivalent. Not open for students who have credit for MATH 215. Fulfills General Education Goal 7 (Quantitative Reasoning).
220 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS - (4). Students are shown how to test their own research hypotheses and to identify, and operationally define, research variables. They learn how to create research designs, perform appropriate statistical analyses in order to draw valid conclusions and write A.P.A.-style research reports. Prerequisites: PSY. 110, 210.
301 SEMINAR III - CAREER PLANNING - (1). Preparation for graduate training and psychology careers. Students will learn about application to graduate school and the G.R.E., and develop a graduate study and/or career plan. Attending at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: Junior Standing.
310 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Human physical, psychological and social development from conception through the intrauterine environment, birth, early and middle childhood, adolescence, and young, middle and older adulthood. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
320 SOCIAL/PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY - (4). The study of a person's behaviors, mental processes and personality variables relevant to group interactions. Topics include helping and aggression, social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, prejudice, group dynamics and influence. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 210 and 220.
330 BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). The physiological basis of behavior, including the genetics and evolution of behavior, central nervous system anatomy and physiology, research methods, diseases of the brain and associated behavioral alterations and the study of selected systems, e.g., sensorimotor, eating and drinking, sleeping and dreaming, language, and sexual behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 210 and 220.
340 CLINICAL/ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Historical understanding and symptomatology of organic, childhood, anxiety, dissociative, affective and personality disorders, the schizophrenias and deviant behavior, including consideration of legal and ethical issues. Prerequisite: PSY 110. (Formerly PSY 350)
350 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). A particular area of experimental research is examined in depth, either in learning, motivation, cognition, sensation/perception, or social psychology. Students conduct and present their own research in the area. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 210, and 220.
360 COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Counseling theories and affective, cognitive and behavioral techniques in individual and group settings, including basic skills training. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
371 CONSCIOUSNESS - (4). The study of consciousness, including the mind/body problem, biology of the mind, alterations of conscious experience (e.g., meditation, drugs, mystical experiences, hypnosis, ESP, biofeedback, sleeping, dreaming, sensory deprivation, psycho-neuro-immunology, and the placebo effect). Prerequisite: PSY 110.
372 BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT - (4). Operant principles and their use in building desired skills and reducing problem behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
381 INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Principles and applications of psychology in business and industry, including employee selection, performance appraisal, training and development, leadership, motivation, organizational development, employee safety and health, human factors, engineering and consumer psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
382 DYING, DEATH, AND BEREAVEMENT - (3). Through psychological and interdisciplinary approaches learners will gain an understanding and appreciation of the processes of dying, death, and bereavement. Theoretical, historical, and emerging perspectives will be explored. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
401 SEMINAR IV- PSYCHOLOGY PROSEMINAR - (1). A proseminar on psychology's academic and applied subdisciplines, including developmental, social/personality, biological, clinical, experimental and counseling psychology. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: Junior Standing.
410 HISTORY & SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY - (4). The history and development of psychological thought from the early Greeks through present times, with an emphasis on philosophical and physiological antecedents of contemporary psychology, primary sources readings and structured essay writing. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
491 INDIVIDUAL STUDY - (4). Individual, independent study with a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
493 SELECTED TOPICS - (1-4).
495 PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERNSHIP - (1-4). Supervised field experience in a psychological setting accompanied by relevant library research and reflective writing. Repeatable up to 8 hours. Prerequisite: PSY 110 and permission of instructor.
499 UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY THESIS - (4). Independent student scholarship usually comprising a comprehensive literature review, design and completion of psychological research, and a written and oral presentation of findings. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes, encompassing both research, through which we learn about human and animal behavior, and practice, through which knowledge is applied in helping to solve problems. Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat patients with mental and emotional disorders. Opportunities for work in psychology are expanding in number and scope as evidenced by psychology's sub-fields - biopsychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, engineering psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, social psychology and sports psychology.
Requirements for psychology major and education licensure - In addition to the psychology major, students may complete the adolescent to young adult licensure program for integrated social studies. This program prepares the student to seek licensure for teaching all social studies in grades 7-12 in the public schools of Ohio. For information regarding this licensure program, contact the Education Department.
Major and Minor Requirements for Psychology
The major in psychology requires 42 hours of course work. PSY 100 (1); PSY 110 (4); PSY 200 (1); BESCI 210 (4); PSY 220 (4); PSY 310 (4); PSY 320 (4); PSY 330 (4); PSY 340 (4); PSY 350 (4); PSY 360 (4); PSY 410 (4). Course descriptions are provided below.
Minor requirements include: PSY 110, BESCI 210, PSY 220, and 2 of the following courses; PSY 310, PSY 320, PSY 330, PSY 340, PSY 350, and PSY 360.
A psychology major who declares a second major in criminology or sociology is waived from the corresponding 100 and 200 Seminar courses, and may not enroll in the corresponding 301 and 401 Seminar courses./p>
Psychology Course Offerings
100 SEMINAR I - INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGY - ( 1 ). An introduction to psychology for new majors, including information about degree and career planning, skills for college success, advising resources, professional associations, e.g., the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society, the publication manual of the discipline, library skills, electronic mail, and the World Wide Web. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisite: None.
110 PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY - (4). An introduction to psychology: biopsychology, sensation/perception, learning, memory, language, thought, motivation, personality, emotion, stress, development, social psychology and psychological disorders and therapies. Attention is given to the methodology of the social sciences. Prerequisite: None.
200 SEMINAR II - ETHICS - (1). An introduction to ethical reasoning in psychology including an interpretation of the ethics code as applied to evaluation, assessment, intervention, advertising, public statements, therapy, privacy, confidentiality, teaching, research and publishing. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: PSY 100.
201 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - (3). The foundation for critical thinking about the observation of teaching and learning, including teaching in relation to individual, developmental and cultural differences; research and applications from behavioral and cognitive perspectives; and educational measurement strategies. Includes an intensive field-based experience with self analysis and evaluation. Prerequisites: PSY 110.
210 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE STATISTICS - (4). Gen Ed. 7. A study of descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation, regression and hypothesis testing using the t, F and chi square tests. Prerequisites: PSY 110, MATH 120 or equivalent. Not open for students who have credit for MATH 215. Fulfills General Education Goal 7 (Quantitative Reasoning).
220 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS - (4). Students are shown how to test their own research hypotheses and to identify, and operationally define, research variables. They learn how to create research designs, perform appropriate statistical analyses in order to draw valid conclusions and write A.P.A.-style research reports. Prerequisites: PSY. 110, 210.
301 SEMINAR III - CAREER PLANNING - (1). Preparation for graduate training and psychology careers. Students will learn about application to graduate school and the G.R.E., and develop a graduate study and/or career plan. Attending at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: Junior Standing.
310 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Human physical, psychological and social development from conception through the intrauterine environment, birth, early and middle childhood, adolescence, and young, middle and older adulthood. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
320 SOCIAL/PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY - (4). The study of a person's behaviors, mental processes and personality variables relevant to group interactions. Topics include helping and aggression, social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, prejudice, group dynamics and influence. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 210 and 220.
330 BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). The physiological basis of behavior, including the genetics and evolution of behavior, central nervous system anatomy and physiology, research methods, diseases of the brain and associated behavioral alterations and the study of selected systems, e.g., sensorimotor, eating and drinking, sleeping and dreaming, language, and sexual behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 210 and 220.
340 CLINICAL/ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Historical understanding and symptomatology of organic, childhood, anxiety, dissociative, affective and personality disorders, the schizophrenias and deviant behavior, including consideration of legal and ethical issues. Prerequisite: PSY 110. (Formerly PSY 350)
350 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). A particular area of experimental research is examined in depth, either in learning, motivation, cognition, sensation/perception, or social psychology. Students conduct and present their own research in the area. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 210, and 220.
360 COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Counseling theories and affective, cognitive and behavioral techniques in individual and group settings, including basic skills training. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
371 CONSCIOUSNESS - (4). The study of consciousness, including the mind/body problem, biology of the mind, alterations of conscious experience (e.g., meditation, drugs, mystical experiences, hypnosis, ESP, biofeedback, sleeping, dreaming, sensory deprivation, psycho-neuro-immunology, and the placebo effect). Prerequisite: PSY 110.
372 BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT - (4). Operant principles and their use in building desired skills and reducing problem behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
381 INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - (4). Principles and applications of psychology in business and industry, including employee selection, performance appraisal, training and development, leadership, motivation, organizational development, employee safety and health, human factors, engineering and consumer psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
382 DYING, DEATH, AND BEREAVEMENT - (3). Through psychological and interdisciplinary approaches learners will gain an understanding and appreciation of the processes of dying, death, and bereavement. Theoretical, historical, and emerging perspectives will be explored. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
401 SEMINAR IV- PSYCHOLOGY PROSEMINAR - (1). A proseminar on psychology's academic and applied subdisciplines, including developmental, social/personality, biological, clinical, experimental and counseling psychology. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. Prerequisites: Junior Standing.
410 HISTORY & SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY - (4). The history and development of psychological thought from the early Greeks through present times, with an emphasis on philosophical and physiological antecedents of contemporary psychology, primary sources readings and structured essay writing. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
491 INDIVIDUAL STUDY - (4). Individual, independent study with a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
493 SELECTED TOPICS - (1-4).
495 PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERNSHIP - (1-4). Supervised field experience in a psychological setting accompanied by relevant library research and reflective writing. Repeatable up to 8 hours. Prerequisite: PSY 110 and permission of instructor.
499 UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY THESIS - (4). Independent student scholarship usually comprising a comprehensive literature review, design and completion of psychological research, and a written and oral presentation of findings. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
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