Effective Winter 2023
Students who elect a major in Psychology may not elect the Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience major.
The Department has Academic and Peer Advisors (during the Fall and Winter semester only) to support students with declaring and exploring majors, confirming major progress, assisting with research and course options, as well as discussing transfer credit, academic difficulties, and graduate school options. Students can schedule an appointment in 1343 East Hall or online . Students are encouraged to review the Psychology dept. course charts to understand how current course offerings fit into the major.
Credit/No-credit courses may be used toward the Lab requirement, but will not count toward the total number of psychology credits required for major.
Minimum Credits: 32
A minimum of 40 credits, including the prerequisites and courses within the major. At least two courses must be taken at the 300-level.
1. Breadth Requirement: One course from each of three breadth groups
- Group I: PSYCH 220 or 235 or 240
- Group II: PSYCH 250 or 270
- Group III: PSYCH 280 or 290 or 291
2. Lab Requirement: To meet the lab requirement, students may complete either:
- two (at least 3 credits each) courses from the list of Methods-based Lab courses;
- one (at least 3 credits) course from the list of Methods-based Lab courses and one (at least 3 credits) course from the list of Experiential Lab courses (i.e., Community-based or Research-based); or
- the Psychology Thesis Research sequence (at least 6 credits total)
Methods-Based Lab Courses: PSYCH 300 (if taken FA22 or later), 301 (if taken FA22 or later), 302, 303, 331/332, 341, 342 (if taken FA22 or later), 351, 357, 361, 371, 381, 383, 391, 422, 423, 426, 429, 451, 457 section titled “Developmental Methods” or “Research Methods in Educational and Cross Cultural Settings”.
Experiential Lab Courses: (3 credits minimum to satisfy requirement):
- Community-based Lab Courses: PSYCH 211, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 310, 311, 317, 319, 324, 325, 404, 405, 485;
- Research-based Lab Courses: PSYCH 226, 322, 323, 326, 327, 422, 423, 424, 428
A total of six credits of Psychology letter-graded Experiential lab (community or research-based courses) may be counted towards the Psychology major.
Thesis Research Sequence: Honors - PSYCH 424 & 426; non-Honors – Psych 428 & 429
A minimum of three credits of Research-based courses must be taken in a single academic term to satisfy the Psychology Lab requirement. Students wishing to pursue the Psychology Honors Research Major should acquire research and statistical skills early in their major before applying.
3. Electives: Additional 300- and 400-level Courses for the major.
The remainder of the major is filled by at least four upper-level Psych lecture or seminar courses for a minimum of 12 credits:
- at least two of the courses must be at the 300-level (PSYCH 225 or COGSCI 200 may be substituted for one of these courses)
- at least one of the courses must be at the 400-level
Students may specialize in various areas of Psychology through their course choices. Seven areas of specialization are offered.
Applied behaviour analysis – This area of study involves the systematic application of learning principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals’ covert and overt behaviours in order to help them function more fully in society. Training in the basic research on behaviour is also provided.
Brain and cognitive sciences – Study in this area includes training in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. The Department’s neuroscientists offer training in neuropsychology, developmental neuroscience, neurotoxicology and fMRI. The Department’s cognitive scientists provide expertise in the domains of language processes, visual and auditory perception and selective attention and memory.
Clinical psychology– Clinical psychologists are trained to meet the ever-changing needs of clinical service, research, education and administration. Study in this area includes a solid grounding in both the science of psychology and clinical practice.
Developmental psychology – Study in this area includes cognition, linguistics, social psychology and health psychology.
Quantitative – Study in this area involves exploration of a broad range of topics in measurement, research design and statistical analysis.
School psychology – This program provides training in the principles and practices of school psychology, preparing students to deliver psychological services within the school community context.
Social and personality psychology – Training in this area focuses on close relationships, intergroup dynamics and motivation. The close relationships area examines the interplay between personality and the social context that unfolds in all interpersonal relationships. The intergroup relations area examines people’s attitudes and behaviours toward members of other groups, with an emphasis on issues of social justice. The motivation area examines adaptive mindsets and the motivational, emotional, attributional, and behavioural decision-making dynamics that link these mindsets to meaningful outcomes in the areas of achievement, health, and well-being across the lifespan.
PSY 1001-Introduction to Psychology is a prerequisite to all other courses in the major. DO take an introductory or general psychology course at your current institution to stay on track.
“Statistics” – PSY 3801-Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis, is required for both the BA and the BS major. PSY 3801 can be challenging for students with no background in statistics. If you are a community college student who is uncomfortable with math, consider taking an introductory/elementary statistics course at your community college to prepare. While it is unlikely that a statistics course from a community college will count in place of PSY 3801, it can provide a good knowledge base for future success in PSY 3801. Transfer students will typically take PSY 3801 in their first semester at UMTC.
BS Outside Psychology Foundation (OPFC) courses – For the BS Psychology major, 18 or more credits from disciplines outside of Psychology are required – Philosophy, Computer Science/Math, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences. Some of the approved courses have prerequisites. For example, Math 1271 – Calculus I can count as an Outside Foundation course; however, depending on your math skills, you may need a prerequisite math course before you can take Math 1271.
Depending on the Outside Foundation courses you choose, plan to start appropriate prerequisites for courses early in your academic career.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
See the catalog for all courses in the major.
Remember, when using Transferology to plan courses for the major, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses. In Transferology, a direct equivalent shows as the UMTC course number. For example, COMM 1101 is a direct equivalent, while COMM 1T*** is not.
PSY 1001 –
Introduction to Psychology (SOCS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: PSTL 1281/Psy 1001/Psy 1001H Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Scientific study of human behavior. Problems, methods, findings of modern psychology.
PSY 1001H –
Honors Introduction to Psychology (SOCS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: PSTL 1281/Psy 1001/Psy 1001H Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Scientific study of human behavior. Problems, methods, findings of modern psychology. prereq: Honors
PSY 3801 –
Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis (MATH)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3801/Psy 3801H Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Descriptive/basic inferential statistics used in psychology. Measures of central tendency, variability, t tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, regression, confidence intervals, effect sizes. Psychological measurement. Graphical data presentation. Statistical software. prereq: High school algebra, [PSY 1001 or equiv]; intended for students who plan to major in psychology
PSY 3801H –
Honors Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis (MATH)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3801/Psy 3801H Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall
Descriptive/basic inferential statistics in psychology. Measures of central tendency, variability, t tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, regression, confidence intervals, effect sizes. Psychological measurement. Graphical data presentation. Statistical software. prereq: [1001 or equiv], high school algebra, honors; intended for students who plan to major in psychology
PSY 3001W –
Introduction to Research Methods (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3001W/Psy 3001V/3005W Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Concepts/procedures used to conduct/evaluate research, especially in social sciences. Benefits/limitations of traditional research methods. Evaluating scientific claims. prereq: [1001, [2801 or 3801 or equiv]] or dept consent
PSY 3001V –
Honors Introduction to Research Methods (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3001W/Psy 3001V/3005W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Spring
Concepts/procedures used to conduct/evaluate research, especially in social sciences. Benefits/limitations of traditional research methods. Evaluating scientific claims. prereq: [1001, [2081/3801 or equiv]]or dept consent, PSY major, honors student
PSY 3011 –
Introduction to Learning and Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall
Methods/findings of research on learning and behavior change. Twentieth-century theoretical perspectives, including contemporary models. Emphasizes animal learning and behavioral psychology.prereq: 1001
PSY 3031 –
Introduction to Sensation and Perception
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Madr 3031/Psy 3031 Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Psychological, biological, and physical bases of sensory experience in humans and animals. Emphasizes senses of vision/hearing. prereq: PSY 1001
PSY 3051 –
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3051 / CGSC 5051 Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Scientific study of the mind in terms of representation and processing of information. Research and theory on cognitive abilities such as perception, attention, memory, language, and reasoning. Aspects of computational modeling and neural systems.prereq: 1001
PSY 3061 –
Introduction to Biological Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3061/5061 Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Neurophysiology/neuroanatomy, neural mechanisms of motivation, emotion, sleep-wakefulness cycle, learning/memory in animals/humans. Neural basis of abnormal behavior, drug abuse. prereq: 1001 or BIOL 1009 or NSci 1100
PSY 4021 –
Creativity Sciences: Minds, Brains, and Innovation
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Creativity and innovation play a pivotal role in our individual and collective lives. How do our minds, brains, and environments together enable the generation of useful novel ideas? This course investigates this question, using empirical findings and methods from the cognitive and brain sciences and other disciplines. Both close readings of original empirical research articles and active hands-on/minds-on within-class experiments and collaborative activities are core parts of the course. Two integrative themes throughout the course are the need for dynamically adaptive (contextually sensitive) variation in both levels of cognitive control and goal guidance (deliberate to spontaneous to automatic) and our level of representational specificity (concrete and specific to mid-level to abstract). prereq: Psy 1001
PSY 4032 –
Psychology of Music
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Sound, hearing, music perception. Cognitive neuroscience of music appreciation/production. Concepts in perception/production of sound/music. Music psychology topics. Recent primary research.prereq: Grad or [[jr or sr], [3011 or 3031 or 3051 or 3061]] or instr consent
PSY 4036 –
Perceptual Issues in Visual Impairment
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Challenges/capabilities of people who are blind or have low vision. Reading, space perception, mobility. Strengths/weaknesses of adaptive technology.prereq: 1001 or instr consent
PSY 5014 –
Psychology of Human Learning and Memory
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Human memory encoding/retrieval. How we adaptively use memory. Brain systems that support memory. Episodic/semantic memory. Working/short-term memory. Procedural memory. Repetition priming. Prospective remembering. Autobiographical memory. prereq: 3011 or 3051 or honors or grad student
PSY 5015 –
Cognition, Computation, and Brain
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Human cognitive abilities (perception, memory, attention) from different perspectives (e.g., cognitive psychological approach, cognitive neuroscience approach).prereq: [Honors or grad] or [[jr or sr], [3011 or 3031 or 3051 or 3061]] or instr consent
PSY 5018H –
Mathematical Models of Human Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Mathematical models of complex human behavior, including individual/group decision making, information processing, learning, perception, and overt action. Specific computational techniques drawn from decision theory, information theory, probability theory, machine learning, and elements of data analysis.prereq: Math 1271 or instr consent
PSY 5031W –
Perception (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: NSc/Psy 5031 Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Cognitive, computational, and neuroscience perspectives on visual perception. Topics include color vision, pattern vision, image formation in the eye, object recognition, reading, and impaired vision.prereq: 3031 or 3051 or instr consent
PSY 5036W –
Computational Vision (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Applications of psychology, neuroscience, computer science to design principles underlying visual perception, visual cognition, action. Compares biological/physical processing of images with respect to image formation, perceptual organization, object perception, recognition, navigation, motor control.prereq: [[3031 or 3051], [Math 1272 or equiv]] or instr consent
PSY 5037 –
Psychology of Hearing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: NSc 5037/Psy 5037 Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Biological and physical aspects of hearing, auditory psychophysics, theories and models of hearing, perception of complex sounds including music and speech. Clinical/other applications.Prereq: Instructor permission
PSY 5038W –
Introduction to Neural Networks (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Parallel distributed processing models in neural/cognitive science. Linear models, Hebbian rules, self-organization, non-linear networks, optimization, representation of information. Applications to sensory processing, perception, learning, memory.prereq: [[3061 or NSC 3102], [MATH 1282 or 2243]] or instr consent
PSY 5052 –
Psychology of Attention
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Is attention needed for perception? Are we more likely to attend to locations associated with reward? Does brain training work? Are attention deficits at the root of autism spectrum disorders? This course will introduce students to advanced topics in the psychology of attention. It will combine didactic lecturing, instructor-led discussions, and student-led discussions on core topics of attention and its neural substrates. Students will acquire familiarity with theories, phenomena, and experimental paradigms of attention. prereq: Psy 3051 or equivalent
PSY 5054 –
Psychology of Language
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall
Theories/experimental evidence in past/present conceptions of psychology of language.prereq: Grad or [[jr or sr], [3011 or 3031 or 3051 or 3061]] or instr consent
PSY 5062 –
Cognitive Neuropsychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall
Consequences of different types of brain damage on human perception/cognition. Neural mechanisms of normal perceptual/cognitive functions. Vision/attention disorders, split brain, language deficits, memory disorders, central planning deficits. Emphasizes function/phenomenology. Minimal amount of brain anatomy.prereq: Grad or [[jr or sr], [3011 or 3031 or 3051 or 3061]] or instr consent
PSY 5063 –
Introduction to Functional MRI
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall
How to understand and perform a brain imaging experiment. Theory and practice of functional MRI experimental design, execution, and data analysis. Students develop experimental materials/acquire and analyze their own functional MRI data. Lectures/lab exercises.prereq: Jr or sr or grad or instr consent
PSY 5064 –
Brain and Emotion
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Introduction to affective neuroscience. How brain promotes emotional/motivated behavior in animals/humans. Biological theories of emotion in historical/current theoretical contexts. Fundamental brain motivational systems, including fear, pleasure, attachment, stress, and regulation of motivated behavior. Implications for emotional development, vulnerability to psychiatric disorders.prereq: 3061 or 5061 or instr consent
PSY 5065 –
Functional Imaging: Hands-on Training
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Basic neuroimaging techniques/functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). First half of semester covers basic physical principles. Second half students design/execute fMRI experiment on Siemens 3 Tesla scanner. prereq: [3801 or equiv], [3061 or NSCI 3101], instr consent
PSY 5066 –
Neuroscience, Philosophy and Ethics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Neuroscience increasingly allows us to explain the human experience in terms of mechanistic, electrochemical processes. The current course explores philosophical issues sparked by these developments in two modules. The first module examines the ways in which human neuroscience may shed new light on age-long philosophical quagmires such as mind-body dualism, free-will, and consciousness. For example, will neuroscience solve the mind-body problem by providing a wholly physical account of human nature? Is the neural view of decision making as a logical consequence of brain states incompatible with free-will? Can all of conscious experience (qualia) be reduced to neurobiology? The second module turns to neuro-ethical questions regarding the potential benefits and harms neuroscience might bring to the moral fabric of society.
CPSY 4303 –
Adolescent Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Overview of development in the teenage years/second decade of life. Interactions of adolescents with family, school, and society. prereq: PSY 1001 or equivalent
PSY 3101 –
Introduction to Personality
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Covers the major issues in personality psychology, including personality traits, their assessment, and their roots in genetic and environmental influences; personality development and the effects of personality on life outcomes; psychological and biological processes related to personality; and the importance of goals, roles, and narrative identity. Various contemporary and historical perspectives are considered, including psychodynamic, humanistic, behaviorist, and evolutionary approaches. prereq: 1001
PSY 3201 –
Introduction to Social Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Overview of theories/research in social psychology. Attitudes/persuasion, social judgment, the self, social influence, aggression, prejudice, helping, and applications.prereq: 1001 or instr consent
PSY 3206 –
Introduction to Health Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Madr 3206/Psy 3206 Typically offered: Every Spring
Theories/research in health psychology. Bi-directional relationships between psychological factors and physical health. Stress/coping, adjustment to chronic illness. Psychological factors in etiology/course of disease. Health behavior change. prereq: 1001
PSY 3301 –
Introduction to Cultural Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Argn 3301/Madr 3301/Psy 3301 Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Theories/research on how culture influences basic psychological processes (e.g., emotion, cognition, psychopathology) in domains that span different areas of psychology (e.g., social, clinical, developmental, industrial-organizational) and of other disciplines (e.g., anthropology, public health, sociology). prereq: 1001
PSY 3604 –
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Madr 3604/Psy 3604/Psy 5604 Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Diagnosis, classification, etiologies of behavioral disorders. prereq: 1001
PSY 3617 –
Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Historical developments, contemporary issues. Trends in psychological assessment methods, intervention strategies, and clinical psychology research. Theories behind, empirical evidence for, usefulness of psychological intervention strategies.prereq: 3604 or 5604H
PSY 3633 –
Happiness: Integrating Research Across Psychological Sciences
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall
Nature of human happiness/fulfillment. Insights from cognitive, personality, and social psychology, and from biology and economics. Integrative approach to feelings that make life worth living.prereq: 3001W or 3001V or instr consent
PSY 3666 –
Human Sexuality
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Overview of theories, research, and contemporary issues in human sexual behavior from an interdisciplinary perspective. Sexual anatomy/physiology, hormones/sexual differentiation, cross-cultural perspectives on sexual development, social/health issues, and sexual dysfunction/therapy.prereq: 1001
PSY 4206 –
Interventions for Health and Wellness
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
This course explores empirically-tested psychological interventions to increase health and happiness. In the first part of the course, the focus will be on interventions to increase happiness, and students will test different strategies on themselves each week (as well as read the research literature on the strategies) as they attempt to increase happiness. In the second part of the course, students will select a health behavior, and then read about and test interventions (again on themselves) to change health behaviors, aiming to maintain a new health goal. A group project will involve creating an intervention to increase happiness on campus. Course consists of lecture, discussion, group work, and intervention design and testing. PSY 3206 is recommended, but not required.
PSY 4301 –
Psychology & Diversity Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This is an advanced course for undergraduate students interested in research, theory, history, and practice related to psychological perspectives in Diversity Science. Diversity Science broadly pertains to understanding causes, consequences, and correlates of human group-based variations, in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and the like. Students will learn how to adopt a scientific, analytic perspective on current issues and debates related to diversity within both academic research and popular culture. The course consists of lecture, discussion, and a substantial amount of hands-on learning through use and analysis of relevant research data.Prerequisites: Psy 3001W or Psy 3001V and Psy 3801 or Psy 3801H. In addition, completion of Psy 3301 is strongly recommended.
PSY 5101H –
Honors: Personality: Current Theory and Research
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Current theory and research on personality functioning and personality structure. Descriptive, biological, evolutionary, cognitive, developmental, cultural, and narrative perspectives on personality.prereq: Honors Psychology major OR Psychology PhD student
PSY 5202 –
Attitudes and Social Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Theory/research on social psychology of beliefs/attitudes. Persuasion principles.prereq: 3201 or instr consent
PSY 5204 –
Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Introduction to interpersonal relationship theory/research findings.prereq: Honors or grad student or instr consent
PSY 5205 –
Applied Social Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Applications of social psychology research/theory to domains such as physical/mental health, education, the media, desegregation, the legal system, energy conservation, public policy.prereq: 3201 or grad student or instr consent
PSY 5206 –
Social Psychology and Health Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Survey of social psychological theory/research regarding the processes that shape people’s beliefs about health and how these beliefs affect and are affected by their health behavior. Consideration of how theory and evidence regarding these processes informs the development and testing of intervention strategies to promote health behavior change.Prerequisite: Psy 3201
PSY 4207 –
Personality and Social Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 4207/Psy 5207 Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Every Fall
Conceptual/methodological strategies for scientific study of individuals and their social worlds. Applications of theory/research to issues of self, identity, and social interaction. prereq: 3101 or 3201 or honors or grad student or instr consent
PSY 5207 –
Personality and Social Behavior
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 4207/Psy 5207 Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Every Fall
Conceptual/methodological strategies for scientific study of individuals and their social worlds. Applications of theory/research to issues of self, identity, and social interaction. prereq: 3101 or 3201 or honors or grad student or instr consent
CPSY 3301 –
Introduction to Developmental Psychology (SOCS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
This course will examine normative physical, social, and cognitive development from the prenatal period through adolescence. The major goals include fostering an understanding of the usefulness of a developmental approach to psychological issues, familiarizing students with current research and methodology in child psychology, and engaging students in the experiences of developmental psychology through observation and analysis of child behavior. This course is intended for non-Child Psychology/Early Childhood majors. Those majors should take the cross-listed course CPSY 2301.
CPSY 3301H –
Honors Introduction to Developmental Psychology (SOCS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Spring
This course will examine normative physical, social, and cognitive development from the prenatal period through adolescence. The major goals include fostering an understanding of the usefulness of a developmental approach to psychological issues, familiarizing students with current research and methodology in developmental psychology, and engaging students in the experiences of developmental psychology through observation and analysis of child behavior. This course is intended for University Honors Program students both within and outside of the Developmental Psych/Early Childhood programs.
PSY 3121 –
History and Systems of Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Survey of the history, methods, and content of modern psychological theory, research, and application. Schools of psychology (e.g., structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, Gestalt psychology) and central theories of psychology reviewed in their historical and philosophical context.prereq: PSY 1001
PSY 3511 –
Introduction to Counseling Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
History, theories, and research related to counseling psychology. Development/application of counseling theories to diverse populations. Psychological research on counseling process. Psychological mechanisms that promote change in people’s lives. prereq: 1001
PSY 3711 –
Psychology in the Workplace
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Madr 3711/Psy 3711 Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Application of psychological theory/research to recruitment, personnel selection, training/development, job design, work group design, work motivation, leadership, performance assessment, job satisfaction measurement. prereq: 1001, [2801/3801 or equiv] or SCO 2550 or instr consent
PSY 4501 –
Psychology of Women and Gender
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Theory/research regarding psychology of women and psychological sex differences/similarities. Issues unique to women (e.g., pregnancy). Research comparing men/women in terms of personality, abilities, and behavior.prereq: [[Jr or sr], psych major] or instr consent
PSY 4521 –
Psychology of Stress and Trauma
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Spring
This course covers the major theories and research findings related to stress and trauma, including the effects of stress and trauma on mental and physical health, factors related to more effective coping with stress/trauma and interventions designed to decrease the negative effects of stress and trauma. Course material will highlight research related to stress and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The course focuses on both research methods and personal application of research findings.prereq: PSY 1001 and 3001W or PSY 3001V or CPSY 3308W
PSY 5136 –
Human Abilities
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Theory, methods, and applications of research in human abilities. Intelligence, aptitude, achievement, specific abilities, information processing/learning and intelligence, aptitude/treatment interactions, and quantitative measurement issues.prereq: [3001W or 3001V], [3135 or 5135], [5862 or equiv] or instr consent
PSY 5137 –
Introduction to Behavioral Genetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall
Genetic methods for studying human/animal behavior. Emphasizes nature/origin of individual differences in behavior. Twin and adoption methods. Cytogenetics, molecular genetics, linkage/association studies.prereq: 3001W or equiv or instr consent
PSY 5501 –
Self, Society and Health – What’s Work Got To Do With It?
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Spring
Survey of history, concepts, theories, methods, and findings of vocational/occupational health psychology. Burnout, personality, violence, stressors/stress-relations, counter productive behaviors, coping in workplace. Vocational development/assessment, career decision-making/counseling, person-environment fit.prereq: 3001W or equiv or instr consent
PSY 5701 –
Employee Selection and Staffing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 5701/Psy 5707 Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Application of psychological research/theory to issues in personnel recruitment/selection and to measurement of job performance. Applying principles of individual differences, psychological measurement to decision making in organizations (recruitment, selection, performance appraisal). Prerequisite: Psy 3001W, Psy 3711 or Instructor Permission
PSY 5703 –
Psychology of Organizational Training and Development
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 5703/Psy 5707 Typically offered: Every Fall
Theories, methods, research, and practice of improving performance of individuals at work through adult learning and instruction, including needs analysis, learning philosophy, models of program and instructional design, theory of knowledge and training transfer, learning analytics, and training evaluation. Prerequisites: PSY 3801 or equivalent
PSY 5708 –
Organizational Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 5702/5705/5708 Typically offered: Every Spring
Psychological causes of behavior in work organizations. Consequences for individual fulfillment and organizational effectiveness. Individual differences, social perception, motivation, stress, job design, leadership, job satisfaction, teamwork, organizational culture.Prereq: Psy 3001W or 3001V and 3711 OR Psy grad
PSY 5862 –
Psychological Measurement: Theory and Methods
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Every Fall
Types of measurements (tests, scales, inventories) and their construction. Theory/measurement of reliability/validity.prereq: 3801H or MATH 1271 or grad student
PSY 5865 –
Advanced Measurement: Theory and Application
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: EPsy 8222/Psy 5865 Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Topics in test theory. Classical reliability/validity theory/methods, generalizability theory. Linking, scaling, equating. Item response theory, methods for dichotomous/polytomous responses. Comparisons between classical, item response theory methods in instrument construction. prereq: 5862 or instr consent
PSY 3135 –
Introduction to Individual Differences
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3135/Psy 5135 Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Differential methods in studying human behavior. Psychological traits. Influence of age, sex, heredity, environment in individual/group differences in ability, personality, interests, social attitudes.prereq: [1001, [3801 or equiv]] or instr consent
PSY 5135 –
Psychology of Individual Differences
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3135/Psy 5135 Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Differential methods in study of human behavior. Psychological traits. Influence of age, sex, heredity, and environment in individual/group differences in ability, personality, interests, and social attitudes.prereq: [3001W or equiv] or [5862 or equiv] or instr consent
CPSY 4994 –
Directed Research in Developmental Psychology
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 16.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Serve as an Research Assistant in an Institute of Child Development faculty lab. Help plan/implement/document scientific studies and gain experience in research methodology. Duties vary based on lab and faculty projects that term, and are individually arranged with corresponding faculty and lab representatives.To register: students must first secure their own placement in a faculty research lab; see ICD website and departmental advisor for assistance. Students then submit completed contract to CPSY advisor for a permission number to register.
PSY 3896 –
Internship in Psychology
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 9.0] Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Students first need to secure an internship related to the field of Psychology. Support from Psychology Undergraduate Advising and CLA Career Services is available for this process. Corresponding online coursework includes written goals, journal entries, career development activities, and a culminating paper/project.Credits are variable based on hours at your site: – 1 credit – 45 hour minimum (average 3-4 hours per week) – 2 credit – 90 hour minimum (average 5-7 hours per week) – 3 credit – 135 hour minimum (average 8-9 hours per week) – 4 credit – 180 hour minimum (average 10-12 hours per week). The classwork (journal entries, final paper, etc.) required is increased relative to your credit registration.Students work with their site supervisors to submit a completed internship contract via Handshake in order to register. https://handshake.umn.edu/ — “Request an Experience”.Contact the [email protected] with any questions.A student may only earn credit for a given internship through one course at a time.prereq: Psychology BA or BS major, Department Permission
PSY 3960 –
Undergraduate Seminar in Psychology
Credits: 1.0 -5.0 [max 45.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Undergraduate seminars in subjects of current interest in psychology.prereq: 1001
PSY 3993 –
Directed Study
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 24.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Independent reading leading to paper or to oral or written exam. Prereq instr consent, dept consent, college consent.
PSY 3996 –
Undergraduate Fieldwork and Internship in Psychology
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 16.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Supervised fieldwork/internship in community/industry pertinent to formal academic training in psychology. prereq: 1001, instr consent, dept consent
PSY 4960 –
Seminar in Psychology
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 16.0] Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Seminars in subjects of current interest in Psychology.prereq: [1001, psych major] or instr consent
PSY 4993 –
Directed Research: Special Areas of Psychology and Related Sciences
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 48.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed research projects in psychology.prereq: instr consent, dept consent
PSY 4996H –
Honors Internship/Externship
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Supervised internship/externship experience in a community-service or industrial setting relevant to formal academic training/objectives.prereq: Honors, instr consent, dept consent, college consent
PSY 5960 –
Topics in Psychology
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 8.0] Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Special course or seminar. Topics listed in Class Schedule. prereq: PSY 1001, [jr or sr or grad student]
PSY 5993 –
Research Laboratory in Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 18.0] Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Laboratory instruction and seminars in faculty research areas.prereq: instr consent, dept consent
PSY 4993 –
Directed Research: Special Areas of Psychology and Related Sciences
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 48.0] Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed research projects in psychology.prereq: instr consent, dept consent
PSY 5993 –
Research Laboratory in Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 18.0] Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Laboratory instruction and seminars in faculty research areas.prereq: instr consent, dept consent
PSY 3901W –
Capstone in Psychology – Research Laboratory (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3901W/Psy 3902W/Psy 3903W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
The capstone courses in Psychology synthesize knowledge gained throughout major and create pathways to post-graduation life. Students will reflect on the discipline of psychology and on their experiences in their degree program; class and small group discussions will support this reflection. Students will be provided with access to professionals who are alumni of the psychology program and will have the opportunity to hear these career professionals speak about their varied career paths and to network with them for advice and connections to other professionals. Students will also receive important information regarding graduate school and career preparation from the Psychology Advising Office and CLA Career Services. In this course, you will draw from your experience in a faculty research lab (PSY 4/5993) to help develop the topic of your major project paper. Students complete a research paper based on activities in the lab, or a literature review if the lab did not complete empirical work. Before class begins students must secure a laboratory research experience in a faculty member’s lab for PSY 4/5993 credits or enroll in the PSY 5993 class, either the semester prior to or concurrently with your PSY 3901W enrollment. Because research lab positions are not guaranteed, we recommend BA students only select this option if they already have a PSY 4/5993 position secured. prereq: [3801 or equiv], 3001W, completion of five courses from three distribution areas, PSY major, senior
PSY 3902W –
Capstone in Psychology – Individual Interests (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3901W/Psy 3902W/Psy 3903W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
The capstone courses in Psychology synthesize knowledge gained throughout major and create pathways to post-graduation life. Students will reflect on the discipline of psychology and on their experiences in their degree program; class and small group discussions will support this reflection. Students will be provided with access to professionals who are alumni of the psychology program and will have the opportunity to hear these career professionals speak about their varied career paths and to network with them for advice and connections to other professionals. Students will also receive important information regarding graduate school and career preparation from the Psychology Advising Office and CLA Career Services. In this course, you will develop a project that relates to your personal or occupational interests. It includes extra reading or contact with people working in your area of interest. The most common way to satisfy this requirement is to read a book written by a psychologist for a general audience or to interview at least three professionals working in your area of interest. Other ideas may be discussed with the course instructor. prereq: [3801 or equiv], 3001W, completion of five courses from three distribution areas, PSY major, senior
PSY 3903W –
Capstone in Psychology – Community Engagement (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3901W/Psy 3902W/Psy 3903W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
The capstone courses in Psychology synthesize knowledge gained throughout major and create pathways to post-graduation life. Students will reflect on the discipline of psychology and on their experiences in their degree program; class and small group discussions will support this reflection. Students will be provided with access to professionals who are alumni of the psychology program and will have the opportunity to hear these career professionals speak about their varied career paths and to network with them for advice and connections to other professionals. Students will also receive important information regarding graduate school and career preparation from the Psychology Advising Office and CLA Career Services. In this course, you will have the opportunity to connect your study of psychology to important issues in the local community. The Center for Community-Engaged Learning provides students with the opportunity to work onsite at a nearby community organization for approximately four hours each week throughout the semester. Students draw from this community experience to help identify the topic of their capstone paper. In the first week of classes you will receive instructions from the Center for Community-Engaged Learning regarding community site placement. prereq: [3801 or equiv], 3001W, completion of five courses from three distribution areas, PSY major, senior
PSY 4994V –
Honors Research Practicum (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Spring
Practical experience conducting psychological research. Preparation for completion of honors thesis. Research ethics, practical aspects of conducting psychological research, writing research reports. Students assist faculty and advanced graduate students in research.prereq: [3001W or 3001V], psych major, honors
PSY 4902V –
Honors Project (WI)
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0] Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Critical literature review or empirical study. prereq: instr consent, dept consent
PSY 3001W –
Introduction to Research Methods (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3001W/Psy 3001V/3005W Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Concepts/procedures used to conduct/evaluate research, especially in social sciences. Benefits/limitations of traditional research methods. Evaluating scientific claims. prereq: [1001, [2801 or 3801 or equiv]] or dept consent
PSY 3001V –
Honors Introduction to Research Methods (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3001W/Psy 3001V/3005W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Spring
Concepts/procedures used to conduct/evaluate research, especially in social sciences. Benefits/limitations of traditional research methods. Evaluating scientific claims. prereq: [1001, [2081/3801 or equiv]]or dept consent, PSY major, honors student
PSY 3901W –
Capstone in Psychology – Research Laboratory (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3901W/Psy 3902W/Psy 3903W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
The capstone courses in Psychology synthesize knowledge gained throughout major and create pathways to post-graduation life. Students will reflect on the discipline of psychology and on their experiences in their degree program; class and small group discussions will support this reflection. Students will be provided with access to professionals who are alumni of the psychology program and will have the opportunity to hear these career professionals speak about their varied career paths and to network with them for advice and connections to other professionals. Students will also receive important information regarding graduate school and career preparation from the Psychology Advising Office and CLA Career Services. In this course, you will draw from your experience in a faculty research lab (PSY 4/5993) to help develop the topic of your major project paper. Students complete a research paper based on activities in the lab, or a literature review if the lab did not complete empirical work. Before class begins students must secure a laboratory research experience in a faculty member’s lab for PSY 4/5993 credits or enroll in the PSY 5993 class, either the semester prior to or concurrently with your PSY 3901W enrollment. Because research lab positions are not guaranteed, we recommend BA students only select this option if they already have a PSY 4/5993 position secured. prereq: [3801 or equiv], 3001W, completion of five courses from three distribution areas, PSY major, senior
PSY 3902W –
Capstone in Psychology – Individual Interests (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3901W/Psy 3902W/Psy 3903W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
The capstone courses in Psychology synthesize knowledge gained throughout major and create pathways to post-graduation life. Students will reflect on the discipline of psychology and on their experiences in their degree program; class and small group discussions will support this reflection. Students will be provided with access to professionals who are alumni of the psychology program and will have the opportunity to hear these career professionals speak about their varied career paths and to network with them for advice and connections to other professionals. Students will also receive important information regarding graduate school and career preparation from the Psychology Advising Office and CLA Career Services. In this course, you will develop a project that relates to your personal or occupational interests. It includes extra reading or contact with people working in your area of interest. The most common way to satisfy this requirement is to read a book written by a psychologist for a general audience or to interview at least three professionals working in your area of interest. Other ideas may be discussed with the course instructor. prereq: [3801 or equiv], 3001W, completion of five courses from three distribution areas, PSY major, senior
PSY 3903W –
Capstone in Psychology – Community Engagement (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: Psy 3901W/Psy 3902W/Psy 3903W Grading Basis: A-F only Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
The capstone courses in Psychology synthesize knowledge gained throughout major and create pathways to post-graduation life. Students will reflect on the discipline of psychology and on their experiences in their degree program; class and small group discussions will support this reflection. Students will be provided with access to professionals who are alumni of the psychology program and will have the opportunity to hear these career professionals speak about their varied career paths and to network with them for advice and connections to other professionals. Students will also receive important information regarding graduate school and career preparation from the Psychology Advising Office and CLA Career Services. In this course, you will have the opportunity to connect your study of psychology to important issues in the local community. The Center for Community-Engaged Learning provides students with the opportunity to work onsite at a nearby community organization for approximately four hours each week throughout the semester. Students draw from this community experience to help identify the topic of their capstone paper. In the first week of classes you will receive instructions from the Center for Community-Engaged Learning regarding community site placement. prereq: [3801 or equiv], 3001W, completion of five courses from three distribution areas, PSY major, senior
PSY 4902V –
Honors Project (WI)
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0] Grading Basis: A-F or Aud Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Critical literature review or empirical study. prereq: instr consent, dept consent
PSY 5031W –
Perception (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Course Equivalencies: NSc/Psy 5031 Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Cognitive, computational, and neuroscience perspectives on visual perception. Topics include color vision, pattern vision, image formation in the eye, object recognition, reading, and impaired vision.prereq: 3031 or 3051 or instr consent
PSY 5036W –
Computational Vision (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Applications of psychology, neuroscience, computer science to design principles underlying visual perception, visual cognition, action. Compares biological/physical processing of images with respect to image formation, perceptual organization, object perception, recognition, navigation, motor control.prereq: [[3031 or 3051], [Math 1272 or equiv]] or instr consent
PSY 5038W –
Introduction to Neural Networks (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0] Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Parallel distributed processing models in neural/cognitive science. Linear models, Hebbian rules, self-organization, non-linear networks, optimization, representation of information. Applications to sensory processing, perception, learning, memory.prereq: [[3061 or NSC 3102], [MATH 1282 or 2243]] or instr consent
