Psychology - Neuroscience Concentration

A general introduction to the science of behavior and mental processes. Topics considered include learning, memory, perception, motivation, personality, psychopathology and social interaction.

This course is designed to help sophomore psychology majors begin to chart their future in the field and lay the groundwork for life after graduation. Specifically, its purpose is to help students further understand themselves, their choice of psychology as a major, their potential careers and how these interact. Topics such as success in the major, career options, graduate school preparation, employment at the bachelor's level, professional identity, and personal development will be explored. Required for sophomore psychology majors.

An introduction to the statistical, experimental and descriptive research methods in psychology. Topics include how to conduct literature searches, the American Psychological Association (APA) style of writing, the research process, ethics and bias in research and experimental/non-experimental research design. Statstical topics include measurement scales, hypothesis testing, descriptive statistics, and concepts and procedures in statistical inference.

A continuation of RDSA I, this course further explores statistical, experimental, and descriptive research techniques in Psychology. Students learn statistical tests such as t-tests, analysis of variance, and correlation, and explore in more detail the structural components of experimental designs. Students apply course material by replicating a study and presenting their results in both a full written APA-style research report and in an oral (poster or presentation) format.

A study of changing views of psychology from Descartes, to the present, with emphasis on the influence of ideas and methodologies on the evolution of systems and theories of psychological thought during the past century. The course is a capstone experience helping the psychology major integrate the diversity of contemporary psychology.

In this course, we will examine how the elements of culture affect psychological processes including values, traditions, socialization, education, language and politics. We will explore which psychological theories and findings apply across cultures and which do not, and why. This course will also explore the psychological effects of moving between cultures and will address the immigrant and refugee experience. Finally, this course also aims to develop cross-cultural communication skills.

This course examines the social foundations of human thoughts, feelings, and behavior by addressing the following aspects of social life: (a) social influence; (b) social roles and public behavior; (c) inferences about other people; and (d) interpersonal relations and groups. Among the topics to be considered are: the influence of public behavior on social norms, persuasion, impression management, social emotions, judgment of responsibility and character, interpersonal attraction, aggression, altruism, group dynamics, and inter-group conflict. The course will concentrate on the level of analysis of the individual, but will include sociological and evolutionary perspectives where appropriate.

Human beings are inherently cultural, moreso than any other species. This course explores the ways in which humans are uniquely built for cultural learning and how different cultural experiences affect perceptual processes, cognition, emotion, personality, self, social interactions, and physical and mental health.

Issues of female and male psychology are examined with a consideration of both the similarities and differences between women and men and how these characteristics influence behavior, cognitive abilities, and physical and psychological health. Theoretical perspectives on sex and gender are explored, as well as the research methods for comparing the sexes.

This course provides a survey of research into such human mental processes as perception, attention, memory, language, decision making and creativity. It explores the domain of cognitive psychology (part of an active interdisciplinary approach known as cognitive science), a vibrant sub-field in psychology that emphasizes people's mental processes and knowledge.

This course covers an area in psychology known as developmental psychology, which is the scientific study of age-related changes in behavior, thinking, emotions and social relationships. The focus is on childhood, from conception to the teenage years. Areas of development include physical, cognitive and socio-emotional. The role of biological, maturational and socio-cultural influences on development are considered. This course is solidly grounded in psychological theory. Basic issues in development are explored, and research methodologies and findings are emphasized.

This course covers the area of developmental psychology and will focus exclusively on that part of the lifespan know as adolescence (or, "the second decade of life"). A multi-disciplinary approach is utilized to examine how individuals develop from childhood into mature adulthood. Grounded in theory and empirical research, the course will cover fundamental changes (e.g., puberty, social transitions), contexts (e.g., families, peer groups), and psychosocial developmental issues (e.g., achievement, intimacy) associated with adolescence. In addition, basic issues in development are explored, and research methodologies and findings are emphasized.

Aggressive behavior and violence is an issue of great concern for the mental health and criminal justice systems, as well as society. This course explores the biological, psychological, and social factors involved, as well as their interaction in children, adolescents, and adults. Emphasis is placed on controlling aggression, assessing and managing violence risk, and prevention and treatment strategies with a juvenile population.

The major forms of psychopathology that appear in childhood and adult life. Topics include the symptomatology of mental disorders; their etiology from psychological, biological, and sociocultural perspectives; and issues pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, ethics, and the legal system.

An overview of clinical psychology focusing on the settings, clients, and activities of the clinical psychologist. Attention to the assessment and treatment of psychopathology and evaluation of the success of psychological interventions.

This course applies psychological concepts and methods to problems of personnel management, employee motivation and productivity, supervisory leadership, and organizational development.

This course focuses on the relationship and interaction of the mind and body. That is, how psychological functioning relates to illness and disease; treatment and outcome; and recovery and cure. In addition, the student will be introduced to the impact of age, gender and ethnicity on the availability of, use of, and access to health care. The relationship of stress and lifestyle on the immune system, wellness and disease will be discussed. The psychological and physical interaction of some of today's major health issues such as eating, smoking, drinking, cancer and heart disease are presented with a discussion of treatment and outcome. Also, lifetime accommodation to chronic illness/disease based on psychological adjustment is reviewed. Other topics include: response to terminal illness, adjustment to trauma and the current industrialization of health care.

This course explores the biological basis of behavior and experience, including the role of the brain in emotions, learning, memory, motivation, sleep, perception, consciousness, and psychological disorders. The course also considers how the brain recovers from damage.

This course covers basic principles of psychopharmacology, including the effects of stimulants, depressants, opioids, psychedelics, cannabis, as well as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Also considered is the nature of addiction and modalities of treatment and prevention of drug abuse.

This course introduces the major themes underpinning the behavioral approach to constructing healthy behavior repertoires. In addition to considering methods of behavioral assessment, the course surveys a variety of treatment modalities, including contingency management, token economies, exposure therapies, modeling, cognitive behavioral therapies, and acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions. Ethical principles as well as applications to medical disorders and to community problems are also considered.

Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, especially mitochondria and chloroplasts. Also included are studies of the molecular structure and function of DNA, with emphasis on the organization of the eukaryotic genome, transcription and translation.

A general introduction to the science of behavior and mental processes. Topics considered include learning, memory, perception, motivation, personality, psychopathology and social interaction.

This course explores the biological basis of behavior and experience, including the role of the brain in emotions, learning, memory, motivation, sleep, perception, consciousness, and psychological disorders. The course also considers how the brain recovers from damage.

An introduction to the statistical, experimental and descriptive research methods in psychology. Topics include how to conduct literature searches, the American Psychological Association (APA) style of writing, the research process, ethics and bias in research and experimental/non-experimental research design. Statstical topics include measurement scales, hypothesis testing, descriptive statistics, and concepts and procedures in statistical inference.

A comparative study of the organ systems of the vertebrate animals from an evolutionary and developmental perspective.

The study of the molecular control mechanisms regulating the dynamics of integrated metabolism in cells and organ systems. The structural and functional aspects of genes and the importance of their products as exogenous and endogenous controls of integrated cellular metabolism are emphasized.

The major forms of psychopathology that appear in childhood and adult life. Topics include the symptomatology of mental disorders; their etiology from psychological, biological, and sociocultural perspectives; and issues pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, ethics, and the legal system.

This course focuses on the relationship and interaction of the mind and body. That is, how psychological functioning relates to illness and disease; treatment and outcome; and recovery and cure. In addition, the student will be introduced to the impact of age, gender and ethnicity on the availability of, use of, and access to health care. The relationship of stress and lifestyle on the immune system, wellness and disease will be discussed. The psychological and physical interaction of some of today's major health issues such as eating, smoking, drinking, cancer and heart disease are presented with a discussion of treatment and outcome. Also, lifetime accommodation to chronic illness/disease based on psychological adjustment is reviewed. Other topics include: response to terminal illness, adjustment to trauma and the current industrialization of health care.

This course provides an overview on the behavioral and neurobiological bases of learning, motivation and memory. Lessons are conveyed through discussion of clinical studies on amnesia and other abnormalities with humans, as well as through discussion of experimental results obtained by behavior analytic, anatomical, electrophysiological and biochemical techniques using non-human models.

This course provides a survey of research into such human mental processes as perception, attention, memory, language, decision making and creativity. It explores the domain of cognitive psychology (part of an active interdisciplinary approach known as cognitive science), a vibrant sub-field in psychology that emphasizes people's mental processes and knowledge.

This course covers basic principles of psychopharmacology, including the effects of stimulants, depressants, opioids, psychedelics, cannabis, as well as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Also considered is the nature of addiction and modalities of treatment and prevention of drug abuse.

This is a special topics seminar in which students lead discussion on the latest findings regarding such substances as the psychedelics, cannabinoids, or emerging psychotherapeutic agents. We read journal articles and screen scientific conference presentations. Participants in the seminar enhance their critical thinking skills as we collaborate to examine closely the methodology employed by the researchers. Students prepare and present a grant proposal at a "mini-conference" to further our knowledge of the substances considered.