Psychology Courses

Required Psychology Courses - 16 Credit Hours

PSY 3004 - Principles of Statistics & Research Design I 4 Credit Hour(s)
The course is the first of a two-semester sequence that presents a thorough review of the methodologies common to the field of psychology and affiliated sciences. Course goals will include the development of a research question culminating in an empirical research project proposal. Topics include collection and analysis of data, with a focus on non-experimental methods and descriptive statistics. Students who enroll in this course must register for Principles of Statistics & Research Design - II (Psychology 3014) for the following semester (3 hrs lecture, 1 hr laboratory). Prerequisites: PSY 2133 and MAT 1853 (or higher). Availability: Fall/Spring

PSY 3033 - Social Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course examines multiple psychological processes such as attitudes, motivation, emotions and perception and their influences on social behavior with an emphasis on implications for Christian living. Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability: Fall/Spring

PSY 3123 - Personality Theories 3 Credit Hour(s)
Surveys the major personality theories influencing contemporary psychology and evaluates them with a view toward developing one's own personality theory. Each theory is analyzed from a biblical perspective as well as assessing the theory on the basis of current research. Prerequisite: PSY 2133 Availability: Fall/Spring

PSY 4113 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
Surveys the nature, causes, outcomes, and therapy for psychopathological behaviors. Prerequisite: PSY 2133, PSY 3123, & PSY 3004 or equivalent. Availability: Fall/Spring

PSY 4053 - Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 3 Credit Hour(s)
This course examines basic learning and motivation processes that enable humans and animals to acquire new knowledge and adapt to environmental demands. These learning processes include classical and instrumental conditioning, habituation, sensitization, and reinforcement. Course content will focus on the current state of our knowledge about the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. The molecular and cellular basis of learning in invertebrates and vertebrates from a behavioral and neural perspective will be explored. Prerequisite: PSY 2133, PSY 3123, and PSY 4283 Availability: Even Springs

PSY 4063 - Psychopharmacology 3 Credit Hour(s)
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the major classes of psychotherapeutic agents as well as the various drugs of abuse of concern in society. Discussions of the therapeutic indications, mechanisms of action, and side effects of these drugs are considered. Prerequisite: PSY 2133; PSY 4283 is recommended Availability: Odd Springs

PSY 4123 - Behavioral Genetics 3 Credit Hour(s)
An introduction to the basic principles of genetics as they relate to the study of behavior. The course provides an examination of the role heredity plays in driving individual differences in behavior, and the mechanisms by which these influences operate within the organism. Prerequisites: PSY 2133, BIO 1101, and 1103; BIO 3113 or equivalent is recommended Availability: On demand

PSY 4213 - Cognitive Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
Studies the mental operations that support individual�s acquisition and use of knowledge. The processes by which sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, on stored, retrieved, and used are examined. Specific issues include general models of sensation, perception, attention, memory, learning, knowledge base, expertise, language, problem solving, decision making, and intelligence. Discussion of the integration of cognition and Christianity is also included.Prerequisite: PSY 2133 and PSY 3123 Availability: Spring

PSY 4283 - Behavioral Neuroscience 3 Credit Hour(s)
An examination of the current theories, methods, and research in in the field of behavioral neuroscience. Course topics will include a consideration of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, neurotransmitters and neuropsychological processes. A number of the biological mechanisms that underlie psychological processes will also be explored, with topics ranging from learning and memory to sleep and dreaming. Prerequisite: PSY 2133, PSY 3123, BIO 1101 and BIO 1103 (or equivalent). Availability: Fall

PSY 4513 - Research Practicum I 3 Credit Hour(s)
Provides research experience in a specified area of psychology on a research project with a faculty member in the department. Offers an intensive and extensive learning experience of a practical nature to supplement and complement academic studies. Requires 60 contact hours and a personal experience paper. Prerequisite: minimum of 12 Credit Hours of psychology coursework, PSY 3014 is required PSY 3014 and 12 Credit Hours of psychology. Availability: Fall/Spring

PSY 4233 - Senior Thesis 3 Credit Hour(s)
A senior thesis is an advanced research project with a significant independent focus that is supervised by a faculty member. A student considering an honors thesis must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25. The course is designed to provide the qualified student with the opportunity to conceptualize, design, perform primary data collection, analyze, and produce a manuscript concerned with an empirical research question. The original experimental research project may be in an area of interest to the student or a research question with the guidance of a faculty sponsor. A thesis project is seen as preparation for the rigors of graduate school. As such, there is an increased level of independent work with the student having clear ownership of the project. In addition, the student will recruit a thesis committee comprised of a faculty sponsor (major professor) and two additional faculty members who serve as the remaining members of the thesis committee. Interested students should consult with a faculty member no later than their junior year to actively begin planning their thesis research. Students intending to conduct a senior thesis project must submit a "Thesis Intent Form" by April 15 of their junior year. Prerequisites: PSY 2133, PSY 3004, PSY 3014, and PSY 4513; 12 additional hours of upper-level course work in the major; 90 hours of undergraduate course work Availability: On Demand