Psychology and Neuroscience
Psychology and Neuroscience
Davie Hall, CB# 3270
(919) 962-7149
First Session, 2024
NSCI 175 Introduction to Neuroscience (3)
No prerequisite. Provides an introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system. Fundamental principles will be introduced including nervous system anatomy; molecular and cellular properties of the nervous system; sensory and motor systems; current methods used in neuroscience; and how the nervous system produces behavior and cognition. This course provides greater breadth and depth of neuroscience topics, as compared to Biopsychology (PSYC 220). Previously offered as PSYC 175 and 315.
NSCI 222 Learning (3)
Prerequisite, NSCI 175 or PSYC 101. Topics in Pavlovian and operant (instrumental) conditioning, learning theory, higher order cognitive learning, and application of those principles to mental-health related situations. Previously offered as PSYC 222.
NSCI 225 Sensation and Perception (3)
Prerequisite, NSCI 175 or PSYC 101. Topics in vision, audition, and the lower senses. Receptor mechanisms, psychophysical methods, and selected perceptual phenomena will be discussed. Previously offered as PSYC 225.
PSYC 210 Statistical Principles of Psychological Research (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Consideration of the methodological principles underlying psychological research, descriptive and inferential techniques, and the manner by which they may be employed to design psychological experiments and analyze behavioral data. Students may not receive credit for both PSYC 210/PSYC 210H and PSYC 215/PSYC 215H.
PSYC 230 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Topics in attention, memory, visual, auditory, and other forms of information processing, decision making, and thinking.
PSYC 245 Psychopathology (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Major forms of behavior disorders in children and adults, with an emphasis on description, causation, and treatment.
PSYC 250 Child Development (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Study of the development of social and intellectual behavior in normal children and the processes that underlie this development. Emphasis is typically on theory and research.
PSYC 260 Social Psychology (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Introductory survey of experimental social psychology covering attitudes, interpersonal processes, and small groups.
PSYC 435 Gender and Pronouns (3)
MAYMESTER. Prerequisites, PSYC 101. This course offers an inside look at pronouns from an interdisciplinary perspective. From a cognitive perspective, we examine major models of the role that pronouns play, and the mental processes involved in using them. From a social perspective, we examine the role pronouns play in marking gender identity, and how both language usage and gender concepts are currently in flux. Students also learn about research methods and conduct a novel empirical study.
PSYC 474 Digital Mental Health (3)
MAYMESTER. Prerequisites, PSYC 101. This course will provide an overview of the use of digital technologies to increase opportunities for training in, access to, and use of evidence-based mental health services. Coverage will include the current status of and future directions in research, innovations in service delivery, and policy implications. Special attention will be given to the evolution of the field, the potential costs and benefits, and the promise to address health disparities in particular.
PSYC 517 Addiction (3)
MAYMESTER. Prerequisite, PSYC 101. PSYC 245 and 270 recommended but not required. This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the etiology and treatment of addiction, along with exposure to real-life stories of addiction.
PSYC 531 Tests and Measurements (3)
MAYMESTER. Prerequisite, PSYC 101, and either PSYC 210 or 215. Basic psychometric theory underlying test construction and utilization. Detailed study of issues and instruments used in assessing intellectual functioning, educational progress, personality, and personnel selection.
PSYC 993 Master’s Thesis (Var.).
PSYC 994 Doctoral Dissertation (Var.).
Second Session, 2024
PSYC 101 General Psychology (3)
No prerequisite. PSYC 101 is a prerequisite for all psychology courses. This course will give an overview of the many different scientific perspectives from which to understand behavior, including the biological, cognitive, developmental, social and psychopathological perspectives.
PSYC 115 Reasoning with Data: Navigating a Quantitative World (BIOL 115, MATH 115, STOR 115) (3)
Students will use mathematical and statistical methods to address societal problems, make personal decisions, and reason critically about the world. Authentic contexts may include voting, health and risk, digital humanities, finance, and human behavior. This course does not count as credit towards the psychology or neuroscience majors.
PSYC 210 Statistical Principles of Psychological Research (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Consideration of the methodological principles underlying psychological research, descriptive and inferential techniques, and the manner by which they may be employed to design psychological experiments and analyze behavioral data. Students may not receive credit for both PSYC 210/PSYC 210H and PSYC 215/PSYC 215H.
PSYC 220 Biopsychology (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Introductory course which surveys the biological bases of behavior. Topics may include nerve cells and nerve impulses, sensory systems, wakefulness and sleep, reproductive behaviors, and cognitive functions. This course would be an appropriate foundational course for Advanced Biopsychology (PSYC 402).
PSYC 230 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Topics in attention, memory, visual, auditory, and other forms of information processing, decision making, and thinking.
PSYC 242 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3)
Prerequisite PSYC 101. Overview of clinical psychology: history, scientific basis, and major activities and concerns, including assessment, psychotherapy and other psychological interventions, community psychology, ethics, and professional practice.
PSYC 245 Psychopathology (3)
Prerequisite, PSYC 101. Major forms of behavior disorders in children and adults, with an emphasis on description, causation, and treatment.
PSYC 270 Laboratory Research in Psychology (3)
Prerequisites, PSYC 101. Students in this course will be exposed to a survey of methodology (i.e., experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental) used across various disciplines in psychology (i.e., social, clinical, development, cognitive, and neuroscience). In addition, students will work as a class to conduct research projects on a common theme. Students will spend class time planning, conducting, and writing up the results of this project. Class time will also be used to discuss methodological considerations in psychological research more broadly
PSYC 502 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (3)
Prerequisites, PSYC 101 and 250. A developmental approach to the study of adulthood, from young adulthood through death. Topics include adult issues in personality, family dynamics, work, leisure and retirement, biological and intellectual aspects of aging, dying, and bereavement.