Curriculum/Course Descriptions
Upon entering the program, general psychology graduate students are assigned a temporary advisor. When the student decides on a thesis chair, that faculty member then serves as the student's advisor. Each semester ends with individual evaluations and feedback sessions for every general psychology graduate student with the general psychology faculty.
Course Descriptions
PSYC 5210 -- Statistical Methods
This course includes an overview of inferential statistics including topics such as probability, hypotheses testing, population sampling, and analysis of regression and prediction. Both parametric and nonparametric tests are reviewed. Parametric tests include the Z-test, t-test, Sandler A, Analysis of Variance, Analysis of Covariance, and the Newman-Keuls test. Nonparametric tests include the Chi square test, Sign test, Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Friedman test. Students learn the purpose of these tests and their strengths and limitations.
PSYC 5220 -- Personality Theory
The course aims to familiarize students with selected writings of some of the major personality theorists. Its intent is to consider in some depth a number of specific aspects of normal and abnormal interpersonal adjustment and to provide a basis for the student's own thinking about how people provide a basis for the student's own thinking about how people grow, develop, and come to have problems. The work load of the course will consist primarily of reading, thinking about, and discussing an extensive list of primary source writing.
PSYC 5230 -- Advanced Developmental Psychology
The study of theories, principles, and research that relate to understanding human development throughout the life span. The course will deal with information concerned with all the stages of development, including adult development.
PSYC 5317 -- Perception
A survey of vision, visual perception, audition, pain perception, color perception, theories of perception, pattern perception, depth perception, chemical senses, and developmental perception. Various demonstrations and audiovisual presentations are also included.
PSYC 5317 -- Perception
A survey of vision, visual perception, audition, pain perception, color perception, theories of perception, pattern perception, depth perception, chemical senses, and developmental perception. Various demonstrations and audiovisual presentations are also included.
PSYC 5410 -- Correlation and Multiple Regression
This course will provide a detailed overview of correlational and multiple regression procedures as used in contemporary psychological research.
PSYC 5530 -- Sport Psychology
This course is concerned with the application of psychological concepts and principles to sports participation and the sports setting.
PSYC 5607 -- Child Psychopathology
The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with aspects of diagnosis, measurement, and treatment of child psychopathology.
PSYC 5610 -- Topical Seminar in Developmental Psychology
In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of developmental psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.
PSYC 5620 -- Topical Seminar in Social Psychology
In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of social psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.
PSYC 5630 -- Topical Seminar in Cognitive Psychology
In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of cognitive psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.
PSYC 5640 -- Topical Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience
In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of behavioral neuroscience. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.
PSYC 5650 -- Topical Seminar in Applied Psychology
In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of applied psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.
PSYC 5660 -- Topical Seminar in Clinical Psychology
In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of clinical psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.
PSYC 5707, 5717 -- Physiological Psychology
A laboratory-based course outlining how the brain interacts with the rest of the body to determine our behavior. Lecture, discussion, and laboratory sessions are integrated to introduce students to modern methods of psychophysiological research as it applies to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology, and biofeedback instrumentation. Areas covered will include the physiological bases of learning, memory, sleep, dreaming, emotion, psychopharmacology, and psychopathology. Classroom discussions will be augmented with readings from recent research articles.
PSYC 5800 -- Teaching in the Psychological Sciences
The purpose of this course is review the literature pertaining to teaching in the psychological sciences, to develop pedagogically sound techniques through which to present psychological material, and to gain hands-on experience in psychological instruction.
PSYC 5817 -- Introduction to Psychological Testing
A history and overview of the standardized evaluation methods commonly used in the assessment of individuals and groups. Topics covered are validity, reliability, and statistical concepts for the evaluation and interpretation of test data. The student is given an overview of ability tests, interest tests, and personality tests. Experience is provided in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected tests.
PSYC 5825 -- Psychopathology
Course is an advanced course in psychopathology aimed at an in-depth review of the DSM as well as conceptualization of diagnosis and treatment processes in clinical psychology.
PSYC 5830 -- Psychological Assessment I: Adults
Administration, scoring and interpretation of the major individual intelligence, cognitive screening and personality assessments for adults.
PSYC 5850 -- Psychological Assessment II: Child
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with a variety of intelligence and personality assessment instruments commonly used in clinical mental health settings with children and to provide experience in administration, scoring, and interpretation of these instruments.
PSYC 5870 -- Interviewing Techniques in Psychology
The areas of mental status evaluations, diagnostic interviewing and behavioral assessment will be explored in depth. Students will be taught fundamenal interviewing skills through didactic seminars and through videotaped interviews.
PSYC 5900 -- Independent Study in Psychology
Independent study in consultation with a member of the psychology faculty. Among projects the student may elect is an original independent research project under the supervision of a member of the psychology faculty.
PSYC 5950 -- Methods of Psychological Research
All psychology graduate students must complete an acceptable thesis to receive a master's degree in psychology. The purpose of this course is to assist the student in this undertaking by providing information on how to select a research problem and how to prepare a final research report. Numerous skills must be developed and cultivated in order to complete a thesis, such as understanding how to use the library or computer search services and how to prepare, analyze, and interpret research findings. Each student will be required to prepare a research prospectus in this course.
PSYC 5957 -- Special Topics in Psychology
Special offerings in psychology on topics such as group therapy, family dynamics, cognitive processes, ethics, etc. (as needed)
PSYC 5960 -- Thesis
A research project developed and documented under the supervision of a faculty committee. The research project is documented in the form of a thesis.
PSYC 5990 -- Readings and Research
Students who are not enrolled in other course work but require the use of university facilities and/or faculty guidance for studies, research, or preparation of a prospectus, thesis, or dissertation MUST enroll for three credits of Readings and Research. Variable credits (1-3) of Readings and Research may also be used, as approved by the student's advisory committee in conjunction with other course work, to receive credit for such activities as preparation of designated papers or development of research and scholarly skills that would not be appropriately covered by other types of independent study. Grading of Readings and Research will be wither satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U).
PSYC 5989-99 -- Cooperative Education
Students must clear arrangements for this course through the Cooperative Education Office prior to registration. Planned and supervised work assignments in business, industry, and government agencies. Students may alternate between periods (usually two semesters) of full-time study and employment with a cooperative education employer. Credit received carries full academic value, and students receive compensation as full-time employees.