Course Descriptions - Psychology

The course descriptions listed are updated from time to time as information changes. The University reserves the right to terminate or change these requirements as and when it deems appropriate.

PY 250 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Introduces the science of behavior and mental processes through a systematic study of representative areas of psychology. Cross listing(s): PY 250C.

PY 250H HONORS GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, including the biological basis of behavior, sensation/perception, learning, memory, cognition, language, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personality, social behavior, psychological disorders, and therapy. Addresses the applicability of psychology to understanding societal problems. NOTE: Honors Students only.

PY 370 INTERMEDIATE STATISTICS (3.00) Reviews key topics from elementary statistics. Introduces techniques of stratified sampling and experimental design; one factor ANOVA, two factor ANOVA, introduction to n-factor ANOVA; selected multiple comparison tests; multiple correlation and regression; the sign test; the Mann-Whitney U-Test; the runs test; and the Spearman correlation. Additional Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor. Prerequisite(s): MT 270 MT 272; Cross listing(s): BA 370 MT 370.

PY 401 ADVANCED NEUROSCIENCE METHODS (1.00) Emphasizes current neuroscience laboratory research techniques including recording cellular activity of nervous tissue, drug effects, brain lesions, histology, microscopy, and behavioral tests for assessing brain-behavior functions in non-human nervous systems. Additional Prerequisite(s): or permission of instructor. Prerequisite(s): NS 260; Cross listing(s): NS 401.

PY 410 NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS (3.00) Applies a biopsychological approach to understanding brain-behavior relationships through the study of diseases of the nervous system. NOTE: A background in neuroscience or psychology, while helpful, is not essential for this course. Prerequisite(s): NS 260 BL 260 BL 262; Cross listing(s): NS 410.

PY 419 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Considers methods and procedures of modern experimental psychology. Prerequisite(s): PY 250 MT 270 MT 272; Corequisite(s): PY 420.

PY 420 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY LAB (1.00) Provides an opportunity for completion of individual projects related to appropriate experimental and statistical design. Corequisite(s): PY 419.

PY 441 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Studies social behavior including the social self; attribution theory; attitude formation and change; attraction, love and intimacy; aggression and altruism; and conformity and obedience. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 442 LEARNING AND MEMORY (3.00) Introduces basic concepts, methods and results of experimental analysis of learning and memory in humans and nonhuman animals. Includes classical and operant conditioning, discrimination learning processes underlying encoding, storage, and retrieval of information in memory, and other cognitive processes. Prerequisite(s): PY 250; Corequisite(s): PY 443.

PY 443 LEARNING AND MEMORY LABORATORY (1.00) Involves laboratory experiments with animal and human subjects and the preparation of reports on these experiments. Corequisite(s): PY 442.

PY 445 SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION (3.00) Provides a comprehensive overview of psychological group theories and empirical findings, emphasizing principles of group dynamics. Includes group projects and classroom simulations. Prerequisite(s): PY 250; Cross listing(s): COM 414.

PY 450 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN (3.00) Introduces issues surrounding the psychology of women. The major domains of psychology used to address topics about women's behavioral and mental processes and how they are formed and altered by a woman's physical state, mental state, and external environment. Prerequisite(s): PY 250 WS 300; Cross listing(s): WS 450.

PY 452 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND ASSESSMENT (3.00) Introduces psychological and educational concepts in testing. Includes reliability, validity, standardization and administration. Emphasizes appropriate selection, use and interpretation of tests. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 453 CLINICAL/COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Considers theory and application of basic therapeutic techniques to bring about behavioral change. Covers selected theoretical viewpoints and techniques. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 454 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Focuses on psychological processes such as attention, memory, concept formation, problem solving and language. Examines current research data, theories and applications. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 459 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: CHILD (3.00) Studies biological, psychological and social factors in human development from conception to puberty. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 460 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCH: ADOLESCENCE (3.00) Studies biological, psychological and social factors in human development during adolescence and young adulthood. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 461 DEV PSYCH:ADULTHOOD/AGING (3.00) Studies biological, psychological and social factors in human development during adulthood and later years. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 462 BEHAVIORAL AND STRESS MANAGEMENT (3.00) Examines current techniques in the treatment of behavioral and physiological problems. Includes stress management, relaxation therapy, biofeedback, desensitization, assertiveness training, cognitive therapies, modeling and other behavioral management techniques. RC Prerequisite(s): PY 250. SPS Prerequisite(s): None.

PY 466 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (3.00) Examines relationships between brain functions and major psychoactive drugs, including drugs used to treat psychological and neurological disorders. Includes an analysis of the cellular and physiological effects of each drug on neuronal functioning as well as psychological functioning. Additional Prerequisite(s): or Permission of Instructor. Prerequisite(s): NS 260 BL 261 BL 262; Cross listing(s): NS 466.

PY 470 PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY (3.00) Studies theories of development and organization of personality including representative examples of classical and modern theories. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 471 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Uses the biopsychosoical model as the basis for explaining the cause, understanding and treatment of mental disorders. Emphasizes common disorders encountered in clinical practice and specific criterion necessary for making a diagnosis. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 474 SENIOR THESIS (3.00) Students meet regularly with a thesis advisor to prepare for the defense of a research project before a panel of faculty, to present the research in a public forum, and to submit a final thesis that conforms to APA guidelines and is approved by the faculty examination committee. Prerequisite(s): PY 490E-W and Approval of Department Chair required.

PY 482 SENSATION AND PERCEPTION (3.00) Introduces the physiological and psychological processes underlying basic sensory and perceptual experience. Emphasizes psychophysical relationships established for the different sense modalities and theoretical interpretations of the sensory data. Prerequisite(s): PY 250; Cross listing(s): NS 482.

PY 484 PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LAW (3.00) Provides a critical analysis of the law, focusing on the criminal justice system in our society. Emphasizes the psychological, social and cultural factors that influence the criminal justice system, and the use of behavioral science techniques. Prerequisite(s): PY 250 SO 200; Cross listing(s): CR 415 CJ 415.

PY 485 FUNC NEUROPHISIOLOGY/NEUROANATOMY (3.00) Explores the functional significance of neural physiology and connectivity, including effects related to neural development, how nerve cells communicate with one another, how patterns of neural interconnections give rise to different perceptual, cognitive, and motor responses, and how neural communication is modified by experience. Additional Prerequisite(s): or Permission of Instructor required. Prerequisite(s): NS 260 BL 260 BL 262; Corequisite(s): PY 486. Cross listing(s): BL 485 NS 485.

PY 486 NEUROPHYS/NEUROANATOMY LAB (1.00) Involves laboratory experiments and computer simulations of neural functions as well as gross dissection, and histological study of neuroanatomy. Corequisite(s): PY 485. Cross listing(s): BL 486 NS 486.

PY 487 NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (3.00) Studies the physiological and neuropsychological correlates of behavior. These include but are not limited to neural systems regulating motivation, emotion, learning, and the neuropsychological bases of cognitive processes. Physiological and psychological responses to brain injury are also examined. Prerequisite(s): NS 260; Corequisite(s): PY 488. Cross listing(s): NS 487.

PY 488 NEUROPSYCHOLOGY LABORATORY (1.00) Emphasizes current research techniques and neuropsychological methods for assessing cognitive functions in humans, with an emphasis on assessment of the neurobehavioral impact of cerebral lesions. Corequisite(s): PY 487. Cross listing(s): NS 488.

PY 490E-W INDEPENDENT STUDY/PSYCHOLOGY: (1.00 - 3.00) Offers an opportunity for advanced study in psychology under the direction of a department faculty member. Additional Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and Approval of Department Chair. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 491E-W RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY: (1.00 - 3.00) Offers an opportunity for collaborative research in psychology under faculty direction. Requires oral or poster presentation. Additional Prerequisite(s): Approval of Department Chair. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 493 SENIOR CAPSTONE (2.00 - 6.00) Provides the culminating experience of the major, focusing on integration and application of theory. Must be completed as graded course work at Regis University. RC Prerequisite(s): PY 250. SPS Prerequisite(s): Majors Only and 18SH of Upper Division PY Courses. SPS cross list: CR 493 SO 493 and COM 493. Cross listing(s): CR 493 SO 493 COM 493.

PY 496E-W SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY: (3.00) Studies selected topics in psychology through lecture presentation and research projects. Prerequisite(s): PY 250;

PY 498E-W INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY: (3.00) Involves placement in a clinical or research agency for advanced psychology students. RC Prerequisite(s): Approval of Department Chair and Director of Experential Education. required.

PY 499 SENIOR THESIS (2.00) Students meet regularly with their thesis advisor to prepare for the defense of the research before a panel of faculty, to present the research in a public forum, and submit a final thesis that conforms to APA guidelines and is approved by the faculty examination committee. *Note- Approval of department chair required. E-W Prerequisite(s): PY 490E-W;

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