Courses for Psychology

Basic principles of psychology.

Honors section of PY 101.

Methods are presented that enable students to make inferences about a population from a knowledge of small samples. Offered each semester and in the summer session.

This course is for Psychology and Neuroscience Majors only. It presents an overview of methods that allow researchers to make inferences about a population from a knowledge of small samples. This course has a specific focus on statistical analyses used in psychological research, which is necessary to progress into PY 355 – General Experimental Psychology. This course will also include an emphasis on commonly utilized data analysis software.

Physiological and psychophysical aspects of the senses.

Course orients psychology majors to career opportunities for psychology majors terminating with a BA or BS, as well as those students moving on to post-graduate work.

Physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development throughout the life span.

There is increasing evidence that biological factors either increase risk for or directly cause many psychological disorders. This lecture-based course focuses on understanding biological research on psychological disorders, including research on biological risk factors, biological factors associated with the presence of disorders, and the biological effects of various forms of treatment (e.g., therapy and medication). We will take an interdisciplinary approach, reviewing research from neuroscience, psychopharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, epigenetics, endocrinology, and physiology to understand the biological bases of the development of and treatments for psychological disorders. The course will include an introduction to a variety of biological research methods. The course will include brief introductions to the major psychological disorders listed in DSM-V, but will primarily focus on providing an understanding of the biological basis of these disorders. The course will also include discussions about controversial and ethical issues related to biological research on psychological disorders.

Scientific methods applied to the problems of psychology.

This course will provide an introduction to the field of psychopathology. This course will cover clinical descriptions of psychological disorders, factors that contribute to the development and progression of psychological disorders, and treatment for psychological disorders.

Theoretical and applied implications of principal findings in learning, memory, and cognition.

The intellectual, social, cognitive, and physical development in adulthood with special emphasis on late adulthood.

A study of theories that represent the psychoanalytic, neopsychoanalytic, trait, life span, humanistic, cognitive, behavioral and social-learning approaches to understanding human behavior. Clinical and experimental data are used to evaluate representative personality theories.

A detailed presentation of the systematic points of view in Psychology with a consideration of their historical origins and significance for modern thought.

Review of the contribution of psychological theories and research to the understanding of sex differences in general and to women's roles in particular.

Major aspects of social psychology, including aggression, altruism, attitude change, interpersonal relations, prejudice, leadership, and group dynamics.

Courses devoted to topics not currently covered in the Psychology curriculum will be offered under this title.

This course explores the theories, research, and practice of behavioral medicine, particularly as it relates to integration of behavioral health into primary medical care. Students will examine the roles of psychology and other behavioral health professions in research and practice within healthcare. Theories of practice in the field of behavioral health will be covered. Students will develop competence in the connection between behaviors and health.

Psychological interpretations of criminality, treatment of offenders, and the roles of psychologists and psychological issues in the justice system.

The course is the first semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Exposure to research methods and opportunites for research within the Department of Psychology.

The course is the second semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Preparation of a research proposal and approval of thesis committee is required. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.

This course combines specialized coursework with hands-on mentoring of middle and high school youth. It explores the development of civic engagement in youth and how to promote it.

How does our brain give rise to our abilities to perceive, act and think? Survey of the basic facts, empirical evidence, theories and methods of study in cognitive neuroscience exploring how cognition is instantiated in neural activity. Representative topics include the neural underpinnings of perceptual and motor processes, decision making, learning and memory, attention, reinforcement learning, sensory inference, and cognitive control. The course will cover a functional analysis of cognitive disorders from a biological basis and the relation between brain and behavior. The latter will be addressed through studies of lesion localization and neuroimaging of the intact brain. This class should prepare you to take more specialized upper level classes in specific areas of neuroscience.

Bringing Art to Life is an innovative program developed by Cognitive Dynamics Foundation that pairs students with persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for a transformational empathy-building service learning opportunity incorporating the expressive arts, reminiscence, and life story preservation.

Course will expose students to specialty areas in Psychology and provide opportunities to develop skills associated with writing and oral presentation. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.

This course is designed to give students experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Each student will be paired with a UA-ACTS student who they will meet with 2-3 times per week to address academic organization, social skills, and daily-living and career-building skills. Students will also learn about best practices, trends, and barriers in working with individuals with ASD in the college environment.

The course will expose students to issues in child mental health and treatment, with a focus on professional ethics, mentoring, and evidence-based treatments for childhood disorders. The course will combine in-class lecture/discussion with a practicum experience at Brewer Porch.

An opportunity for students to gain practical experience in psychology. Enrollment by application and interview only.

Bodily structures (nervous, muscular, and glandular) underlying behavior.

Individual research projects. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be earned in PY 451.

Scientific approaches to understanding the psychological development of youth and its applications. Suggested for undergraduate seniors.

Contemporary approaches to cognitive psychology, including topics such as attention and memory.

The course is the third semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Implementation of an approved research proposal.

The course is the final semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Preparation and defense of senior honors thesis.

Selected supervised readings. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.

Thorough examination of a selected contemporary psychological area. Different topics are offered each semester; descriptions are available at registration. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course. Offered each semester and in the summer session. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.

Supervised experience and training in teaching, course administration, etc., as additional preparation for students planning to pursue graduate study in psychology.