Psychology

Bachelor of Science

The BS in psychology program focuses on psychology as a scientific discipline, examining a breadth of content from the biological bases of behavior and mental processes to sociocultural impacts on human behavior.  Students will learn the basis of psychological investigations, from simple observation to rigorous experimentation, and then explore the range of topics associated with psychology.  The psychology program will graduate students who are well versed in the basics of human cognitive and emotional processes and individual and social behavior, in addition to having a solid grounding in research, analytic, observational, learning, memory, and writing skills.  Students will be prepared to enter the workforce for organizations that will allow them to put these psychology skills to use or to continue study in psychology or other graduate or professional programs such as medicine, neuroscience, law, and business.

Area A: Essential Skills
ENGL 1101English Composition I3
ENGL 1102English Composition II3
MATH 1001Quantitative Skills/Reasoning3
or MATH 1101 Intro to Mathematical Modeling
or MATH 1111 College Algebra
or MATH 1113 Precalculus Mathematics
or MATH 1401 Elementary Statistics
Area B: Institutional Options
Beginning Fall 2022, incoming (entering) students with 29 hours or fewer college credits will take only a Perspectives course for their one-hour Area B credit.
COMM 1110Fundamentals of Speech3
Choose one of the following electives:1
Intro to Greek Mythology
Creative Writing
Natural Hazards
Appalachian Hist-Special Topic
Sports Hist & Amer Character
Health and Wellness Concepts
Mystery Fiction in Pop Culture
Christian Fiction/Pop Culture
Race and Ethnicity in America
PRSP Elective (See advisor)
Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts
Choose one or two ENGL course(s):3-6
Topics in Literature & Culture
World Literature I
World Literature II
British Literature I
British Literature II
American Literature I
American Literature II
Intro to Film as Literature
If only one ENGL course chosen, add one of the following:0-3
Art Appreciation
Expressions of Culture I
Expressions of Culture II
Music Appreciation
World Music
American Music
Theatre Appreciation
Area D: Science/Mathematics/Technology
Eight Credit Hours of Lab Science Electives:8
Astronomy of the Solar System
and Astronomy of Solar Sys. Lab
Stellar and Galactic Astronomy
and Stellar & Galac. Astronomy Lab
Environmental Studies
Principles of Biology I *
Principles of Biology II *
Botany
Principles of Entomology
Survey of Chemistry
Principles of Chemistry I
Principles of Chemistry II
Principles of Geology
Historical Geology
Geology & the Environment
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
Principles of Physics II
One of the following electives:3-4
Astronomy of the Solar System
Stellar and Galactic Astronomy
Environmental Studies
Principles of Biology I *
Principles of Biology II *
Botany
Principles of Entomology
Survey of Chemistry
Principles of Chemistry I
Principles of Chemistry II
Principles of Programming I
Principles of Programming II
Introduction to Data Science
Environmental Hazards
Principles of Geology
Historical Geology
Geology & the Environment
Precalculus Mathematics
Elementary Statistics
Applied Calculus
Calculus and Analytic Geom I
Calculus and Analytic Geom II
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
Principles of Physics II
Area E: Social Sciences
HIST 2111United States History to 18773
or HIST 2112 United States Hist since 1877
POLS 1101American Government3
Two of the following electives:6
Intro to Cultural Anthropology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Geography
Intro to Human Geography
Intro to Physical Geography
World Civilization to 1500 CE
World Civilization since 1500
United States History to 1877
United States Hist since 1877
Intro to World Religions
Intro to Philosophical Issues
Logic and Critical Thinking
Intro to Political Science
State and Local Government
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems
Area F: Major Related
Grades of C or better required.
PSYC 1101Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 2000Careers in Psychology3
PSYC 2010Psychological Studies3
PSYC 2103Human Development3
Electives: Two additional transfer courses from ANTH, BIOL, COMM, MATH, PHIL, PSYC 2101, SOCI; BIOL 2251K, BIOL 2252K, BIOL 2260K; or 2000-level courses related to a minor.6
Required Psychology Courses:
PSYC 3150Research Design and Analysis I3
PSYC 3160Research Design & Analysis II3
PSYC 3200Abnormal Psychology3
PSYC 3325Social Psychology3
PSYC 3500Personality3
PSYC 3940Learning and Behavior3
PSYC 3950Cognitive Psychology3
PSYC 4250Sensation and Perception3
PSYC 4600Brain and Behavior3
PSYC 4825History & Systems in Psych3
PSYC 4900Senior Capstone Seminar/Psyc3
Choose 1 3000- or 4000-level COMM or ENGL class3
General Psychology Concentration Electives:
Choose four of the following:12
Psychology of Human Sexuality
Health Psychology
Psychology of Religion
Indust/Organizational Psych
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Motivation
Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Applied Behavior Analysis
Clinical/Counseling Psychology
Drugs and Behavior
Comparative Psychology
Tests and Measurements
Special Topics in Psychology
Research Assistanship in Psych
Practicum in Psychology
Guided Electives: 2000-4000 level
Twelve additional hours from any transfer classes at the 2000-level or higher chosen in conjunction with the advisor. These classes are to be directly applicable to the career or educational plans of the student. Guided electives can be used toward a minor. Grades of C or better required.12
Total Hours120-121
*

BIOL 1107K and BIOL 1108K are highly recommended.

Courses

PSYC 1101. Introduction to Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Introduces the study of psychology as a quantitative science and as an aid to the understanding of self and others. Includes consideration of learning principles, personality, conflict and adjustment, tests and measurements, biological bases of behavior, and group phenomena.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0999 unless exempt.

PSYC 1101H. Honors Introducory Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

PSYC 2000. Careers in Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines career opportunities for psychology majors at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. Topics include an examination of the Psychology major, preparation for employment with a bachelor’s degree, course preparation for graduate school, and preparation for the GRE Advanced test in Psychology. There is a substantial writing component to this class.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1101 and declared psychology major or psychology minor or permission of instructor; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 2010. Psychological Studies. 3-0-3 Units.

Explores the roles of oral and written communication in psychology. Emphasis will be placed on examining the literature of specialized areas of psychology and writing papers in APA style as well as oral presentation of research literature in psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1101 and declared psychology major or psychology minor or permission of instructor; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 2101. Psychology of Adjustment. 3-0-3 Units.

Surveys the dynamics of both normal and non-integrative adjustment. Includes a study of conflicts, fears, anxiety, and frustration with emphasis on mental hygiene, building emotional stability, and preventing mental illness.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 2103. Human Development. 3-0-3 Units.

Surveys human development from conception to death. Emphasizes physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and moral development expectations. Major theoretical and research contributions are also considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3150. Research Design and Analysis I. 3-0-3 Units.

This is the first course in a 2-course sequence that examines the methods and statistical techniques used in psychological research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, observation and survey methods. Additionally, other methods such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, naturalistic observations, and case studies are covered. Topics will include those involving the appropriate collection of data as well as ethical considerations involved in conducting psychological research. Statistical topics covered will include measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, regression, an introduction to hypothesis testing and the t-statistic. Online data sets and lab experiences will be part of the class. APA writing style will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2010; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3160. Research Design & Analysis II. 3-0-3 Units.

This is the second course in a 2-course sequence that examines the methods and statistical techniques used in psychological research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, observation and survey methods. Additionally, other methods such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, naturalistic observations, and case studies are covered. Statistical topics covered will include factorial research designs, single-subject designs, and nonparametric statistics. Online data sets and lab experiences will be part of the class. APA writing style and presentations will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3150; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3200. Abnormal Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the major psychological disorders. The defining characteristics of disorders as defined by DSM and the etiology of disorders will be considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102, each require a C or better.

PSYC 3250. Psychology of Human Sexuality. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines human sexuality from the biological, social and clinical perspectives. Topics include the neuroendocrine processes involved in sexual behavior, theories of psychosexual development, sex roles and values, sexual orientation, sexual behavior over the lifespan, and social problems and issues related to sexual behavior, among others.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3300. Health Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the role of psychological factors in the promotion and maintenance of health. Topics include the development of acquired illness and health behaviors and the application of psychological principles to the treatment of medical problems and illness.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3325. Social Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Surveys the effects of the social environment upon the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the individual. Discusses attitudes, influence, socialization, conformity, aggression, violence, prejudice, and discrimination.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3340. Psychology of Religion. 3-0-3 Units.

An introduction to the literature of the psychology of religion, including the functions of religiousness, types of religious experiences, religious motivation. Exploration of the relationship between religion, spirituality, belief, and mental health in personal, interpersonal, and social environments. Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of "C" in PSYC 3500 or permission by the instructor.

PSYC 3370. Indust/Organizational Psych. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the application of psychological principles, concepts, theory, and research to the work setting. Emphasis will be placed on the individual in the work environment and the processes required for organizational effectiveness.(Offered occasionally)
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3450. Cross-Cultural Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines psychological principles from a global cultural perspective. A variety of classic psychological issues, such as development, perception, personality, emotion and language will be presented in the context of differing cultural orientations of people of the world. Intercultural interactions and communication in the workplace and school will be considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3500. Personality. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the classic and current theories of personality that reflect the primary perspectives in psychology. The psychodynamic (and derivatives), behavioral, humanistic and existentialistic, cognitive and biological perspectives will be presented.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2010 and PSYC 2103; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3600. Motivation. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines current theoretical formulations and research in motivation with an emphasis on real-world applications.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3710. Child Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines theories and research on physical, cognitive, personality, and social development in infancy and childhood. This course emphasizes normal development but also includes aspects of childhood psychopathology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2103 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3720. Adolescent Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines theories and research on physical, cognitive, personality, and social development in adolescence. This course emphasizes normal development but also includes aspects of adolescent psychopathology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2103 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3850. Forensic Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the relationship between psychology and law, focusing on the roles of psychologists in legal settings. Focuses on the applicability of various psychological theories to criminal justice processes. Topics include competence evaluations, rehabilitation potential, accuracy of eyewitness testimony, the psychology of jury selection, bystander apathy, the insanity defense, and the effectiveness of the polygraph, among others.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3940. Learning and Behavior. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the various learning mechanisms that are involved in the establishment, maintenance and the reduction of behaviors. Topics include Pavlovian conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning in humans and animals. Online lab experiences will be part of the class.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2010 and 2103; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 3950. Cognitive Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines mental processes such as attention, mental representation, categorization, problem solving, pattern recognition, imagery, and short-term and long-term memory. Online lab experiences will be part of the class.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2010 and 2103; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4250. Sensation and Perception. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the various models of psychophysiological models of sensation and perception. Topics include the five primary sensory systems and the physical properties of stimuli. The processing of stimuli at the physiological and perceptual levels will be examined.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3150 or PSYC 3110; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4300. Applied Behavior Analysis. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the principles that underlie behavior modification and behavior therapy. Includes the application of learning principles and procedures used to modify complex human behavior in the natural environment and in clinical situations. Ethical issues concerning behavior modification will be considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3150 or PSYC 3110, and PSYC 3200 and PSYC 3940; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4400. Clinical/Counseling Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Introduces contemporary counseling and clinical psychology practice and treatment methods. Both historical and current theories and treatment models will be examined. Topics include research design, diagnosis and treatment methods, psychotherapeutic techniques, effectiveness of treatment and training for clinical and counseling professions.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3150 or PSYC 3110, and PSYC 3200; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4500. Drugs and Behavior. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the way in which psychoactive drugs operate in the central nervous system to impact behavior, thought and emotion. The use, misuse and abuse of the varieties of psychoactive drugs and the psychological, social and biological influence on drug use will be examined. Online lab experiences will be part of the class.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3150 or PSYC 3110; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4600. Brain and Behavior. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the relationship between underlying biological, particularly brain, processes and behavior, thought and emotion. The anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the nervous system are presented and used in an examination of basic psychological processes such as sleep, memory, stress, learning, reproductive behavior and abnormal psychology. Both animal models and human models of brain and behavior will be used. Online lab experiences will be part of the class.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2010 and PSYC 2103; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4650. Comparative Psychology. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the methods, theories and research in animal behavior with an emphasis on underlying adaptive mechanisms and their role in understanding human behavior.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3160 or PSYC 3120; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4700. Tests and Measurements. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the theory and practice of psychological assessment as it relates to ability, interests, achievement and traits. Topics include the principles that underlie the development, use and interpretation of psychological assessment tools. Historical and current assessment techniques will be presented.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3150 or PSYC 3110; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4825. History & Systems in Psych. 3-0-3 Units.

Examines the history of psychology from ancient to modern times. The background of formal psychology as found in philosophy and physiology, primary early systems in psychology, major historical figures and the historical and cultural context in which psychology developed will be presented.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3160 or PSYC 3120; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4850. Special Topics in Psychology. 1-0-1-3 Unit.

This course will address selected topics of special interest to faculty and students. Offered occasionally.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and ENGL 1102; all prerequisites require a C or better.

PSYC 4860. Research Assistanship in Psych. 0-1-1-3 Unit.

This is a course for supervised research experience in psychology. The course enables advanced majors to receive academic credit for serving as assistants to faculty members who are conducting research projects or by conducting independent research projects themselves under the direction of a faculty member. Variable 1-3 credit hours. Repeatable for a maximum of 9 credit hours.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

PSYC 4870. Practicum in Psychology. 0-10-3 Units.

Provides advanced psychology majors the opportunity to apply psychology in supervised field experiences in organizations associated with psychology and psychological issues. Application must be made by mid-semester prior to the field experience. This class is repeatable for a maximum of 6 credit hours and is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3160 or PSYC 3120, junior level status in Psychology, 3.0 GPA.

PSYC 4900. Senior Capstone Seminar/Psyc. 3-0-3 Units.

Designed to be the capstone course for psychology majors. Students will integrate their prior academic experiences in psychology into an overview of the area of study. Contemporary issues, problems, research and theories from the various areas in the psychology curriculum will be examined. Students will research and complete a project in which they integrate various aspects of their program.
Prerequisites: Senior status as a Psychology major.