MSSU Department of Psychology
Course Listing - Catalog 2008-2010


General Psychology
Psy 100 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

Introductory course stressing the importance of the psychological mechanisms underlying all human behavior. Satisfies the CORE Curriculum requirement.
 

General Psychology-Honors
Psy 100 (Fall)
3 hours credit

The same topics as general psychology above. Designed and specially taught for honors students. Other students permitted with consent of instructor.
 

Personal Adjustment
PSY 221 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

This course addresses selected principles of adjustment, ways of improving adjustment and research of practical value. Topics include the nature and management of stress, interpersonal communication, relationship dynamics, self concept and the connection between physical and psychological health.


Applied Behaviorism

PSY 282 (Fall)
3 hours credit

Techniques of modifying behavior through principles developed by learning psychology. Emphasis on design and implementation of behavioral strategy in the laboratory, as well as practical settings. Prerequisite: Psy 100.

Topics in Psychology
PSY 298 (Demand)
1-3 hours credit

Designed to give instruction in some area of Psychology not covered in other courses. Prerequisites to be determined by the department.
 

Child Development
PSY 300 (Fall, Spring)
3 hour credit

The course covers development from conception to late childhood, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Theories and methods of developmental psychology will be discussed.  Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above. No credit will be given if Psy 305 has been completed.
 

Adolescent Development
PSY 301 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

The course covers adolescent development, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.  Theories of adolescent development will be presented, as well as the contextual influences of family, peers, school, and culture.  The course material will include a variety of individual and group activities. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above. No credit will be given if 305 has been completed.
 

Child & Adolescent Development
PSY 305 (Fall, Spring)
4 hours credit

Aspects of human development from conception to adolescence are examined, including,physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Emphasis is given to theoretical frameworks and their practical implications. Cross-cultural comparisons are included wherever appropriate. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above. One hour credit will be given toward the total number of hours toward graduation if Psy 300 or Psy 301 have been completed.
 

Educational Psychology
PSY 310 (Fall, Spring)
2 hours credit

Psychological problems involved in education and the practical application of psychological principles of teaching. Special emphasis on the learner, the learning process, and the learning situation. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Applied Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences
PSY 320 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

The course includes descriptive and inferential techniques. The analysis and interpretation of data is emphasized. Prerequisites: Psy 100 (or permission) and Math 125, 130, or 131 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Computers in the Behavioral Sciences
PSY 325 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

Applications of computers in behavioral sciences with an emphasis on statistical analysis, data collection and report generation. Prerequisite: Psy 320 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Experimental Psychology   (Writing Intensive)
PSY 330 (Fall, Spring)
5 hours credit

The research process is the foundation for knowledge in the field of psychology. Laboratory course that stresses the acquisition of basic skills in conceiving and carrying out research, as well as analyzing results and writing reports in a professionally acceptable manner. Prerequisite: Psy 325.
 

Social Psychology
PSY 341 (Fall)
3 hours credit

Introduction to the scientific study of social thinking (how we view ourselves and others), social influence (including conformity, persuasion, and group influence), and social relations (including prejudice, aggression, attraction, and altruism). Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Human Sexuality
PSY 343 (Spring)
3 hours credit

Surveys current research and theory related to human sexuality. Human sexual behavior and attitudes are viewed from biological, psychological, historical, and cultural perspectives. Prerequisites: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above.  

Conditioning and Learning
PSY 386 (Spring)
3 hours credit

Leading theories and research in the field of learning.  Topics include Non-Associative Learning.  Classical Conditioning, Instrumental Learning, Stimulus Control of Behavior, Punishment, Avoidance Behavior, and Cognitive Processes.  Prerequisite:  Psy 320 with a grade of 'C' or above.

Junior Seminar   (Writing Intensive)
PSY 390 (Spring)
1 hour credit

For Junior Psychology majors. Information & experiences helpful in making decision about and preparing for careers, emphasizing preparation for either graduate school or baccalaureate level employment. Corequisite or Prerequisite: Psy 320 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Sensation and Perception
PSY 411 (Fall of Even-numbered years)
3 hours credit

Includes classical and modern psychophysical techniques. The physiology of various sensory systems, e.g., vision and audition, are examined in order to appreciate the nature of perception. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology
PSY 412 (Fall, Spring)
2 hours credit

Explores theories and problems of measurement and the assessment of learning.  Contemporary and classical approaches to measuring achievement in the educational setting are examined. Prerequisite: Psy 310 with a grade of 'C' or above or permission of instructor.
 

Animal Behavior
PSY 415 (Fall of Odd-numbered years)
3 hours credit

Research in animal behavior from a phylogenetic perspective. Includes theoretical approaches, ethological methods, ethical concerns, sensory capacities, learning, cognition, and social behavior of animals. Field observations and experimental research for each topic. Field trips are planned to supplement lectures and discussions. Prerequisites: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above and Bio 101 or permission of the instructor.
 
Psychology in Film
PSY 420 (Demand)
3 hours credit

An advanced course in psychology examining the use of psychological concepts in feature films. Readings will accompany each film and address the significant concepts illustrated. Topics addressed in the class may include: psychodynamic concepts, existentialism, identity development, positive psychology, and selected topics in clinical psychology. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above and 6 additional hours of psychology or permission from instructor.

Theories of Personality
PSY 422 (Spring)
3 hours credit

Survey of major contemporary theories of personality, issues of personality assessment, and current research. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above and junior standing.

Abnormal Psychology
PSY 432 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

Recognition and classification of the systems of mental disorders, specifying causes and possible therapeutic techniques. Extensive use of the American Psychiatric Associations's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Clinical Psychology
PSY 435 (Spring)
3 hours credit

Survey of history, current methods, guild issues, and future developments of clinical practice. Seminar format with considerable student participation. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 15 hours of psychology with a grade of 'C' or above.

Physiological Psychology
PSY 442 (Spring)
3 hours credit

Structure and function of the nervous system from the individual neuron to the behavior of the organism. The biological basis of movement, sleep, homeostasis, sexual behavior, emotion, learning, language, and abnormal behavior will be examined from an ontogenetic and phylogenetic perspective. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above.
 

Memory and Cognition
PSY 443 (Fall)
3 hours credit

Designed to acquaint the student with the classic and current research in the field of cognitive psychology. General topics include attention, working memory, long-term memory, knowledge representation, language processing. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above. Co-requisite: PSY330.
 

Psychology of Human Resources
PSY 450 (Spring)
3 hours credit

An interdisciplinary approach to traditional areas of human resource management/organizational psychology, including group interaction, communication, interviewing, compensation and benefits, and legal environment. Experiential and theoretical methods will be used. Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of 'C' or above or MM350 or permission of instructor.
 

Advanced Research Projects
PSY 460 (Demand)
3 hours credit

Advances the research skills in psychology beyond what is learned in Psy 330. Students will conceive, design, gather, and analyze the data and write up a naturalistic observation, a survey or an experiment of their own choosing.. Students will function as sole investigators or as members of a team. The final research project can serve as a pilot study for the students' senior thesis as well as provide a project for presentation at a professional research conference. Prerequisites: Psy 330 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psychological Measurement
PSY 470 (Fall)
3 hours credit

Examines classical and contemporary theories and practices in psychological measurement.  Students apply measurement theory in the construction of an original instrument and establish the properties of reliability and validity.  Prerequisites:  12 hours of psychology course work including Psy 320 with a grade of 'C' or higher.
 

Senior Thesis   (Writing Intensive)
PSY 481 (Fall, Spring)
3 hours credit

Students design and conduct research projects resulting in a written thesis and an oral presentation. Prerequisite: Psy 330 with a grade of 'C' or above and Senior Standing.

Advanced Topics in Psychology
PSY 498 (Demand)
1-3 hours credit

Designed to give advanced instruction in some area not covered in other courses.  For upper division majors. Prerequisites to be determined by department.

Independent Study
PSY 499 (Demand)
1-3 hours credit

Course structured by adviser with approval of department head. Prerequisite: Advanced standing in major field. Registration must be approved by adviser and department head. 

updated 8/16/08