Graduate Course Descriptions

PSY 450. Senior Thesis 3 cr.
A laboratory or field research project conducted under faculty supervision. Requires written research proposal, conduct of research, data analysis, and final written report. Prerequisites: PSY 310, six additional psychology credits, consent of the supervising faculty member, and junior or above standing. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

PSY 470. Special Topics 1-3 cr.
Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.

PSY 501. Introduction to Psycholinguistics 3 cr.
Introduction to graduate studies in psycholinguistics. Psychological aspects of language; linguistic theories of grammar, psychological factors influencing language performance, primary language acquisition and the relationship of language to thought processes. Same as LING 501.

PSY 507. Quantitative Methods in Psychology I 3 cr.
Statistical concepts emphasizing distributions and methods most appropriate to the data, models, and theories in psychology. Prerequisite: An elementary statistics course or consent of instructor.

PSY 508. Quantitative Methods in Psychology II 3 cr.
Statistical concepts emphasizing distributions and methods most appropriate to the data, models, and theories in psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 507 or equivalent.

PSY 509. Quantitative Methods in Psychology III 3 cr.
Statistical concepts emphasizing distributions and methods most appropriate to the data, models in psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 507 or equivalent.

PSY 510. Computer Methodology 3 cr.
Use of computers in psychological research with emphasis on developing experimental control programs.

PSY 520. Learning 3 cr.
Classical areas of learning, including instrumental and classical conditioning paradigms, habituation, reinforcement variables, stimulus generalization and transfer, and memory.

PSY 522. Sensation and Perception 3 cr.
Stimulus and decision variables in judging auditory and visual events. Topics include: detection of signals; signal intensity versus perceived strength; size, shape, and movement perception; reading and listening.

PSY 523. Methods in Cognitive Psychology 3 cr.
Experimental and correlational methodologies appropriate for investigating cognitive psychological theories and problems.  Prerequisite(s): PSY 524 or consent of instructor.

PSY 524. Cognitive Psychology 3 cr.
Examines theoretical and empirical work on human cognition. Topics include: information processing theories, pattern recognition, memory, attention, language, problem solving, decision making, and reasoning.

PSY 525. Behavioral Neuroscience 3 cr.
The biological basis of behavior with an emphasis on human cognitive functioning.

PSY 527. Social Psychology 3 cr.
Current and traditional theories, research findings, and research methodologies of social psychology. Special attention is devoted to social problems.

PSY 529. Methods in Social Psychology 3 cr.
Both laboratory and field experimental methodologies appropriate for investigating social psychological theories and problems. Includes quasi-experimental designs and issues in evaluation research. Prerequisite: graduate student in psychology or consent of instructor.

PSY 530. Human-Computer Interaction 3 cr.
Issues associated with human-computer interface design. Concepts, methods, and data from HCI, cognitive psychology, human factors, artificial intelligence, and psycholinguistics that apply.

PSY 531. Human Memory 3 cr.
Current and traditional theories and research findings related to human memory.

PSY 535. Developmental Psychology 3 cr.
Examines theoretical and empirical work in lifespan developmental psychology, with an emphasis on perceptual and cognitive development, language development, and social cognitive development.

PSY 540. History and Systems of Psychology 3 cr.
History of scientific method emphasizing outstanding methodological problems of contemporary science, especially psychology. Covers recent history of psychology and development of schools of psychology.

PSY 543. Cognitive Neuroscience 3 cr.
Introduction to the study of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes.  Topics include relations between neural processes and attention, perception, memory, thinking and language; measuring change in electrical activity, blood flow, and metabolism in the brain during cognition; the problem of consciousness; and evolutionary perspectives.

PSY 547. Engineering Psychology 3 cr.
Concepts, methods, and findings of human performance. Treats the human as a subsystem that receives, stores and processes information, makes decisions, and acts within a human-machine environment system.

PSY 548. Methods in Engineering Psychology 3 cr.
Engineering psychology methods such as task analysis, cognitive task analysis, user testing, prototyping, protocol analysis, cost-benefit analysis, safety and reliability analysis, and multivariate techniques. Prerequisite: PSY 547 or consent of instructor.

PSY 550. Teaching of Psychology 3 cr.
This class serves both new and experienced teachers. It will help new teachers design and conduct a successful course and help experienced teachers improve their writing.

PSY 570. Special Topics 1-3 cr.
Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.

PSY 590. Research Seminar in Psychology 1 cr.
Presentations on research by students, faculty, and guest speakers. May be repeated credit.

PSY 598. Special Research Programs 1-3 cr.
Individual investigations either analytical or experimental. May be repeated for credit.

PSY 599. Master's Thesis var. cr.
Thesis.

PSY 600. Doctoral Research var. cr.
This course number is used for assigning credit for research performed prior to successful completion of the doctoral qualifying examination.

PSY 625. Seminar in Cognitive Science 3 cr.
May be repeated with consent of instructor. May be repeated for unlimited credit.

PSY 698. Special Research Programs 1-3 cr.
Individual investigations either analytical or experimental. May be repeated for credit.

PSY 700. Doctoral Dissertation var. cr.
Dissertation.