Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Degree Courses - Psychology

View the Comprehensive Catalog at lamar.edu/catalog

Psychology (PSYC)

Course Number: 2301
Credit Hours: 3
Title: General Psychology

Course Description:
An introductory survey of the major areas of psychology such as learning, personality, social, testing, developmental and physiological. Emphasis is on psychology as the scientific study of behavior and includes both human and animal behavior.

Course Number: 2302
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Psychology as a Career

Course Description:
An introduction to the broad and diverse career options within the field of psychology, along with the associated academic pathways. A survey of the possible careers with having a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and those requiring a graduate degree in psychology will be presented. Emphasis on psychology as a science, APA formatting and Curriculum Vitae (CV) development.

Course Number: 2315
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Lifespan Development

Course Description:
Emphasizes major aspects of psychological development through the life span. Aspects of development examined in the course will include cognitive, physical, social, moral, linguistic, and emotional change through childhood, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and older adulthood. Areas of focus include psychosocial, biological, and physical influences on psychological development. Normal processes of child and adult psychological development will be emphasized.

Course Number: 2317
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Introduction to Statistical Methods

Course Description:
Statistical concepts and techniques used in behavioral science research. Topics include graphs, measure of position, central tendency and dispersion, correlation and regression, probability, tests of significance and basic non-parametric techniques.

Course Number: 3301
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Advanced Statistics

Course Description:
Advance statistical concepts and techniques used in behavioral science research. Topics include graphs, measure of position, central tendency, and dispersion, correlation and regression, probability, test of significance, and basic non-parametric techniques. Extensive use of statistical software.

Course Number: 3302
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Methods in Psychology

Course Description:
An introduction to the methods of research employed in the scientific study of behavior. Topics include nature and philosophy of science; descriptive, correlational, and experimental designs; and scientific report writing. This is a writing-intensive course.

Course Number: 3310
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Systems&History of Psychology

Course Description:
Historical development of psychology. Emphasis on the evolution of major systems of psychology.

Course Number: 3320
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Psychology of Personality

Course Description:
A study of several of the major theories of personality organization and adjustment processes.

Course Number: 3330
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Psychology of Social Interaction

Course Description:
Investigation of psychological basis of interpersonal behavior. Emphasis is on the study of individual experience and behavior in relation to the social environment, and how individual behavior both affects and is affected by social interaction.

Course Number: 3340
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Industrial Psychology

Course Description:
Introduction to psychological processes and techniques as they apply in industrial settings. Emphasis on selecting, training and evaluating workers. Emphasis also on organizational influences on behavior.

Course Number: 3360
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Psychological Tests & Measure

Course Description:
Theory and use of instruments for measurements of intelligence, interests, aptitude and attitudes.

Course Number: 3370
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Child & Adolescent Psychology

Course Description:
Explorations of the major theories of child growth and development and their applications to psychological development. Effects of various cultural, socioeconomic and age considerations will be addressed to determine their impact on both psychological and physical development. Topics will include physical, linguistic, cognitive, social and emotional development of normal, exceptional and struggling children.

Course Number: 3380
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Evolutionary Psychology

Course Description:
An introductory course aimed at undergraduates with little or no experience with this discipline. Evolutionary psychology is the scientific study of human nature dedicated to discovering and understanding the psychological adaptations that evolved to solve ancestral survival and reproductive problems. The course focuses on a brief historical review of key themes in psychology and evolutionary biology followed by the adaptive problems of and evolved solutions to survival, long-term mating, short-term mating, parenting, kinship, cooperation, aggression and warfare, conflict between the sexes, status, prestige and social dominance.

Course Number: 3390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Positive Psychology

Course Description:
Positive psychology is defined as the study of the life that is worth living, with a focus on positive subjective experiences (such as positive emotions), positive individual traits (such as strengths and virtues) and positive institutions. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the study of well-being and optimal human functioning, including the latest research findings and thinking around the topics of happiness, flow, character strengths and other relevant areas.

Course Number: 4300
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Undergraduate Research

Course Description:
Designed to provide an opportunity for advanced psychology students to pursue an individual research project under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit.

Course Number: 4301
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Special Topics

Course Description:
Includes library and/or laboratory work and conferences with a faculty member. A description of the particular area of study will be indicated. A student may repeat the course for credit when the area of study varies.

Course Number: 4310
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Sensation and Perception

Course Description:
A review of research and theory regarding the structure and function of the basic sensory processes and sensory perception.

Course Number: 4320
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Abnormal Psychology

Course Description:
A study of abnormal behavior. Special emphasis on the symptomatology, etiology and therapeutic approaches.

Course Number: 4330
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Experimental Psychology

Course Description:
Techniques to demonstrate and investigate concepts in psychology. Includes planning and executing an original research project. This is writing-intensive, senior capstone course.

Course Number: 4360
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Learning and Cognition

Course Description:
Theories and research concerning learning and cognitive processes, with a consideration of practical implications.

Course Number: 4380
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Behavioral Neuroscience

Course Description:
Survey of the biological bases of behavior with emphasis on the mechanisms in the central nervous system.

Course Number: 4390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Psychopharmacology

Course Description:
This course is a study of the field of behavioral pharmacology. It focuses on the systematic study of the effects of drugs on behavior and the ways in which behavioral principles can help in understanding how drugs work. The course emphasizes neurophysiological mechanisms of action of various psychoactive drugs.