Psychology

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Faculty

Professor: Patricia V. Markunas, Chairperson

Professors:  Sophie R. Evett, David W. Gow, Jr., Martin Krugman, Teresa M. Lyons, Benjamin O. Miller, Patrice M. Miller, Janet Todaro Stubbs, Margaret E. Vaughan, Marcia L. Weinstein, Andrea S. Zeren

Associate Professor: Joanna Gonsalves 

Assistant Professors: Darlene Crone-Todd, Timothy J. Eddy, Anne Noonan

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Kenneth C. Basilio, Leonard P. Zani

Associate Professor: Cesareo R. Pelaez

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Minor

Psychology 

Special Program

Honors

Psychology Programs

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. It encompasses a variety of theoretical and applied points of view, such as the behavioral, biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, evolutionary, and social perspectives. The department’s goal is to provide students with a solid background in psychology, as well as to prepare students for graduate training or for entry into careers related to psychology.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

A minimum of 35 credits in psychology, satisfaction of the foreign language requirement, 3 credits in any PHL ethics course, 3 credits in mathematics, a biology lab sequence, and a minor.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

A minimum of 41 credits in psychology, 3 credits in any PHL ethics course, 3 credits in mathematics, a biology lab sequence, and 6-8 credits in DII science and mathematics electives.

Psychology Major Requirements

Psychology courses are divided into four levels, as outlined on the flowsheets.

Level 1 courses (PSY 101  or PSY 320H , PSY 203S , PSY 204R ) provide students with their first exposure to the field of psychology, its methods, and its tools. It is strongly recommended that students enroll in PSY 203S /PSY 204R  in their sophomore year.

Level 2 courses deepen students’ understanding of issues, methods, and theories in several major subfields of psychology. These courses are to be taken after completing PSY 101  or PSY 320H .

Level 3 courses build on Level 1 and Level 2 courses, examine specialized areas of psychology, and operate at a higher level of sophistication.

Level 4 courses require students to work at an advanced level, individually or in small groups, under the guidance of a faculty member. Students are expected to draw upon knowledge and skills gained in lower-level courses, and apply that expertise to a specific issue or problem in psychology. These courses should be taken in the junior or senior year. Some Level 4 courses require advance planning by the student and a minimum GPA.
Level 4 options include:
• advanced research courses
• advanced seminars
• directed study or research, in which students work one-on-one with a faculty member
• internship, in which students apply psychology in community, institutional and business settings
 

Internship in Psychology

Psychology majors who meet the GPA and credit hour requirements may choose to do an internship in psychology (PSY 520 ). The internship gives students an opportunity to apply psychology in community, institutional and business settings. Information about the internship program is available in the Psychology Department Office. PSY 520  may be applied to the fourth of the psychology major with the permission of the department chairperson.

Support Courses

These requirements are intended to provide students with relevant intellectual skills and strengthen the students’ understanding of linkages between psychology and other fields. While support course requirements differ for the BA and BS programs, all students are required to take courses in ethics, logic, mathematics, and writing. Psychology majors must also satisfy the College’s laboratory science requirement with a sequence of biology courses.

Departmental Honors

Students may earn departmental honors by conducting a directed study or directed research project with a faculty mentor. Students must meet the GPA requirements to register for

Honors Program

Psychology majors who are admitted to the College Honors Program should contact the Psychology Department Chairperson upon admission to the College. Psychology Honors students follow the honors curriculum (described under the “Honors Program” in this catalog) including completion of PSY 320H - Honors: Foundations of Psychology , and PSY 600H - Honors in Psychology  or PSY 601H - Honors Independent Research in Psychology  in the Psychology in the senior year.

Psi Chi

The Psychology Department sponsors a chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, whose purpose is to foster scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to students with strong academic records. For more information, students should inquire in the Psychology Department office.
 

Psychology Minor

Students wishing to declare a minor in psychology must obtain written permission from the chairperson of the Psychology department. It is recommended that students first complete two semesters of biology. For additional information, see Psychology Minor . 

Student Handbook

A guide to the Psychology major or minor, including flow sheets and course descriptions, is available in the Psychology Department, Meier Hall 240.

NOTE: The new, revised psychology curriculum was implemented in Fall 2002. Students declaring a major or minor in Psychology after Fall 2002 will follow the new curriculum. Students who entered the College before Fall 2002 will complete the requirements of the old psychology curriculum. Students, who would like to switch from the “old” to the “new” curriculum, or the reverse, must obtain written permission from the Chairperson of the Psychology Department.

All courses needed to complete the major or minor under the old curriculum continue to be offered, but many courses have been renamed and renumbered in the revised curriculum. Consult your advisor or the chairperson for help selecting the appropriate course.

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