Apr 25, 2024  
2014-15 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2014-15 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology


View Programs and Courses 

View Psychology Flowsheets 

Faculty

Professor Patricia V. Markunas, Chairperson

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

Associate Professors: Darlene Crone-Todd, Timothy J. Eddy, Joanna Gonsalves, Michael Mobley, Anne Noonan

Assistant Professor: Kristen D’Anci

Instructor: Ashita Goswami

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Kenneth C. Basilio, Leonard P. Zani

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology 

Bachelor of Science - Psychology 

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis 

Minor

Psychology 

Special Program

Honors

Psychology Programs

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. 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 goals are to provide students with a solid background in psychology, as well as to prepare students for graduate education or for entry into careers related to psychology.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The following are required: A minimum of 35 credits in psychology, satisfaction of the foreign language requirement, 3 credits in mathematics, a  4-credit biology lab course, an additional 3 or 4 credit biology course and a minor.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The following are required: A minimum of 41 credits in psychology, 3 credits in mathematics, a 4-credit biology lab course, an additional 3 or 4 credit biology course and 6-8 additional credits in science and mathematics electives.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

This concentration has the same requirements as the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with three specific content courses that must be completed: PSY 210 , PSY 328 , and PSY 338 . In addition, students must complete at least six credits in two or more PSY level 4 courses in behavior analysis (internship, seminar or research project).

Psychology Major Requirements

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

Level 1 courses (PSY 101  or PSY 170H , PSY 203S , PSY 204R ) provide students with their first exposure to the field of psychology, its methods, and its tools. It is 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. Course are divided into two groups: Division A: PSY 210 , PSY 211  and PSY 212 , and Divison B: PSY 215  through PSY 252 .These courses are to be taken after completing PSY 101  or PSY 170H .

Level 3 courses build on Level 1 and Level 2 courses, examine specialized areas of psychology, and operate at a higher level of sophistication. These courses are to be taken after completion of 6 or more credits at Level 2.

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 grade point average.


Level 4 options include:
• advanced research courses,
• advanced seminars,
• directed study or research, in which students work one-on-one with a faculty member,
• honors directed study or independent research, and
• internship, in which students apply psychology in community, institutional and business settings.Psychology department meeting

Internship in Psychology

Psychology majors who meet the GPA and credit hour requirements may choose to do an internship in psychology (PSY 520  or PSY 521 ). 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.

Support Courses

Support courses are described above as part of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

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 PSY 600H  or PSY 601H . A three-member faculty committee will evaluate the project.

Honors Program

Psychology majors in the University’s Honors Program should follow the honors curriculum (described under the “The Commonwealth Honors Program ” in this catalog) including completion of PSY 170H - Honors: Foundations of Psychology , and, in the senior year, PSY 600H - Honors in Psychology  or PSY 601H - Honors Independent Research in Psychology .

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 who meet the academic requirements. For more information, students should inquire in the Psychology Department office.

Psychology Minor

The Psychology minor consists of 15 credits in Psychology: PSY 101  or PSY 170H ; one level 2 course from Division A and one from Division B; and six credits of PSY electives numbered PSY 210  through PSY 353 . Students wishing to declare a minor in psychology must complete the required Request for Declaration / Change of Minor form, available in the Psychology Department office. For additional information, see Psychology Minor 

Further Information

Information about the Psychology major and minor, including flowsheets and course descriptions, is available in the Psychology Department, Meier Hall 239.  Application forms for directed study, independent research and internships are also available.