Psychological Science (PSYS)

Courses

PSYS 1010. Topics In: First-Year Seminar. 3 Credits.

Intensive first-year seminar focused on specific themes and/or disciplinary perspectives. Emphasis on developing critical reading and writing skills, substantive revision, information literacy, and analytical thinking. First-year seminars are frequently organized to meet one of the disciplinary Catamount Core requirements. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Catamount Core: WIL1.

PSYS 1012. Topics in: FYS: Div Human Exp. 3 Credits.

Intensive first-year seminar focused on specific themes and/or disciplinary perspectives. Emphasis on developing critical reading and writing skills, substantive revision, information literacy, and analytical thinking. First-year seminars are frequently organized to meet one of the disciplinary Catamount Core requirements. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Catamount Core: D2, WIL1.

PSYS 1020. Topics In: LASP Seminar. 3 Credits.

Intensive course in a broad disciplinary area (humanities, social sciences, arts, or natural sciences). Part of an integrated first-year experience in which students take 2-4 classes exploring aesthetic, humanistic, social, linguistic, environmental, or scientific issues. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Co-requisite: Enrollment in the appropriate Liberal Arts Scholars Program. Catamount Core: WIL1.

PSYS 1400. Intro to Psychological Science. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the entire field, emphasizing the behavior of the normal adult human being. Catamount Core: S1.

PSYS 1990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.

PSYS 2000. Psych Research Methods w/lab. 0 or 4 Credits.

Principles of research methodology, including design and reporting. Prepares students to understand and evaluate psychological research in a variety of areas of psychology. Includes laboratory component. May not be taken for credit concurrently with, or following receipt of, credit for PSYS 2002. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400.

PSYS 2002. Psych Research Methods. 3 Credits.

Principles of research methodology, including design and reporting. Prepares students to understand and evaluate psychological research in a variety of areas of psychology. May not be taken for credit concurrently with, or following receipt of, credit for PSYS 2000. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400.

PSYS 2010. Statistics for Psych Sci. 0 or 4 Credits.

Analysis of quantitative data in psychology. Calculation and interpretation of common statistical tests, including t-test, correlation, regression, chi-square, and ANOVA. Laboratory experiences. Prerequisite: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002. Catamount Core: QD.

PSYS 2100. Learning, Cognition & Behavior. 3 Credits.

Behavioral and cognitive principles underlying learning, memory, and action inside and outside the laboratory. Includes conditioning, motivation, biological constraints, and mechanism of remembering and forgetting. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400. Catamount Core: N1.

PSYS 2200. Biopsychology. 3 Credits.

Biological bases of behavior: classical and contemporary issues, including introduction to nervous system, behavioral effects of drugs, chemical bases of behavioral disorders. Prerequisites: PSYS 1400 or BIOL 1400 or BCOR 1400 or BCOR 1425. Catamount Core: N1.

PSYS 2300. Social Psychology. 3 Credits.

An introduction to theory and research on the science of how one's situation influences individual thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400. Catamount Core: S1.

PSYS 2400. Developmental Psych: Childhood. 3 Credits.

Survey of research and theories on child development from conception to adolescence emphasizing experimental analyses of early social and cognitive development. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400. Catamount Core: S1.

PSYS 2500. Psychopathology. 3 Credits.

Describing and defining abnormal behavior; models of etiology; research evidence for biological and social models; methods of intervention and prevention. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400. Catamount Core: S1.

PSYS 2990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400.

PSYS 2995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.

Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

PSYS 3100. Learning. 3 Credits.

Analysis of theory and research on the basic learning process and behavior. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2100.

PSYS 3105. Cognition. 3 Credits.

Research and theories on the major areas within cognition: perception, attention, pattern recognition, memory, knowledge representations, mnemonic strategies, problem-solving and neurocognition. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2100.

PSYS 3110. Motivation. 3 Credits.

Theory and research on motives, including hunger, fear, sex drive, and addiction, their influence on behavior, relationship to other psychological processes, and biological correlates. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2100 or PSYS 2200.

PSYS 3200. Physiological Psychology w/lab. 0 or 4 Credits.

Students build on their foundational knowledge of neuroscience to learn the biological basis of learning and memory, emotion, motivated behaviors, and the dysregulation of those behaviors, such as that observed in neuropsychiatric disorders. With laboratory experience. May not be taken for credit concurrently with, or following receipt of, credit for PSYS 3202. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2200 or NSCI 2105.

PSYS 3202. Physiological Psychology. 3 Credits.

Students build on their foundational knowledge of neuroscience to learn the biological basis of learning and memory, emotion, motivated behaviors, and the dysregulation of those behaviors, such as that observed in neuropsychiatric disorders. May not be taken for credit concurrently with, or following receipt of, credit for PSYS 3200. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2200, NSCI 2100, or NSCI 2105.

PSYS 3205. Hormones and Behavior. 3 Credits.

A study of the involvement of hormones in cognition, emotion, the stress response, circadian and homeostatic mechanisms that affect mental state, psychopathology, and reproductive behavior. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2200, NSCI 2100, or NSCI 2105.

PSYS 3210. Behavioral Genetics. 3 Credits.

Students will gain conceptual understanding of the contributions of genes, environments, and the interplay of these and other factors, to various behaviors. Addresses variety of approaches to behavioral genetics research, including family and twin studies, animal studies, genome-wide association studies and the candidate gene approach. Prerequisite: (PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2200); or (NSCI 2105, BIOL 1400, BCOR 1400, or BCOR 1425).

PSYS 3215. Adv Cognitive Neuroscience. 3 Credits.

Cognitive Neuroscience studies thinking processes (e.g., attention, memory, problem solving) by investigating brain function. Focuses on dominant theories and relevant empirical data including a focus on non-invasive brain imaging of humans. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2100, PSYS 2200, or NSCI 2105.

PSYS 3250. Psychopharmacology. 3 Credits.

Effects of drugs (both medical and recreational) on behavior. Topics such as drug effects on learning, memory, motivation, perception, emotions, and aggression. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2200 or NSCI 2105.

PSYS 3300. Advanced Social Psychology. 3 Credits.

In-depth discussion of select topics centering on how situations influence individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2300.

PSYS 3305. Self and Social Cognition. 3 Credits.

An advanced course in social psychology that covers theory and research on the self and social cognition. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2300.

PSYS 3350. Organizational Psychology. 3 Credits.

Study of the psychological impact of macro and micro features of organizations upon leadership, decision making, workforce diversity, group process, conflict, and organizational performances. Prerequisites: PSYS or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2100, PSYS 2300, PSYS 2400, or PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3400. Adolescence. 3 Credits.

Analysis of current theory and research in adolescent development. Covers biological, cognitive, and social changes; family, peer, and school influences; and normative and problematic development. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2400.

PSYS 3405. Race in American Youth. 3 Credits.

An overview of how race and ethnicity relate to youth development, ranging from infancy to adolescence. Explores how youths' racial attitudes, beliefs, identity, and interactions develop, as well as ways that race and ethnicity influence the pathways youth take in American society. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2400. Catamount Core: D1.

PSYS 3410. Emotional Devlmt & Temperament. 3 Credits.

Development of emotion and temperament from infancy through middle childhood, including links between these topics and physiology, and context (e.g. attachment, parenting, family conflict). Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2400.

PSYS 3415. Social Development. 3 Credits.

Examination of theory and research concerning interpersonal development in humans from infancy through adulthood. Emphasizes relationships among language, cognition, and social development. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2400.

PSYS 3420. Psychology of Gender. 3 Credits.

Examines psychological theories, methods, and research about gender. Explores social, situational, individual, and biological explanations of gender similarities and differences and their development. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2300, PSYS 2400.

PSYS 3425. Psychology of Families. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the theory and research in the study of families. Topics include dating, mate selection, adult attachment, marriage, parenting, divorce, single parenting, remarriage, and issues pertaining to race, ethnicity, and culture. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2400 or PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3450. Fit Kids Applied Research. 0 or 3 Credits.

Covers the science and practice of using structured physical activity to promote better school readiness, performance, and adjustment in young children. Students will learn how to implement age-appropriate physical activity in the context of a combined service learning/research experience. Prerequisites: PSYS 1400 or EDSP 1050 or EDEC 1010; Junior Standing; Instructor Permission.

PSYS 3455. Adv Fit Kids: Applied Research. 0 or 3 Credits.

Mentorship and close supervision for advanced students serving as on-site supervisors for a structured physical activity curriculum in local schools. Also provides in-depth critical discussion of research on use of physical activity to promote school adaptation. Prerequisites: PSYS 3450 or PSYS 3520; Instructor permission.

PSYS 3500. Intro to Clinical Psychology. 3 Credits.

Study of basic principles of interviewing, testing, assessment from life situations, and report writing. Examination of the most common approaches to psychotherapy. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3505. Behav Disorders of Childhood. 3 Credits.

An overview of theory, research, and practice in developmental psychopathology from infancy through adolescence. The major disorders of social and emotional development reviewed. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2400 or PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3510. Intro to Health Psychology. 3 Credits.

Psychology of the cause, treatment, and prevention of physical illness and disability. Topics include: stress, health behavior, medical compliance, patient-provider relationships, coping with illness. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3515. Science of Traumatic Stress. 3 Credits.

More than 85 percent of adults in the US will experience a traumatic event, yet only a fraction of these individuals will develop conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Explores why this outcome occurs and the clinical skills needed to treat this condition. Prerequisites: PSYS 2000 or PSYS 2002; PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3520. Fit Kids: Special Populations. 0 or 3 Credits.

Examines how physical activity (PA) may assist in managing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other common conditions such as anxiety, depression, and autism. Students spend one hour/week in the UVM classroom with remaining time spent implementing PA in educational settings. Prerequisites: PSYS 1400 or EDSP 1050 or EDEC 1010; Instructor permission.

PSYS 3525. Adv Fit Kids: Spec Populations. 0 or 3 Credits.

Provides mentorship and close supervision to advanced students serving as on-site supervisors for a structured physical activity curriculum in early childhood classrooms. Also provides in-depth critical discussion of research on the effects of physical activity on symptoms of mental health disorders in children and adolescence. Prerequisite: PSYS 3450 or PSYS 3520.

PSYS 3990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisites: PSYS 2002; and PSYS 2100 or PSYS 2200 or PSYS 2300 or PSYS 2400 or PSYS 2500.

PSYS 3991. Mentored Clinical Internship. 1-18 Credits.

On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Will include an in-class component.

PSYS 3993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.

A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

PSYS 3994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.

Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.

PSYS 4990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisites: PSYS 2002; and PSYS 2100 or PSYS 2200 or PSYS 2300 or PSYS 2400 or PSYS 2500.

PSYS 4996. Honors. 1-6 Credits.

College honors thesis or other department/program honors, under the supervision of a faculty member. Offered at department discretion.