Course Descriptions

Psychology, General:

PSY 2012

General Psychology (3). This course is a broad introduction to the field of psychology covering such topics as learning, perception, intelligence, personality, social behavior, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and abnormal behavior.

PSY 2023

Careers in Psychology (1). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: PSY 2012. This course is intended for psychology majors who are uncertain about their career goals. Students learn what career opportunities are available in psychology and related fields and what these careers involve. Students are encouraged to take this course early in their undergraduate years so they can pursue opportunities at FSU that will help prepare them for their chosen career paths.

PSY 2029

New Student Seminar in Psychology (1). (S/U grade only.) This course allows incoming freshmen and transfer students an opportunity to become familiar with the familiar with the field of psychology, the Florida State University Department of Psychology, and techniques for achieving success in college.

PSY 3213C

Research Methods in Psychology with Laboratory (4). Prerequisites: Psychology major, PSY 2012, and STA 2122 or STA 2171 or equivalent. Introduction to philosophical and methodological issues in the empirical study of psychology. Laboratory portion includes running simple experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting the results.

Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience:

CBH 4304

Behavioral Genetics (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and STA 2122 or STA 2171 or equivalent. This course examines the application of genetic methods to human and animal behavior. Genetic methods discussed include twin and adoption as well as molecular studies. Behaviors to be examined include personality, intelligence, and psychopathology.

EXP 3202C

Sensation and Perception with Laboratory (4). Prerequisites: EXP 3213C, and PSB 2000 or PSB 3004C. This course provides students with a sound foundation in how sensory systems interpret the world. The course explores each of the primary sensory systems by defining the physical energy that is detected, examining how that energy is transduced into neural impulses, and sampling how aspects of that information are encoded to provide a representation of the world.

EXP 3422C

Conditioning and Learning with Laboratory (4). Prerequisite: PSY 3213C. How experience affects the behavior and physiological functioning of animals and humans; lecture plus laboratory experiments.

PSB 2000

Introduction to Brain and Behavior (3). A study of the basic principles of brain functions and how they relate to animal and human behavior. (Cannot be taken after PSB 3004C.)

PSB 3004C

Physiological Psychology with Laboratory (4). Prerequisite: PSY 3213C. Current problems, theories, and techniques in physiological psychology with emphasis on central nervous system mechanisms.

PSB 4240

Neurobiology of Brain Dysfunction (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and PSB 2000 or PSB 3004C or three semester hours in biology. This course focuses on clinical neuroscience, which is the exploration of the neurobiological foundations of brain dysfunction and major diseases affecting the central nervous system, including mental health and mental illness.

PSB 4447

Clinical Psychopharmacology (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and PSB 2000 or PSB 3004C or three semester hours in biology. This course covers neuropsychopharmacology, including the behavioral effects of brain-mind altering drugs (i.e. psychotropics) and the biological action of drugs used to treat psychological disorders.

PSB 4461

Hormones and Behavior (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and PSB 2000 or PSB 3004C or three semester hours in biology. Provides students with current knowledge of interactions between hormones and behavior with emphasis on the brain regulation of hormone-behavior interaction in mammalian species including humans.

PSB 4710

Biology of Eating Disorders and Obesity (3). This course explores the biological and genetic factors that may increase susceptibility to develop an eating disorder or obesity. It also provides a survey of biological changes that arise in individuals with an eating disorder or obesity.

PSB 4731

Biopsychology of Sexual Behavior (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and PSB 2000 or PSB 3004C or three semester hours in biology. A study of biological and sociocultural determinants of sexual development particularly as it relates to sexual orientation, sexual preference, and purported gender differences in personality, cognition, and mental disorders.

Human Learning and Cognition:

EXP 3604C

Cognitive Psychology with Laboratory (4). Prerequisite: PSY 3213C. Contemporary approaches to human learning, memory, and higher mental processes; lecture plus laboratory experiments.

EXP 4404

Human Memory and Learning (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012. This course introduces issues related to human memory and learning. Theories of memory, including memory systems, capacity and duration of memory, and basic memorial processes are discussed. Applied issues are covered, including disorders of memory (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), repressed memories, and memory improvement.

EXP 4640

Psychology of Language (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012. This course will focus on the mental processes involved in language use (e.g., speech, comprehension, conversation, and writing).

Clinical/Personality:

CLP 3305

Clinical and Counseling Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. A survey of the theory, research, and treatment procedures in the clinical process.

CLP 3314

Health Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. This course is a survey of health psychology and behavioral medicine. Topics include mind/body connections, health and disease, stress and coping, and psychology in medical settings.

CLP 4134

Abnormal Child Psychology (3). Prerequisite: DEP 3103. This course focuses on the development, maintenance, assessment, and treatment of various psychological disorders of childhood and adolescence. Theoretical perspectives and research findings are discussed pertaining to anxiety, depression, autism, conduct disorder, attention-deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities.

CLP 4143

Abnormal Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. Junior or senior standing is strongly recommended. Causes of personality disorganization, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, and developments in experimental psychopathology.

CLP 4182

Addictive Behaviors (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and junior or senior standing. This course addresses the broad concept of "addiction," emphasizing substance use problems, but touching on other gratifying compulsive behaviors such as overeating, gambling, and certain sexual deviations. Critical thinking about the available theoretical, empirical, and popular literature as a well as relevant public policy is the focus.

CLP 4392

Psychology of Criminal Behavior (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. This course focuses on understanding psychological factors relevant to the development and maintenance of criminal behavior. As a point of reference for understanding the intrapersonal factors contributing to criminality, the course focuses in detail on the clinical phenomenon of psychopathic personality, or "psychopathy", and the related concept of antisocial personality disorder.

CLP 4950

Abnormal Psychology Field Experience (1). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisites: CLP 4143 and instructor permission.

PPE 3003

Psychology of Personality (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. An introduction to methods, theory, and research in personality.

Life-Span Development:

DEP 3103

Child Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. This course provides broad coverage of topics concerning the biological, social, and cognitive aspects of children.

DEP 4404

Psychology of Adult Development and Aging (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. The study of the major psychological issues of adulthood and aging, including age-related changes in psychological, social, and physical functioning; interpersonal and family relationships; career development and retirement; mental and physical health; death and bereavement; and coping with the process of aging.

Social:

SOP 3004

Social Psychology (3). This course involves the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. Subjects include individual, cultural, behavioral, and biological levels of analysis. Completion of PSY 2012 is recommended prior to this course.

SOP 3742

Psychology of Women (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. Systematic study of research and theories about gender, including psychological differences and similarities between sexes.

SOP 3751

Psychology and the Law (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. An examination of the interface between psychology and legal issues. Research on judges, juries, defendants, and police are among topics covered, as well as the role of psychologists in the legal system.

SOP 4722

Prejudice and Stereotyping (3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012 and SOP 3004. This course explores the nature of prejudice and stereotyping in our society using a social psychological perspective.

Behavioral-Performance Management:

EAB 3703

Applied Behavior Analysis (3). This course introduces the basic principles of behavior and exposes students to settings where techniques based on learning theory can be used therapeutically.

Multiple Areas:

ISC 3076

Science, Technology, and Society (3). Science is considered as an enterprise in modern society that produces technological advances and new perspectives on reality. Interrelations among science, technology, and society are examined. Enrollment is open to students who have attained at least junior standing or by instructor permission.

PSY 3949r

Cooperative Education Work Experience (0). (S/U grade only.)

PSY 4039r

Honors Work (1-6). May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.

PSY 4911r-4914r

Directed Individual Study (one to three [1-3] hours each.) (S/U grade only.) Prerequisites: Sophomore or higher standing and instructor permission. Study on a selected topic as designated by the student and the directing professor. Each course may be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours.

PSY 4915r

Honors Advanced Research Topics (1-3). Prerequisites: PSY 2012, acceptance into the University Honors Program, instructor permission. This course involves participation in a research project on a selected topic as designated by the directing professor. Participation includes more advanced with than PSY 4920 and a written product, the nature of which is detailed in a written contract between professor and student.

PSY 4920r

Research Topics (1-3). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Participation in a group research project on a selected topic as designated by the directing professor. May be repeated to a maximum of eighteen (18) semester hours, with a maximum of six hours repeatable in a given semester.

PSY 4930r

Special Topics in Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2012. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours. A maximum of two special topics courses may be taken in the same semester.

PSY 4970r

Honors Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisites: 3.2 overall GPA and 3.5 Psychology GPA. Exposure to state-of-the-art research of psychology faculty to increase breadth in the discipline and to help select a thesis topic and research mentor. May be repeated to a maximum of four semester hours.

SCE 4939r

Seminar in Contemporary Science, Mathematics and Science Education (1). Presentations of contemporary and interesting issues in science, mathematics, or academic methods. Content will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated to a maximum of four semester hours.