Courses

Surveys major topics in psychology: perceptions, development, personality, learning and memory, and biological bases of behavior. Students may participate as subjects for several hours in ongoing research. Meets MAPS requirement for social science: general.

Provides and introduction to fundamental concepts in neuroscience. The goal of this first course is to provide a strong foundation in neurobiology-cell biology, physiology of the neuronal membrane, interneuronal communication, neurotransmission, gross anatomy, and how the brain develops. Students will also learn principles of sensory systems functions. Recitation will reinforce lecture concepts through discussion of current research. Prereqs., MCDB 1150 and 1151, or EBIO 1210 and 1230. Prerequisites: Restricted to Neuroscience (NRSC) majors only.

Introduces the study of human cognitive processes and covers perception, attention, memory, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. Focuses on basic research and theory in cognitive psychology but also considers their implications for everyday applications such as effective learning and retention, multitasking, and eyewitness testimony. Prereq., PSYC 1001.

Covers general psychological principles underlying social behavior. Analyzes major social psychological theories, methods, and topics, including attitudes, conformity, aggression, attraction, social perception, helping behavior, and group relations. Prereq., PSYC 1001. Approved for GT-SS3. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

Surveys psychological theory and research concerning contemporary American women. Deals with such issues as masculine bias in American culture, sex difference in cognitive functioning and personality, psychological conflict for women between career and home, and specific areas pertaining to women's mental health. Prereq., PSYC 1001 or WMST 2000. Same as WMST 2700. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

Provides an introductory survey of influential models, theoretical approaches, and methods of cognitive science. Emphasizes and explains the convergence by work in multiple fields - including psychology and neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, and philosophy - on the idea that mental activity is a form of computation. Students from diverse backgrounds are introduced to a wide range of methods and approaches, including behavioral and neuroimaging experimental approaches, computational modeling, and philosophical work. Prereqs., two of the following: PSYC 2145, LING 2000, CSCI 1300, and PHIL 2440. Same as LING 3005, PHIL 3310, and CSCI 3702.

Introduces the basic principles of genetics, covers how these principles can be used in the study of behavior, and evaluates the evidence for genetic influences on behavioral characteristics. Prereq., PSYC 2111 or 3101.

Provides a foundation in research methodology to give students the ability to design, conduct, analyze, and present (both verbally and in writing) an empirical study in psychology. Allows students to be effective producers and consumers of research. Prereqs,. PSYC 2111 and 1001.

Introduces students to a diverse array of theoretical and empirical issues related to the study of human emotion. Evolutionary theories of anger, love, and disgust; emotion and morality; cultural and gender differences; emotion and the brain; relation between emotion and thinking; development of emotion; and abnormal emotions in mental illness. Recommended prereq., PSYC 1001. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with a minimum of 45 units.

Offers a psychological study of structure, organization, and development of the person as a whole. Analysis of major theories, methods, and research, including topics such as emotion, motivation, temperament, inner experience, identity and the self, personality change, and the influence of sociocultural context. Prereqs., PSYC 1001 and PSYC 2606, and PSYC 3101 or 3111 (all minumum grade C-). Formerly PSYC 4456. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

In-depth consideration of human developmental processes across the life span. Includes coverage of the major topics in human development, such as physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development. Recommended prereqs., PSYC 1001 and either PSYC 3101 or 3111.

Critically reviews topics in neuroscience research, scholarly analysis of a major neuroscience issue, and/or empirical research project. See the neuroscience director for further information. May be repeated up to 6 total credits.

Experiencing and learning from affect--emotional value--is a fundamental part of the human experience. When people started thinking of brains as computers, research on emotion fell by the wayside. Recently however, this has changed, and there is an explosion of work on the brain mechanisms of affective value. We will cover recent advances in understanding the emotional brain. Prereqs. for NRSC 4015 are PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 or instructor permission, and junior or senior standing. NRSC 4015 and 5015 are the same course. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).