Cognitive Psychology: Undergraduate Curriculum
The general requirements of the program are listed
below. The program can be tailored to individual interests via
consultation with the program chair.
Students who wish to work toward the Bachelor
of Science degree should contact:
Dr. Ruth
Ann Atchley,
Chair of Bachelor of Science Program
Tricia Zerger, Advising Specialist
Non-psychology Studies:
A total of 84 hours with classes in these four areas and additional
electives.
Humanities
ENGL 101 & 102 (6 hrs.)
ENGL 203, 205, 209, 210, or 211 (3 hrs.)
COMS 130 or PHIL 148 (3 hrs.)
WC 204-205 or WC 234-235 (6 hrs.)
Two electives in humanities
(6 hrs.)
Natural Sciences --
A minimum of 15 hours; two of the following three sequences, an
extension of one, or an approved alternative.
BIOL 150 & 305 (7 hrs.)
CHEM 184 & 188 (10 hrs.)
PHYS 114 & 115 (8 hrs.)
Mathematics -- A minimum of 12 hours, 6 of which
must be calculus or calculus based. Recommended sequence is shown below.
MATH 111
Matrix Algebra, Probability, and Statistics (3)
| Matrix Algebra, Probability, and Statistics is an undergraduate course
offered in Maths Department.
|
MATH 115
Calculus I (3)
| Calculus I is an undergraduate course offered
in Maths Department.
|
MATH 116
Calculus II (3)
| Calculus II is an undergraduate course
offered in Maths Department. |
MATH 526
Applied Mathematical Statistics I (3)
| Applied Mathematical Statistics I is an undergraduate
course offered in Maths Department. |
Computing -- a minimum of 9
hours. Specific courses are flexible. Some possible options Include:
EECS 128
Intro to Computer-Info systems (3)
| Intoduction to Computer-Info Systems is the
undergraduate course offered in Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science Department.
|
EECS 138
Intro to Compututing (3)
| Intoduction to Computing is the undergraduate
course offered in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Department.
|
EECS 138
Intro to Computing (3)
| Intoduction to Computing is the undergraduate
course offered in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Department. |
EECS 140
Intro to Digital Logic Design
(3)
| Intoduction to Digital Logic Design is the
undergraduate course offered in Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science Department. |
Cognitive Psychology Studies: A
total of at least 40 hours with classes in these four areas and
additional psychology electives.
Cognitive Psychology Courses -- A
minimum of four of the following, 12 hrs. total
PSYC 318
Cognitive Psychology (3)
| An introduction to contemporary research and
theory in human learning and memory, relevant perceptual processes,
and higher functions such as language. Prerequisite: PSYC 104. LEC
|
PSYC 370
Brain and Behavior (3)
| A survey of basic topics relating to the
biological bases of behavior, including the physiology of neuronal
and synaptic transmission, neurochemistry, and neuropharmacology.
This survey will be followed by lectures on selected topics within
the area of brain and behavior such as motivation, appetite, reward,
language, and left-right hemispheric differences. Prerequisite: An
introductory course in Psychology and an introductory course in
Biology. LEC
|
PSYC 418
Introduction to Cognitive Science (3)
| Examines the data and methodologies of the
disciplines that comprise Cognitive Science, an inter-disciplinary
approach to studying the mind and brain. Topics may include:
consciousness, artificial intelligence, linguistics, education and
instruction, neural networks, philosophy, psychology, anthropology,
evolutionary theory, cognitive neuroscience, human-computer
interaction, and robotics. (Same as LING 418, PHIL 418, and SPLH
418.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. LEC |
PSYC 422
Intelligence and Cognition (3)
| A survey of the relationship of individual
variation in intelligence to contemporary cognitive theory.
Discussion is included of procedures for identifying measurable
aspects of intelligence and for measuring individual cognitive
variation. Prerequisite: PSYC 104. LEC |
PSYC 430
Cognitive Development (3)
| A basic survey course in the development of
thinking and understanding in normal children. The course will cover
Piaget's theory and information processing theories at the advanced
undergraduate level. Topics include perception, attention, learning,
memory, language, problem solving, and individual differences from
birth to the mid-teens. Prerequisite: PSYC 104 or ABSC 160. LEC |
PSYC 475
Cognitive Neuroscience (3)
| The neurobiology of higher mental processes
such as perception, attention, learning, memory, thinking, and
language, as studied by techniques such as recording from individual
neurons, electrical brain stimulation, brain damage, and brain scans
and measurements of regional cerebral blood flow in conscious
people. Emphasis will be placed on in-class analysis of original
research articles. Prerequisite: PSYC 370 or PSYC 380 or permission
of instructor. LEC |
PSYC 482
Sensation and Perception (3)
| Introduction to human sensory and perceptual
capabilities. Topics include: sensory systems, perceptual
development, and perceiving color, objects, space, movement, sound,
speech, touch, smell, and taste as well as various perceptual
illusions. Prerequisite: PSYC 104. LEC |
PSYC 518
Human Memory (3)
| In-depth coverage of human memory phenomena,
including phenomena concerning acquisition, storage and retrieval,
unconscious forms of memory, memory monitoring and control, and
practical aspects of memory such as autobiographical memory,
mnemonic techniques and eyewitness memory. Prerequisite: PSYC 104.
LEC |
PSYC 536
The Psychology of Language (3)
| A survey of recent research on
psycholinguistics covering the perception, production, and
comprehension of language. Topics include: the biological basis for
language, the nature of comprehension processes, and memory for the
syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic components of language.
Prerequisite: PSYC 104. LEC
|
PSYC 550
Psychology of Reading (3)
| A survey of psychological processes relevant
to normal, adult reading, learning to read, and specific reading
disabilities. These include visual perception and information
processing, the structure of knowledge within the human memory
system, and linguistic competence. Prerequisite: PSYC 104. LEC |
Laboratory Courses -- 9 hours total
PSYC 310
Research Methods in Psychology (3)
| An examination of the scientific "ways of
knowing" employed by psychologists to discover the laws governing
human behavior across a wide domain. The focus of the course is upon
these methods and the statistical techniques that support them. This
course is strongly recommended for students planning to continue
their study of psychology in graduate school. All majors in
psychology are required to complete this course. Students should
complete this course as early as possible in their undergraduate
training. LEC |
and choose one:
PSYC 618
Experimental Psychology: Human Learning (6)
| Lectures and laboratory research on human
information processing as related to theories of word recognition,
reading, and language comprehension. Major emphasis on experimental
design, data analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing.
Prerequisite: PSYC 104 and PSYC 300. LEC |
PSYC 620
Experimental Psychology: Sensation, Perception, and Cognition (6)
| Lectures and laboratory work on human sensory
processes and how they result in perceptions of the environment.
Experience is provided in designing and implementing research as
well as in the skills necessary for statistical analysis,
interpretation of data, and scientific writing. Prerequisite: PSYC
104 and PSYC 300. LEC |
Quantitative Courses -- a minimum of 9 hours, specific courses
are flexible. Some possible options include:
PSYC 300
Statistics in Psychological Research (3)
| An introduction to statistical concepts and
methods as they relate to analysis and interpretation of
psychological data. All majors in psychology are required to
complete this course (or PSYC 301) and must do so before applying
for admission to the major. Students should complete this course as
early as possible in their undergraduate training. Prerequisite:
PSYC 104 and MATH 101 or equivalent placement. LEC |
PSYC 500
Intermediate Statistics in Psychological Research (3)
| A second course in statistics with emphasis
on applications. Analysis of variance, regression, analysis,
analysis of contingency tables; possibly selected further topics.
Prerequisite: Grade of B or better in PSYC 300. LEC |
PSYC 604
Psychological Tests
| A survey of psychological tests and testing
methods. Critical evaluation in the light of history and theory of
psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 104. LEC |
PSYC 795
Computing in Psychology (3 hrs.)
Introduction to syntax and semantics of such
languages as PASCAL and C. Lectures and assignments emphasize
applications. Included are techniques of automated data collection,
database management, and simulation. Prerequisite: PSYC 790 or
consent of instructor. LEC
|
Applied Research Experience --
3 hour minimum
PSYC 480
Independent Study
| Investigation of a special research problem
or directed reading in an area not covered in regular courses. No
more than 3 hours of PSYC 480 may be counted toward the 30 hours
required for the major. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. IND
|
PSYC 460
Psychology Honors
|
A seminar for juniors and seniors in the Honors Program in
Psychology. Students who have been admitted to the Honors Program in
Psychology may enroll for one credit for one or both semesters of
their junior year and are required to enroll for two credits for
both semesters in their senior year. IND |
