Psychology Course Descriptions

PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology (3 units). Introduction to basic concepts, problems, and research methods in the science of psychology. Includes perception, cognitive processes, learning, motivation, measurement, development, personality, abnormal behavior, and biological and social bases of behavior, including cross-cultural issues. The requirements will include participation in low-risk psychological experiments or completion of an additional short paper.

PSYC 104 - Psychology for Living (3 units). Psychological principles, theory, and research are discussed in the context of applied situations and self-improvement. Areas covered include stress and anger management, sexuality and relationship issues, drugs of abuse, choosing a career, improving study and test-taking skills, changing unwanted behaviors, parenting concerns, and selecting mental health services.
PSYC 110 - Critical Thinking in Psychology (3 units). An introduction to critical thinking skills as they are applied in the science of psychology. Basic critical thinking skills covered include logical inferences and fallacies, distinguishing fact from opinion, scientific reasoning and interpreting research findings. Emphasis will be on using critical thinking skills to examine a number of contemporary issues involving human behavior, such as hypnosis, ESP, subliminal perception, persuasion and propaganda, drug legalization, AIDS prevention, and the effects of television. The requirements will include participation in low-risk psychological experiments or completion of additional short papers.

PSYC 140 - The Individual in Society: Multiple Perspectives (3 units). An interdisciplinary approach to the study of the impact of contemporary social issues on individuals in a societal context. Emphasizes the link between Psychology's perspective and other social science disciplines such as Sociology, History, and Communication. Social issues in both western and non-western societies will be addressed. Specific subjects will vary by semester, but may include the impact of the media on individuals, the interface between work and family life, school violence, discrimination, and sexual harassment.
PSYC 210 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology (3 units). An introductory survey course that utilizes a chronological approach to examine human development from birth through adolescence. Includes a study of physical development and health; developmental issues of children with special needs; cognitive and moral development; social and personality development; and genetic, sociocultural, and other influences on development.
PSYC 220 - Introductory Statistics in Psychology (3 units). Basic statistical methods for analysis of data in psychology; descriptive and inferential statistics; hypothesis testing; parametric tests of significance. Introduction to linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance; nonparametric techniques. The requirements will include participation in low-risk psychological experiments or completion of additional short papers.

PSYC 230 - Research Methods in Psychology (3 units). The fundamentals of research methods in psychology. Focus will be on issues of reliability, validity, and ethical considerations in conducting research with humans and animals. Participation in designing and conducting experiments, data analysis and interpretation, and preparation of research reports. The requirements will include participation in low-risk psychological experiments or completion of additional short papers. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100 and PSYC 220.

PSYC 300 - Computer Applications in Psychology (3 units). Introduction to computer systems, data input, use of software packages, computer ethics, and the role of computers in the study of human behavior. Introduction to various software applications including operating systems, word processing, statistical packages, and spreadsheets. Also covered are aspects of technical report writing in psychology and other common uses of computers in psychology. Two hours of lecture and three hours of activities. Prerequisite: PSYC 220.

PSYC 330 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood (3 units). Theories, methods and research on the development from conception through childhood. Includes biological, genetic, and physical development; social-emotional development, cognitive and language development; perception and brain development. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-divisions General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).

PSYC 332 - Social Psychology (3 units). Study of individuals and groups as they are affected by social interactions. Subjects include social influence (conformity, obedience), attitudes and attitude change, attraction, altruism, aggression, social perception and cognition, interpersonal influence, and group processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.

PSYC 334 - Psychology of Personality (3 units). Theory and assessment techniques in personality research. Subject matter includes study of personality structure, development, personality dynamics, and determinants of personality. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.

PSYC 336 - Abnormal Psychology (3 units). Causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders; personality disorders, psychophysiological disorders, anxiety disorders, psychoses, organic disorders, substance abuse disorders, and sexual disorders. Regular visits to local psychiatric facilities may be required. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.

PSYC 338 - Environmental Psychology (3 units). Examines human behaviors associated with environmental problems, including global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, destruction of the rainforests, and depletion of natural resources. Covers such subjects as the commons dilemma, rational choice, values, and incentives. Examines interventions designed to change human behavior such as conservation, public transportation, recycling, and environmental education. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 340 - Survey of Clinical Psychology (3 units). Introduction to the field of clinical psychology with an emphasis on the application and evaluation of techniques of individual and group counseling and therapy. Includes methods, diagnosis, research, therapeutic techniques, educational and professional requirements, ethics. Prerequisites: PSYC 100 and 336.

PSYC 341 - Multicultural Perspectives in Psychology (3 units). Theory and research in the study of psychosocial issues of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, both in the U.S. and elsewhere. Subject matter includes examining the relationship of race, culture, and social class in psychological development and discussing the research implications for the multicultural study of psychology. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).

PSYC 342 - Group Dynamics (3 units). Study of small group behavior and team effectiveness. Examines subjects such as group membership, systems theory, communication, group decision-making, group development and performance, and conflict management. Focuses on diverse perspectives in organizations and work groups. Cross-cultural work settings, and gender differences in leadership and group behavior. Theory and research about group dynamics will be applied to organizational, educational, and counseling settings. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 348 - Developmental Psychology: Adolescence (3 units). Addresses the theories, methods, and research on the development of adolescence (ages 10-22). It emphasizes empirical research on physical, cognitive, and social development and considers the gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences found in such development. Subjects include the timing of pubertal development, teen pregnancy, parent-adolescent relations, identity development, peer relations, the transition to adulthood, and adolescent psychopathology (suicide, depression, eating disorders). Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 350 - Psychology of Women (3 units). Theories and research in the study of the psychological characteristics of women in the social contexts of culture, class, and race, including sex and gender similarities and differences, the construction of gender roles, stereotypes, intimacy, work and achievement, motherhood, violence against women, mental and emotional adjustment, and aging. This is not an introductory course and is appropriate only for students who are familiar with basic women's studies issues. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 352 - Human Sexuality (3 units). Examines physical, intrapsychic, and interpersonal aspects of sexuality; also anatomical, physiological, and emotional aspects, love and attraction, sexual dysfunction treatment, sexually transmitted diseases, sex and aging, legal aspects of sexual behavior, sexual exploitation, and eroticism in American culture. Presentations will be frank and explicit. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 354 - Educational Psychology: Psychological Perspectives (3 units). An introduction to psychological research and theory on how instruction affects student learning. Learning, motivation, development, individual differences, psychological aspects of the classroom, and evaluation as related to the educative process. Credit may not be counted toward programs in the College of Education. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.

PSYC 356 - Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging (3 units). Theories and research in adult development and aging. Includes cognitive, social, psychological, and physical development; vocational and family changes, retirement, successful and unsuccessful adjustment patterns. Issues of gender, social class, and racial/ethnic factors, and their impact on aging will be covered extensively. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 360 - Biopsychology (3 units). Introduction to the biological bases of behavior, including material central to physiological psychology, comparative psychology, and sensory psychology. Issues to be addressed include but are not limited to neuroethology, behavioral endocrinology, evolutionary theory, sociobiology, and sensory systems. Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or Biology 211.

PSYC 361 - Brain and Mind (3 units). Examines the relationship between the brain, and how the brain produces behavior. Intended for non-majors, this course will review basic neuroanatomy and physiology, and consider mind/brain relations in the context of psychoactive drugs, brain development, neurological disorders, sexual behavior, and cognitive abilities such as language, memory, thinking, and consciousness. Also offered as BIOL 348. Students may not receive credit for both. May not be counted toward the Psychology Major or Minor. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Life Science (B2).
PSYC 362 - Cognitive Processes (3 units). Theoretical and research approaches to the study of thinking, problem solving, language, concept learning, decision making and judgments, cognitive development, and cognitive structure. Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or consent of instructor.

PSYC 363 - Drugs, Brain, Behavior and Society (3 units). An introduction to the use of drugs in modern society. Emphasizes psychoactive drugs, including psycholotherapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse. Explores the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior, psychological and biological factors responsible for their use and misuse, as well as social, cultural, historical and legal aspects of drug use. The content will range from general principles of drug action to focused information on specific classes of drugs. Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division General Education requirement in Discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D).
PSYC 390 - Laboratory in Animal Learning (3 units). Advanced research methods in animal learning and memory. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as memory and motivation. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and 360.

PSYC 391 - Laboratory in Physiological Psychology (3 units). Advanced research methods in physiological processes underlying brain function and behavior. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as neuroanatomy and physiology. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and 360.

PSYC 392 - Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (3 units). Advanced research methods in sensory and perceptual processes. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as audition and vision. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and 360 or 362.

PSYC 393 - Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (3 units). Advanced research methods in human cognitive processes. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as memory and problem solving. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and 362 .

PSYC 394 - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Behavior (3 units). Advanced research methods in animal behavior, including human behavior. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as predator/prey interactions and mating behavior. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory; one or more field trips required. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and 360.

PSYC 395 - Laboratory in Developmental Psychology (3 units). Advanced research methods in life-span developmental psychology. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as cognitive and social development. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and one of the following PSYC 330, 348, 356.

PSYC 396 - Laboratory in Social Psychology (3 units). Advanced research methods in social psychology. Application of methodological principles to research in such areas as group interaction and person perception. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and 332.

PSYC 402 - Psychological Testing (4 units). Principles and practices of group and individual testing in aptitude, intelligence, interest, and personality. Theory, construction, evaluation, interpretation, uses, and limits of psychological tests. Reliability, validity, item analysis, norms, and test construction and selection. Ethical, sociocultural and gender issues in testing. Two hours of lecture and two hours of activities. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, and 230.

PSYC 418 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 units). Current psychological principles and traditional theories in industry and work organizations. Selection, placement, training, and motivation of people in work situations. Environmental and human influences, system safety, organizational development. Prerequisites: PSYC 100.

PSYC 424 - Advanced Psychological Statistics (3 units). Advanced statistical methods for analysis of data in psychology. Sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance techniques. Applications to research design and evaluation of data in psychology. Two hours of lecture and two hours of activities. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, and 300.

PSYC 428 - Community Psychology (3 units). Study of theory, research, and the application of psychological principles in community settings. Examines community development issues such as mental health, service delivery, and program evaluation. May include a service-learning experience. Prerequisites: PSYC 100 and three (3) units of upper division psychology courses.

PSYC 432 - Health Psychology (3 units). Examines areas of health, illness, treatment, and delivery of treatment that may be elucidated by an understanding of psychological concepts and research. Explores the psychological perspective on these areas and considers how the psychological perspective might be enlarged and extended in the health care area. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, 230, and three (3) units of upper division psychology courses.

PSYC 440 - Topics in Psychology (3 units). An intensive look at selected areas of psychology. Course description available before registration in the semester offered. May be repeated for credit as topics change, but only three (3) units may be counted toward the major. Students should check the Class Schedule for listing of actual topics. Prerequisites: PSYC 100, 220, and 230, or consent of the instructor.

PSYC 461 - Neruopsychopharmacology (3 units). An examination of the ways that drugs affect the brain and behavior. Emphasis on psychoactive drugs, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, and drugs of abuse. Although social, cultural and political aspects of drug use will be briefly touched upon when appropriate, the primary focus of the course will be neurobiological and behavioral effects of drugs. Prerequisite: PSYC 360 or consent of instructor.
PSYC 465 - Human Neuropyshcology (3 untis). Principles and practice of human neuropsychology. Material will focus upon basic topics, theory and empirical research concerning human neuroanatomy, brain-behavior relationships, and the clinical application of this knowledge base. Major emphasis will be placed upon these disorders of the central nervous system which affect cognitive and emotional processes. Prerequisites: PSYC 360 or 362, or consent of instructor.
PSYC 490 - History of Psychology (3 units). Historical, philosophical, and scientific background of Psychology; major traditions and conceptual issues. This is the capstone course and should be taken by psychology majors in their final semester at CSUSM. Prerequisite: Completion of nine (9) units of upper-division psychology courses, including at least one upper-division laboratory class.

PSYC 495 - Field Experience in Psychological Settings (3 units). Supervised field experience in on- and off-campus settings which provide psychological services, such as medical settings, mental health clinics, schools, and industry. Students will spend approximately six hours per week in a field placement for observation and participation, attend weekly class meetings, read related material, and prepare written reports. Application forms must be completed prior to enrollment. May be repeated, but no more than three (3) units of credit may be applied towards the major. Prerequisites: Nine (9) units of upper division psychology courses and consent of instructor. Specific sections of this course may carry additional prerequisites.

PSYC 498 - Independent study (A-1 unit, B-2 units, C-3 units, D-4 units). Study plan must be approved by the fourth week of classes. Individual library study (e.g., review of literature) under direction of a faculty member. May be repeated, but no more than three (3) units of credit may be applied toward the major. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

PSYC 499 - Independent Research (A-1 unit, B-2 units, C-3 units, D-4 units). Study plan must be approved by the fourth week of classes. Independent research investigation (e.g., empirical laboratory or field research) in collaboration with a faculty member. May be repeated, but no more than three (3) units of credit may be applied towards the major. Prerequisites: Completion of at least one upper division laboratory course in psychology and consent of instructor.

PSYC 520 - Graduate Statistics (3 units). Introduction to theory and application of some of the more advanced parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques employed in psychological research. Topics will include but are not limited to multiple regression, analysis of covariance, factor analysis, causal modeling, and discriminant function analysis. Two hours of lecture and two hours of activities. Prerequisites: PSYC 424 or its equivalent and consent of the instructor.

PSYC 530 - Advanced Research Methods (3 units). Advanced study of research design, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs, assessment of reliability and validity, and ethical use of human and animal subjects in research. Prerequisites: PSYC 424 or 520 and consent of instructor.

PSYC 550 - Proseminar in Social/Personality Psychology (3 units). An exploration of research and theory in social and personality psychology. Advanced study of theories of personality and individual differences, social perception, group processes, attitudes, and the application of personality and social psychological theories across a variety of social, institutional, and cultural settings. A substantial portion of class time is devoted to the critical examination of current research articles and theoretical models in social/personality psychology. Students will make formal oral and written presentations of individual or group projects/assignments. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the graduate program or consent of instructor.

PSYC 552 - Proseminar in Developmental Psychology (3 units). Advanced study of current research and theory in developmental psychology. Issues such as temperament, attachment, gender-identity, cognition, and emotion will be considered from a developmental perspective, as well as the influences of family relationships, social interactions, cultural values, education, and social policy on development. Class discussions and assignments will encourage critical and analytic thinking as well as active learning approaches. Students will make formal oral and written presentations of individual and/or group projects. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the graduate program or consent of instructor.

PSYC 554 - Proseminar in Cognitive Psychology (3 units). Advanced study of human cognition. Focuses on theory and research in areas such as attention, categorization, memory, knowledge representation, learning and skill acquisition, psychology of language, thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and judgment. Relevant issues in neuropsychology, cognitive development, and cognitive disorders will be included to complement the focus on normal adult performance. The role of culture in cognitive activity will be discussed. Discussions and assignments will center around a critical examination of current literature in these areas, including both integrative and interdisciplinary (cognitive science) perspectives. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the graduate program or consent of instructor.

PSYC 556 - Proseminar in Comparative/Physiological Psychology (3 units). Advanced study of the biological bases of behavior. Students will explore current research and theory in neuroanatomy and physiology, endocrinology, evolutionary theory, and the adaptive significance of behavior. Where appropriate, issues of global environmental change and its effects on health and species diversity will be addressed. Discussions and assignments will center around a critical examination of current research articles and theoretical models in comparative and physiological psychology. Students will make formal oral and written presentations of individual or group projects. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the graduate program or consent of instructor.

PSYC 558 - Proseminar in Counseling/Clinical Psychology (3 units). In-depth seminar designed to investigate and discuss current topics in counseling/clinical psychology, including assessment and intervention techniques, professional ethics, multicultural issues, and outcome research. Students will present formal written and oral presentations and lead class discussions of advanced issues relevant to counseling/clinical theory, research, or practice. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the graduate program or consent of instructor.

PSYC 600 - Contemporary Issues in Psychology (3 units). Students will receive exposure to theoretical background, current research, and contemporary issues in counseling/clinical, cognitive, comparative/physiological, developmental, and social/personality psychology. Presentations will be given by faculty, second year graduate students, and guest speakers in their fields of expertise. Professional issues including ethics in psychological research and practice, the dissemination of scholarly discourse, the status and coherence of the discipline, and its role in a multicultural, global society will also be explored. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program.

PSYC 680 - Teaching of Psychology (3 units). An introduction to pedagogical theories, styles, and strategies as they apply to college teaching of psychology. Students will explore a range of options available to a college instructor in the presentation of course material, learning assessment tools, test construction, and grading. Different styles of learning, especially as they may apply to a multicultural student population, will be explored. Students will have the opportunity to write and practice giving lectures, lead mock discussion groups, and construct mock exams. Students must enroll either in PSYC 680 in the first semester of their second year of study. Graded Credit/No Credit. Prerequisites: Completion of fifteen (15) units in the graduate program and consent of instructor.
PSYC 681 - Field Placement (3 units). Students will spend a minimum of ten hours per week working within a social service, mental health, educational or business/industry setting, with the goal of applying psychological knowledge to and learning about the delivery of services in that setting. Students will be supervised both on site, and by the course instructor. Students enrolled in the course will meet three hours per week as a group to discuss issues and readings relevant to their experiences. Graded Credit/No Credit. Prerequisites: Completion of nine (9) units in the graduate program and consent of instructor.

PSYC 690 - Graduate Research (3 units). Faculty-supervised research. May be repeated , but no more than six (6) units of credit may be applied toward the Master’s degree. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program and consent of instructor.

PSYC 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 units). Preparation of the thesis. Graded Credit/No Credit. Prerequisite: Approved thesis proposal, completion of twenty-seven (27) units in the graduate program, and consent of thesis advisor.

PSYC 700 - Thesis Extension (A-1 unit, B -2 units, C-3 units). Registration in this course is limited to students who have received a grade of Report in Progress (RP) in PSYC 699. Also, student must be registered in PSYC 700 when the completed thesis is granted final approval. May be repeated. Graded Credit/No Credit. Prerequisite: Prior registration in PSYC 699 with an assigned grade of Report in Progress (RP).

Back to the B.A. Program Description Page

Back to the M.A. Program Description Page

Back to the Psychology Department Home Page