PSY103: Introduction to Psychology
An introduction to research and theory in psychology in such areas as learning, perception, cognition, biopsychology, development, personality, and abnormal and social psychology. As part of the course, students must participate in experiments and/or a library research project.
3 credits
PSY201: Statistical Methods in Psychology
The use and interpretation of elementary statistical techniques in research, emphasizing descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and inferential statistics, including chi-square, t-tests, and an introduction to the Analysis of Variance. May not be taken for credit after AMS 102, BIO 211, POL 201, or SOC 202. This course has been designated as a High Demand/Controlled Access (HD/CA) course. Students registering for HD/CA courses for the first time will have priority to do so.
Prerequisites: PSY 103; satisfaction completion of QPS or Level 2+ or higher on the mathematics placement examination
DEC:C
SBC: QPS
3 credits
PSY220: Survey in Developmental Psychology
A study of growth and change in humans. Psychological, physical, social, and cognitive changes will be considered and the role of environmental and genetic influences on development will be examined.
Prerequisite: PSY 103
DEC:F
SBC: SBS+
3 credits
PSY230: Survey in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology
Examines the description, etiology, course, and treatment of psychological disorders. Current theory and research are emphasized.
Prerequisite: PSY 103
DEC:F
SBC: SBS+
3 credits
PSY240: Survey in Social Psychology
A presentation of various topics in social psychology including interpersonal processes, obedience to authority, social perception, attitude change, attraction and liking, and aggression and violence, especially as applied to national and international issues.
Prerequisite: PSY 103
3 credits
PSY250: Survey in Biopsychology
Introduction to the neural basis of sensory processes, motor control, attention, emotion, and learning.
Prerequisite: PSY 103 or ANP 101 or BIO 203
3 credits
PSY260: Survey in Cognition and Perception
A survey of theoretical and empirical work on human cognition and perception including pattern recognition, memory, attention, language comprehension, decision making, and problem solving.
Prerequisite: PSY 103
3 credits
PSY273: Supervised Research in Psychology
Initial training and participation in techniques or duties related to a specific laboratory or field research experience under the direct supervision of a faculty member or advanced graduate student in the Department of Psychology. Students may take two sections in a single semester, but no more than three credits may be applied to a section. May not be taken for more than six credits per faculty advisor during the student's career.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
SBC: EXP+
0-6 credits, S/U grading
PSY283: Applications and Community Service
Designed to provide opportunities for students to study and apply psychological principles outside the classroom (e.g., in settings such as hospitals and schools). Specific programs vary from semester to semester. General information is available in the Psychology Undergraduate Office. May be repeated up to a limit of six credits.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
SBC: EXP+
1-3 credits, S/U grading
PSY301: Advanced Statistics
Survey of probability and sampling theory, descriptive and inferential statistics, and introduction to experimental design.
Prerequisite: PSY 201 or any other course satisfying the department's statistics requirement
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY310: Research and Writing in Psychology
An introduction to and critical analysis of the methodology of psychological research. In addition to attending lectures taught by faculty, students work closely with a graduate instructor and peers in small breakout sections to prepare a research proposal. Not for credit in addition to the discontinued PSY 300. This course has been designated as a High Demand/Controlled Access (HD/CA) course. Students registering for HD/CA courses for the first time will have priority to do so. This course has an associated fee. Please see www.stonybrook.edu/coursefees for more information.
Prerequisites: Psychology major; PSY 103; C or better in PSY 201 or any other course satisfying the department's statistics requirement
4 credits
PSY325: Children's Cognitive Development
A survey of the basic principles of cognition from experimental research with children. Topics include perceptual development, language development, memory development, conceptual development, and the development of academic skills.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY326: Children's Social and Emotional Development
Current theories, models, research methods, and findings in the study of children's socioemotional development. The course emphasizes the interaction of the individual with his or her social environment in developmental processes and outcomes. Eras covered include infancy, toddler/preschool, mid-late childhood, and adolescence.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
3 credits
PSY327: Human Growth and Development in the Educational Context
The biological and psychological development of childhood and adolescence that affects teaching and curriculum development for diverse learners. Additional topics include childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders, special education programs, drug and alcohol use and abuse, and societal issues. Formerly SSE 327 and SSI 327. Not for credit in addition to SSE 327 or SSI 327.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor or admission to the teacher education program
3 credits
PSY329: Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY333: Mood Disorders
The mood disorders include bipolar (manic-depressive) and depressive disorders. They are among the most common psychological disorders, and are a tremendous personal, social, and economic burden. This course will provide an introduction to current theory and research on the mood disorders, including their classification, epidemiology, course, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment. Not for credit in addition to PSY 339 with topic of "Mood Disorders."
Prerequisite: PSY 230
3 credits
PSY334: Autism Spectrum Disorders
This course will provide information on history and current research into the causes (etiology), types (nosology), characteristics (symptomatology), prevalence, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Topics to be dealt with include: etiology, assessment, family roles, social development, cognitive development, sensory and motor development, comorbidities, long-term outcomes, public policy legal issues, and future directions for research and practice.
Prerequisite: PSY 230
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 220
DEC:F
SBC: SBS+
3 credits
PSY338: Abnormal Child Psychology
Development and modification of behavioral deviations in children; application of principles derived from experimental analysis of behavior to problems of children.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY339: Special Topics in Clinical Psychology
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY341: Psychology of Prejudice
An overview of theoretical perspectives, research methods, empirical findings, and practical applications of psychological research on prejudice. Topics include the development of prejudice among children; the role of cognitive, social, personality, and motivational factors in maintaining prejudice and stigma; the psychological consequences of prejudice and stigma; and strategies for reducing prejudice, stigma, and intergroup conflict.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240 or PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY342: Psychology of Women's Health
An investigation of psychological aspects of women's health and gender differences in health through readings, lectures, films, guest speakers and presentations, class discussions, a writing assignment, and other educational activities.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
SBC: DIV
3 credits
PSY345: Theories of Personality
The study of the ways in which people differ. Examines traditional and current thinking and research about the nature and causes of the individual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thinking that we call personality.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY346: Health Psychology
The role of psychological factors in the maintenance of good health or in coping with illness. Topics include the modification of specific health behavior, such as alcoholism, obesity, lack of exercise, and smoking; the relationship of stress and illness; and coping with terminal illnesses.
Prerequisite: PSY 103
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY347: Psychology of Women
The psychological impact of important physiological and sociological events and epochs in the lives of women; menstruation, female sexuality, marriage, childbirth, and menopause; women and mental health, mental illness and psychotherapy; the role of women in the field of psychology. This course is offered as both PSY 347 and WST 377.
Prerequisite: WST major or minor; or one of the following: WST 102, WST 103, PSY 103, WST/SOC 247
DEC:F
SBC: SBS+
3 credits
PSY348: Special Topics in Social Psychology
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
3 credits
PSY349: Special Topics in Social Psychology
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240
3 credits
PSY354: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Our ability to be shaped by our experiences and our sense of personal identity require that our brain encode and store information as one of its fundamental functions. In this course we will look in detail at how neurons and neural circuits respond and change when an organism learns something new or recalls something learned in the past. The focus will be on integrating current work in basic cellular and molecular neurobiology with the experimental psychology of learning and memory. Not for credit in addition to PSY 358 with topic of "Learning and Memory."
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or BIO 202 or BIO 203 or BIO 208
3 credits
PSY355: Human Brain Function
The functional organization of the human brain, including dysfunctions resulting from various types of brain pathology. Neuroanatomical, neuropsychological, neurophysiological, and experimental psychological approaches are described.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or BIO 208 or BIO 338
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY356: Physiological Psychology
An advanced survey of the neurobiological bases of complex behavior. A review of basic neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and neurochemistry is followed by considerations of the circuitry and neural processing supporting perception, motion, emotion, sleep, attention, learning, language, and higher cognitive mechanisms.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or BIO 202 or BIO 203 or BIO 208
3 credits
PSY357: Animal Learning
Principles of adaptation and behavioral change with emphasis on techniques of reward and punishment and of stimulus control.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY358: Special Topics in Biopsychology
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or BIO 202 or BIO 203 or BIO 208
3 credits
PSY359: Special Topics in Biopsychology
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or BIO 202 or BIO 203 or BIO 208
3 credits
PSY364: Judgment and Decision Making
An exploration of the psychological factors that influence judgment and decision making. Topics include how judgments and decisions ought to be made (e.g., rational decision making), systematic flaws in people's actual performance, and the neural systems that underlie decisions.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY365: The Psychology of Language
Examination of theories and research concerning the processes and representations that underlie language comprehension, production, and acquisition.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY366: Human Problem Solving
An exploration of human problem solving and critical thinking. Topics include memory strategies, the role of language in thinking, inductive and deductive reasoning, creativity, and the development of problem solving skills.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY367: Memory
A review of classic and current theories of memory and empirical research on memory in memory-intact and memory-impaired populations.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY368: Sensation and Perception
An examination of both the basic mechanisms and the organizational processes of visual and auditory perception. Topics include the perception of color, depth, movement, pitch, loudness, speech, and music.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY369: Special Topics in Cognition and Perception
May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: PSY 250 or PSY 260
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 310
3 credits
PSY375: History and Systems of Psychology
History of psychology presented either as a development and testing of theories that emerge from a long philosophical tradition, or as a set of practices that serve particular social functions and respond to pressures from the socioeconomic context.
Prerequisite: PSY 220 or PSY 230 or PSY 240 or PSY 250 or PSY 260
3 credits
PSY380: Research Lab: Human Cognition
Techniques and experimental methods to conduct research in cognition on a selection of topics such as perception and sensation, language, attention, or memory. Hands-on learning of research and reporting of research. This course has an associated fee. Please see www.stonybrook.edu/coursefees for more information.
Prerequisite: PSY 103; C or higher in PSY 201, AMS 110, or any other course satisfying the department's statistics requirement
4 credits
PSY382: Research Lab: Social Psychology
Techniques and experimental problems in social psychology, including natural observation, surveys, and experimental design. Three hours of lecture and two hours of field or laboratory research per week. This course has an associated fee. Please see www.stonybrook.edu/coursefees for more information.
Prerequisite: PSY 103; C or higher in PSY 201, AMS 110, or any other course satisfying the department's statistics requirement
Advisory Prerequisite: PSY 240
4 credits
PSY386: Research Lab: Cultural Psychology
Research methods in cultural psychology, including natural observation, surveys, and experimental design. Three hours of lecture and two hours of field or laboratory research per week.
Prerequisite: PSY 310
4 credits
PSY389: Research Lab: Special Topics
Research methods in varying topics in psychological research including natural observation, surveys, and experimental design. Three hours of lecture and two hours of field or laboratory research per week. May be repeated for credit as the topic changes. This course has an associated fee. Please see www.stonybrook.edu/coursefees for more information.
Prerequisite: PSY 310
4 credits
PSY444: Experiential Learning
This course is designed for students who engage in a substantial, structured experiential learning activity in conjunction with another class. Experiential learning occurs when knowledge acquired through formal learning and past experience are applied to a "real-world" setting or problem to create new knowledge through a process of reflection, critical analysis, feedback and synthesis. Beyond-the-classroom experiences that support experiential learning may include: service learning, mentored research, field work, or an internship.
Prerequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor and approval of the EXP+ contract (http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/EXPplus.php)
SBC: EXP+
0 credit, S/U grading
PSY447: Readings in Psychology
Directed readings under the guidance of a faculty member. May be repeated once.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
1-6 credits
PSY459: Write Effectively in Psychology
A zero credit course that may be taken in conjunction with any 300- or 400-level PSY course, with permission of the instructor. The course provides opportunity to practice the skills and techniques of effective academic writing and satisfies the learning outcomes of the Stony Brook Curriculum's WRTD learning objective.
Prerequisite: WRT 102; permission of the instructor
SBC: WRTD
0 credit, S/U grading
PSY475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum I
Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. The student is required to attend all the classes, do all the regularly assigned work, and meet with the faculty member at regularly assigned times to discuss the intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
SBC: EXP+
3 credits, S/U grading
PSY476: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum II
Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. Students assume greater responsibility in such areas as leading discussions and analyzing results of tests that have already been graded. Students may not serve as teaching assistants in the same course twice.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
SBC: EXP+
3 credits, S/U grading
PSY487: Independent Research in Psychology
Upper-division students interested in carrying out independent research projects under the auspices of a faculty member in the Department of Psychology may do so in this course. The student must propose and carry out the research project and must analyze and write up the results in a form acceptable to the sponsor. Written agreement by the faculty sponsor to undertake this responsibility and an outline of the project goals are filed with the Undergraduate Psychology Office. These become part of the student's departmental file. May be repeated up to a limit of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: PSY 273; permission of instructor and department
SBC: EXP+
0-6 credits
PSY488: Internship
Participation in public and private agencies and organizations. Students are required to submit written progress reports and a final written report on their experience to the faculty sponsor and department. May be repeated up to a limit of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: permission of the supervising faculty member and undergraduate director
SBC: EXP+
0-6 credits, S/U grading
PSY491: Advanced Seminar in Psychology
Special seminars covering current research theory. Topics are announced prior to the beginning of each semester. May be repeated up to a limit of 18 credits. Students may take two sections in a single semester. May not be taken for more than six credits per faculty member during the student's career.
Prerequisites: PSY 310; permission of instructor
1-3 credits
PSY492: Advanced Seminar in Psychology
Special seminars covering current research theory. Topics are announced prior to the beginning of each semester. May be repeated up to a limit of 18 credits. Students may take two sections in a single semester. May not be taken for more than six credits per faculty member during the student's career.
Prerequisites: PSY 310; permission of instructor
1-3 credits
PSY495: Senior Honors Seminar
First course of a two-semester directed-research activity employing methods and theories of psychological research. Students are expected to design and execute a research project and submit a thesis under the supervision of appropriate faculty sponsorship. Students enrolled in PSY 495 are obliged to complete PSY 496. Students receive only one grade upon completion of the sequence.
Prerequisite: permission of department
Corequisite: PSY 487
1 credit
PSY496: Senior Honors Seminar
Second course of a two-semester directed-research activity employing methods and theories of psychological research. Students are expected to design and execute a research project and submit a thesis under the supervision of appropriate faculty sponsorship. Students enrolled in PSY 495 are obliged to complete PSY 496. Students receive only one grade upon completion of the sequence.
Prerequisite: PSY 495; permission of department
Corequisite: PSY 487
1 credit
