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University of San Diego
Psychological Sciences
Serra Hall 105
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 260-4511
jfain@SanDiego.edu
Department Chair
Daniel Moriarty, Ph.D.
moriarty@SanDiego.edu
Media Contact
Liz Harman
harman@sandiego.edu
(619) 260-4682
Find us on
Course Descriptions
101 Introductory Psychology (3)
This Core Curriculum course provides an introduction to the field of psychology and includes the following topics: history of psychology, psychology as a science, biopsychology, development, learning, cognition, motivation, emotion, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and therapy. (Every semester)
130 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
Introduction to the principles and methods of psychological research through lecture, discussion, and participation in laboratory and field research projects. This course will emphasize research designs. (Every semester)
160 Statistics (3)
Introduction to the analysis of research data in psychology. Topics include measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, prediction, and hypothesis testing. (Every semester)
305 Computer Analysis of Behavioral Science Data (3)
Students will learn to enter data on a computer and to use statistics programs (for example, SPSS) to perform the kinds of analyses introduced in basic statistics courses (for example, central tendency, variation, correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, and chi square). More advanced statistical procedures (for example, multiple regression, partial correlation, and analysis of covariance) will be introduced. Previous experience with computers is not required. Prerequisite: PSYC 160.
314 Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (3)
The study of growth and development within physical, cognitive, and social domains of the normal individual from conception through adolescence. The influences of maturation and socialization are emphasized as well as the interdependence of the various domains of development. Community service may be required. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
315W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Developmental Psychology (3)
In-depth study of research methods in developmental psychology. Emphasis will be placed on the factors that make developmental research unique, on the appropriateness of particular methods for specific research or practical questions, and on the critical evaluation of research reports. Written project reports as well as a literature review and research proposal will be required. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 101, 130, 160, and 314.
316 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging (3)
A study of human behavior and development into the adult years. Adulthood and aging as part of the generally accepted stages in the life span, attitudes about the adult years, and contemporary theories and research in the field will be discussed. A volunteer experience in the community may be required. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
322 Social Psychology (3)
The study of how people think about, relate to, and are influenced by others. Topics include: group behavior, socialization, social interaction, attitude change, affiliation, aggression, altruism, person perception, and the role of psychological factors in social problems.
323W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Social Psychology (3)
This course provides students with hands-on experience with research and scientific writing in social psychology. A research proposal and corresponding ethics proposal is required, as well as a research report and presentation based on data collected and analyzed. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 101, 130, 160, and 322, or consent of instructor.
324 Cross-Cultural Psychology (3)
An examination of human behavior in cultural context. Emphasis will be placed on the role of cultural factors influencing such patterns of behavior as perception, cognition, personality, emotion, development, group dynamics, mental and physical health, and language. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 130.
325W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Cross-Cultural Psychology (3)
This course explores the research methods, both laboratory and field, used in the study of human behavior across cultures. The course requires reading of original research, completion of laboratory projects, and a research paper. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 101, 130, 160, and concurrent enrollment in, or prior completion of, PSYC 324.
326 Organizational/Industrial Psychology (3)
A study of the application of psychological principles in organizational settings. Topics include: organizational structure; personnel selection, social influence and human relations in organizations, leadership, and organizational change.
332 Learning and Behavior (3)
The study of learning in humans and animals. Topics include: theories of learning; classical conditioning, instrumental learning, observation learning, and perceptual-motor and verbal learning and cognition. Current research will be stressed. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 130.
333W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Learning (3)
This course is designed to give the student an in-depth, hands-on experience with the research methods used in the study of conditioning and learning. Projects involving both human and nonhuman subjects will be conducted to illustrate the equipment, research designs, and procedures commonly employed in the area. Written project reports, as well as a literature review and research proposal, will be required. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 130, 160, and prior completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, PSYC 332.
334 Human Memory (3)
A scientific approach to the traditional study of human memory, including structural concepts (memory stores), and process concepts (encoding, organization, retrieval). More recent approaches, including neural networks and concepts related to ecological validity, are also explored. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 130.
336 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Study of how people process information. Topics include: perception, attention, memory, imagery, language, concept formation, and problem solving. Both basic and applied issues will be addressed. Recent advances in neural network models will be introduced. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 130, and 160.
337W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (3)
This course integrates an in-depth exploration of selected topics with an emphasis on experimental research methods. Readings in original research, active participation in laboratory replications, complete research report preparation, and write-ups will accompany each topic. The course will culminate in the preparation of an original research project. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 130, 160, and prior completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, PSYC 336.
342 Biological Psychology (3)
Study of the biological bases of behavior, stressing evolutionary, genetic, neural, and hormonal processes. Topics include: anatomy and physiology of the nervous, sensory, and motor systems; and the biological bases of emotion, motivation, learning, memory, sleep, individual differences, and psychopathology. Current research will be stressed. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 130, or consent of instructor.
343W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Biological Psychology (3)
This course is designed to provide in-depth, hands-on experience with the concepts, methods, and techniques used in biological/physiological psychology research, including anatomical and histological methods, and surgical and pharmacological manipulations. Written project reports, as well as a literature review and research proposal, will be required. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 130, 160, and completion of, or current enrollment in, PSYC 342, or consent of instructor.
344 Animal Behavior: Comparative Psychology and Ethology (3)
Study of animal behavior through a synthesis of the work of ethologists and comparative psychologists. Stresses the adaptive nature of behavior and its role in evolution. Topics include: research strategies, classification of behavior, evolution and development of behavior, the concept of instinct, communication, and social behavior. Current research will be stressed. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 130 or consent of instructor.
345W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Animal Behavior (3)
This course will explore the research methods used in the study of animal behavior in both laboratory and field settings. Observational skills will also be developed. Completion of a field project at an appropriate site will be required. Several laboratory projects and demonstrations will be conducted. Project reports, as well as a research paper, will be written. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 101, 130, 160, and concurrent enrollment in, or prior completion of, PSYC 344, or consent of instructor.
347 Behavior Genetics (3)
Explores the past and current status of the nature/nurture controversy in psychology as an introduction to the methods of research in behavior genetics. Hereditary influences on perception, learning, intelligence, temperament, personality, and psychopathology will be investigated through a consideration of current research in these areas. (Summer or Intersession)
354 Behavior Disorders of Childhood (3)
This course will examine the causes of emotional disorders in childhood and the various methods of treatment for childhood disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
355 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Reviews the current literature on the etiology, prevalence, classification, and treatment considerations relating to abnormal behavior and mental disorders. Course assumes an integrated biopsychosocial perspective and focuses on adult psychopathology. Gender effects and cultural considerations as they relate to the study of abnormal behavior and adult mental disorders are examined. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
356 Psychological Assessment (3)
Principles of psychological testing, selection, evaluation, and interpretation of test results. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 130, and 160.
357 Health Psychology (3)
An examination of the psychological variables contributing to the development and/or progress of disease, and of the effects of illness on injury and behavior. Areas to be considered include the impact of various types of stress on illness, pain mechanisms, psychophysiological disorders, psychological approaches to prevention and management, and treatment compliance. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 130.
358W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Health Psychology (3)
This course is designed to provide in-depth discussion about the various methods, concepts, and techniques in the field of health psychology. Emphasis will be placed on the types of issues and methods that make health psychology unique. Requirements include written critical reviews of various journal articles, a literature review, and a research proposal. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 130, 160, and either concurrent enrollment in, or prior completion of, an upper-division health psychology course.
359 Health Psychology of Women and Ethnic Groups (3)
Recent advances in health care have discovered the necessity for specific treatment, instruction, research, and preventive measures focusing on women and ethnic health. This course is designed to investigate the specific needs of these populations in maintaining and obtaining the best medical care for their physical health. The interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors with health and illness as they specifically apply to these populations is the focus of the course. The role of traditional medical practices, particularly Native American and Asian American health practices, is also described.
360W Advanced Research Methods/Laboratory in Clinical Psychology (3)
The course is designed to increase competency in designing, conducting, evaluating, and writing psychological research papers. This goal will be met through lectures, readings, and class discussion on the process of conducting research and the process of disseminating research in written and oral forms. This course satisfies an upper-division writing lab so the course will focus on all stages of the writing process, including pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing. Writing requirements include brief papers and a series of draft reviews and revisions that will result in a major APA style research paper. Prerequisites: ENGL 121, PSYC 130, PSYC 160, and completion of or concurrent enrollment in, PSYC 354 or 355.
372 History and Systems of Psychology (3)
A survey of the major ideas that have affected the development of Western psychology. The empirical, rationalistic, and materialistic roots of modern psychology will be discussed.
374 Theories of Motivation (3)
Analysis of the factors that activate, direct, and modulate human and animal behavior. Biological, behavioristic, and cognitive approaches will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or consent of instructor.
377 Theories of Personality (3)
This course surveys the major theoretical schools of thought in the study of personality. Psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, trait, phenomenological, and non-Western perspectives are examined. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
493 Field Experience in Psychology (1)
Practical experience in a field setting under professional supervision. Each student is required to complete 40 hours of supervised training in an assigned field setting over the course of the semester. May be taken for a maximum of 4 units (each unit in a different agency), but restricted to 1 unit per semester. Prerequisite: PSYC 101. Pass/fail only.
494 Special Topics in Psychology (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide the advanced undergraduate student with an opportunity to explore a variety of contemporary topics in psychology. These will be in-depth investigations on subjects of special interest to the instructor. Course may be repeated with different topics. Prerequisite: Junior standing; additional prerequisites vary with topic and/or instructor.
496 Research Experience (1)
Experience in serving as a researcher in a project conducted by a faculty member. By invitation. May be repeated for a maximum of 2 units. Pass/fail only.
498 Internship in Psychology (3)
This course involves regular supervision meetings and eight hours of field work each week. Fieldwork is under the joint supervision of agency personnel and the course instructor. Regularly scheduled conferences with the faculty supervisor are required and a log of the experience is maintained by each student. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and consent of the instructor. Junior or senior standing preferred. Pass/fail only.
499 Independent Study (1-3)
Library, laboratory, or field research of the student’s own design conducted under faculty supervision. A written application and final report are required.
