Course Information
Below are the approved courses approved by the Department of Psychology. Not all courses offered below will be available every semester. Make sure to check course offerings on the registration portal for each upcoming semester.
Course Descriptions
PSYC 101
Introductory Psychology
Units: 3
This core curriculum course provides an introduction to the science of psychology and includes the following topics: history of psychology, research methods in psychology, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, development, learning, memory, cognition, motivation, emotion, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and therapy. (every semester)
PSYC 260
Statistics
Units: 3
Introduction to the analysis of research data in psychology. Topics include measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, prediction, and hypothesis testing.
PSYC 294
Special Topics in Psychology
Units: 0.5 TO 4
The purpose of this course is to provide the beginning 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 vary with topic and/or instructor.
PSYC 300
Research Methods in Psychological Sciences
Units: 3
The principles and methods of psychological research through lecture, discussion, and participation in research projects. This course will cover multiple research designs including both experimental and non-experimental approaches and how to evaluate studies and their conclusions. Students will write a scientific research paper. The course is open to sophomore students. Students may not earn credit for both PSYC 300 and PSYC 230. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and (PSYC 260 OR BIOL 301 OR COMM 302 OR ECON 216 OR ECON 217 OR EOSC 222 OR ISYE 330 OR MATH 120 OR NCB 210 OR POLS 330 OR SOCI 201)
PSYC 305
Advanced Statistics
Units: 3
This course will build on and extend student knowledge of analyses first introduced in the basic statistics course. After review of basic statistics, key issues to be explored include testing underlying assumptions of parametric statistics, transformations of data, nonparametric statistics, analysis of covariance, multiple regression, partial correlation, and multivariate analysis of variance. Students will learn to enter data on a computer and use a statistical program (SPSS) to perform analyses. Emphasis will be placed on choosing appropriate statistics, carrying out analyses, interpreting results, and reporting findings in APA style.
PSYC 314
Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence
Units: 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. Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
PSYC 315
Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
Units: 3
This course explores developmental change and continuity from adolescence through emerging adulthood (approximately ages 16 – 25). We will examine major theories, concepts, and empirical findings across physical, cognitive, and social domains, with a focus on how these domains and contextual factors interact to shape growth during these life stages. To deepen this analysis, student will engage with research methods and practice interpreting statistical findings commonly used in developmental psychology. Key emphases include critically evaluating scientific claims, applying research to issues facing adolescents and emerging adults in the U.S., and connecting developmental psychology to broader historical and contemporary contexts. Prerequisites: PSYC 101
PSYC 316
Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging
Units: 3
The study of human behavior and development into the adult years. Coverage includes theory and research about aging within physical, cognitive, and social domains from early adulthood through death. Addresses age-related issues as well as the influences of maturation and socialization on development. Community service may be required. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
PSYC 318
Child Development Across Cultures
Units: 3
This course compares and contrast development among infants, children and adolescents across cultures. It reviews theoretical concepts and empirical findings regarding developmental changes and continuities among typical individuals reared within the U.S. It also examines cross-cultural variability and human universals in child development along with sociocultural factors that lead to variability in development among children from differing cultural groups. Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
PSYC 319
Topics in Child/Human Development
Units: 3
This course will explore topics in child/human development. Course may be repeated with different topics. Additional prerequisites vary with topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC230 or 300.
PSYC 322
Social Psychology
Units: 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.
PSYC 324
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Units: 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 cognition, personality, emotion, development, the self, motivation, and health. As part of studying these cultural differences, you will also reflect and analyze how your own cultural background influences your perceptions of the world. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and (PSYC 230 or PSYC 300).
PSYC 326
Organizational/Industrial Psychology
Units: 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.
PSYC 329
Topics in Social and Cultural Psychological Processes
Units: 3
This course will explore advanced topics in social and cultural processes. Course may be repeated with different topics. Additional prerequisites vary with topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 230 or 300.
PSYC 330
Psychology of Gender
Units: 3
This course involves an overview of psychological research and theory concerning sex differences, the causes of sex differences, and the influence of gender stereotypes. We will place an emphasis on topics such as sexism, interpersonal relationships, aggression, and health, focusing on how gender dynamics influence power, sustain privilege, and create restrictive social norms for both men and women. Further, the discussion of how gender norms and stereotypes differ across contexts and within and between diverse racial groups and social classes will also demonstrate how an intersectional lens is important to understanding the complexities of gender. Prerequisites: PSYC 101
PSYC 336
Cognitive Psychology
Units: 3
Scientific study of how people process information. Topics include perception, attention, memory, imagery, language, concept formation, decision making, and problem solving. Both basic and applied issues will be addressed. The course will focus on current models, including information processing and neural networks. Prerequisites: (PSYC 101 and (PSYC 230 or PSYC 300))
PSYC 339
Human Memory
Units: 3
This course will explore different types of memories, and their real-world application. It will emphasize research studies, and will also discuss other memory topics such as enhancement techniques, eyewitness memory, and memory and brain damage. Prerequisites: (PSYC 101 and (PSYC 230 or PSYC 300))
PSYC 342
Biological Psychology
Units: 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 (PSYC 230 or PSYC 300))
PSYC 343
Latine Health Psychology
Units: 3
This course is designed to focus on Latine youth and family research from an interdisciplinary and strengths-based perspective. This course will review psychological and culturally-informed developmental theories/frameworks to understand systems of oppression, protective factors, and health outcomes. This course will review seminal research that documents the various forms of racism-related stress and the psychological and physiological impact of these stressors. Additionally, integrating insights from resilience research, this course will offer a comprehensive lens for understanding and promoting well-being, offering a holistic perspective to explore how youth and families exhibit resilience amidst adversity. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 AND (PSYC 230 OR PSYC 300)
PSYC 345
The Science of Sleep
Units: 3
This course will examine the different stages of sleep and their accompanying characteristics, the brain areas and neural chemicals involved, control processes, sleep disorders, as well as the functions of sleeping and dreaming. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 230 or 300.
PSYC 345
The Science of Sleep
Units: 3
This course will examine the different stages of sleep and their accompanying characteristics, the brain areas and neural chemicals involved, control processes, sleep disorders, as well as the functions of sleeping and dreaming. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 230 or 300.
PSYC 346
Evolutionary Psychology
Units: 3
The goal of this course is to examine and evaluate the evolutionary perspective as it relates to the study of behavior and mental processes. Interdisciplinary evidence will be explored to evaluate the presence of evolved psychological adaptations that characterize human nature. Applications of the evolutionary perspective will be explored in the context of many subfields within psychology, such as learning, memory, cognitive processing, development, personality, social behavior, disorders and more. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or COGS 101
PSYC 349
Topics in Health and Wellness
Units: 3
This course will explore advanced topics in health and wellness. Course may be repeated with different topics. Additional prerequisites vary with topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 230 or 300.
PSYC 354
Clinical Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence
Units: 3
This course will examine the causes of emotional disorders in childhood and the various methods of treatment for childhood disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
PSYC 355
Clinical Psychology
Units: 3
Reviews the current literature on the etiology, prevalence, classification, and treatment considerations relating to mental health. Course assumes an integrated biopsychosocial perspective and focuses on adult psychopathology. Gender effects and cultural considerations as they relate to the study of adult mental health are examined. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
PSYC 356
Psychological Assessment
Units: 3
Principles of psychological testing, selection, evaluation, and interpretation of test results. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 260 and (PSYC 230 or PSYC 300)
PSYC 359
Topics in Clinical Mental Health
Units: 3
This course will explore topics in clinical mental health. Course may be repeated with different topics. Additional prerequisites vary with topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC230 or 300.
PSYC 362
Black Families
Units: 3
This course presents students with empirical research, theories, and cultural paradigms for understanding the psychosocial realities of Black families in the U.S. across developmental contexts. Students will also develop and expand their racial literacy by exploring language and ideology that has constructed knowledge about Black families. Prerequisites: PSYC 101
PSYC 364
Sport Psychology
Units: 3
This course examines the psychological factors influencing the experience of sports. Topics include theoretical basis of competition, motivation, group dynamics, aggression, fan behavior, and social facilitation.
PSYC 366
Methods of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy
Units: 3
This course will familiarize student with both the theory underlying various evidence-based psychosocial interventions as well as the practical techniques used in those interventions. Psychotherapy methods pertaining to children and adults and to a variety of clinical disorders will be reviewed, demonstrated, and role played. Application to a variety of presenting problems and client types will be discussed. Prerequisites: PSYC 101
PSYC 370
Social Psychology and Health
Units: 3
This course explores themes in social psychology and the biopsychosocial (BPS) perspective on health. The BPS perspective holds that biological, psychological, and social factor all play a role in health and wellness, the latter two components making the application of social psychological ideas and theories important in understanding the causes and correlates of health, chronic conditions, illness and (dys)function across persons and populations. The interplay between emotions, cognitions, and behavioral/physical factors through theories and perspectives in social psychology will be examined to help explain mental and physical wellness and illness. The course will also investigate how health is affected by social relationships and interactional factors, such as power in relationships between medical providers and patients. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 230 or 300.
PSYC 370
Social Psychology and Health
Units: 3
This course explores themes in social psychology and the biopsychosocial (BPS) perspective on health. The BPS perspective holds that biological, psychological, and social factor all play a role in health and wellness, the latter two components making the application of social psychological ideas and theories important in understanding the causes and correlates of health, chronic conditions, illness and (dys)function across persons and populations. The interplay between emotions, cognitions, and behavioral/physical factors through theories and perspectives in social psychology will be examined to help explain mental and physical wellness and illness. The course will also investigate how health is affected by social relationships and interactional factors, such as power in relationships between medical providers and patients. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and PSYC 230 or 300.
PSYC 372
History of Psychological Science
Units: 3
This course explores the roots of modern psychological thought and methodology. It traces these roots from their origins in philosophy and the natural sciences through early developments in the field of psychology and on into its current form as a hub science. Taking a contextual approach to the history of psychology, the course explores how cultural and political forces shaped the science. Special attention is given to the recurring controversial issues that have fueled debate and motivated research on the nature and origins of human behavior and mental processes. Important goals of the course are to introduce students to sources of historical material in psychology and to involve students in research projects using those materials. Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
PSYC 374
Psychology and the Law
Units: 3
Research dealing with psychological factors in the legal system will be surveyed. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying psychological theory and methods to the criminal justice system in an attempt to understand the behavior of its participants.
PSYC 377
Theories of Personality
Units: 3
This course surveys the major theoretical schools of thought in the study of personality. Psychoanalytic, psychoanalytic-social, behavioral, cognitive, trait, social learning, and biological theories are examined
PSYC 490
Pre-Health Internship
Units: 1
This is a 1-unit pass-fail only course involving fieldwork under the joint supervision of your instructor and the trauma surgery medical staff at Scripps Hospital (currently under the direction of Dr. Michael Sise). For eligibility, students must be participants in the USD Pre-Health Program under the direction of Cassandra Gomez. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or Consent of Instructor.
PSYC 491
Teaching Assistant Experience
Units: 1
Students will gain experience in serving as a teaching assistant for a PSYC course, helping students enrolled in a course by holding office hours and exam review sessions. 1 unit. P/F only. Repeatable. By invitation. Requires consent of the instructor. Prerequisites: Instructor approval.
PSYC 492
Major Field Test in Psychology
Units: 0
As part of the department's assessment program, each graduating senior is required to take a major field test in psychology and senior exit survey. A student who fails to do so may be restricted from graduating.
PSYC 494
Special Topics in Psychology
Units: 0.5 TO 4
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.
PSYC 495
Senior Seminar in Psychology
Units: 3 TO 3
Senior Seminar courses provide an in-depth examination of a particular topical area in psychology, using classic and current empirical articles and theoretical reviews. The classes are run in a seminar-style, with student-led discussions of readings. Students will select a topic for a literature review and locate, analyze, and interpret the most important literature related to that topic by summarizing current knowledge of the area, critiquing past research, integrating conflicting findings, and applying the knowledge to real world settings. Although course topics and assignments vary, all seminars satisfy Advanced Writing and Critical Thinking in the core curriculum through an extensive literature review paper. Prerequisites: (PSYC 230 OR PSYC 300 with a C- or higher) and (FYW 150 or CORE 2CFYW). Additional pre-requisites may apply depending on the topic area.
PSYC 496
Research Experience
Units: 1 TO 2
Experience in serving as a researcher in a project conducted by a faculty member. By invitation. P/F only. Requires the consent of the instructor.
PSYC 497
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
Units: 4 TO 4
In the capstone course, senior psychology majors integrate what they have learned in their previous classes while deepening their knowledge in a particular domain within psychological sciences. In this class, students will study the empirical literature and the methodology used to investigate issues in a particular area of psychology, with rotating topics. The course will involve the discussion and application of research methods and statistics concepts through course content and the completion of a research project (extensive reading in the empirical literature, designing an experimental study, and collecting and analyzing data); writing and revising a scientific research paper; and orally communicating the project in a presentation. Additional prerequisites may apply depending on the course topic. Prerequisites: (FYW 150 or CORE 2CFYW) and PSYC 101 and (PSYC 230 or PSYC 300 with a C- or higher).
PSYC 498
Internship in Psychology
Units: 1 TO 3
This is a pass-fail only course involving fieldwork under the joint supervision of your instructor and agency personnel. Junior standing is required unless the instructor grants approval. Students cannot be on academic probation and must obtain instructor consent to enroll. Course content will include volunteering or working at an approved placement or community agency, individual and/or small group supervision meetings, internship reflection paper, agency performance evaluations, and participation in an internship fair. Prerequisites: PSYC 101. Senior standing preferred. Student cannot be on academic probation. P/F only. Requires the consent of the instructor.
PSYC 499
Independent Study
Units: 1 TO 3
Library, laboratory, or field research of the student's own design conducted under faculty supervision. A written application and final report are required. Requires the consent of the instructor.