Department of Psychological Science
Linda Jones (chair), Kaci Allen*, Wayne Barnard, Norma Baker Gabhart (professor emerita), Anna Garr*, Lauren Gilbert, Peter Giordano, Mary Harlinger*, Michael Loftin*, Rebecca Lowe*, R. Mansfield*, Patrick Morse, Carole Scherling, Timothy Schoenfeld, Michael Steele*, Lonnie Yandell, Teresa Young*.
*Part-time
Our vision is to be one of the premier programs in the nation committed to training undergraduates in the principles and applications of scientific psychology.
Purpose:
The psychology program seeks to provide majors with a strong psychological knowledge base for understanding behavior and mental processes. Majors are equipped with skills to develop a critical understanding of the field of psychology. Majors will learn to appreciate the role of scientific psychology in shaping society through the study of the history of psychology, ethics, values and multicultural perspectives. Majors are given opportunities for professional development in preparation for graduate training, employment in psychology, or employment in non-psychology areas.
Goals:
Psychology majors will:
1. Develop a strong psychological knowledge base by being exposed to major theoretical perspectives, scientific methodology, and applied areas of study in psychology.
2. Develop an analytical and objective approach to the study of human behavior by emphasizing laboratory skills, research methods, and statistical methods to collect and analyze data.
3. Develop critical reasoning skills, problem-solving skills, and quantitative reasoning skills.
4. Develop adequate language skills to be able to read professional literature, understand research articles, write scientifically, and use appropriate APA style.
5. Develop effective information-gathering skills as shown by the use of library resources to conduct literature searches by utilizing online data bases and other library reference materials.
6. Develop computer skills for gathering information, writing papers, analyzing data, and making professional presentations.
7. Develop an appreciation for the complexity of psychological knowledge and how it relates to historical, ethical, and cultural contexts.
8. Develop interpersonal skills, interpersonal awareness, group cooperation, and expanded self-efficacy in graduate school and/or career related planning.
| Major in Psychology (B.A. or B.S.) | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Core Requirements | 59-65 | |
| MTH 1150, Elementary Statistics (3) or MTH 1151, Elementary Statistics for the Sciences (3) (additional Math requirement for B.A.)* * The Stats class is counted in the Gen Ed Core for the B.S. degree student and for the B.A. degree it counts in total hours toward the degree. |
0 | |
| PSY 1200, Introduction to Psychological Science (4) | 0 | |
| Major requirements | 37 | |
| PSY 1000, Introductory Seminar in Psychology | 1 | |
| PSY 2400, Research Methods | 4 | |
| PSY 4000, Senior Capstone Seminar in Psychology | 1 | |
| Eight hours chosen from the following: | 8 | |
| PSY 4150, Health Psychology (4) PSY 4200, Personality Psychology (4) PSY 4300, Social Psychology (4) PSY 4320, Psychological Testing (4) |
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| Eight hours chosen from the following: | 8 | |
| PSY 4240, Learning and Conditioning (4) PSY 4350, Physiological Psychology (4) PSY 4400 Sensation & Perception (4) PSY 4500, Cognitive Psychology (4) |
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| Psychology Electives (12 hours to be chosen from the courses listed below or any of the above courses not used to fulfill a requirement. Plus three hours must be from a developmental course: PSY 2800, PSY 3040, PSY 3100, PSY 3470, or PSY 3550). | 15 | |
| PSY 1990-4990, Special Studies* PSY 2800, Life Span Development (3) PSY 3440, Positive Psychology (3) PSY 3040, Death and Dying (3) PSY 3100, Child Development (3) PSY 3210, Abnormal Psychology (3) PSY 3250, Cross Cultural Psychology (3) PSY 3350, Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3) PSY 3420, Clinical Psychology (3) PSY 3470, Psychology of Adolescence (3) PSY 3550, Psychology of Adulthood & Aging (3) PSY 3620, Group Dynamics (3) PSY 3700, Human Sexuality (3) PSY 4210, History and Systems of Psychology (3) PSY 4700, Advanced Research in Psychology (3) PSY (3900-4900), Practicum in Psychology* * (Only three (3) hours of Special Studies or Practicum may be counted toward requirements in the major or minor) |
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| Minor Requirements | 18 | |
| Electives | 14 | |
| Total | 128 | |
| Minor in Psychology | Hours | |
| PSY 2400, Research Methods | 4 | |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| PSY 4240, Learning and Conditioning PSY 4350, Physiological Psychology PSY 4400, Sensation & Perception PSY 4500, Cognitive Psychology |
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| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| PSY 4150, Health Psychology (4) PSY 4200, Personality Psychology (4) PSY 4300, Social Psychology (4) PSY 4320, Psychological Testing (4) |
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| Psychology Electives (6 hours to be chosen from the courses listed below or any of the above courses not used to fulfill a requirement. Three hours must be from a developmental course: PSY 2800, PSY 3040, PSY 3100, PSY 3470, or PSY 3550). | 6 | |
| PSY 1990-4990, Special Studies* PSY 2800, Life Span Development (3) PSY 3440, Positive Psychology (3) PSY 3040, Death and Dying (3) PSY 3100, Child Development (3) PSY 3210, Abnormal Psychology (3) PSY 3250, Cross Cultural Psychology (3) PSY 3350, Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3) PSY 3420, Clinical Psychology (3) PSY 3470, Psychology of Adolescence (3) PSY 3550, Psychology of Adulthood & Aging (3) PSY 3620, Group Dynamics (3) PSY 3700, Human Sexuality (3) PSY 4210, History and Systems of Psychology (3) PSY 4700, Advanced Study in Psychology (3) PSY (3900-4900), Practicum in Psychology* * (Only three (3) hours of Special Studies or Practicum may be counted toward requirements in the major or minor) |
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| Total | 18 | |
| Note: Social Work and Sociology majors only may substitute SWK 2050 or SOC 2250 for PSY 2400. However, 18 hours in psychology course work is still required for the minor. | ||
Psychology Courses (PSY)
PSY 1000. Introductory Seminar in Psychology (1). This course is to be taken during the first year as a psychology major at Belmont University. Students who have completed a minimum of 15 hours in psychology prior to transferring to Belmont University or prior to declaring psychology as a major do not need to take this course.The seminar is designed to introduce new psychology majors to important issues in the discipline of psychology and the psychology major at Belmont, such as the scientific roots of the discipline, research and field placement opportunities for psychology majors, the fundamentals of scientific writing using APA format, the development of the psychology major portfolio, and the professional issues related to graduate school admission and job placement after graduation.
PSY 1100. General Psychology (3). Does not count toward hours required for a PSY major or minor. An introductory course dealing with scientific methods in psychology, sensation, perception, biological foundations of behavioral principles of development, motivation, learning, abnormal behavior, inter-personal processes and other topics. Prerequisite to all other psychology courses. Students may only count PSY 1100 or PSY 1200 in the General Education Core, but not both.
PSY 1200. Introduction to Psychological Science (4). Does not count toward hours required for a PSY major or minor. An introductory course which surveys the field of psychology. The course emphasizes the scientific methods of the discipline and incorporates active learning experiences via the laboratory component. Prerequisite to all other psychology courses. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Students may only count PSY 1100 or PSY 1200 in the General Education Core, but not both. ($50.00 course fee)
PSY 1950-4950. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.
PSY 1990-4990. Independent Studies (1-3). Courses designed with a professor for independent study purposes.
PSY 1895-4895. Special Studies (1-3). Special Topics or pilot courses. Only 3 hours of a special studies may be applied toward requirements in the major or minor
PSY 2400. Research Methods (4). Prerequisites: PSY 1100 or 1200, and either MTH 1150 or 1151. An introduction to the methods of psychological science. The topics will include the philosophy of the scientific approach, library research methods, basic research design, descriptive and inferential data analysis, writing research reports, and ethical issues in research. The laboratory component will emphasize appropriate statistical analysis and interpretation of psychological data. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.
PSY 2800. Life Span Development (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A survey of the basic principles of physical, psychological, and social development at each stage of life from conception to death.
PSY 3040. Death and Dying (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200 or consent of instructor. An examination of attitudes toward death, the needs of the dying person, and the process of grief, with an emphasis on strategies for helping the bereaved.
PSY 3100. Child Development (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A study of the biological, cognitive, social, and personality changes of the individual from conception to adolescence.
PSY 3210. Abnormal Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A study of major patterns of abnormal behavior and their description and diagnosis, interpretation, treatment, and prevention.
PSY 3250. Cross Cultural Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. Additional recommended prerequisite: SOC 1010. This course will critically evaluate religious customs, child-rearing practices, socioeconomic characteristics, educational values, communication styles, language patterns, and mental health issues of diverse cultures from psychological and sociological perspectives. Students will also be exposed to the religious principles of several religious minorities. Several mental health and service delivery issues faced by the aforementioned ethnic minority groups will be examined.
Gen. Ed. Designation: GS (G – Global Studies).
PSY 3350. Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A study of human relations processes in organizational settings.
PSY 3420. Clinical Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A survey of the field of clinical psychology, including its history, contemporary professional issues, clinical research methods, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies.
PSY 3440. Positive Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200.An introduction to the scientific study of positive mental health, well being, and human flourishing.
PSY 3470. Psychology of Adolescence (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A study of human development during the adolescent years, with emphasis on the intellectual, emotional, physical, social and moral aspects of development.
PSY 3550. Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A research-based study of the interaction of physical, psychological, and social aspects of the development of persons from early adulthood through old age.
PSY 3620. Group Dynamics (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. A study of the dynamics of small group interaction, with emphasis on participation in small group experiences.
PSY 3700. Human Sexuality (3). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 or 1200. Additional recommended prerequisite: SOC 1010. An introduction to the study of human sexuality, with an emphasis on empirical research in the psychological, biological, and social domains.
PSY 4000. Senior Capstone Seminar in Psychology (1). Prerequisite: To be taken by psychology majors during their senior year. Majors should have completed a total of 24 hours in the psychology major before enrolling in this course. This course will require students to pull together what they have learned in their previous psychology courses and demonstrate they are capable of doing what they should be able to demonstrate as a major in psychology. Students will complete their psychology major portfolios and demonstrate preparedness for applying to graduate or professional school or entry into the job market.
PSY 4150. Health Psychology (4). Prerequisite: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). An introduction to the scientific study of how psychological, biological, and environmental/socio-cultural factors affect health and illness. The course will cover the history of health psychology, research methods and major theories, and other topics including stress and health, pain, chronic illness, health beliefs, conditioned immunological responses, drug use, eating behavior, relaxation, alternative medical interventions, and illness-prone personalities. Three hours lecture and two hours lab each week. ($30.00 course fee)
PSY 4200. Personality Psychology (4). Prerequisite: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). An examination of the organization, dynamics, development, and assessment of personality, with particular reference to major theoretical systems and empirical findings. Three hours lecture, two hours lab per week ($30.00).
PSY 4210. History and Systems of Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2400. A historical study of the philosophical and scientific concepts which form the basis of contemporary psychology. The focus is on the persons who developed these concepts.
PSY 4240. Learning and Conditioning (4). Prerequisites: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). A study of the major theories and principles of learning and outstanding issues in the field. A number of laboratory activities using statistical analysis and interpretation of course content data by exploring learning principles are required.Three hours lecture, two hours lab per week. ($30.00 course fee).
PSY 4300. Social Psychology (4). Prerequisites: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). A research-oriented study of interpersonal influence; topics include communication, attitude change, affiliation and attraction, aggression, prosocial behavior, leadership, and group behavior. A number of laboratory activities using statistical analysis and interpretation of course content data by exploring social psychological principles are required. Three hours lecture, two hours lab per week. ($30.00 course fee).
PSY 4320. Psychological Testing (4). Prerequisites: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). An examination of the construction, validation, administration, and interpretation of tests designed to measure a variety of attributes including intelligence, aptitude, achievement, personality, and interests. Three hours lecture and two hours lab each week. ($30.00 course fee)
PSY 4350. Physiological Psychology (4). Prerequisites: PSY 2400 (C- or higher); and at least one course in biological science. A study of the structure and function of the human nervous and endocrine systems, with an emphasis on the relationships between physiological processes and behavior. A number of laboratory activities using statistical analysis and interpretation of course content data relative to physiological psychology are required. Three hours lecture and two hours lab each week. ($30.00 course fee)
PSY 4400. Sensation and Perception (4). Prerequisites: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). An introduction to the study of how sensory information is gathered and interpreted. Topics include vision, hearing, skin senses, smell, taste, attention, motivation, and the development of perception. A number of laboratory activities using statistical analysis and interpretation of course content data by exploring sensation and perception principles are required. Three hours lecture, two hours lab per week. ($30.00 course fee)
PSY 4500. Cognitive Psychology (4). Prerequisites: PSY 2400 (C- or higher). An introduction to the study of mental processes, including how knowledge is acquired, stored, retrieved, and applied. Topics covered will include perception, memory, imagery, language, concept formation, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. A number of laboratory activities using statistical analysis and interpretation of course content data by exploring cognitive psychology principles are required. Three hours lecture, two hours lab per week. ($30.00 course fee)
PSY 4700. Advanced Research in Psychology (3). Prerequisite: PSY 2400 and any three of the following courses: PSY 4150, 4200, 4300, 4320, 4240, 4350, 4440, 4500. An advanced research course where students will design and carry out an individual empirical study under the direction of the course instructor. The course is designed primarily for students interested in graduate training in psychology. Students will be expected to complete an empirical study, write a formal research report, and present the results orally in a public forum.
PSY 3900-4900. Practicum in Psychology (3). Prerequisites: : PSY 2400, and either PSY 3210, PSY 4200 or PSY 3420. Students considered for the course must have their own car or access to one, be psychology majors or minors, and have completed at least 64 semester hours (with at least 15 hours completed in residence at Belmont). In addition, prospective students must fill out a course application at least one month prior to the early registration period and be approved by department faculty prior to enrolling in the course. This course is designed to give the student practical experience in work settings related to psychology. Students select a placement site of interest to them. Their work is supervised by a field supervisor at the placement site. A minimum of 100 literal clock hours at the placement site is required. Any training necessary to begin placement is not included in these hours. Grading is on a Pass/Fail basis. Only three (3) hours of practicum may be applicable to the major or minor.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).