University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

Psychology Courses

Courses

PSYC 1301.  Introduction to Psychology.  

Introduction to Psychology: [TCCN PSYC 2301] A survey of basic principles in general psychology.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (A01 score between 19 and 36 AND A05 score between 23 and 36 ) OR (S01 score between 500 and 800 AND S05 score between 1070 and 1600 ) OR (TAKL score between 2200 and 3153 AND TAKW score between 3 and 6 ) OR (TSIR score between 351 and 390 ) OR (TAKE score of 1 AND TAKL score between 2200 and 3153 ) OR (SXAC score of 1 ) OR (SXSA score of 1 ) OR (SXTA score of 1 ) OR (SXDG score of 1 ) OR (SXMA score of 1 ) OR (SXMN score of 1 ) OR (SXOI score of 1 ) OR (SXTR score of 1 ) OR (ENGL 0312 w/C* or better ) OR (RWS 1301 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 1611 w/C or better ) OR (RWS 1601 w/C or better ) OR (COMM 1611 w/C or better ) OR (ESOL 1311 w/C or better ) OR (ENGL 0310 w/C* or better ) OR (ENGL 0311 w/C* or better ) OR (S11 score between 480 and 800 ) OR (2TSE score between 5 and 8 AND 2TWR score between 945 and 990 ) OR (2TDW score between 5 and 6 AND 2TSE score between 5 and 8 AND 2TWR score between 910 and 944 ) OR (AEXE score of 40 ) OR (BCPE score of 1 ) OR (HIST 1301 w/C or better ) OR (HIST 1302 w/C or better ) OR (SOCI 1301 w/C or better ) OR (POLS 2310 w/C or better ) OR (POLS 2311 w/C or better ) OR (BCE2 score of 1)

PSYC 1303.  Statistical Methods.  

Statistical Methods: [TCCN PSYC 2317] Introduction to basic descriptive and inferential statistics used in behavioral sciences. Topics will include: histograms and distributions; z-scores;central tendency; variability; correlation & simple regression; sampling distributions and sampling error; confidence intervals; null hypothesis test; and independent & dependent sample t-tests. Topics may include: Chi square, Bayes Theorem, ANOVA, and post-hoc tests. Required of all psychology majors and minors Restricted to majors: NURS-GENERIC, NURSING-RN, ALLIED-HLTH, PSYC. Restricted to minors: PSYC.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of CRIJ, HPRO, KIN, KINL, NURR, NURS, PH, PNRR, PNUR, PSHL, PSYC, RHSC, SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (STAT 1380 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1309 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1320 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1508 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1411 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1312 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 2313 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 2326 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 2301 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1310 w/C or better ) OR (SXDG score of 1)

PSYC 2302.  Social Psychology.  

Social Psychology: [TCCN PSYC 2319] The study of the individual in the social context. Consideration of topics such as social cognition, person perception, nonverbal communication, social influence, attitudes, prosocial behavior, aggression, and applied social psychology.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 2305.  Psychology of Human Sexuality.  

Psychology of Human Sexuality: [TCCN PSYC 2306] A study of human sexuality on a broad range of levels. Topics will include the biological and hormonal factors that affect sexual behavior, developmental aspects, sexual differentiation, various types of sexual behavior, sexual dysfunction, cultural differences, and a comparison of sex-related differences in abilities.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

PSYC 2306.  Psychology of Personality.  

Psychology of Personality: [TCCN PSYC 2316] A study of the normal personality. Includes such topics as biological and social determinants of personality; appraisal of personality; and reactions to anxiety, frustration, and conflict.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 2310.  Life Cycle Development.  

Life Cycle Development: [TCCN PSYC 2314] The study of the psychological development and adjustment of the individual through the life span.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 2312.  Intro to Psychopathology.  

A review of historical approaches to the problems of pathological behavior. Topics will include the dynamics of pathological behavior, its classification, symptomatology, and treatment.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 2324.  Introductory Neuroscience.  

Introductory Neuroscience This course will provide a broad introduction to the nervous system , beginning with the study of neurons, nerve impulse, and information transfer between cells. Sensory and motor systems, neuroendocrine integration, and motivation, emotion , learning, and sleep will then be covered. This new course will provide critical background knowledge for upper division neuroscience courses in Biological Sciences and Psychology, and will support students pursuing careers in neuroscience research, medicine or the allied health fields, or education. Students will demonstrate effective teamwork, oral and written communication, quantitative skills, and critical thinking abilities.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 1107 w/C or better AND BIOL 1305 w/C or better ) OR (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 3101.  Lab for Gen Exper Psyc.  

General Experimental Psychology Laboratory (0-2) Laboratory experience in experimental psychology. Corequisite: PSYC 3201. Course fee required.

Department: Psychology

1 Credit Hour
2 Total Contact Hours
2 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better AND PSYC 1303 w/C or better)

Corequisite(s): PSYC 3201

PSYC 3102.  Professional Development.  

Professional Development. This course reviews (1) careers well suited for psychology major and the knowledge and skills required in these careers ; (2) ways students can navigate psychology subfields and major requirements to develop knowledge and skills required for different careers; (3) graduate degree options following a bachelor's degree and potential careers for these degrees; and (4) preparing resumes, vita, personal statements, and cover letters.

Department: Psychology

1 Credit Hour
1 Total Contact Hour
0 Lab Hours
1 Lecture Hour
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 3201.  Gen Experimental Psychology.  

General Experimental Psychology (2-0) Introduction to the planning and execution of experiments in psychology and the analysis and interpretation of data. Prerequisites: PSYC 1301 and PSYC 1303 and MATH 1320. Corequisite: PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

2 Credit Hours
2 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
2 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 1303 w/C or better ) AND (MATH 1320 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1508 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1411 w/C or better ) OR (MATH 1310 w/C or better)

Corequisite(s): PSYC 3101

PSYC 3315.  Psychology and the Law.  

Psychology and the Law (3-0) A survey of the relationship between various subfields of psychology and the U.S legal system. Topics may include juries, eyewitnesses, civil court issues, and the psychological evaluation and management of offenders. Prerequisites: PSYC 1301.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 3320.  Learning & Memory.  

Learning and Memory (3-0) An introduction to the basic concepts of learning and memory, with a review of both human animal experimentation. Prerequisites: PSYC 1303, PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better)

PSYC 3330.  Sensation and Perception.  

Sensation and Perception (3-0) (1) physical stimulo detected by major senses [vision, audition, touch/pain/temperature, smell, taste and balance]; (2) neural mechanisms for detecting stimuli and how they are translated into electrical/chemical "language" used by the nervous system; (3) how brain processes, identifies important features, and attaches meaning to sensory information; (4) how experience, memory, and age influence the sensory systems; and (5) how sensory processing is similar to and impacts other mental processes (eg., learning, motivation) and judgments (e.g., person perception).

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 3331.  Cross-Cultural Psychology.  

Cross-Cultural Psychology (3-0) This course focuses on how culture affects the thoughts and behavior of individuals and small groups. Specific issues covered vary but may include defining culture, cross-cultural research methods, and identification of cultural differences and cultural universals. Prerequisites: PSYC 3101, PSYC 2302, PSYC 3201, PSYC 3101

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 2302 w/C or better)

PSYC 3340.  Research Methods.  

Research Methods; This course introduces students to key concepts, research designs, measurement issues, and conceptual debates underlying research findings in the behavioral sciences. The course reviews distinctions between science and pseudoscience, and the strengths and weaknesses of experimental, correlational, and observational research. Course goals include 1) increasing students' knowledge of research methods and 2) increasing students' ability to think in terms of evidence, and quality of evidence, when evaluating scientific claims and common beliefs about human behavior and mental processes.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Excluded Majors: PSYC

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better AND PSYC 1303 w/C or better)

PSYC 3346.  Drugs of Abuse and Behavior.  

PSYC 3346: Drugs of Abuse and Behavior (3-0) This course provides a basic understanding of how drugs impact the brain to produce their behavioral effects, and is designed to be an introduction to the principles of pharmacology. This course emphasizes abused drugs as well as drugs used for the treatment of psychological disorders, and will focus on the biological underpinnings of drug action; however, economic, political, and cultural pespectives will also be discussed where appropriate.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 2340 w/C or better ) OR (PSYC 2324 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 3347.  Behavior Modification.  

Behavior Modification (3-0) A review of the application of experimental principles of learning for behavior change. Topics include: applications of classical, operant, and cognitive learning in clinical, educational, family, and socio-cultural settings. Prerequisites: PSYC 1301, PSYC 3201, PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 3348.  Cognitive Psychology.  

Cognitive Psychology (3-0) An analysis of thought that will include principles and research approaches to information processing, preception, attention, memory, concept formation, language, thinking, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making. Prerequisite: PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better)

PSYC 3350.  Health Psychology.  

Health Psychology (3-0) Introduces students to the concepts, theory, and research that comprise health psychology. Emphasis is placed on understanding the relationships among psychological and behavioral factors, and psychological well-being, wellness, and disease. Prerequisite: PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3201 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better)

PSYC 4301.  Psychological Testing.  

Psychological Testing (3-0) Introduction to and training in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests. Prerequisites: PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101. PSYC 4317 recommended.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4309.  History & Systems Psychology.  

History and Systems of Psychology (3-0) A review of the main systems and schools of psychology since 1879. The main assupmtions of structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, gestal psychology, physiological psychology, cognitive psychology, informative theory, and current trends are comparatively examined.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better)

PSYC 4310.  Adolescent Development.  

This course will teach students the fundamentals of psychological development during adolescence, particularly in areas of biological, cognitive, and social development. Throughout the course, students will think critically about whether current policies and practices treat adolescents in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Students will gain experience reading, interpreting, and applying developmental research and will learn how to communicate research findings to others effectively.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 2310 w/C or better AND PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4311.  Advanced Topics Dev Psyc.  

Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology (3-0) This course will provide students with the opportunity to review and discuss current research findings in developmental psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 2312, PSYC 3201, PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 2310 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4312.  Advanced Psychopathology.  

An examination of advanced topics in pathological psychology Emphasis will be placed on current research on the causes, assessment, and treatment of serious mental disorders.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 2312 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4313.  Physical & Cognitive Aging.  

This course will focus on structural changes that occur in human sensory, muscular, and neural systems with age, and the impact these have on functional motor control and cognition. The course will also address physical and cognitive theories of aging as well as factors that may mitigate age-related declines. Students will develop an understanding of the physical and cognitive consequences of aging and their practical impacts on quality of life in older adulthood. Students will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills through multiple class activities.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 2310 w/C or better AND PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4315.  Psych of Criminal Behavior.  

This course will focus on the application of psychological theory and practice to the societal problem of criminal behavior. Students will critically examine research on the extent to which theories from biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives adequately explain criminal behavior within and across individuals. Best practices for the assessment and treatment of criminal behavior will be discussed within the framework of correctional psychology.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better AND PSYC 3315 w/C or better)

PSYC 4316.  Language and Cognition.  

Language and Cognition (3-0) An investigation of language as a cognitive capacity. Topics will include perception, processing, acquisition, and mental representation of language. May be taken as LING 4316. Prerequisite: PSYC 1301 or LING 2320.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1301 w/C or better ) OR (LING 2320 w/C or better)

PSYC 4317.  Advanced Statistics.  

Advanced Statistics (3-0) A continuation of descriptive and inferential statistics from PSYC 1303 that reviews analysis of variance, covariance , correlation, regression, and non-parametric statistics (utilizing statistical software). The relationship between designs and statistical analyses will be emphasized. Limitations and alternatives to null hypothesis statistical test are explored.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 1303 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4321.  Judgment and Decision Making.  

Judgment and Decision Making (3-0) An overview of current models and empirical research on cognitive processes in human decision making and judgment under risk or uncertainty. Prerequisites: PSYC 3201, PSYC 3101, PSYC 1301 and PSYC 1303 each with a grade of "C" or higher, or permission of the instructor .

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4324.  Psychobiology.  

Psychobiology (3-0) A study of the physiological and biochemical basis of psychopathology in humans and models of psychopathology studied in animals. Background in chemistry and physiology recommended. Prerequisites: PSYC 3201, PSYC 3101 and senior standing.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 2340 w/C or better ) OR (PSYC 2324 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4341.  Motivation & Emotion.  

Motivation and Emotion (3-0) Defines motivational states in terms of physiological patterns, brain function, and psychological models from learning and personality theories. Evaluates the usefulness of these states as explanation of human behavior. Prerequisites: PSYC 3101 and 3201.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4343.  Seminar in Meta-Analysis.  

Seminar in Meta-Analysis (3-0) This course will provide students with training in interpreting and conducting quantitative reviews of research findings. Basic meta-analytic techniques will be examined, and students will initiate their own meta-analytic review of a research area. Prerequisites: PSYC 1301, PSYC 1303 with a grade of "B" or better and PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4345.  Seminar in Psychology.  

Seminar in Psychology (3-0) Topic to be selected. May be repeated when topic varies. Prerequisite: Department approval. PSYC 3201 and PSYC 3101.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4352.  Independent Research.  

Independent Research (0-0-3) Independent student library of laboratory research under the supervision of a faculty member. Regular meetings and reports are required. May be repeated once when topics or activities vary. Prerequisites: Department approval. PSYC 3101 and PSYC 3201 Psychology research course fee required.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
3 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4353.  Honors Thesis.  

Honors Thesis (0-0-3) Research under the supervision of an Honors Thesis faculty member. Research work will be directed and progress updates Departmental Honors Thesis. PSYC 3201/3101 and instructor approval required. are required. Course may be repeated for completion of

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
3 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)

PSYC 4375.  Neuroscience Capstone.  

Neuroscience Capstone: This course provides a project-based framework through which students may demonstrate and apply the knowledge gained throughout the interdisciplinary major in neuroscience. Taken during the final year of the curriculum, this course brings together critical concepts and ideas through discussion of previous coursework and experiences, and provides opportunities for skills development including critical thinking, synthesis and integration, resource identification and utilization, and communication through speaking and writing. In addition, this course will support the professional preparation of students for their future academic and career pursuits.

Department: Psychology

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 2340 w/C or better ) OR (PSYC 2324 w/C or better ) AND (CHEM 2124 w/C or better AND CHEM 2324 w/C or better ) AND (PSYC 3101 w/C or better AND PSYC 3201 w/C or better)