Course Offerings

PSYC 1000 General Psychology

4 semester hours

Introduction to psychology: historical origins; methods of investigation; topics such as sensation, perception, learning, cognition, motivation, and emotion; fields such as physiological, development, personality, social, abnormal, testing, applied psychology, and psychotherapy.

University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Understanding Human Behavior.

PSYC 2001 Statistical Methods for Psychology

4 semester hours

Statistical concepts and methods related to psychological testing and research, including measures of central tendency, variability, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, correlation, regression, non-parametric tests, and use of statistical software programs.

University Core fulfilled: Foundations: Quantitative Reasoning.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

PSYC 2002 Research Methods

4 semester hours

Introduces the basic principles of experimental and nonexperimental designs. Provides students with fundamental background for planning, conducting, and critiquing research in psychology. Emphasizes scientific writing, including APA style, and data interpretation using inferential, descriptive, and relational statistics. Topics include: how to generate and test hypotheses, searching scientific literature, the nature of variables, types of measurement, issues of reliability and validity, and ethics in the conduct of empirical research.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000 and PSYC 2001.

PSYC 2003 Brain and Behavior

4 semester hours

Biological basis of behavior, structure and function of the sensory and effector mechanisms, neural and endocrine systems and their underlying physiological substrates.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

PSYC 4001 Cognitive Neuroscience

4 semester hours

Contemporary theories and research regarding cognitive processes: perception, pattern recognition, attention, memory, representation of knowledge, mental imagery, psycholinguistics, concept formation, problem-solving, and reasoning. Explores the application of these theories to study skills, education, neuropsychology, psychopathology, cognitive development, intelligence, and computer models of cognition.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only. Required for Psychology majors.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

PSYC 4002 Social Psychology

4 semester hours

Contemporary theories and empirical research related to person perception, affiliation, interpersonal attraction, group structure and dynamics, social influence, attitude change, aggression, prosocial behavior, and prejudice.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only. Required for Psychology majors.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

PSYC 4100 Capstone Seminar

4 semester hours

Seminar focuses on a faculty-selected topic to be investigated using the biopsychological perspective. The topic of this seminar is selected by the faculty member from within his or her area of expertise. Students are expected to broadly review and integrate their learning in psychology across the curriculum. This course fulfills the capstone requirement.

Senior Psychology majors only.

Prerequisites: All required courses for the major completed or currently in progress.

PSYC 4195 Senior Assessment

0 semester hours

Assessment of student learning outcomes in the field of psychology. Includes written examination or some other form of written assessment, completion of survey instruments, senior exit interview, or other forms of end-of-program evaluation. Students must register for this course. At the end of the semester the online assessment will be available for the enrolled students via Brightspace. PSYC 4195 is offered two times a year (Spring and Fall).

Credit/No Credit grading only.

Senior Psychology majors only in their final semester.

Prerequisites: All required courses for the major completed or currently in progress.

PSYC 3010 Psychology of Sex Differences

4 semester hours

Explores sex and sex differences from a biosocial or evolutionary psychology perspective. Examines evolution of sexual reproduction, the two sexes, sexually dimorphic morphology, behavior, and emotion. Identifies and examines different reproductive strategies employed by males and females (including nonhuman species) and resulting conflicts of interests between the sexes. Particular focus given to sex differences in sexuality, courtship, jealousy, mating systems, and parenting.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

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PSYC 3019 African and Black Psychology

4 semester hours

A biopsychosocial/spiritual review of topics in psychology from an Africentric perspective. A survey course examining and contrasting basic theories, research, and concepts in African psychology and Black psychology. Selected features of the discipline of western psychology are critiqued from an African-centered perspective.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

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PSYC 3038 Psychopathology

4 semester hours

An introduction to the biological, psychological, and social determinants of psychopathology and maladaptive behaviors. Causes, diagnosis, and treatment of various mental disorders such as: schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, childhood disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and other conditions covered in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

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PSYC 3050 Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience

4 semester hours

Explores the scientific investigation and advancement of theory pertaining to processes underlying the biological basis of human behavior. This course will examine pertinent topics within the fields of psychology, biology, chemistry, neuropharmacology, biochemistry, and the clinical sciences (e.g., neurology and neuropsychiatry) to provide a comprehensive introduction to behavioral neuroscience.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Nature of Science, Technology, and Mathematics; Flags: Information Literacy, Oral Skills.

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PSYC 3052 Lifespan Development

4 semester hours

Research and theories of normal human development from conception through adult maturity, old age, and death. Focus on growth and change in biological, cognitive, and social processes in psychological development.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisite: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000.

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PSYC 3998 Special Studies

4 semester hours

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisite: TR in PSYC 1000 or grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000 at LMU.

PSYC 4033 Community Psychology

4 semester hours

The community psychology course introduces students to the rigorous academic discipline of community psychology, the theoretical approach to community-based interventions and its emphasis on research and action. Students will gain an understanding of the role, functions, and responsibilities of a community psychologist working with and within community organizations. The course stresses student engagement in transformative action, allowing them to integrate practical experience with community psychology research and theory.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

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PSYC 4036 Personality

4 semester hours

A survey of the major contemporary theories of personality and relevant research and applications related to each theory.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

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PSYC 4045 Advanced Research Methods

4 semester hours

Building on lower division statistics and research methods Psychology requirements, this course further investigates research designs and statistical analyses psychologists use to understand, predict, and influence human behavior. Students will conduct an empirical research study in a topical area of psychology and present results in APA-style written, oral, and/or poster presentations. Highly recommended for students considering graduate study in psychology.

Consent of instructor required.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

University Core fulfilled: Flags: Engaged Learning, Oral Skills.

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PSYC 4052 Evolutionary Psychology

4 semester hours

Examination of the biosocial development of adaptive behavioral strategies for various classes of behavior including altruism, intergenerational conflict, courtship, parenting, territoriality, sibling rivalry, aggression.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

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PSYC 4055 Neuropsychology

4 semester hours

Clinical neuropsychology; brain damage and organic syndromes, diagnosis, and biological therapies.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

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PSYC 4090 Teaching Internship

Guided teaching of undergraduate course(s). May be repeated for credit.

Consent of instructor required.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

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PSYC 4097 Research Assistantship

1 TO 4 semester hours

This course is for students who are research assistants (RAs) in faculty research. It provides an engaging, in-depth opportunity to learn the ethics, methods, and principles of psychological research. It is designed to flexibly accommodate a student either over several semesters (taking 1-2 semester hours in any combination one semester at a time up to a maximum of 4 semester hours) or in one semester (for the full 4 semester hours). A formal agreement between the student and faculty member shall define the academic expectations and workload and incorporate specific requirements for a writing assignment related to the research on which the student works that will serve as a formal basis for the grade.

Open to Psychology majors and minors only.

Junior or senior standing required.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, and PSYC 2003.

Consent of a full-time faculty member who agrees to serve as the student’s supervisor, mentor, and evaluator required.

University Core fulfilled: Flag: Engaged Learning.

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PSYC 4101 Community-Based Service Learning, Integration, and Psychology

4 semester hours

This seminar is a continuation of PSYC 4100, Capstone Seminar. Part of a year-long sequence, this course seeks to enliven the three pillars of the LMU Mission by integrating Ignatian spirituality and discernment with the biopsychosocial model in psychology. Students conceive and effect 30 hours of an organized service project and engage in guided reflection and critical analysis. The primary goal of this seminar is to inspire students to integrate academic learning and community-based experiences that are intentionally and deeply interrelated.

Senior Psychology majors only.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in each: PSYC 4001, PSYC 4002, and PSYC 4100 (Capstone 1: Psychology, Integration, and Mission).

Consent of instructor required.

University Core fulfilled: Flag: Engaged Learning.

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PSYC 4196 Honors in Psychology

0 TO 4 semester hours

This is an opportunity for Honors-eligible students to complete a substantive research project to quality for Departmental Honors.

Senior Psychology majors only.

Prerequisites: Grade of C (2.0) or higher in PSYC 1000, PSYC 2001, PSYC 2002, PSYC 2003, and consent of department chairperson. Also, the student must obtain the written approval of the faculty supervisor the semester prior to starting Honors in Psychology.

The LMU Bulletin maintains the most complete list of psychology courses. See all courses.