1998-1999 - The University of Scranton

PSYCHOLOGY
DR. BUCHANAN, Chairperson
Psychology provides a unique educational experience of quality, breadth and flexibility. Our curriculum has
been carefully designed to give students a balanced education in the discipline and the widest range of options,
from baccalaureate entry-level positions to graduate training in prestigious universities. According to a recent
independent study, the number of the University’s graduates who have gone on to receive doctorates in psychology
has placed us in the top 5% of over 900 comparable institutions nationally.
Psychology majors are required to take PSYCH 110, PSYCH 210, and PSYCH 330 with lab. Students also
take a minimum of 5 courses from the following list with at least one course in each group: Physiological
Processes (230, 231), Learning Processes (234, 235), Social-Developmental Processes (220, 221), and Individual
Processes (224, 225). Students are free to choose from any of these or the remaining psychology courses to fulfill
the 4 additional course requirements in the major. Completion of two optional psychology laboratory courses
constitutes an elective course. Students are encouraged to take PSYCH 493-494 (Undergraduate Research), in
their junior or senior year.
The Psychology Department encourages students to tailor their programs to their own needs and interests.
For example, students interested in marketing, personnel, or industrial-organizational psychology may elect a
special business minor and recommended courses in psychology. Interdisciplinary programs, such as the Human
Development Concentration, and dual majors are also available with a number of other departments.
The clinical track in Psychology is a structured sequence of courses providing a synthesis of scientific
knowledge, interpersonal development and clinical experience. The track is designed for psychology majors
seeking graduate training in clinical, counseling, community, or school psychology, or entry-level employment in
a wide range of mental health and behavioral services. The required courses are: PSYCH 225; HS 241; PSYCH
360; PSYCH 335; PSYCH 480; and one from PSYCH 284, PSYCH 384, HS 421, HD 335, and HD 234.
The biopsychology track provides curricular direction and awards transcriptable recognition to psychology
majors interested in the biological bases of behavior. The track requires: PSYCH 221; PSYCH 225; PSYCH 231
with lab; two Psychology courses with labs; BIOL 140-141; and CHEM 112-113. Students are strongly encouraged
to take MATH 114 to meet the department’s math requirement.
The cognitive track in psychology is designed for students interested in human cognition and cognitive science.
The track encompasses the five traditional areas of Cognitive Science – Cognitive Psychology,
Neuroscience, Computer Science, Philosophy, and Linguistics – and is designed for students seeking both entrylevel
employment and graduate training in cognitive psychology, human factors, or cognitive science. The
required courses are: PSYCH 234 and PSYCH 234 lab; PSYCH 230 and PSYCH 230 lab; PSYCH 231; CMPS
134; and PHIL 215. Additional recommended courses are LANG 217, PSYCH 221, and PSYCH 284.
Consult your advisor and the Psychology Handbook for details on these programs.
Because of duplicate material covered in psychology courses, psychology majors should not take the following
courses: HS 111, HS 242, HS 293, and HS 323.
MINOR. A minor in Psychology consists of PSYCH 110, PSYCH 210, PSYCH 330 lecture, and one course
from 3 of the following 4 groups: Physiological Process (230, 231), Learning Processes (234, 235), Social-
Development Processes (220, 221), and Individual Processes (224, 225). An equivalent statistics course and/or an
equivalent methods course may be substituted for either PSYCH 210 (Statistics) and/or PSYCH 330 (Research
Methods). Any substituted course must then be replaced with a 3-credit psychology course.
Total: 18 credits in psychology.
PSYCH 105 Dr. Cannon
Brain and Human Nature 3 credits
An examination of the human mind, brain and why
we are the way we are. Topics include: the mindbody
problem, the nature of consciousness, the
evolution of behavior, addictions (e.g., love), eating
disorders, depression, and aggression. (Credit
cannot be earned for this course and Psych 231;
Not open to psychology majors or minors.)
PSYCH 106 Dr. Cannon
(W)Drugs and Behavior 3 credits
This course will examine interactions between
drugs and behavior. Behavioral topics will include:
tolerance, addiction, learning, aggression, sexual
behavior, eating, anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
Drug/drug categories will include: alcohol,
cannabis, opiates, antidepressants and antianxiety.
(Credit cannot be received for this course and
Psych 384, Psychopharmacology; Not open to psychology
majors or minors.).
PSYCH 110 Staff
(S)Fundamentals of Psychology 3 credits
An introduction to the scientific study of behavior
through a survey of psychology’s principal methods,
content areas and applications. Course
requirements include participation in psychological
research or preparation of a short article
review.
PSYCH 210 Drs. Baril, Dunstone,
(Q)Statistics in the Hogan
Behavioral Sciences 3 credits
An introduction to the basic statistics used in the
behavioral sciences, including descriptive statistics,
correlation, sampling, hypothesis testing and
inferential statistics.
167