RockhuRst univeRsity 2012–2014 catalog

and critical thinking and to promote the application of research methodologies to understandhow and why organisms do what they do. The major requires students to takecourses that address several different areas in psychology and numerous different theoreticalperspectives for understanding and explaining behavior.The psychology curriculum strives to prepare students to engage in effective criticalthinking while being prepared for graduate study in an area of psychology or success inprofessional fields in which knowledge of psychology is desirable if not necessary (e.g.,medicine, law, business, and service fields).Major Field of ConcentrationThe psychology major requires a minimum of 24 hours of credit in upper-division (i.e.,PY 3xxx or PY 4xxx) courses in psychology. At least 9 hours must be at the 4000 level.There are three foundational psychology courses required for the major: (1) PY 1000 (orPY 1100), (2) PY 2100, and (3) PY 3100 or PY 3110. In addition, all majors must completea history and systems in psychology course or a capstone course (PY 4100 orPY 4960: either of these courses is part of the 9 hours required at the 4000 level). The psychologymajor also requires a minimum of one unique course from each of the followingfour groups of courses: Applied Group A: PY 3200, PY 3250, PY 3500, PY 3550,PY 3700, PY 3810, PY 4500; PY 4570; Biological/Experimental; Group B: PY 3300,PY 3350, PY 3650, PY 4200, PY 4300, PY 4350, PY 4890; Cultural/Social Group C:PY 3430, PY 3600, PY 3820, PY 4400, PY 4600, PY 4610; and Developmental Group D:PYED 3010, PYED 3020, PY 3400, PY 3410, PY 3430, PY 3440, PY 4320. If a courseis listed in more than one grouping it can only fulfill the requirement for one grouping. Agrade of C or better is required in all upper-division courses counted toward fulfillment ofthe major requirements. (A grade of C- will not satisfy the requirement.)Students are strongly encouraged to complete PY 2100 and PY 3100 (or PY 3110)during the sophomore year. Other courses should be selected on the basis of interest andin consultation with the department.The major advisor should be consulted about the selection of the 12 semester hoursof upper-division coursework in related areas of study.Foundational Courses:Three required classesPY 1000 Introduction to Psychology ORPY 1100 Hon: Introduction to PsychologyPY 2100 Statistics for the BehavioralSciencesPY 3100 Experimental Methods ORPY 3110 Research MethodsGroup A: Applied PsychologyChoose one coursePY 3200 AssessmentPY 3250 LearningPY 3500 PersonalityPY 3550 Abnormal BehaviorPY 3700 Health PsychologyPY 3810 Psychology & LawPY 4500 Theories of Counseling& PsychotherapyPY 4570 Contemporary PersonalityResearchUndergraduate College of Arts Programs & SciencesCollege of Arts and Sciences157