2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, BS


Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration
Cognition and Perception Concentration
Industrial Organization Concentration

 

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Science (BS) curriculum offers students an array of courses in psychological theory supported by coursework in research methodology, statistics, and writing.  Students will also select among a variety of elective courses including those related to counseling and psychotherapy, forensic psychology, neuroscience, as well as applied areas in human performance and effectiveness.  Relative to the BA degree, the BS degree requires additional coursework in research methodology and computing.  In addition, the BS offers three concentrations showcasing our faculty’s unique areas of expertise in: (1) Behavioral Neuroscience, (2) Industrial Organizational Psychology, and (3) Cognition and Perception.  Students considering graduate school or careers in one of these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.  Similar to the BA degree, the BS also offers flexibility for students to supplement their education with additional courses outside of psychology.  This enables students to customize their degree to meet their individual goals.  Graduates prepared with knowledge of human behavior who are adaptable and willing to learn, socially skilled and focused on problem solving, will have the greatest flexibility in pursuing the jobs and careers of their choice given the demands of employers in the 21st century.

To be admitted as a Bachelor of Science major into the department of psychology, students must earn at least 15 semester hours and have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 and complete an introduction to psychology course earning a grade of at least a C.  Admission decisions will be based on Wright State courses, transfer courses, or both.  Once accepted by the department, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to learn more about curriculum choices, degree completion requirements, graduate school, and career opportunities.  Because of the breadth of psychology, a variety of educational options are available; therefore, students should continue to work with the psychology undergraduate program advisors to facilitate progress towards their degree.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The B.S. curriculum is designed to provide opportunities to achieve five outcomes.

  1. Be familiar with current theory and research in diverse area of psychology
  2. Have fundamental research design and mathematical/statistical skills needed to understand psychological science
  3. Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
  4. Have skills in integrating and communicating about psychological knowledge
  5. Have advanced research design, mathematical/statistical, and computing skills needed to critically evaluate and conduct research in a self-selected area of psychology

Psychology Honors Program

The Psychology Honor’s Program is a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity for students to learn about the science of psychology.  Working closely with a department of psychology faculty member, students take the lead in conducting a research project.  Through this supervised experience, students learn first-hand how scientists investigate psychological phenomena.

Students interested in being admitted to the psychology honors program should identify a potential faculty mentor and then apply in their junior year. After acceptance, students enroll in one departmental honors seminar each academic year. Part-time students must complete one honors seminar prior to graduation. All students must complete an honors thesis, for which academic credit is granted.

For additional information:

Program Requirements:


I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours


Element 1 - Communication: 6 Hours


Element 2 - Mathematics: 4 Hours


Element 3 - Global Traditions: 6 Hours


Element 4 - Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours


Element 5 - Social Sciences: 7 Hours


Element 6 - Natural Sciences: 8 Hours


Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours


II. Departmental Core Requirements: 26 Hours


6 Core Courses (at least 2 courses from Row 1 and Row 2, 1 from Row 3, and 1 more from any other row: 18 Hours


III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 22 Hours


  • Two capstone courses (PSY 4100-4990) Credit Hour(s): 6
  • Psychology Electives Credit Hour(s): 12

IV. Related Course Requirements: 8 Hours


V. General Electives: 24 Hours


Total: 120


Graduation Planning Strategy


The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration


Program Description:

Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS) is the study of biology of behavior and mental processes. It focuses on the behavioral, neural, and physiological processes involved in perception, learning, memory, cognition, motivation, and emotion. Behavioral neuroscientists study the brain in relation to behavior, its evolution, development, functions, abnormalities, and repair, as well as interactions with the immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine systems, and energy regulation systems.

Psychology majors interested in applying to the BNS Concentration must be classified as Bachelor of Science (BS) degree-seeking students.  In addition, students must have completed at least 64 semester credits, including PSY 3910 , Behavioral Neuroscience I.  An overall grade point average (GPA) and psychology GPA of at least 3.2 are also required for admission into the concentration.  Graduates of the BNS concentration are excellent candidates for graduate work and careers in neuroscience, psychology, and other health science programs including medicine, laboratory science, and public health administration.

Degree Requirements:

The BNS Concentration curriculum is designed to achieve five outcomes:

  1. Be familiar with current theory and research in diverse areas of psychology with an emphasis on topics related to neuroscience
  2. Have fundamental research design and mathematical/statistical skills needed to understand psychological science
  3. Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
  4. Have skills in integrating and communicating about psychological knowledge
  5. Have advance research design, mathematical/statistical, and computing skills needed to critically evaluate and conduct research in areas related to neuroscience

Program Requirements:


I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours


Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts/Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 7 Hours

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours

6 Core Courses (at least 2 from Row 1 and 2 from Row 2 and 1 from Row 3) and 1 more from any row: 18 Hours

In this concentration, PSY 3910  is required, and four courses must be selected from the seven other courses designated with a “*”.

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 22 Hours


IV. Related Course Requirements: 4 Hours


V. General Electives: 24 Hours


Total: 120 Hours


Cognition and Perception Concentration


Program Description:

The Cognition and Perception (CAP) concentration focuses on how the brain works when it interacts with the environment.  Scientists who work in this area have been making a diverse array of discoveries over the past few decades.  In fact, the projected growth in this area is only expected to increase.  Among the more important insights, researchers have shown that humans do not passively register information.  They actively select and interpret what to perceive, remember, decide, and act upon.  These processes occur along with immediate and long-term goals and constraints, whether interacting with people, the environment, or technology.  Understanding these processes have wide ranging applications in education, industry, and government.

Psychology majors interested in applying to the CAP Concentration must be classified as Bachelor of Science (BS) degree-seeking students.  In addition, students must have completed at least 48 semester credits, including PSY 3210 , Cognition and Learning, PSY 3710 , Perception, and PSY 3010 , Research Methods I.  An overall grade point average (GPA) and psychology GPA of at least 3.2 are also required for admission into the concentration.  Graduates of the CAP Concentration are excellent candidates for careers and graduate work in cognition, perception, and human factors or engineering psychology.

The CAP Curriculum is designed to provide opportunities to achieve five outcomes:

  1. Be familiar with current theory and research in diverse areas of psychology with an emphasis n topics related to cognition and perception
  2. Have fundamental research design and mathematical/statistical skills needed to understand psychological science
  3. Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
  4. Have skills in integrating and communicating about psychological knowledge
  5. Have advanced research design, mathematical/statistical, and computing skills needed to critically evaluate and conduct research in areas related to cognition and perception

Program Requirements:


I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours


Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 7 Hours

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours

6 Core Courses (at least 2 from Row 1 and 2 from Row 2 and 1 from Row 3): 18 Hours

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 19 Hours


IV. Related Course Requirements: 8 Hours


V. General Electives: 23 Hours


Total: 120 Hours


Industrial/Organizational Concentration


Program Description:

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology is the study of psychological processes related to the workplace. Experts in the field focus on topics including selection, legal issues and diversity, organizational behavior, training, motivation, leadership, job attitudes, teams and group processes organizational structure, and organizational change.  I/O Psychologists contribute to an organization’s success by improving the performance and well-being of its people.  There is a strong quantitative focus in I/O since such knowledge and skills are needed to design and validate selection tests.  Other areas of psychology, such as social, cognitive, and developmental psychology, have influenced I/O Psychology by helping to increase the understanding of how people function in the workplace.

Psychology majors interested in applying to the I/O Concentration must be classified as Bachelor of Science (BS) degree-seeking students.  In addition, students must have completed at least 60 semester credits, including PSY 3040 , Industrial Organizational Psychology, with a minimal grade of C.  An overall grade point average (GPA) and psychology GPA of at least 3.2 are also required for admission into the concentration.  Graduates of the I/O Concentration are excellent candidates for graduate work and careers in industrial and organizational psychology.  They may also work in industry, government, or education.

The I/O curriculum is designed to provide opportunities to achieve five outcomes:

  1. Be familiar with current theory and research in diverse areas of psychology with an emphasis on topics related to industrial and organizational psychology
  2. Have fundamental research design and mathematical/statistical skills needed to understand psychological science
  3. Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
  4. Have skills in integrating and communicating about psychological knowledge
  5. Have advanced research design, mathematical/statistical, and computing skills needed to critically evaluate and conduct research in areas related to industrial and organizational psychology.

Program Requirements:


I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours


Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 7 Hours

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours

6 Core Courses (at least 2 from Row 1 and 2 from Row 2 and 1 from Row 3): 18 Hours

Row 3:

In this concentration, PSY 3040  is required, and four courses must be selected from the six other courses marked with an “*”.

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 22 Hours


IV. Related Course Requirements: 4 Hours


V. General Electives: 24 Hours


Total: 120 Hours