2012-2015 Academic Catalog

Feb 08, 2025

2012-2015 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, BS

Program Description:

The Department of Psychology offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts degrees. Both degree programs are designed to give students a broad introduction to contemporary psychology. The Bachelor of Arts curriculum offers the greatest flexibility in electives within and outside psychology. The Bachelor of Science curriculum is recommended for students planning careers in academic, research, or professional fields. Both degree programs offer enough flexibility so students can supplement their individual program with additional courses both inside and outside psychology, allowing students to tailor their degree to meet individual goals. Students considering graduate school should consult with undergraduate program advisors early in their academic career.

Students must have earned 30 hours and have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 and after at least two PSY classes have a PSY GPA of 2.25 or better to transfer into the Department of Psychology. Once students have been accepted by the department, they are invited to attend a degree planning session. Included in this session is information about curriculum choices, degree completion, graduate school, and career opportunities. Because of the breadth of psychology, a variety of different educational options are available; therefore, students should continue to work with the psychology undergraduate program advisors to facilitate progress towards their degree. Students must earn at least 76 credit hours in departmental requirement courses for a Bachelor of Arts and at least 84 credit hours for a Bachelor of Science degree.

Faculty:

Professors Bennett, Colle, Flach (chair), Hennessy, Klein, Moss (Emeritus), Nagy, Shebilske, Tsang

Associate Professors Claflin, Edwards, Gilkey, Kruger, LaHuis, Miller, Schneider, Shalin, Steele-Johnson, Watamaniuk, Weber

Assistant Professors Bowling, Burns, Hochstein (WSU Lake Campus), Kleven

Lecturers Gordon

Instructors Gooden (Director of Undergraduate Programs), Schiml-Webb

Bachelor of Science Degree

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

Be familiar with current theory and research in diverse area of psychology
Have fundamental research design and mathematical/statistical skills needed to understand psychological science
Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
Have skills in integrating and communicating about psychological knowledge
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

Students interested in being admitted to the psychology honors program should 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.

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours

Element 1 - Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2 - Mathematics: 4 Hours

STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4 required

Element 3 - Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4 - Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5 - Social Sciences: 7 Hours

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4 required

Element 6 - Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 30 Hours

PSY 3010 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3020 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 4010 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 4

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

Two capstone courses (PSY 4100-4990) Credit Hour(s): 6
Psychology Electives Credit Hour(s): 9

One of

PSY 3230 - Cognition and Learning Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3330 - Personality Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3430 - Developmental Psychology Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3530 - Social Psychology Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3630 - Conditioning and Learning Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3730 - Perception Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4

IV. Related Course Requirements: 8 Hours

MTH 1280 - College Algebra Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 4020 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods and Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 4 or
CS 1160 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credit Hour(s): 4

V. General Electives: 23 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.

Concentration

Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration

Behavioral Neuroscience 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. See the Department of Psychology for specific program requirements.

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 40

Element 1 - Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2 - Mathematics: 4 Hours

STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 3 - Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4 - Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5 - Social Sciences: 7 Hours

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 6 - Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4 or
CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3 and
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
and
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4 or
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3 and
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2

Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 30

PSY 3010 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3020 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 4010 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 4

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

Row 1:

*In this concentration, PSY 3910 is required, and four courses must be selected from the six other four courses must be selected from the six other boldfaced courses.

PSY 3210 - Cognition and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3610 - Conditioning and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3710 - Perception Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3 *

Row 2:

PSY 3110 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3310 - Psychology of Personality Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3510 - Social Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3

Row 3:

PSY 3040 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3600 - Engineering Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3070 - Tests and Measures Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3090 - Psychology of Health Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
Two BNS capstone courses (PSY 4900-4990) Credit Hour(s): 6 *

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 19

PSY 3930 - Behavioral Neuroscience Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3920 - Behavioral Neuroscience II Credit Hour(s): 3 required psychology elective

Psychology Electives: choose two: 6

PSY 2110 - Human Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2910 - Drugs and Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2920 - Hormones and Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 2940 - Mind, Body, Consciousness and Reality Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. Related Course Requirements: 8 Hours

MTH 1280 - College Algebra Credit Hour(s): 4
CS 1160 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credit Hour(s): 4 or
PSY 4020 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods and Experimental Design Credit Hour(s): 4

IV. General Electives

Total: 120

Cognition and Perception Concentration

The Cognition and Perception (CAP) concentration is a study focus in the Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) degree in psychology. It focuses on how the brain works when we interact with our environment. Discoveries about the functioning of the brain have been escalating at an ever more rapid pace in recent dcades, but have yet to cease to amaze. We now know that we do not passivley register information that happens to pass us by but actively select and interpret what we perceive, remember, decide, and act upon, in concert with our immediate and long-term goals and constraints. This is the case whether we are interacting with people, the environment, or a piece of equipment such as an automobile. See the Department of Psychology for specific program requirements.

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2 - Mathematics: 4 Hours

STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4 required

Element 3 - Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4 - Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5 - Social Sciences: 7 Hours

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 6 - Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Additional core courses: 6 Hours

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 30

PSY 3010 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 3020 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credit Hour(s): 4
PSY 4010 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 4

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

Row 1:

*In this concentration, PSY 3210 and PSY 3710 are required.

PSY 3210 - Cognition and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3 *
PSY 3610 - Conditioning and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3710 - Perception Credit Hour(s): 3 *
PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3

Row 2:

PSY 3110 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3310 - Psychology of Personality Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3510 - Social Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3

Row 3:

PSY 3040 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3600 - Engineering Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3070 - Tests and Measures Credit Hour(s): 3
PSY 3090 - Psychology of Health Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 19

Two capstone courses (PSY 4200-4290, PSY 4600-4690, PSY 4700-4790) Credit Hour(s): 6
PSY 3230 - Cognition and Learning Methods Credit Hour(s): 4 or
PSY 3730 - Perception Methods Credit Hour(s): 4
Psychology Electives Credit Hours: 9

IV. Related Course Requirements: 8 Hours

MTH 1280 - College Algebra Credit Hour(s): 4
CS 1160 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credit Hour(s): 4

IV. General Electives

Total: 120 Hours

Industrial/Organizational Concentration

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology is the study of psychological processes related to the workplace. It focuses 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 Psychology also has a strong quantitative focus, for example, in relation to designing and validating selection tests. I/O Psychology is influenced by research conducted and models developed in other areas of psychology, including social, cognitive, and developmental psychology, particularly in terms of how processes and models from these other areas of psychology can increase our understanding of how people function in the workplace. See the Department of Psychology for specific program requirements.