Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Programs
PSYC 200 Introduction to Psychology (3)
A survey of psychology as an empirical/ behavioral science with a consideration of underlying philosophical bases in light of a Christian world view. Topics to be surveyed include development, cognition, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology.
PSYC 206 Psychology and Christian Thought (3)
An introduction to the nature and process of the application of Christian thought to the study and practice of psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 200 and BBST 105.
PSYC 209 Statistics with Computer Applications (3)
Basic statistics for psychological research. Descriptive statistics, correlation / regression and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing, type I and II errors, t-tests, analysis of variance, and several non-parametric tests including chi-square. Not for general education math / science requirement. Concurrent with PSYC 211.
PSYC 211 Statistics with Computer Applications Lab (1)
Use of Excel and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics covered in 211. Experience in developing surveys, analyzing survey data and writing research reports. Concurrent with PSYC 209 unless PSYC 209 has been met with transfer units or AP credit.
PSYC 303 Human Sexuality (3)
An examination of human sexual functioning, behavior, relationships, and feelings. Issues of sexuality are discussed within spiritual, psychological, cultural, and medical/health related perspectives. Prerequisite: 200.
PSYC 305 Experimental Psychology (4)
Philosophy, methodology and analysis of the experimental method. Discussions of problems in conducting and evaluating psychological research. Three hours lecture, one hour laboratory. Prerequisite: 210.
PSYC 306 Psychological Testing and Assessment (3)
Theory and principles of psychological assessment and testing including the construction, reliability, validity and application of assessment methods and devices in various professional settings. Prerequisite: 210.
PSYC 309 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Nature, causes and treatment of abnormal behavior, including the full range of mental disorders identified within current categorical systems.
PSYC 313 Psychology of Religious Experience (3)
An examination of the nature and scope of religious experience including such issues as the development of religious concepts and values, conversion, the experience of prayer and spiritual maturity. Attention is also given to issues in the integration of psychology and theology.
PSYC 315 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
A study of the application of the principles of psychology in industrial and organizational settings. Prerequisite: 200 or consent.
PSYC 317 Psychology of Marriage (3)
Covers significant contemporary theoretical and clinical literature of marriage as a social and religious institution and an intimate, committed interpersonal psychological relationship. Includes topics such as the neurobiology of emotions and adult love, the psychology of interpersonal communication, conflict and problem solving, marital sexuality, gender issues, the developmental course of the marital relationship, emotional abuse and violence, and spirituality in marriage. Prerequisite: 200 or consent.
PSYC 318 Aplied Learning (3)
Empirical findings and theoretical development in the area of learning and their application to human behavior. Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: 305. Lab fee: $10.
PSYC 319 Crosscultural/Ethnic Issues in Psychology (3)
This course is designed to increase student awareness of the historical treatment of cross-cultural issues within a psycho2007- 2009 Catalog Undergraduate Programs 163 logical context and to explore psychological issues in various cultural contexts within the American culture and worldwide. Attention is paid to the psychological dynamics involved in the formation and reduction of prejudices, discrimination, and stereotypes. Prerequisite: 200.
PSYC 320 Developmental Psychology: Lifespan (3)
A study of the theory and research concerning lifespan development. Consideration will be given to the physical, emotional, cognitive, social and moral aspects of human development across the entire span from conception to death. Discussion will include timely issues of personal relevance to the student’s own developmental pathway.
PSYC 325 Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (3)
An in-depth study of theory and research concerning the child and adolescent period. Issues to be considered will include physiological, psychological, social, behavioral, and spiritual development from the period of conception through adolescence. Both pathogenic and adaptive patterns will be addressed with a view to facilitating optimal development.
PSYC 355 Psychology of Family (3)
An examination of family from three different perspectives: Scriptural, cultural and clinical. A major goal of the course is to stimulate thinking regarding the integration of these perspectives. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of family purpose, roles within the family, and psychological processes leading to healthy and unhealthy outcomes. Open only to upper division students.
PSYC 365 Cognitive Psychology (3)
This course focuses on the underlying cognitive processes directing behavior. Topics include, but are not limited to, the neural basis of cognition, perception and attention, perception- and meaning-based knowledge representations (schemas), memory concepts and principles, problem solving, reasoning, language structure and use, cognitive development, and the nature of intelligence. Prerequisite: 305.
PSYC 405 Social Psychology (3)
Analysis of social behavior, including social cognition, attitude formation and change, conformity, prejudice, group processes, etc. Both theory and research findings will be examined. Prerequisite: 305.
PSYC 411 Theories of Personality (3)
An overview of personality theories including the primary representatives of the major schools: analytic or dynamic, humanistic-existential and cognitive behavioral which will be evaluated in the context of Christian framework.
PSYC 412 Physiological Psychology (3)
A study of the physiological bases of behavior including neural, sensory, motor and chemical aspects with an emphasis on application to human rather than animal process. (Biology 311 Neurobiology may be taken as an alternative to this course.) Prerequisite: Biology 100 or 111.
PSYC 414 Readings in Psychology (1-3)
Reading and bi-weekly discussion with professor of record in a topic of the student’s choosing. The student is expected to work out, with the professor’s supervision, a detailed course proposal and bibliography and submit with a Learning Contract form available from the departmental office. Prerequisite: upper division status. May receive no more than a total of six units for 414, 450 and 480 combined.
PSYC 418 Seminar in Therapeutic Techniques (3)
Emphasis on core facilitation skills. Supportive, re-educative and reconstructive therapies considered. Personal growth activities incorporated. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.
PSYC 420 Advanced Statistics (3)
Concepts and techniques involved in the analysis and interpretation of clinical and research data. Lecture and laboratory descriptive and inferential statistics. Major topics include correlation and regression, tests of significance and introduction to analysis of variance. Both parametric and non-parametric approaches are covered. Instruction assumes undergraduate background in statistics. Prerequisite: consent. (see RSPY 502)
PSYC 440 History and Systems of Psychology (3)
An overview of the history of psychology and classical systems in psychology. The class also considers issues in the philosophy of science relevant to psychological systems, research, theory, and practice. Prerequisite: consent. (see RSPY 530)
PSYC 450 Directed Field Work in Psychology (1-6)
Supervised experience in mental health, educational, correctional or related facility. Open only to upper division students. Prerequisites: consent. May be repeated for a maximum of six units. May receive no more than a total of six units for 414, 450 and 480 combined. Three units of PSYC 450 may be used toward the major.
PSYC 470 Current Topics in Psychology (3)
Reading, research and discussion of selected topics in the field of psychology. Prerequisite: consent.
PSYC 480 Research in Psychology (1-6)
Research activity under the supervision of the primary researcher or self-directed research under the supervision of the professor of record. May be repeated for a maximum of six units. May receive no more than a total of six units for 164 Undergraduate Programs Biola Univers i t y 414, 450 and 480 combined. Three units of PSYC 480 may be used toward the major. Prerequisite: Upper division status; “B” minimum grade in PSCY209 and 305; cumulative GPA of 3.2 in all college level work or 3.5 cumulative GPA in all Psychology coursework; completed essay.
Note: The following graduate level courses may be taken by senior psychology majors with consent of the departmental chair. For course description see Rosemead section of catalog.