PSY 2313
General Psychology

An introduction to the various fields of psychology, including developmental, social, abnormal, physiological and to central topics, such as cognition, emotion, motivation, perception, personality. 

Offered Fall & Spring

BIO 3317 Tropical Ecology & Ecopyschology

Tropical Ecology is the study of the biotic and abiotic interactions that shape the origin, maintenance, and consequences of species diversity in tropical ecosystems.

Lectures on tropical ecology and ecopsychology will be interspersed with discussion, and students will be asked to maintain a journal with one entry due for each week (from week 1 through week 10), reflecting on their understanding of the material assigned for that week. The aim of the course is thus for each student to come to a deeper understanding of the course themes of biodiversity, habitat and biome characteristics, human-environment interactions, and ecological concepts such as species interactions.  This course can satisfy the core life science requirement.

Prerequisites: BIO 1311 and BIO 1312 OR BIO 2360
Corequisite: BIO 3117

Offered Spring, odd years

Choose 1 from the following courses:

BIO 3323 Anatomy
Human anatomical structure is examined with a strong emphasis on the integration of form and function. Organs and major systems are studied through phylogenetic analysis and laboratory investigations of the cat. The relationship between anatomy and physiology and the application of anatomical investigations to the medical field are also discussed. Three lectures, one laboratory weekly.

Prerequisite
BIO 1311, BIO 1111, BIO 1312, BIO 1112

Corequisite
BIO 3123

Offered: Fall

BIO 3331 Physiology

Analysis of the physical and chemical phenomena governing the functions of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. Provide students with an understanding of the function & regulation of the human body and physiological integration of the organ systems to maintain homeostasis. Course content will include neural, musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, immune, reproductive and endocrine organ systems.

Corequisite: BIO 3131

BIO 2315 Human Biology

This course will be an examination of human form and function through the integration of anatomy and physiology. Material covered in this course will emphasize a multi-dimensional view of the human body rooted in the biological sciences, but applicable to art, human history and psychology. It will include applied topics such as human performance, biomechanics, nutrition, medicine, mental and physical development. Three lectures, one laboratory weekly.
 
Corequisite: BIO 2115

Offered: Fall

BIO 3346 Animal Behavior

Study of the adaptive significance of behavior includes analysis of behavioral mechanisms (genetics, neurobiology) and development (instinct, learning) and focuses on categories of behavior such as foraging, mating, sociality, territoriality and parental care. A wide range of behavioral examples, from microorganisms to humans, are used (Psychology ). Three lectures, one laboratory period weekly.

Prerequisite: Biology 1311, 1312. Fall.

Choose 1 from the following courses:

PSY 3336 Abnormal Psychology

An historical introduction to the changing perceptions of madness in different cultural-historical periods which provides the context for the study of selected types of psychopathology in terms of their origins, dynamics and major symptoms.
Prerequisite: PSY 1311 and PSY 2313

PSY 3345 Fundamentals of Neuropsychology

A basic introduction to the biological approach to understanding behavior as a function of brain processes. We will critically examine a variety of topics including sensation, proprioception, emotions, learning, memory, psychological disorders and drugs of abuse. We will explore the philosophical approach that undergirds much of biological psychology and critically examine these foundations utilizing a phenomenological approach. Fall.

PSY 3329 Lifespan Development

This course examines human psychological development using primary and secondary source material that presents development across the life span. Particular attention is paid to development beyond childhood, including adolescence, young or emerging adulthood, adulthood and end of life. Theorists including Freud, Erikson, Kübler-Ross, Daniel Levinson and others are used to facilitate discussion of stage based models of development and broader, life span based approaches.

Choose 1 from the following labs:

BIO 3123  Anatomy Lab
BIO 3131 Physiology Lab
BIO 2115 Human Biology Lab
BIO 3117 Tropical Ecology and Ecopsychology Lab
BIO 3146 Animal Behavior

Choose 2 from the following courses:

BIO 2360 Environmental Science

Environmental science represents the interface between ecological processes, human behavior, history and economic/ political realities. This course provides students with fundamentals of the scientific principles that underlie ecological phenomena, combining scientific concepts with details on human issues related to food, air, water, land use, toxicology, population, energy, waste and environmental education. Students analyze case studies and conduct web research of global issues and undertake in-class debate of contemporary issues in environmental science. Three lectures, one laboratory weekly. Fall.
Corequisite: BIO 2160

BIO 3347 Evolutionary Biology

Study of micro and macroevolutionary processes that result in adaptive phenotypic change within and across populations. Darwin's ideas on natural selection are discussed and followed by presentation of evidence for evolution, analysis of the effects of other evolutionary forces, phylogenetic analysis, population genetics and speciation.

Prerequisites: BIO 1311, BIO 1111, BIO 1312, BIO 1112
 
Offered Spring, odd years

BIO 4355 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

A broad analysis of the neuroscience discipline, from molecular to cognitive function, as a platform toward information literacy, critical thinking, and a general scientific disposition. Material will emphasize the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system. Topics include the function of nerve cells, control of movement, learning and memory, and diseases of the brain as well as literature review of important neuroscience research. 

Prerequisite: BIO 3323 OR BIO 3331

BIO 4V63 Advanced Physiology

In-depth scientific literature-based study of specific problems in physiology, to include exercise physiology, pathophysiology, neurophysiology or other advanced physiological questions.

PSY 3341 Psychology of Personality

Comparison of various theories of personality through primary source readings. Modern reductionistic viewpoints are contrasted with neo-Freudian, existential-phenomenological and/or postmodern conceptions of the self.

PSY 4339 Perception and Cognition

A study of perception and cognition, drawing on psychological theories and considering them in the light of the phenomenological traditions. Consideration of how psychology has understood the relationships between sensation/perception and perception/thought will shed light on the discipline's underlying conceptions of psychological life. Topics may include the study of perceptual and intellectual acts as embodied in works of art and other artifacts. Thematic and historical approaches may be employed.

1. HUSC 3320 Public Health

This course will introduce students to the basic tenets of public health. Through the course, students will develop a broad understanding and knowledge about the history of public health, core functions and components of public health and how these different components (Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Social and Behavioral Health, and Health Policy and Management) blend together to better serve the health of the population.

 OR

2. HUSC 4320 Global Health

This course approaches global health from a multidisciplinary (public health and anthropology) perspective to understand the successes and failures of the global health approach, its impact on individual lives, and how scholars and practitioners can work together to improve human health. We will consider how health is influenced by factors such as age, gender, culture, race/ethnicity, social class, and geography. Public health problems and their solutions will be analyzed in light of individual risk factors as well as larger structural forces, and we consider the rights of the individual versus the welfare of the public. We examine the ways our understandings of health and well-being shape, and are shaped by, the health care system, our own values, and our assumptions. Catholic social teaching will be considered in relation to these topics where appropriate.

PSY 4303/BUS 4303 Organizational Behavior

Advanced study of the theory underlying the practice of managing behavior in organizations. Classic and contemporary readings in management, organizational behavior, social psychology and industrial-organizational psychology is used to develop the students’ understanding of topics including individual differences, perception, attitudes, social cognition, motivation, interpersonal relations and group behavior in work organizations.    

*PSY 3336 OR PSY3345 OR BIO 3346: If not chosen for the required section above.

BIO 3V41 Special Topics