New Undergraduate Concentrations Offered by the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is happy to announce the development of two new undergraduate concentrations beginning in Fall 2012.  Concentrations are optional class sequences that provide undergraduates a greater depth of knowledge within selected fields of psychology.  

Choosing a concentration area complements the breadth of exposure that we ensure within the psychology majors.  Concentrations are also open to students in other departments independent of the psychology major, similar to our minor.  We currently offer the Concentration in Child and Family Studies, and we are adding new Concentrations in Neuroscience and in Forensic Psychology.

Concentration in Neuroscience

Overview

The Neuroscience Concentration allows students to study the biological basis of behavior and organizational principles of brain functioning in depth. Students are encouraged to take courses in both psychology and biology because of the field’s interdisciplinary nature; however, students can meet concentration requirements from classes offered by the Department of Psychology alone. This concentration is well suited for students planning to go on to clinical neuropsychology, medicine, pharmacology, neuroscience, or allied health fields.

Requirements

Four courses (at least 12 semester hours) are required from the list below. One of the four courses must have a service learning component or a laboratory component.

PSYC 310: Fundamentals of Behavioral Neuroscience

PSYC 325: Sensation and Perception

PSYC 326: Cognitive Processes

PSYC 336: Brain and Behavior

PSYC 350*: Human Neuropsychology

BIOL 201*: Organismic Biology

BIOL 301*: Cellular and Molecular Biology

* meets service-learning/laboratory requirement for concentration

Concentration in Forensic Psychology

Overview

The Concentration in Forensic Psychology allows students to study the field of psychology and the law in depth.  Students will explore areas such as police investigation, court proceedings, policy work, and learn about professions related to the forensic arena.  Drawing on knowledge from a range of subfields in psychology, students will gain first-hand experience with forensic research and related clinical interventions with forensic populations.  This concentration is well suited for students planning to pursue graduate school in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, experimental psychology (cognitive, developmental, or social psychology), criminology/criminal justice, or law school.

Requirements

Four courses (at least 12 semester hours) are required from the list below. Students must enroll in PSYC 351: Law and Psychology. Students must also select a second class that has a service learning component or a laboratory component as part of their coursework.

PSYC 106: Forensic Science

PSYC 351: Law and Psychology

PSYC 360: Eyewitness Testimony

PSYC 368*: Child Abuse and Family Violence

PSYC 391*: Advanced Forensic Psychology Seminar

PSYC 392: Children, Psychology, and the Law

CJL 200: Introduction to Criminal Justice

* meets service-learning/laboratory requirement for concentration

Note.  Students may choose only one concentration.  All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. Only three credits of course work from another university may be applied towards a concentration.  Additional courses related to each area may be approved by the Department of Psychology if they are offered.