Psychology College of Letters & Science

Kristin Lagattuta, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Department; term ends June 30, 2025

Department Office

101 Young Hall; 530-752-1880; Psychology; Faculty

Advising

Staff advisors are located in Young Hall. To contact a major advisor, email psychadvising@ucdavis.edu, schedule an academic advising appointment, or join Drop-In Advising (no appointment needed).

Psychology (PSC)

PSC 001 — General Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to empirical approaches. Focus on perception, cognition, personality and social psychology, and biological aspects of behavior.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).

PSC 001V — General Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to empirical approaches. Focus on perception, cognition, personality and social psychology, and biological aspects of behavior.

  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).

PSC 001Y — General Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to empirical approaches. Focus on perception, cognition, personality and social psychology, and biological aspects of behavior.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 1 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s), Web Virtual Lecture 2 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).

PSC 012Y — Data Visualization in the Social Sciences (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to quantitative data across the social sciences (Communications, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and other disciplines). Transforming data, describing data, producing graphs, visual reasoning, and interpretations.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 1.50 hour(s), Web Virtual Lecture 1.50 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: CMN 012Y, SOC 012Y, POL 012Y.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL).

PSC 020 — Freshman Psychology Seminar (4 units)

Course Description: Instructor will acquaint students with his or her program of research, the development of scientific questions from the literature, and the application of research methods to examine these questions. Critical thinking will be encouraged via expository writing and brief presentations.

Prerequisite(s): Freshman standing.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 041 — Research Methods in Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to experimental design, interviews, questionnaires, field and observational methods, reliability, and statistical inference.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 012Y, STA 013, or STA 100 strongly recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Extensive Writing.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL).

PSC 061 — Mindreading: Understanding Other Minds (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Psychological perspectives on the process of understanding other people’s minds. Integration of social-cognitive theories with empirical evidence to explore the human ability to make sense of others' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); (SOC 001 or PHI 010).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Extensive Writing.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
  • PSC 061 — Mindreading: Understanding Other Minds (4 units)
  • Course Description: Psychological perspectives on the process of understanding other people’s minds. Integration of social-cognitive theories with empirical evidence to explore the human ability to make sense of others' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); (SOC 001 or SOC 001V or PHI 010).
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Extensive Writing.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2025.

PSC 090X — Lower Division Seminar (1-2 units)

Course Description: Examination of a special topic in Psychology through shared readings, discussions, written assignments, or special activities such as fieldwork or laboratory work.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; lower division standing.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 1-2 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 098 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)

Course Description: Primarily for lower division students.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.

PSC 099 — Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-5 units)

Course Description: Special study for lower division students.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.

PSC 100 — Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to human information processing, mental representation and transformation, imagery, attention, memory, language processing, concept formation, problem solving, and computer simulation.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 136.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 100Y — Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to human information processing, mental representation and transformation, imagery, attention, memory, language processing, concept formation, problem solving, and computer simulation.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 4 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s), Lecture 1 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 136 or current PSC 100.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 101 — Introduction to Biological Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Survey and integration of the relationships between behavior and biological processes, including physiology, genes, development, ecology, and evolution. May be taught abroad.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 2 units of credit for those students who have completed NPB 100.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 103A — Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data (5 units)

Course Description: Design and statistical analysis of psychological investigations and the interpretation of quantitative data in psychology.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (STA 013 or STA 013Y or STA 032 or STA 100 or STA 102).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology Majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 103.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL).

PSC 103B — Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data (5 units)

Course Description: Probability theory, sampling distributions, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing using standard parametric and correlational approaches. Simple regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, non-parametric statistics, introduction to multivariate statistics, with applications in psychology.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 103A.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 105.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL).

PSC 104 — Applied Psychometrics: An Introduction to Measurement Theory (4 units)

Course Description: Examination of the basic principles and applications of classical and modern test theory. Topics include test construction, reliability theory, validity theory, factor analysis and latent trait theory.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 041; PSC 103A; (STA 013 or STA 013Y); upper division standing in Psychology.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL).

PSC 107 — Questionnaire & Survey Research Methods (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to survey and questionnaire research methods with emphasis on how to ask questions. Social and psychological factors that influence survey response. Practical aspects of fielding survey and questionnaire research.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V; and consent of instructor; PSC 041 or an equivalent course on social or behavioral research methods or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL).

PSC 113 — Developmental Psychobiology (4 units)

Course Description: The biology of behavioral development; survey and integration of the organismic and environmental processes that regulate the development of behavior.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 101.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 120 — Agent-Based Modeling (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to agent-based computer simulation and analysis with emphasis on learning how to model animals, including humans, to achieve insight into social and group behavior.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 100 and/or PSC 101 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited to 24 students.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL).

PSC 121 — Physiological Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Relationship of brain structure and function to behavior, motivation, emotion, language, and learning in humans and other animals. An introduction to the methodology of physiological psychology and neuroscience.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; PSC 101.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Laboratory 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 108.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 122 — Advanced Animal Behavior (4 units)

Course Description: Advanced integrative survey of biological principles of behavioral organization, emphasizing historical roots, current research directions, conceptual issues and controversies. Laboratory exercises on the description and analysis of the behavior of captive and free-living animals

Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 or NPB 102.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Laboratory 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 150.
  • Cross Listing: NPB 150.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 123 — Hormones & Behavior (3 units)

Course Description: Endocrine physiology with an emphasis on the principles of behavior. Fundamental relationships between hormones and various behaviors engaged in by the organism during its lifetime. Role of hormones in behavioral homeostasis, social behavior, reproductive behavior, parental behavior, adaptation to stress.

Prerequisite(s): NPB 101; (PSC 101 or NPB 102).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 152.
  • Cross Listing: NPB 152.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 124 — Comparative Neuroanatomy (3 units)

Course Description: Overview of the neuroanatomy in mammalian vertebrates, focusing on the cerebral cortex and experimental techniques. Examine changes or modifications to neural structures as a result of morphological or behavioral specializations.

Prerequisite(s): NPB 100 or NPB 101 or NPB 110B or PSC 121.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: NPB 124.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 124L — Comparative Neuroanatomy Laboratory (2 units)

Course Description: Comparative neuroanatomy laboratory illustrating modern neuroanatomical techniques in determining neural connections within the mammalian brain. Includes experimentation and presentation of results.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 124 (can be concurrent).

  • Learning Activities: Laboratory 6 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to PSC and NPB majors; must be concurrently enrolled in PSC 124.
  • Cross Listing: NPB 124L.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 125 — Behavioral Epigenetics (4 units)

Course Description: Review of basic principles in genetics and epigenetics with emphasis on behavior. Introduction to the use of modern molecular methods in understanding the complex relationships between genes, environment, and behavior.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 101.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 126 — Health Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Psychological factors influencing health and illness. Topics include stress and coping, personality and health, symptom perception and reporting, heart disease, cancer, compliance, and health maintenance and promotion.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; PSC 101 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 160.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 130 — Human Learning & Memory (4 units)

Course Description: Consideration of major theories of human learning and memory with critical examination of relevant experimental data.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 012Y or STA 013 or STA 013Y or STA 100); or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 131 — Perception (4 units)

Course Description: Cognitive organizations related to measurable physical energy changes mediated through sensory channels. Perception of objects, space, motion, events.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 100 or PSC 100Y or PSC 135).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 132 — Language & Cognition (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to the cognitive processes involved in language comprehension and production. Topics include the biological foundations of language, speech perception, word recognition, syntax, reading ability, and pragmatics.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 100 or PSC 100Y or PSC 135); or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).

PSC 133 — Neuroeconomics/Reinforcement Learning & Decision Making (4 units)

Course Description: Theoretical and empirical approaches to neuroeconomics (neuroscience of decision making) from psychology, neuroscience, economics, and computer science. Neuroscience of judgment and decision making, behavioral economics, and reinforcement learning.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 100 or PSC 100Y or PSC 135 or ARE 100A or ECN 100A or NPB 162 or NPB 163); (STA 013 or STA 013Y or STA 100 or PSC 103A); or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Cross Listing: ECN 107, CGS 107.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Scientific Literacy (SL).

PSC 134 — Computational Cognitive Neuroscience (4 units)

Course Description: Explorations of how brain secretes mind, via computer simulations that are manipulated and probed to investigate how neurons produce perception, attention, memory, language, and cognitive control.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 100 or PSC 101 or PSC 135 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: CGS 134.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 135 — Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biological Foundations of the Mind (4 units)

Course Description: Neuroscientific foundations of higher mental processes including attention, memory, language, higher-level perceptual and motor processes, and consciousness. Emphasis on the neural mechanisms which form the substrates of human cognition and the relationship of mind to brain. May be taught abroad.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; or consent of instructor; PSC 101 or PSC 121 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 136 — Psychology of Music (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to the mental and neural representations of musical structures and processes involved in perceiving, remembering, and performing music. Music and emotion.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 100 or PSC 100Y or PSC 135 or MUS 006C); or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).

PSC 137 — Neurobiology of Learning & Memory (4 units)

Course Description: Overview of the neural basis of learning and memory focusing on modern behavioral neuroscience research with animals. Topics include consolidation, neural plasticity, cellular competition for memory storage, and the role of neurogenesis in learning.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; PSC 101.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 138 — Consciousness & Cognition (4 units)

Course Description: Current theoretical and empirical evidence in the study of cognition and consciousness. Theories of consciousness, psychological and neural basis of conscious and unconscious processes such as attention, intentionality, and dreams.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 100 or PSC 100Y or PSC 135).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: CGS 138.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 139 — Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience (4 units)

Course Description: Advanced integrative survey of cognitive neuroscience, including perception, attention, memory, and navigation. Emphasis on reviewing literature in psychology, neuroscience, and statistics; understanding methods in cognition; and presentation skills.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; PSC 135; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Scientific Literacy (SL).

PSC 140 — Developmental Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: An ontogenetic account of human behavior through adolescence with emphasis on motor skills, mental abilities, motivation, and social interaction.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 2 units of credit allowed to students who have completed HDE 100A or HDE 100B; not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 112. (Former PSC 112.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 140 — Developmental Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: An ontogenetic account of human behavior through adolescence with emphasis on motor skills, mental abilities, motivation, and social interaction.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 2 units of credit allowed to students who have completed HDE 100A or HDE 100AV or HDE 100B; not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 112. (Former PSC 112.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 140V — Developmental Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Ontogenetic account of human behavior through adolescence with emphasis on motor skills, mental abilities, motivation, and social interaction.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s(, Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 2 units of credit allowed to students who have completed HDE 100A or HDE 100AV or HDE 100B; not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 112. (Former PSC 112.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 140Y — Developmental Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Ontogenetic account of human behavior through adolescence with emphasis on motor skills, mental abilities, motivation, and social interaction.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Discussion 1 hour(s), Lecture 1.50 hour(s), Web Virtual Lecture.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology Majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 2 units of credit allowed to students who have completed HDE 100A or HDE 100B; not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 112. (Former PSC 112.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 140Y — Developmental Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Ontogenetic account of human behavior through adolescence with emphasis on motor skills, mental abilities, motivation, and social interaction.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Discussion 1 hour(s), Lecture 1.50 hour(s), Web Virtual Lecture.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology Majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 2 units of credit allowed to students who have completed HDE 100A or HDE 100AV or HDE 100B; not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 112. (Former PSC 112.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 141 — Cognitive Development (4 units)

Course Description: Theories, methods, evidence, and debates in the field of cognitive development, such as nature/nurture, constraints on learning, and the role of plasticity. Topics include attention, memory, concepts about the physical and social world, and language.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V or HDE 100B or HDE 100A or HDE 100AV.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have taken HDE 101.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).

PSC 142 — Social & Personality Development (4 units)

Course Description: Social and personality development of children, infancy through adolescence. Topics include the development of personality, achievement motivation, self-understanding, sex-role identity, and antisocial behavior. Emphasis on the interface between biological and social factors.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V or HDE 100A or HDE 100AV or HDE 100B.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).

PSC 143 — Infant Development (4 units)

Course Description: Psychological development in infancy. Topics include physical and motor development, sensory and nervous system development, and memory and cognitive development. Emphasis will be on evaluating theories, empirical research, and experimental methods for understanding infant development.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V or HDE 100A or HDE 100AV).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 145 — Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (4 units)

Course Description: Neuroscientific theories and methods (EEG, ERP, fNIRS, fMRI) that inform an understanding of behavioral and cognitive development over infancy and childhood. Neurodevelopmental correlates of perception, action, language, and social cognition; value of the neuroscientific perspective; limitations and challenges of neuroscientific research in the developmental context.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 135 or ((PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V or HDE 100A or HDE 100B); (PSC 101 or PSC 121 or NPB 161 or HDE 163)); PSC 141 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2.50 hour(s), Discussion 1.50 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology and Cognitive Science Majors.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Scientific Literacy (SL).

PSC 146 — The Development of Memory (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Theory and research on memory development with focus on infancy and childhood.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; and any Psychology upper division course from Core Group A or D.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 133.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).
  • PSC 146 — The Development of Memory (4 units)
  • Course Description: Theory and research on memory development with focus on infancy and childhood.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V or PSC 141 or PSC 142 or PSC 100 or PSC 130).
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 133.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 148 — Developmental Disorders (4 units)

Course Description: Current scientific knowledge of the influences of biological, cognitive, and environmental factors on the emergence of disorders with onset in childhood. Examples include autism spectrum, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. Emphasis placed on understanding these disorders, their causes and their treatments.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V or PSC 141 or HDE 100A or HDE 100AV or HDE 100B).

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 150 — Relationship Science: Lust, Love, & Evolution (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Evolutionary perspectives on attraction and close relationships. Integrating social psychological and evolutionary theories with empirical evidence pertaining to human mating.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y; PSC 041 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 051.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS) or Science & Engineering (SE).
  • PSC 150 — Relationship Science: Lust, Love, & Evolution (4 units)
  • Course Description: Evolutionary perspectives on attraction and close relationships. Integrating social psychological and evolutionary theories with empirical evidence pertaining to human mating.
  • Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V; PSC 041 recommended.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 051.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS) or Science & Engineering (SE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 150V — Relationship Science: Lust, Love, & Evolution (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Evolutionary perspectives on attraction and close relationships. Integrating social psychological and evolutionary theories with empirical evidence pertaining to human mating.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y; PSC 041 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 051.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS) or Science & Engineering (SE).
  • PSC 150V — Relationship Science: Lust, Love, & Evolution (4 units)
  • Course Description: Evolutionary perspectives on attraction and close relationships. Integrating social psychological and evolutionary theories with empirical evidence pertaining to human mating.
  • Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V; PSC 041 recommended.
  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 051.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS) or Science & Engineering (SE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 151 — Social Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Behavior of the individual in the group. Examination of basic psychological processes in social situations, surveying various problems of social interaction: group tensions, norm-development, attitudes, values, public opinion, status.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y, PSC 041 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 145.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • PSC 151 — Social Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Behavior of the individual in the group. Examination of basic psychological processes in social situations, surveying various problems of social interaction: group tensions, norm-development, attitudes, values, public opinion, status.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V), PSC 041 recommended.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 145.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 151V — Social Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Behavior of the individual in the group. Examination of basic psychological processes in social situations, surveying various problems of social interaction: group tensions, norm-development, attitudes, values, public opinion, status.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 001 or PSC 001Y and PSC 041 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 145.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • PSC 151V — Social Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Behavior of the individual in the group. Examination of basic psychological processes in social situations, surveying various problems of social interaction: group tensions, norm-development, attitudes, values, public opinion, status.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041 recommended.
  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restrictions: Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 145.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 152 — Social Cognition (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Examines how social factors influence how we attend to, encode, and process information and how these mental processes affect subsequent judgments and behavior.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 152 — Social Cognition (4 units)
  • Course Description: Examines how social factors influence how we attend to, encode, and process information and how these mental processes affect subsequent judgments and behavior.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 153 — Psychology & Law (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Current theoretical and empirical issues in the study of psychology and law. Topics include eyewitness testimony, child abuse, jury decision making, juvenile delinquency and criminology, prediction of violence, insanity defense, and memory for traumatic events.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 115.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 153 — Psychology & Law (4 units)
  • Course Description: Current theoretical and empirical issues in the study of psychology and law. Topics include eyewitness testimony, child abuse, jury decision making, juvenile delinquency and criminology, prediction of violence, insanity defense, and memory for traumatic events.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 115.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 154 — Psychology of Emotion (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Introduction to current theories and research on emotion and bodily feelings with special reference to self-knowledge.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 154 — Psychology of Emotion (4 units)
  • Course Description: Introduction to current theories and research on emotion and bodily feelings with special reference to self-knowledge.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 154V — Psychology of Emotion (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Introduction to current theories and research on emotion and bodily feelings with special reference to self-knowledge.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 154V — Psychology of Emotion (4 units)
  • Course Description: Introduction to current theories and research on emotion and bodily feelings with special reference to self-knowledge.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 155 — The Psychology of Cultural Appropriation (4 units)

Course Description: Social psychological approach to study of cultural appropriation; integration of social psychological theories with empirical evidence and examples from popular press and digital media; development of critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research on intergroup relations, identity, and social inequality; examines routes to cultural appreciation.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001V or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2025.

PSC 156 — The Psychology of Diversity in Aging (4 units)

Course Description: Psychological perspectives on various parameters of diversity in aging and older adulthood to explore cross-cultural differences, aging assumptions, ageism, discrimination, and resilience. Optimal aging, generativity, Indigenous healthy brain aging, LGBTQIA2S+ health. Disparities in cognitive functioning, health, and longevity. Evaluation of gerontological theories, methodologies, and current empirical research.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; (PSC 140 or PSC 140Y or PSC 140V); or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Extensive Writing.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only two units of credit to students who have taken HDE 100C.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 157 — Stereotyping, Prejudice, & Stigma (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Social psychological underpinnings of stereotyping, prejudice, and stigma from sociocultural, motivational, and cognitive perspectives. Topics include: origins, maintenance, change, effects on person perception and memory, and the automaticity/controllability of stereotyping and prejudice.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • PSC 157 — Stereotyping, Prejudice, & Stigma (4 units)
  • Course Description: Social psychological underpinnings of stereotyping, prejudice, and stigma from sociocultural, motivational, and cognitive perspectives. Topics include: origins, maintenance, change, effects on person perception and memory, and the automaticity/controllability of stereotyping and prejudice.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 158 — Sexual Orientation & Prejudice (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Current scientific knowledge about sexual orientation and prejudice based on sexual orientation. Emphasis is placed on learning the skills necessary for a critical understanding of science and public policy issues relevant to sexuality.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
  • PSC 158 — Sexual Orientation & Prejudice (4 units)
  • Course Description: Current scientific knowledge about sexual orientation and prejudice based on sexual orientation. Emphasis is placed on learning the skills necessary for a critical understanding of science and public policy issues relevant to sexuality.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 159 — Gender & Human Reproduction (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Psychology of reproduction. Reproductive events over the course of an individual’s life, including sexual development, mate choice, relationships, and reproduction. Biological and social psychological explanations at the levels of mechanism and evolutionary function.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 149. (Former PSC 149.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 159 — Gender & Human Reproduction (4 units)
  • Course Description: Psychology of reproduction. Reproductive events over the course of an individual’s life, including sexual development, mate choice, relationships, and reproduction. Biological and social psychological explanations at the levels of mechanism and evolutionary function.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 149. (Former PSC 149.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 161 — Psychology of the Self (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Psychological theory and research on the self. Topics include: self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-regulation, self-presentation, cognitive and emotional aspects of the self, and the role of the self in shaping social interaction.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 161 — Psychology of the Self (4 units)
  • Course Description: Psychological theory and research on the self. Topics include: self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-regulation, self-presentation, cognitive and emotional aspects of the self, and the role of the self in shaping social interaction.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 162 — Introduction to Personality Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Scientific study of personality. Methods of personality research. Overview of current research and theory in the field of personality psychology. May be taught abroad.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 147.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
  • PSC 162 — Introduction to Personality Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Scientific study of personality. Methods of personality research. Overview of current research and theory in the field of personality psychology.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed former PSC 147.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 165 — Introduction to Clinical Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Major theoretical formulations in the history of clinical psychology, from classical psychoanalysis to contemporary existentialism and behavior modification. Survey based on lectures, films, and tapes, of what clinical psychologists do, including methods of appraisal, professional roles, and approaches to treatment.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • PSC 165 — Introduction to Clinical Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Major theoretical formulations in the history of clinical psychology, from classical psychoanalysis to contemporary existentialism and behavior modification. Survey based on lectures, films, and tapes, of what clinical psychologists do, including methods of appraisal, professional roles, and approaches to treatment.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 168 — Mental Health, Mental Illness, & Problems in Living (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Overview of psychological disorders and psychological conditions that lead to problems in daily living, with consideration of causes, classification systems, and treatment.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
  • PSC 168 — Mental Health, Mental Illness, & Problems in Living (4 units)
  • Course Description: Overview of psychological disorders and psychological conditions that lead to problems in daily living, with consideration of causes, classification systems, and treatment.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 169 — The Science of Multi-Cultural Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Effects of culture and ethnicity on psychological processes, such as social cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, self-concept, and interpersonal behavior (i.e., how culture makes who you are). Individuals' construction of multicultural identity and experiences.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • PSC 169 — The Science of Multi-Cultural Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Effects of culture and ethnicity on psychological processes, such as social cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, self-concept, and interpersonal behavior (i.e., how culture makes who you are). Individuals' construction of multicultural identity and experiences.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Domestic Diversity (DD).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 170 — Psychology of Religion (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Major theories, issues, data, and research methodologies of the psychology of religion. Religious experience and expression; religious development in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood; conversion; religious influences on physical and mental health; cross-cultural perspectives.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).
  • PSC 170 — Psychology of Religion (4 units)
  • Course Description: Major theories, issues, data, and research methodologies of the psychology of religion. Religious experience and expression; religious development in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood; conversion; religious influences on physical and mental health; cross-cultural perspectives.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 175 — Genius, Creativity, & Leadership (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Phenomenon of genius is examined from a diversity of theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives, with an emphasis on outstanding creativity and leadership in art, music, literature, philosophy, science, war, and politics.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041; or equivalents, or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
  • PSC 175 — Genius, Creativity, & Leadership (4 units)
  • Course Description: Phenomenon of genius is examined from a diversity of theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives, with an emphasis on outstanding creativity and leadership in art, music, literature, philosophy, science, war, and politics.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 180A — Research in Cognitive & Perceptual Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Empirical research on selected topics in general experimental psychology (general research design and analysis, perception, cognition, cognitive development, etc.). Specific content will vary from quarter to quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 041; four upper division Psychology courses and consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 180B — Research in Psychobiology (4 units)

Course Description: Empirical research on selected topics in psychobiology (animal learning, animal behavior, physiological and sensory psychology, developmental psychobiology, computer modeling of neural systems). Content varies.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 101; three additional upper division Psychology courses and consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 180C — Research in Personality & Social Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Empirical research on selected topics in personality and social psychology (personality, social psychology, organizational psychology, etc.). Content will vary from quarter to quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 041; four upper division Psychology courses and consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 180D — Research in Developmental Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Empirical research on selected topics in developmental psychology (research design and analysis, development, cognitive development, social and personality development etc.).

Prerequisite(s): PSC 041; consent of instructor; Four upper division Psychology courses.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 182 — Methods in Laboratory Research (4 units)

Course Description: Training in specific lab-based research methods coupled with hands-on experience in a research lab. Students assessed on their ability report and interpret research findings. Content varies from quarter to quarter.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Laboratory 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 2 time(s) when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 185 — History of Psychology (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Development of psychological thought and research in context of history of philosophy and science.

Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y); PSC 041; upper division standing or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 120. (Former PSC 120.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
  • PSC 185 — History of Psychology (4 units)
  • Course Description: Development of psychological thought and research in context of history of philosophy and science.
  • Prerequisite(s): (PSC 001 or PSC 001Y or PSC 001V); PSC 041; upper division standing or consent of instructor.
  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Psychology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 120. (Former PSC 120.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 190 — Seminar in Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Intensive treatment of a special topic or problem of psychological interest.

Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing; major in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 190X — Upper Division Seminar (1-2 units)

Course Description: In-depth examination at an upper division level of a special topic in Psychology. Emphasis on student participation in learning. May not be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 1-2 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 192 — Fieldwork in Psychology (1-6 units)

Course Description: Supervised internship off and on campus, in community and institutional settings. Maximum of 6 units may be used towards satisfaction of upper division major requirement.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing in Psychology.

  • Learning Activities: Fieldwork 1-6 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) per internship site.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.

PSC 194HA — Special Study for Honors Students (3 units)

Course Description: Directed research. Supervised reading, research and writing leading to submission of a Senior Honors thesis under the direction of faculty sponsor.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; senior standing in Psychology and qualifications for admission into college honors program; at least one course from PSC 180A, PSC 180B, PSC 180C or PSC 199 strongly recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Independent Study 9 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).

PSC 194HB — Special Study for Honors Students (3 units)

Course Description: Directed research. Supervised reading, research and writing leading to submission of a Senior Honors thesis under the direction of faculty sponsor.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 194HA; consent of instructor; senior standing in Psychology and qualifications for admission into college honors program; completion of PSC 194HA required.

  • Learning Activities: Independent Study 9 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Writing Experience (WE).

PSC 197T — Tutoring in Psychology (1-3 units)

Course Description: Intended for advanced undergraduate students who will lead discussion sections in Psychology courses.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing.

  • Learning Activities: Tutorial 1-3 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 8 unit(s).
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.

PSC 198 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)

Course Description: Directed group study. May be taught abroad.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.

PSC 199 — Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Special study for advanced undergraduates.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
  • PSC 199 — Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5 units)
  • Course Description: Special study for advanced undergraduates. May be taught abroad.
  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
  • This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.

PSC 200 — Proseminar in Psychology (3 units)

Course Description: Introduces matriculating graduate students to research activities of departmental faculty.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 2 hour(s), Independent Study 1 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 201 — Research Preceptorship (4 units)

Course Description: Research preceptorship.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Laboratory 4 hour(s), Discussion 5 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 202 — Research Seminar (1 unit)

Course Description: Presentation of graduate research to program faculty and graduate students.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 1 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 204A — Statistical Analysis of Psychological Experiments (5 units)

Course Description: Probability theory, sampling distributions, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing using standard parametric and correlational approaches. Analysis of variance, factorial and repeated measures, and tests of trends.

Prerequisite(s): STA 102; or equivalent; graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 206.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 204B — Causal Modeling of Correlational Data (5 units)

Course Description: Examination of how to make causal inferences from correlational data in the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is on testing rival causal models using correlations among observed variables. Beginning with multiple regression analysis, discussion advances to path analysis and related techniques.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; or the equivalent course and graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 207A.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 204D — Advanced Statistical Inference from Psychological Experiments (5 units)

Course Description: Advanced topics in statistical inference, which may include probability theory, sampling distributions, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, nonparametric statistics, Bayesian approaches, and advanced issues in analysis of variance.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; or the equivalent; graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s), Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 205.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205A — Applied Multivariate Analysis of Psychological Data (4 units)

Course Description: Review of the major methods of multivariate data analysis for psychological data. Students will program statistical routines using a linear algebra-based computing language. Topics will include multivariate analysis of variance. discriminant analysis, canonical analysis factor analysis, and component analysis.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; PSC 204B; PSC 204D; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 207B. (Former PSC 207B.)
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205B — Factor Analysis (4 units)

Course Description: Theory and methods of factor analysis, including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and principal component analysis.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; PSC 204B; or equivalent courses, or consent of instructor; graduate standing.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205C — Structural Equation Modeling (4 units)

Course Description: Theory and methods of structural equation modeling, including path analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, multiple-group modeling and latent growth curve modeling.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; PSC 204B; or equivalent courses, or consent of instructor; graduate standing.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205D — Multilevel Models (4 units)

Course Description: Introduction to statistical techniques for the analysis of normal, hierarchically structured data, such as cross-sectional clustered data or repeated-measures data. Topics include hierarchical linear models, latent growth curve models, and how these methods handle unbalanced and/or missing data.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; graduate standing or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205E — Applied Psychometrics & Measurement Theory (4 units)

Course Description: Examination of the basic principles and applications of classical and modern test theory. Topics include test construction, reliability theory, validity theory, factor analysis, and latent trait theory.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 4 hour(s).
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 204 or PSC 204C.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205F — Item Response Theory (4 units)

Course Description: Item response theory allows for the creation of precise measurement instruments in psychological testing. Review Classical Test Theory, and then cover basic IRT models through advanced applications.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; or the equivalent; graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205G — Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis (4 units)

Course Description: Modeling and understanding of intraindividual change and interindividual differences in change. Reviews conventional methods and introduces contemporary techniques for modeling intraindividual change.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204A; graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 205H — Applied Bayesian Statistics for Social Scientists (3 units)

Course Description: Bayesian methodology and inference for social scientists. Basics of probability theory, Bayes' theorem, inference and model checking, discussion of common distributions, sampling approaches, Bayes factors for hypothesis testing and introduction to dedicated software.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 204B; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 206A — Theoretical Foundations: Research Methods in Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Examines the philosophy and research practices underlying experimental psychology. Topics to be covered include philosophy of science/epistemology, research design, inference and bias in research, theory development, validity, the social context of research, and critical thinking about research.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate student status.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 206B — Research Methods in Psychology: Applications in Social-Personality Research (4 units)

Course Description: Overview of the research designs, assessment methods, and statistical procedure used by social-personality psychologists. Focus on the practical issues that arise when using each method in specific research contexts.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate student status.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 207 — Survey & Questionnaire Research Methods (4 units)

Course Description: Survey and questionnaire research methods with emphasis on how to ask questions. Cognitive, motivational, and social processes that influence how respondents answer questions; sampling techniques; Internet resources; practical aspects of fielding survey and questionnaire research.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of a course on social or behavioral research methods; graduate standing.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 208 — Physiological Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: A conceptual analysis of the contributions of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurochemistry to an understanding of animal and human behavior.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 208A — Fundamentals of Human Electrophysiology (4 units)

Course Description: In-depth introduction and hands-on experience with the event-related potential (ERP) method in the study of attention, executive control, memory, language and social cognitive neuroscience.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 1.50 hour(s), Laboratory 3 hour(s), Extensive Problem Solving 1.50 hour(s), Project (Term Project) 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to 15 students.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 209A — Introduction to Programming: Matlab (4 units)

Course Description: The Matlab programming environment as a means of organizing, analyzing, and visualizing scientific data. Basic programming concepts such as variables, loops, conditional branching, and efficient programming techniques will be emphasized.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 3 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 210 — Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuroimaging (3 units)

Course Description: Introduction to empirical foundations and methodology of neuroimaging, emphasizing pragmatics of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study cognition. Topics include MR physics, the relationship between neural activity and the BOLD response, experimental design, and analysis of fMRI data.

Prerequisite(s): Basic knowledge of inferential statistics and experimental Psychology.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 211 — Advanced Topics in Neuroimaging (3 units)

Course Description: Critical presentation and discussion of the most influential advanced issues in neuroimaging, emphasizing fMRI design/analysis and the integration of fMRI with EEG/MEG.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 210; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 2 hour(s), Laboratory 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to 16 students.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topics differ.
  • Cross Listing: NSC 211, NPB 211.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 212A — Developmental Psychology: Cognitive & Perceptual Development (4 units)

Course Description: Theories and empirical findings concerning human cognitive and perceptual development. Development of perception, memory, concepts (e.g., theory of mind, concepts about number), problem solving, and language from infancy to adolescence.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor; completion of an undergraduate or graduate course on developmental psychology or human development.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 212B — Developmental Psychology: Social, Emotional, & Personality Development (4 units)

Course Description: Theories and empirical findings concerning human social, emotional, and personality development. Development of emotions, moral reasoning and behavior, personality, self-concept, and social cognition from infancy to adolescence (may include adulthood).

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor; completion of an undergraduate or graduate course on developmental psychology or human development.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 217 — Behavioral Genetics (4 units)

Course Description: Review basic principles in genetics and select topics in molecular genetics with emphasis on behavior. Use of modern molecular methods to outline complex relationships between genes, environment, and behavior.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 1 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to 20 students.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Not open for credit to students who have completed PSC 251.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 218A — Fundamentals of Animal Behavior (5 units)

Course Description: Survey of the phenomena and theory of animal behavior from the perspectives of multiple biological disciplines, including evolution, ecology, psychology, genetics, neurobiology, endocrinology, and animal science.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division undergraduate introduction to the biology of behavior, such as PSC 101, PSC 122, PSC 123, NPB 102, NPB 150, NPB 152, WFC 141, ENT 104, or ANS 105.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: ANB 218A.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 218B — Fundamentals of Animal Behavior (5 units)

Course Description: Survey of the phenomena and theory of animal behavior from the perspectives of multiple biological disciplines, including evolution, ecology, psychology, genetics, neurobiology, endocrinology, and animal science.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 209A; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: ANB 218B.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 220 — History of Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: A lecture-seminar on the history of psychology and on the applicability of early psychological theory and research to contemporary investigations.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Seminar 2 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 221 — Academic Writing in Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Strategies for developing and honing academic writing skills and writing productivity, with a particular focus on how to write a clear and compelling empirical journal article in psychology.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) with consent of instructor when focus is on a substantially different writing project.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 230 — Cognitive Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Analysis of the mental processes by which knowledge is acquired, manipulated, stored, retrieved and used.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 231 — Sensation & Perception (4 units)

Course Description: Analysis of the role of sensory processes and perception in experience and their effects on behavior.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 241 — Attitudes & Social Influence (4 units)

Course Description: Survey of theory and research in the field of attitudes and social influence. Topics include attitude definition and measurement, major theories of attitude formation and change, the relationship between attitudes and behavior, and recent directions and controversies.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 242 — Attraction & Close Relationships (4 units)

Course Description: Social psychological theory and research on attraction and close relationships, with a particular emphasis on romantic relationships. Covers attachment theory, interdependence theory, and evolutionary psychological perspectives.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology, Sociology, Human Development, a related social science, or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 243 — Social Cognition (4 units)

Course Description: Processes underlying the perception, memory, and judgment of social stimuli, the effects of social and affective factors on cognition, and the interpersonal consequences of those processes. Topics include automaticity/control, motivated cognition, person perception, stereotyping, attitudes, and persuasion.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 244 — Stereotyping, Prejudice, & Stigma (4 units)

Course Description: Examines the social psychological underpinnings of stereotyping, prejudice, and stigma, including sociocultural, motivational, and cognitive factors.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 245 — Social Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Theory and research in social psychology.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 247 — Personality (4 units)

Course Description: Theory and research in human personality.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 251 — Topics in Genetic Correlates of Behavior (4 units)

Course Description: Theory and experiment in the genetic contributions to animal and human behavior.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 252 — Topics in Psychobiology (4 units)

Course Description: Critical study in a selected area of psychobiology.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 261 — Cognitive Neuroscience (4 units)

Course Description: Graduate core course for neuroscience. Neurobiological bases of higher mental function including attention, memory, language. One of three in three-quarter sequence.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing in Psychology or Neuroscience or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: NSC 223.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 263 — Topics in Cognitive Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Selected topics in language processing, memory, perception, problem solving, and thinking, with an emphasis on the common underlying cognitive processes.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 264 — Topics in Psycholinguistics (4 units)

Course Description: Discussion of fundamental issues in the psychology of language.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 270 — Topics in Personality & Social Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Critical study of a selected area of personality or social psychology.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when content differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 271A — Core Concepts & Methods in Learning, Memory, & Plasticity (2 units)

Course Description: Core concepts and methods used in studies of learning, memory and plasticity. Behavioral paradigms and measurement approaches in human and animal studies of learning and plasticity, as well as a consideration of the functional, anatomical and neuronal mechanisms underlying brain plasticity.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Standing or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: NSC 271A, NPB 271A.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 271B — Core Concepts & Methods in Learning, Memory, & Plasticity (2 units)

Course Description: Core concepts and detailed survey methods used in studies of learning, memory and plasticity, from the cellular and molecular level to the level of neural circuits. Areas of learning, memory, and plasticity research where recent progress has been made in linking across these levels of analysis.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 271A or NPB 271A or NSC 271A.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: NSC 271B, NPB 271B.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 271C — Translational Approaches to Learning, Memory, & Plasticity Disorders (2 units)

Course Description: Neurological disorders, the effect of these disorders on learning, memory and plasticity, approved therapeutic options and current research designed to improve understanding and treatment of these diseases: (i) the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and existing therapies, (ii) mechanistic studies in humans and animal models, and (iii) molecular pathways involved in the disease and approaches for drug discovery.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 271B or NPB 271B or NSC 271B.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
  • Cross Listing: NSC 271C, NPB 271C.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 272 — Topics in Developmental Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Selected topics in developmental psychology, including developmental neuroscience, memory development, infancy, cognitive development, social development, child maltreatment, children and law, perceptual development, emotional development, children at risk, and adolescence, with emphasis on developmental processes and developmental theory.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 289A — Current Research in Psychology (2 units)

Course Description: Contemporary theory and empirical research in specialized topics in psychology. Topics include developmental attachment, social neuroscience, mental health, emotion, sexual orientation and identity.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 2 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 289B — Current Research in Psychology (2 units)

Course Description: Intensive examination of contemporary theory and empirical research on a specialized topic in psychology. Sample topics include developmental attachment, social neuroscience, culture and mental health, electrophysiology and cognitive neuroscience, emotion, implicit cognitive processes, sexual orientation and identity, and attention.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 289A; graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Discussion 2 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 290 — Seminar (4 units)

Course Description: Seminar devoted to a highly specific research topic in any area of basic psychology. Special topic selected for a quarter will vary depending on interests of instructor and students.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

PSC 298 — Group Study (1-5 units)

Course Description: Group study.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 299 — Research (1-12 units)

Course Description: Research.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 299D — Dissertation Research (1-12 units)

Course Description: Dissertation research.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 390 — The Teaching of Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Methods and techniques of teaching undergraduate psychology. Integration of learning outcomes with effective evaluation. Practical experience in the application of pedagogical principles.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; advanced graduate standing in Psychology or a closely related discipline.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 390A — The Teaching of Psychology (6 units)

Course Description: Methods and problems of teaching psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels; curriculum design and evaluation. Practical experience in the preparation and presentation of material.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; advanced graduate standing in Psychology or a closely related discipline.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 6 hour(s), Discussion 6 hour(s), Practice 6 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 390B — The Teaching of Psychology (4 units)

Course Description: Methods and problems of teaching psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels; curriculum design and evaluation. Practical experience in the preparation and presentation of material.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; advanced graduate standing in Psychology or a closely related discipline.

  • Learning Activities: Discussion 6 hour(s), Lecture 4 hour(s), Practice 2 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 391 — Teaching of Psychology Practicum (4 units)

Course Description: Supervised teaching in undergraduate classrooms. Techniques for delivering content through lectures, discussions, or labs; course administration; communications; assessment of student learning; solving ethical problems; instructional technology.

Prerequisite(s): PSC 390; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Seminar 1 hour(s), Fieldwork.
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PSC 396 — Teaching Assistant Training Practicum (1-4 units)

Course Description: Teaching assistant training practicum.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.