Students wanting an introduction to psychology should take PSY 105. Students should then take multiple 200-level courses before registering for more advanced courses. Although the prerequisites for any course may be waived by permission of the instructor, it is strongly advised that students take the prerequisites in order to be adequately prepared for the course.
To obtain a B.A. in Psychology a student must satisfactorily complete (i.e., a grade of C or better) 36 credit hours in Psychology (35 credit hours if an upper-division lab is taken. See item 6 below), and should minor in an Arts and Sciences Department. The 36 credit hours of Psychology must include:
To obtain a B.S. in Psychology a student must complete a minor in, or distributed among (see distributed minor policy): Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or Anthropology (Evolutionary Concentration) and complete (i.e., a grade of C or better) 35 credit hours in Psychology
This concentration within the psychology major is for a select group of undergraduates who are interested in a career in the alcohol/drug counseling field. In addition to the standard psychology major requirements, it involves a series of specialized addiction courses, as well as a multi-semester field placement at a substance abuse agency. The BAC Concentration is designed to meet the educational requirements for a Licensed Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC). Entrance into the concentration is competitive (see below).
All applicants are required to be Psychology Majors and meet the following requirements:
To obtain a B.S. or B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Basics in Addiction Counseling a student must complete 47 credit hours in Psychology and an approved College of Arts & Sciences minor (see B.A. & B.S. requirements).
A distributed minor is appropriate when a combination of courses from different departments better serves the student’s career objectives and overall program of education than does a minor in a single department. Distributed minor petitions must be approved by the Associate Chairperson for Undergraduate Education. See Department Advisor for details.
For the B.S. degree, the minor must be distributed among biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics.
To obtain a minor, students must complete 18 credit hours in Psychology.
One quarter of Psychology hours (6 credits) must be taken while in residence at the University of New Mexico.
Superior sophomore students, especially those anticipating graduate study in psychology or interested in research training, are invited to apply for admission to the Undergraduate Honors Program to begin in the Fall semester of the junior year. Students participating in this program are eligible to graduate with departmental honors if recommended by the faculty on the basis of outstanding performance.
The Honors program requires 33 hours beyond 3 hours of general psychology, including 200, 302, 391, 392, 491, 492 and four courses from the five 200-level core courses. The usual requirement of an upper-division lab for B.S. majors is waived for honors majors.
Courses
PSY 105. General Psychology. (3)
Overview of the major content areas in psychology. Topics to be covered include learning, cognition, perception, motivation, biological systems, social and abnormal psychology, development, personality and approaches to psychotherapy. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences.
PSY 200. Statistical Principles. (3)
Presentation of the basic principles of the description and interpretation of data. Provides an acquaintance with statistical principles appropriate to a liberal arts education, as well as a basis for further work in data analysis. Students planning graduate study in any field are advised to take 300 and 302 as well.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 220. Developmental Psychology. (3)
Overview of the physical, perceptual, motor, cognitive, emotional and social development of children from infancy through adolescence.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 231. Psychology of Human Sexuality. (3)
(Also offered as WMST 231)
Exploration of the physiological, cultural, social and individual factors that influence sexual behavior, sex roles and sex identity.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 240. Brain and Behavior. (3)
A general survey of the biological foundations of behavior. Emphasis is on the central nervous system.
Prerequisite: 105 or BIOL 110 or BIOL 123
PSY 250. Special Topics in Psychology. (1-3, no limit Δ)
Study of any psychological topic not otherwise included in the curriculum upon expression of mutual interest by students and faculty. May be repeated for credit provided the subject matter varies.
PSY 260. Psychology of Learning and Memory. (3)
Survey of the variety of laboratory learning situations, with an emphasis on the application of principles to practical situations. Topics range from simple processes, such as conditioning, to complex processes, such as transfer, memory and concept formation.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 265. Cognitive Psychology. (3)
Study of the cognitive processes involved in the encoding, storage, retrieval and use of knowledge including attention,memory, comprehension, categorization, reasoning, problem solving and language.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 271. Social Psychology. (3)
Study of social influence: perception of oneself and others, attitudes, conformity, attraction, altruism, aggression, and groups.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 280. Health Psychology. (3)
This course introduces Health Psychology. The course will cover the role of stress in illness, coping with chronic illness, stress, and pain, and the role of health behavior in health and disease.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 302. Psychological Research Techniques. (3)
Application of the concepts covered in 200. Includes discussion of basic principles of research design and scientific methodology as applied to psychology.
Prerequisite: 200
PSY 311. Clinical Evaluation in Addictions. (1)
This course teaches how to screen for and assess substance abuse problems, evaluate addiction tests, determine if someone meets diagnostic criteria, and assess suicidality.
Prerequisite: 332 and (347 or 411 or 430)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 312. Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Addictions. (1)
This course provides an introduction to the ethical standards in the New Mexico Professional Code of Ethics, including the rights and responsibilities of clients, confidentiality, etc.
Prerequisite: 332 and (347 or 411 or 430)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 313. Case Management in Addictions. (1)
This overview of the role of case management in the addictions field will examine the relationship of the 12 core functions to service coordination.
Prerequisite: 332 and (347 or 411 or 430)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 323 / 523. Social Development. (3)
An advanced course that presents theory and research focusing on social dynamic processes and relationship-formation within cultural settings throughout development.
Prerequisite: 105 and 200
PSY 324. Infant Development. (3)
An advanced course that presents theory and research on the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, perceptual and motor development in the first two years of life.
Prerequisite: 220
PSY 328. Cognitive Development. (3)
An advanced course that presents theory and research on the development of cognition, from memory and representation to spatial reasoning and concept formation.
Prerequisite: 220
PSY 329. Adolescent Psychology. (3)
Empirical study of adolescent development from different theoretical perspectives. Organization of individual social patterns through cultural and historical transitions and interplay between risk and protective factors in healthy development as well as deviant behaviors.
Prerequisite: 200 and 220.
PSY 331. Psychology of Personality. (3)
Survey of theory, research and applications of both classical and contemporary approaches to the study of personality.
Prerequisite: 200 and 220
PSY 332. Abnormal Behavior. (3)
Review of the historical, scientific and ethical issues in the field of psychopathology. Categorization of deviant behavior, theories of abnormal behavior, systems of therapy and relevant research are covered.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 335L. Clinical Psychology Lab. (2)
This laboratory course is designed to offer students exposure to the wide variety of research that is typically conducted in the field of clinical psychology. It will teach students how to read and critique the relevant literature in an area and how to design solid studies to answer specific research questions.
Prerequisite: 200 and 332
PSY 342. Evolution, Brain and Behavior. (3)
A survey of contemporary research and theory derived from an evolutionary perspective on behavior.
Prerequisite: 240
PSY 343. Developmental Neuroscience. (3)
Conceptual, empirical and methodological issues involved in studying the processes of pre- and post-natal brain growth. Experimental, neurobiological and genetic factors in normal and abnormal development will be considered.
Prerequisite: 240
PSY 344. Human Neuropsychology. (3)
The analysis of brain-behavior relationships regarding affect and higher cognitive functions (language, memory, spatial reasoning) in humans.
Prerequisite: 240
PSY 347. Drugs and Behavior. (3)
Study of the pharmacological action and physiological and psychological effects of drugs of abuse including stimulants, depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens.
Prerequisite: 240
PSY 360. Human Learning and Memory. (3)
How humans acquire and use knowledge. Theoretical and applied issues discussed around the topics of memory structures, attention, forgetting, mnemonics, imagery and individual differences in memory.
Prerequisite: 260 or 265
PSY 362L. Human Learning and Memory Laboratory. (2)
Laboratory projects related to topics in 360.
Prerequisite: 200 and 360
PSY 364. Psychology of Perception. (3)
Study of the methods organisms use to gain information about objects. The sensory processes are discussed as a basis for description of more complex perceptual phenomena.
Prerequisite: 260 or 265
PSY 365. Applied Experimental Psychology. (3)
Application of theory, methods and data from experimental psychology to topics such as training, education, assessment, design of human-machine interfaces, the legal profession, consumerism and environmental systems.
Prerequisite: 265
PSY **367. Psychology of Language. (3)
(Also offered as LING 367/567)
Theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics, including comprehension, speech perception and production, language acquisition, bilingualism, brain and language, reading.
Prerequisite: 220 or 240 or 260 or 265 or 271 or LING 101 or LING 301 or ANTH 110
PSY 374. Cross-cultural Psychology. (3)
Impact of culture on human behavior, learning, personality and other selected topics is examined. Course emphasizes critical analysis, discussion and writing about cross-cultural research and theory.
Prerequisite: 220 or 271
PSY 375. Psychology of Women. (3)
(Also offered as WMST 375)
Survey of research and theory on gender-role stereotypes and gender differences in such contexts as interpersonal relations, the family, the work force, mass media, mental and physical health.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 375L. Social Psychology Laboratory. (2)
Laboratory projects with discussion of research issues unique to social psychology. Four hours lab.
Prerequisite: 200 and 302.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 391. Junior Honors Seminar. (3)
Discussion of the history and systems of psychology, philosophy of science and research methodology, particularly as related to current topics in psychology.
Prerequisite: (260 or 265) and 302
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Fall}
PSY 392. Junior Honors Seminar. (3)
Continuation of 391.
Prerequisite: 391
{Spring}
PSY *400. History of Psychology. (3)
An introduction to the major developments and individuals in the history of psychology.
Prerequisite: any 300-level psychology course
PSY *405. Crisis Worker Practicum. (1 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Training and experience at Agora Crisis Center. Can lead to national certification. Some weekend, evening and holiday hours required. Minimum commitment: two semesters, weekly four hour shift. Must be 18 and deemed eligible by the Agora Executive Committee.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 411. Evidence-Based Treatment of Addictions. (3)
This course will provide an overview of evidence-based approaches to the treatment of alcohol and other substance use disorders.
Prerequisite: 105 and 332 and (347 or 430)
PSY 412. Applied Clinical Experience in Addictions Counseling (Field Work). (1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
This field experience at an addiction agency teaches students to apply classroom learning to practice situations. A licensed counselor supervises.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Prerequisite: 311 and 312 and 313 and 411
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 421 / 521. Advanced Developmental Psychology. (3)
Investigation of the theoretical bases and critical issues in the area of developmental psychology.
Prerequisite: 220.
PSY 422 / 522. Child Language. (3)
Morford, John-Steiner
(Also offered as LING 460)
Theories, methodologies and findings in child language, from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.
Prerequisite: 324 or 328 or 360 or 367 or LING 367
PSY 430 [430 / 530]. Alcoholism. (3)
Causes, course, prevention and treatment of problem drinking.
Prerequisite: 332
PSY 434. Behavior Therapies. (3)
A survey of clinical behavior therapies, including techniques based upon learning theory, self-control, cognitive and social psychological principles. Emphasis is upon treatment outcome research and the practical application of methods to clients’ life problems.
Prerequisite: 332
PSY 436 / 536. Family Psychology. (3)
Focuses on the major theoretical approaches to family dysfunction and examines family influences on the development and maintenance of deviance, including juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, anorexia nervosa, depression and schizophrenia.
Prerequisite: 332
PSY 439 / 539. Child Psychopathology. (3)
Theories and practices related to an understanding of children and adolescents who deviate from normal development either intellectually, educationally, emotionally, physically or in some combination. Relevant family variables are considered.
Prerequisite: 220 and 332
PSY 442. Neuronal Plasticity and Behavior. (3)
Emphasis on experimental studies of behavioral recovery after brain injury.
Prerequisite: 240
PSY 450 / 650. Special Topics in Psychology. (1-3, no limit Δ)
Study of any psychological topic not otherwise included in the curriculum upon expression of mutual interest by students and faculty.
PSY 454. Positive Psychology. (3)
This will examine theory and research regarding the development of human strengths at an advanced undergraduate level. The course will focus on strengths that promote better functioning including creativity, optimism, wisdom, courage, love, and spirituality.
Prerequisite: 105.
PSY 480L. Health Psychology Lab. (2)
This laboratory course exposes the research that is conducted in Health Psychology. It includes methods of research and student experience in evaluating and critiquing Health Psychology research.
Prerequisite: 105
PSY 491. Senior Honors Seminar. (3)
Experimental methods and laboratory techniques. Senior thesis based on independent research. Three hours lab.
Prerequisite: 392
{Fall}
PSY 492. Senior Honors Seminar. (3)
Continuation of 491. Three hours lab.
Prerequisite: 491
{Spring}
PSY 499. Undergraduate Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
PSY 501. Advanced Statistics. (3)
Frequency and probability distributions; sampling distributions and point estimation; central tendency, variability and z scores; the normal distribution and the central limit theorem; the logic of hypothesis testing; correlation and regression; multiple regression.
Corequisite: 503L
{Fall}
PSY 502. Design and Analysis of Experiments. (3)
Introduction to the logic of experimental design and to experimental designs commonly used in psychology and the corresponding analyses.
Corequisite: 504L
{Spring}
PSY 503L. Advanced Statistics Laboratory. (1)
Computational techniques for statistical methods introduced in 501. Emphasis placed on the use of a computerized statistical package, e.g., SPSS®.
Corequisite: 501
{Fall}
PSY 504L. Design and Analysis of Experiments Laboratory. (1)
Practical issues related to material introduced in 502. Emphasis placed on use of a computerized statistical package, e.g. SPSS®.
Corequisite: 502
{Spring}
PSY 505. Research Seminar. (2 [1 to a maximum of 3 Δ])
Facilitates development of active research in first-year graduate students. Presentations include 1) research lectures by faculty and graduate students; and 2) research proposals by class members, critiqued by instructor and classmates.
PSY 506. Seminar in Mathematical Psychology. (3)
Discussion of recent research in various areas of mathematical psychology, including behavioral decision theory and mathematical learning theory.
PSY 507. Teaching Seminar. (2)
The course is designed to prepare graduate students, both conceptually and practically, for teaching, with the construction of a professional teaching portfolio as its goal.
PSY 511. History and Systems of Psychology. (3)
Survey of historic and contemporary systematic issues and conceptual viewpoints in psychology.
PSY 514. Health Psychology Interventions. (3)
This course will examine research and theory on the application of psychological interventions to health problems including coping with illness and health behavior change. The interventions will include stress management, meditation, and cognitive behavior therapies.
PSY 515. Social Psychology of Health Promotion. (3)
This is an overview of health Psychology from a social psychological perspective. The focus is the design, implementation, and evaluation of theory-based interventions to improve healthy behavior (e.g. increase exercise, engage in safer sexual behavior).
PSY 521 / 421. Advanced Developmental Psychology. (3)
Investigation of the theoretical bases and critical issues in the area of developmental psychology.
PSY 522 / 422. Child Language. (3)
(Also offered as LING 560)
Theories, methodologies and findings in child language, from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.
PSY 523 / 323. Social Development. (3)
A seminar that integrates theory and research focused on social dynamic processes and relationship-formation within cultural settings throughout development.
PSY 528. Seminar on Cognitive Development. (3)
A seminar covering theory and research on the development of cognition, organized around Piaget’s constructivist model of cognitive development and subsequent challenges, both theoretical and empirical, to that model.
PSY 532. Seminar in Psychopathology. (3)
A research-bases course that provides a comprehensive study of abnormal behavior. It stresses diagnosis and assessment of psychopathology and examines various theories of etiology. Recommended treatments are mentioned briefly.
PSY 533. Psychological Evaluation: Cognitive and Neuropsychology Functions. (3)
Provides an introduction to intelligence testing, contemporary factors influencing intellectual performance, and clinical interpretation of cognitive tests. The neuropsychological implications of cognitive deficits are reviewed, along with different approaches to neuropsychological assessment.
PSY 534. Psychological Evaluation Practicum. (3)
Practicum experience in the administration and interpretation of cognitive and personality tests.
PSY 535. Psychological Evaluation: Personality Functions. (3)
This course examines: 1) psychometric principles involved in the development and evaluation of psychological tests; 2) major means of personality inventory construction; and 3) the general logic of major personality assessment procedures, including MMPI and Rorschach.
PSY **536 / 436. Family Psychology. (3)
Focuses on the major theoretical approaches to family dysfunction and examines family influences on the development and maintenance of deviance, including juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, anorexia nervosa, depression and schizophrenia.
PSY 538. Introduction to Clinical Science. (3)
This course is intended to serve as an introduction to the issues and literature concerned with the science of clinical psychology.
PSY **539 / 439. Child Psychopathology. (3)
Theories and practices related to an understanding of children and adolescents who deviate from normal development either intellectually, educationally, emotionally, physically or in some combination. Relevant family variables are considered.
PSY 540. Biological Bases of Behavior. (3)
Provides an introduction to basic aspects of neuroscience; e.g., historical perspectives, neurocytology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, neuroanatomy. In depth critical discussion of fundamental and current topics.
PSY 541. Introduction to Functional Neuroimaging. (3)
Provides an introduction to functional neuroimaging, from its history to the present. Technical aspects of commonly used neuroimaging methods will be discussed, along with their interpretation and application to questions in psychology and medicine.
Restriction: Psychology graduate students only.
PSY 542. Seminar in Recovery of Function and Epilepsy. (3)
Focuses on the literature and current experiments on epilepsy and functional recovery, the two major problems following traumatic brain injury or stroke. Mechanisms of these processes and clinical advancements will be discussed.
PSY 547. Drugs and Behavior. (3)
Study of the pharmacological action and physiological and psychological effects of drugs of abuse including stimulants, depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens. Course may be used towards major.
PSY 551. Graduate Problems. (1-3, no limit Δ)
PSY 554. Positive Psychology. (3)
This will examine theory and research regarding the development of human strengths at the graduate level. The course will focus on strengths that may promote better functioning, including creativity, optimism, wisdom, courage, love, and spirituality.
PSY 561. Cognitive Processes I. (3)
Surveys the major topics and issues in lower order cognitive processes. Includes coverage of fundamental theoretical and empirical work in sensory detection, attention, perception, and motor control.
PSY 563. Seminar in Human Memory. (3)
In-depth coverage of recent studies concerned with the theoretical and applied issues around the topics of memory structures and processes, forgetting, mnemonics, imagery, prospective vs. retrospective remembering and individual differences in memory.
PSY 565. Seminar in Thought and Language. (3)
(Also offered as LING, EDPY 565)
PSY 569. Seminar in Psycholinguistics. (3, no limit Δ)
(Also offered as LING 568)
PSY 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
PSY 600. Clinical Interviewing Practicum. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Restriction: PSY major.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
PSY 602. Pre-Clinical Practicum. (1)
This course is a companion to and continuation of the Interviewing Practicum, which students take in the first semester of their first year.
PSY 603. Case Formulation Practicum. (3)
An intensive introduction into the empirical and clinical bases of case formulation. The course is an integration of empirically-derived case formulation systems representing several theoretical orientations, clinical examples, and a critical approach to case formulation.
Prerequisite: 532
PSY 610. Case Conference Practicum. (1, no limit Δ)
A bimonthly seminar learning experience where clinical graduate students meet with faculty to present and discuss ongoing, interesting or challenging cases.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
PSY 630. Seminar in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. (3)
PSY 631. Psychotherapy Practicum. (1-3, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
PSY 634. Ethics and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology. (3)
This seminar is principally concerned with ethics in psychology research, service delivery, training and teaching. Topics in career development and contemporary controversies in professional psychology are also dealt with.
PSY 635. Child Assessment Practicum. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Supervised experience conducting psychological evaluations of children and adolescents in clinical settings. Both test administration and report writing will be emphasized.
Restriction: PSY major.
Prerequisite: 533 or 535
PSY 636. Diversity Multicultural Perspectives in Clinical Psychology. (3)
This course provides an overview of multicultural counseling including the principles of understanding one's values and biases, understanding and respecting the client's worldview, and using culturally appropriate interventions.
PSY 637. Empirically Supported Treatments. (3)
The purpose of the seminar is to provide a broad overview of the empirically-supported treatments movement and to teach student how to effectively deliver empirically-supported treatments for specific psychological disorders.
PSY 641. Seminar in Cognition, Brain and Behavior . (2, no limit Δ)
Critical examination of recent empirical and theoretical articles on behavioral/cognitive neuroscience topics selected by students.
PSY 650 / 450. Special Topics in Psychology. (1-3, no limit Δ)
Study of any psychological topic not otherwise included in the curriculum upon expression of mutual interest by students and faculty.
{Offered upon demand}
PSY 691. Clinical Internship. (1-6)
Available only to students who have successfully completed their dissertations. This is a one-year, full-time external clinical internship in which students provide treatment, assessment, and other relevant professional services under intensive and direct professional supervision.
PSY 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
