UMM

Curriculum Committee

Form B

Rev: 07/2004

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Division Office

University of Minnesota, Morris

Curriculum Committee Form B:

Discipline Objectives and Requirements

All changes become effective the fall semester following Campus Assembly approval.

Date: September 20, 2004

Discipline/Division: Psychology

I. Introductory Statement:

This discipline is in the Division of the Social Sciences. The psychology curriculum focuses on understanding scientific methods and applying them to the problems of the behavioral sciences and individual and social human behavior. It provides students with basic methodological skills, practice in applying these skills, and an introduction to core areas of psychology. The courses meet the needs of liberal arts students as well as students planning to specialize in one of the fields of psychology at the graduate level.

II. Objectives:

(1) Awareness of the range of knowledge in psychology; (2) competency in translating behavioral questions into the terms of scientific inquiry; (3) competency in reading and critically synthesizing the technical literature in psychology; (4) competency in quantifying and statistically analyzing behavior; (5) awareness of ethical issues in psychology.

III. Assessment:

IV. Requirements for a Major:

Psy 1051—Introduction to Psychology
Psy 2001—Research Methods in Psychology
Stat 1601—Introduction to Statistics
or Stat 2601—Statistical Methods
IS 4101—Introduction to Professional Conduct Codes, Legal Constraints, and Ethics in the Human Services

At least one course from:
    Psy 3101—Learning Theory and Behavior Modification
    Psy 3111—Sensation and Perception
    Psy 3112—Cognition
    Psy 3201—Comparative Psychology
    Psy 3211—Biological Psychology
20 additional credits in Psy 3xxx or 4xxx courses
or Mgmt 3151—Human Resources Management I
or Pol 3263—Political Psychology
at least 14 credits of which must be earned in courses other than:
    Psy 4101—Helping Relationships
    Psy 4896—Field Experiences In Psychology
    Mgmt 3151—Human Resources Management I
    Pol 3263—Political Psychology
and which must include an approved empirical research project of at least 4 credits or its equivalent. The approved research project is normally completed in one of the empirical investigations sequences:
    Psy 4610-4710—Empirical Investigations in Cognitive Psychology I-II
    Psy 4620-4720—Empirical Investigations in Biological Psychology I-II
    Psy 4630-4730—Empirical Investigations in Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychological Intervention I-II
    Psy 4640-4740—Empirical Investigations in Developmental Psychology I-II
    Psy 4650-4750—Empirical Investigations in Social and Organizational Psychology I-II
    Psy 4660-4760—Empirical Investigations in Health Psychology I-II
or with an approved senior honors project (Psy 4994—Senior Honors Project)

Courses with grades of D may not be used to meet the major requirements.

Required courses may not be taken S-N unless offered S-N only.

V. Requirements for a Minor:

Psy 1051—Introduction to Psychology
Psy 2001—Research Methods in Psychology
Stat 1601—Introduction to Statistics
or Stat 2601—Statistical Methods
IS 4101—Introduction to Professional Conduct Codes, Legal Constraints, and Ethics in the Human Services
At least one course from:
    Psy 3101—Learning Theory and Behavior Modification
    Psy 3111—Sensation and Perception
    Psy 3112—Cognition
    Psy 3201—Comparative Psychology
    Psy 3211—Biological Psychology
10 additional credits in Psy 3xxx or 4xxx courses
at least 6 credits of which must be earned in courses other than:
    Psy 4101—Helping Relationships
    Psy 4896—Field Experiences In Psychology

Courses with grades of D may not be used to meet the minor requirements.

VI. Requirements for Teacher Preparation:

Students seeking teaching licensure in social studies 5-12 should refer to the Education, Secondary (SeEd) section of this catalog.

VII. Other heading (include heading title) :

Rationale:

The wording of the prohibition of using S-N grading in courses "required for the major" is confusing; few students sign up for S-N grading, making this a nonproblem; and the redefinition of the S grade as at least the equivalent of a C- eliminates a concern that had operated before the redefinition of the grade.  The fact that a few students decide to major in Psychology after they have already taken some Psychology courses for S grades or have transferred such courses to UMM from previous institutions  created the need for waivers, which were generally approved.  Eliminating the prohibition of S grades for the major is therefore unlikely to prove problematic and will eliminate needless red tape.