Psychology . . .
The tripartite
mission of the
department of psychology
is: (1) to provide
students with an
understanding of the
content and methods
of psychology, (2) to
prepare students for a
lifetime of learning and
thinking by cultivating
requisite intellectual
skills, and (3) to promote
personal characteristics
consistent with
high ethical standards
and a sensitivity to
issues of culture, ethnicity
and gender.
Department of Psychology
151 Centennial Science Hall
(715) 425-3306
Undergraduate Catalog
Goals and Objectives
The psychology department strives to acquaint students with
research findings and theories in numerous areas. This goal is accomplished with a curricular
structure that ensures students take courses that survey the myriad processes influencing
behavior. The department further strives to instill in students a basic science orientation and
develop their ability to evaluate and conduct research. The psychology department also recognizes
that many students are seeking careers in human services and other applied fields. It thus
offers a variety of courses that examine how psychological principles can be applied to human
behavior as a means of promoting human welfare.
Program
Required courses which fulfill general education requirements
are PSYC 101 General Psychology and
PSYC 201 Behavioral Statistics.
Required core courses include
PSYC 110 Psychology Colloqium,
PSYC 205 Research Methods,
PSYC 265 Social Psychology,
PSYC 305 Learning and Motivation,
PSYC 315 Psychological
Measurement and Evaluation,
PSYC 355 Physiological Psychology and
PSYC 401 History and
Systems.
Required core area courses - choose one of the two options in each area:
PSYC 236 Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence
or PSYC 336 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging
PSYC 310 Memory and Thinking
or PSYC 350 Sensation and Perception
PSYC 320 Personality Psychology
or PSYC 325 Abnormal Psychology
In addition to fulfilling the general education and core psychology requirements, majors must
take three additional elective courses (total of 36 credit hours). These courses can be taken from
any area in psychology. If PSYC 101 and/or 201 are not used to fulfill general education
requirements, they can count toward the required 36 major hours.
Faculty
The psychology department consists of eight full-time professors who teach and
advise within the academic program. Each department member is a specialist in a different area
and all are active in research and/or other scholarly activities.
Why Major in Psychology?
Psychology is one of the most popular majors on the UW-River
Falls campus. This popularity can be traced to several factors. First, the training psychology
majors receive in research, theory and application is valued by employers across a wide
range of occupations. As a result our majors find work in diverse careers. Second, the psychology
department has a reputation for excellence in teaching and developing student-oriented
programs. Examples of these programs include active internship opportunities, Psychology
Society (a social organization), and Psi Chi (a national honorary program). Finally, the program
provides an outstanding foundation for graduate work. As a result, a significant number of our
majors pursue graduate work in psychology or related fields.
