List of Required Courses

PSYC5110        Statistics and Research Design in Psychological Science

3 units; 2 Lect; 1 Lab.

This course is designed to cover the basic principles of psychological measurement and the techniques of test construction, administration, and validation.

PSYC5120        Psychological Testing and Measurement

3 units; 3 Lect.

In this course students will learn to understand the logic, purpose and techniques of statistical analyses, particularly those for psychology, and learn the basic types of experimental designs (e.g., within-subjects designs vs. between-subjects designs) and know how to use them appropriately in various situations. Students will also learn to address the important issues in designing and conducting psychological experiments (e.g., Research ethics, Literature review, Control groups, Presentations). We will emphasize the understanding of logic and attempt to reduce load of memory.

PSYC5130        Biological Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

This course addresses brain-behavior relationships. Emphasis will, therefore, be on the basic concepts of how the nervous system and the brain works in explanation for the behaviors, emotions and thoughts of human beings. The significance of studying and applying the neuropsychological concepts in daily life will be highlighted. It will also introduce some abnormal cognitive and emotional problems in relation to the malfunction of the brain.

PSYC5140        Cognitive Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

This course aims at inspiring students to consider the question of how human being can dominate the earth from the perspective of cognitive psychology. Throughout the evolutionary history, our ancestors developed a repertoire of cognitive skills that are fundamental to human civilization. In some cases, we are different from other animals quantitatively (e.g., capacity of memory). In other cases, the ability concerned may be unique to us (e.g., communication with language). It is indeed difficult to imagine a life without these cognitive abilities. In lectures, students will be introduced with the basic concepts and findings about various cognitive abilities including cognition, sensation, perception, memory system, decision-making, and language-processing. In tutorials, they will receive trainings in conducting research in cognitive psychology.

PSYC5150        Developmental Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the field of developmental psychology. We will explore theories, research methods, and research findings on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development from early childhood to old age. We will also pay particular attention to the role of culture in shaping life-span development.

PSYC5160        Social Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

This course introduces current theory and research in human development across the lifespan. Major topics include cognition, language, personality, and social development. This course also highlights the role of culture in shaping individuals' psychological development at different stages of life.

PSYC5170        Abnormal Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

Dramatic advances have occurred in the past two decades in the study of psychopathology.  Human genome has been fully sequenced, the technologies of neuroimaging have made it possible for researchers to observe a brain in action in living people, and psychology has entered the Decade of the Mind. In this new decade, psychology has been re-defined as a science examining how human mind works in general. Abnormal psychology, on the other hand, specializes in understanding how human mind works when it goes haywire. This course is designed to provide you with the most updated knowledge in the field of psychopathology. You will learn about the key concepts of mental disorders, how mental predispositions and upbringing experience interact in the development of various mental disorders, how human mind works in different mental disorders, and more importantly, how you can continue to learn about the science of psychopathology on your own after you have completed the course. After all, learning is about “learning how to learn.”

PSYC5190        Personality Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

This course presents the major theoretical approaches to personality and the basic techniques utilized to assess personality differences. The focus is on everyday life applications, empirical evidence in support and against the theories, and the design, application, and interpretation of personality questionnaires.

PSYC5121 Capstone Project

3 units; Ind

In this capstone course, students will work in small groups to address  an applied psychology topic that will utilize their skills and knowledge in psychology. Under the supervision of the course instructor, students will identity a social issue, conduct literature research to design an intervention to address the issue, carry out the intervention, and assess the effectives of the intervention. Students will document their process in an applied research report. At the completion of the course, students should be able to learn how to apply psychology knowledge and skills in addressing social issues.

List of Elective Courses

PSYC5122       Health Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

This course provides an overview of health psychology and the role of health psychologists in clinical and research settings. It examines biological, psychological, and social factors in the conceptions of health and health related attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. Topics include health promotion, behavioral health and illness prevention, substance abuse, stress and coping, management of chronic and terminal illness, pain management, and health services. Students will gain an understanding of the theory and everyday life applications of health psychology in contemporary societies.

PSYC5123        Educational Psychology

3 units; 3 Lect.

This course introduces the application of theoretical principles and research findings from the field of psychology to educational settings. Topics to be covered include general instructional issues, learning and motivation, effective instruction, educating students with special needs, measurement and evaluation. Special emphasis is placed on the understanding and solution of educational problems in the local community.