Psychology Department

Course Descriptions

Biology-Human

• BIOH 380 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

  Credits: 3. The material covered will give students a practical knowledge of the subcellular organization and function of the nervous system. Students will learn how brain energy metabolism is a dynamic, and highly regulated process. We will explore the variety forms of neuronal chemical communication that may not conform to basic concepts of synaptic signaling. We will study processes that are involved in the growth and guidance of axons leading to the formation as well as the elimination of synapses. We will learn about the processes that are involved in the regulation of sexual differentiation of the nervous system. We will explore the basic mechanisms involved in learning and memory. Finally, Students will learn about the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative disease.

• BIOH 441 - CNS Diseases

  Credits: 3. This course is designed as a special topics course within the new neuroscience major that focuses on developing an understanding of common diseases affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS), such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, etc.) For each of the CNS disorders surveyed (which will vary from year to year), an emphasis will be placed on framing the symptoms and etiology of the disease within the context of the normal neuronal function at the anatomical, cellular and molecular levels. Where feasible, lectures will be supplemented with presentations by clinicians with expertise in the field. Students will also develop an appreciation for the linkages between basic and translational research in neurological diseases as well as the importance of disease models in the development of new therapies.

Psychology

• PSYX 100S - Intro to Psychology

  Credits: 4. Offered every term. Introduction to the scientific study of behavior in humans and other animals. Credit not allowed for both PSY 100S and PSYC 100S.

  Course Attributes:

  • Social Sciences Course

• PSYX 105 - Careers in Psychology

  Credits: 1. Offered intermittently. Exploration of the various careers available in the general area of mental health research and practice.

• PSYX 107 - Intergroup Dialog

  Credits: 1. Offered autumn. Reflective dialogue about issues of identity, diversity, and social justice.

• PSYX 120 - Research Methods I

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 100S. Experimental and other quantitative methods employed in the scientific study of behavior.

• PSYX 191 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.

• PSYX 192 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

• PSYX 222 - Psychological Statistics

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 120; M 115, M 162 or 171. Application of statistical techniques to psychological data. Credit not allowed for both PSYX 222 and SOCI 202.

• PSYX 233 - Fund of Psychology of Aging

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. An overview of theories and research findings in the psychology of adulthood and aging.

• PSYX 250N - Fund of Biological Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered every term.  Prereq., PSYX 100S.  Introduction to the relationships between biological structures and mechanisms and their corresponding psychological processes and events.  Origins and adaptations of structures and behaviors as well as the methods used to study these relationships.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• PSYX 270 - Fund Psychology of Learning

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., PSYX 100S. Basic theory and research on the nature of animal learning and behavior.

• PSYX 280 - Fund of Memory and Cognition

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSYX 100S. The acquisition and uses of knowledge. An examination of research and theories of human learning, memory, and thinking.

• PSYX 290 - Supervised Research

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr.

  Course Attributes:

  • Research & Creative Schlrshp

• PSYX 291 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums

• PSYX 292 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered every term.  Prereq., consent of instr.

• PSYX 294 - Seminar/Workshop

  Credits: 1. (R 3) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.; coreq., another psychology course. Taken in conjunction with another psychology course to provide additional content and discussion for honors students. Consent of the corequisite course instructor is required for this course.

• PSYX 298 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instructor. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off-campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internship graduation limit 6

• PSYX 320 - Research Methods III

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 222. An appreciation of the experimental approach to the scientific study of behavior through student-conducted experiments.

  Course Attributes:

  • Writing Course-Advanced

• PSYX 340 - Abnormal Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 100S. Description and classification of abnormal behavior.

• PSYX 345 - Child & Adolescent Psych Dis

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSYX 100S and 230. Study of causes, characteristics, assessment and treatment of emotional, social and intellectual disorders. The age span studied will range from infancy through adolescence.

• PSYX 348 - Psychology of Family Violence

  Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., PSYX 100S. Same as WGS 385. Exploration of theoretical explanations for the presence of violence in American families; research and interventions in such areas as child physical and sexual abuse, battering of women, marital rape, spousal homicide, etc.

• PSYX 352 - Comparative Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., PSYX 250N. Advanced evaluation and analysis of animal behavior through the synthesis of theory, research, and methods found in comparative psychology, behavioral biology, ethology, and sociobiology.

• PSYX 356 - Human Neuropsychology

  Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., PSYX 250N. Study of the organization of the nervous system, functional neuroanatomy, neuropathology, neurological disorders, behavioral neurology, and clinical neuropsychology.

• PSYX 360 - Social Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Individual behavior as a function of interpersonal interaction.

• PSYX 362 - Multicultural Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Current theories and research on culture, race, and ethnicity, and how the sociocultural context influences psychological processes.

• PSYX 376 - Prin Cognit Behav Mod

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSYX 270S. Study of basic principles, assumptions, methodology and applications of behavior modification. Discussion of current literature relevant to behavioral assessment and treatment of major psychological disorders.

• PSYX 377 - Personalized Student Instr

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Experience with the personalized student instruction method of teaching, gained through participating as a proctor in the introductory psychology course.

• PSYX 378 - Intro to Clinical Psyc

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSYX 340. Clinical psychology as a science and a profession. Theoretical models and techniques of assessment and intervention. Case illustrations.

• PSYX 383 - Health Psychology

  Credits: 3. Prereq., PSYX 100S and PSYX 250N. This course will provide an overview of the growing field of health psychology, with particular attention to the biological, psychological, and social determinants of health. The course will also provide overviews of major illnesses for which psychologists can and do play a major role and will examine the tools and techniques that clinical health psychologists employ in medical settings.

• PSYX 385 - Psychology of Personality

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently Prereq., PSYX 100S. Introduction to theories and research in personality. Intensive survey of theoretical concepts and a detailed examination of experimental methods and experiments in the field of personality.

• PSYX 390 - Adv Supervised Research

  Credits: 1 TO 3. (R-3) Offered every term. Prereq., 12 credits in psychology including PSYX 297 and consent of instr.

  Course Attributes:

  • Research & Creative Schlrshp

• PSYX 391 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., nine credits in psychology and consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• PSYX 392 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 3. (R-3) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr.

• PSYX 398 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 3. (R-3) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instructor. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums

• PSYX 400 - History & System in Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered every term. Prereq., 15 credits in psychology. Origin and development of basic concepts and methods in scientific psychology.

  Course Attributes:

  • Writing Course-Advanced

• PSYX 441 - Addiction Studies

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. Same as SOCI 433 and SW 423. Examination of chemical dependency and behavioral compulsion, including alcohol and other drugs, gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions. Ecosystems perspective on etiology, treatment, prevention, family dynamics, community response, and societal contributors.

• PSYX 442 - Counseling Theories in Context

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., PSYX 100S. Same as COUN 485 and SW 485. This course introduces students to the primary theories that constitute the intellectual foundation for common counseling and psychotherapy techniques, with a special focus on gender, interpersonal influence strategies and diversity issues.

• PSYX 491 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq.,12 credits in psychology and consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• PSYX 494 - Seminar/Workshop

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., nine credits in psychology and consent of instr. Topics of current interest with critical examination of the literature.

  Course Attributes:

  • Omnibus Course

• PSYX 499 - Senior Thesis

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on research for presentation and/or publication.

• PSYX 501 - Teaching of Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology and consent of instr. Exploration and practice of effective teaching techniques. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 510 - Trends Psyc Research

  Credits: 1. Offered autumn. Brief survey of the departmental faculty's ongoing research interests. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 511 - Professional Issues

  Credits: 1. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in clinical psychology. Introduction to the professional role and skills in the clinical psychology field. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 512 - Field Placement-Clinical

  Credits: 1 TO 12. (R-12) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology and consent of instr. Supervised assessment and intervention experience in applied clinical settings. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 520 - Adv Psyc Stat I

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., undergraduate statistics and consent of instr. Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, probability distributions, null hypothesis significance testing, one and two sample techniques, analysis of variance and the general linear model. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 521 - Adv Psyc Stat II

  Credits: 4. Offered spring. Prereq., PSYX 520 or consent of instr. Multiple comparisons among means, factorial ANOVA, random effects and mixed models, correlation, simple and multiple regression, analysis of covariance. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 522 - Multivariate Statistics

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., PSYX 520 and 521. Introduction to matrix algebra, multivariate analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of covariance, simple slopes in multiple regression, discriminant analysis, canonical correlation, principal components analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 523 - Research Design

  Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology. The examination and application of the principles and methods of experimental and quasi-experimental research design in psychology. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 524 - Tests & Measurement

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology or education. Introduction to measurement emphasizing correspondence between research and practice. Provides a theoretical and practical basis for evaluating and using measurement data. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 525 - Psyc Evaluation I

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., undergraduate statistics and consent of instr. Individual tests of aptitudes and intellectual abilities; psychometric considerations in clinical assessment; objective personality assessment. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 526 - Psyc Eval II:App and Obj

  Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., enrollment in doctoral program in psychology and consent of instr. Objective methods in psychological assessment; psychological evaluation techniques in the clinical context. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 530 - Clin and Diag Interviewing

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in clinical psychology, school psychology, or counseling. Microcounseling skills development through interactive practice and feedback. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 531 - Prin of Psychotherapy

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., enrollment in doctoral program in clinical psychology. The philosophical and scientific bases of major systems of psychotherapy are reviewed. Psychotherapy research methods, issues, and findings are introduced. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 532 - Adv Psychopathology

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology or consent of instr. Symptoms, etiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment of the major psychological disorders, with an emphasis on current research findings. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 534 - Applied Clinical Methods

  Credits: 1 TO 4. (R-24) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing in the clinical program and consent of instr. Theoretical and applied work in a supervised clinical setting. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 535 - Child Interventions

  Credits: 3. (R-12) Offered every term. Prerequisite: graduate standing in the clinical psychology program and consent of instructor. Review of clinical research and methodology in youth mental health. Specific treatment interventions are explored for the practitioner and also may serve as a valuable base for engaging in psychological consultation with youth and families. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 536 - AdvcdChld/Adol Psychopathology

  Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology or consent of instr. Advanced study of the characteristics, etiology, assessment, and treatment of the emotional, social, and intellectual problems covering the span from infancy through adolescence. DSM and Education Code criteria will be compared. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 537 - Child Assessment

  Credits: 3. Offered every other year spring semester. Provides an intensive introduction to diagnostic, behavioral, and personality assessment of children and adolescents. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 540 - Adv Development Psyc

  Credits: 3. Offered intermittently. Prereq., undergraduate course in developmental psychology or consent of instr. Psychological and behavioral development through the life span. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 545 - Field Placement Humn Devel

  Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., PSYX 540 or equiv. Individualized, applied experience working with and/or observing a particular population of interest, including children, adolescents, or older adults. Involves the completion of an independent project, which may comprise program assessment, research proposal development, etc. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 550 - Ad Social Psychology

  Credits: 3. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., undergraduate course in social psychology or consent of instr. Theory and experiment in the analysis of individual behavior in relation to social stimuli. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 551 - Advanced Personality

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., undergraduate course in personality or consent of instr. Theory and research on human personality and behavior. Emphasis on issues and topics of contemporary importance. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 560 - Advanced Learning & Cognition

  Credits: 3. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., undergraduate course in perception, cognition, or learning, or consent of instr. A survey of principles, theories, and methods pertaining to how humans and animals learn and represent the world. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 565 - Advanced Cognition

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., undergraduate course in perception, cognition, or learning, or consent of instr. Examination of the acquisition of knowledge through perception and learning, the retention of knowledge, and the use of knowledge through thinking and reasoning. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 571 - Adv Physiological Psyc

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., consent of instr. Brain mechanisms and behavior; electrophysiological correlates of behavior. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 580 - Professional School Psych

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in school psychology. The theory, role, and function of school psychology as a profession; includes historical precursors and fit with current systems of psychology. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 582 - Behav Assmnt & Intervention

  Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology or consent of instr. Introduces theoretical and practical applications of behavioral assessment and intervention. Students develop skills using behavioral observation, sampling and intervention design/implementation through supervised experience in applied settings. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 583 - Ed Assmnt & Intervention

  Credits: 4. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology or education. Develops educational assessment and intervention skills using problem-solving strategies to make educational decisions. Students develop assessment and intervention design/implementation through supervised experience in applied settings. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 587 - School Psyc Methods

  Credits: 3. (R-9) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing in school psychology and consent of instr. Applied school psychology work in a supervised setting. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 588 - School Psyc Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 12. (R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., enrollment in school psychology program or consent of instr. Supervised work experience in the role and functions of school psychologists. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 594 - Seminar

  Credits: 1 TO 12. (R-12) Offered intermittently. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 595 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Graduate

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums

• PSYX 596 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Offered autumn and spring Prereq., consent of instr. Assigned readings and other special study projects. Level: Graduate

  Course Attributes:

  • Service Learning/Volunteer

• PSYX 597 - Research

  Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent supervised research projects, other than thesis or dissertation. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 599 - Thesis/Research Project

  Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. M.A. thesis or M.A. Research project Level: Graduate

• PSYX 625 - Clinical Assessment

  Credits: 3. Offered annually. Prereq., advanced graduate standing in clinical psychology program and consent of instructor. Students will conduct a variety of clinical assessments, including personality and neuropsychological testing. Students will gain experience with all phases of clinical assessment (e.g., interviewing, test administration, report writing, etc.) Level: Graduate

• PSYX 630 - Ethics, Prof & Cult Iss

  Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., enrollment in doctoral program in clinical or experimental psychology. Review of ethical principles and professional standards of psychologists. Analysis of the influence of cultural factors upon professional conduct. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 631 - Intervention

  Credits: 3. (R-12) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing in the clinical psychology program and consent of instr. Review of clinical research and methodology. Specific treatment interventions are explored for the practitioner and also may serve as a valuable base for engaging in psychological consultation. Each offering will have a unique title. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 632 - Curr Clinical Topics

  Credits: 3. (R-12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing in psychology and consent of instr. Current topics in clinical psychology with reviews of theory, research, and methodology. Each offering will have a unique title. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 634 - Adv App Clinical Methods

  Credits: 1 TO 4. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., PSYX 534 and consent of instr. Advanced clinical work in a supervised setting. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 638 - Clin Psyc Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 3. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., proficiency in clinical techniques. Clinical internship offered by the psychology staff of a hospital, clinic or other approved agency in coordination with The University of Montana Clinical Psychology Program. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 680 - Consultation

  Credits: 3 TO 4. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., graduate standing in school psychology. Theoretical background and case conceptualization in academic and behavioral consultation. Doctoral level also includes a supervised direct experience in applied settings. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 694 - Seminar

  Credits: 1 TO 12. (R-12) Offered intermittently. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 697 - Advanced Research

  Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research projects, other than thesis or dissertation. Level: Graduate

• PSYX 699 - Dissertation

  Credits: 1 TO 18. (R-18) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Doctoral dissertation research activities. Level: Graduate