Psychology Courses offered at Palomar

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: None
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 110
A general introduction to the principles of human and animal behavior. Topics covered include history of psychology, research thinking, intelligence, lifespan development, gender and human sexuality, motivation and emotion, health psychology, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, social psychology, and other related topics (e.g., industrial/organizational psychology, sports psychology, environmental psychology, forensic psychology). Emphasis is placed upon the relationship between general principles of psychology and their practical applications.

PSYC 105 Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relationships (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as SOC 105
Transfer acceptability: CSU, UC
A study of the psychology and sociology of the family and intimate relationships. Emphasizes factors that enhance interpersonal relationships. Topics include love, marital choice, communication, conflict, and changing models of the family. Examines cross-cultural and historical factors that impact the family as a social institution and the impact of gender, race and ethnicity, social class, age, and sexual orientation on family organization.

PSYC 110 Developmental Psychology – Child Through Adult (3)

3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 180
Provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human growth and development throughout the lifespan, from conception to death. Biological and environmental influences on development, developmental theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development, as well as attention to developmental problems are examined.

PSYC 115 The Psychology of Personal Growth and Development (3)

3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU
C-ID PSY 115
This course is designed with an applied focus for students interested in how psychology is useful in everyday life and how scientists, clinicians, and practitioners study and apply psychology. The course surveys different theories and psychological perspectives and how these may be applied across a person’s life. The influence of factors such as culture, gender, ethnicity, historical cohort, and socioeconomic status are examined. Emphasis on self understanding and application through the study of the individual, environment and social relationships which contribute to unique personal development.

PSYC 120 Social Psychology (3)

3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 170
Considers individual human behavior in relation to the social environment.The power of the situation, other individuals, and the social group will be examined. Emphasized topics include: aggression, prejudice and stereotypes, interpersonal attraction, attitudes and attitude change, conformity, group phenomena, gender roles, cultural norms, person perception, and social cognition.

PSYC 125 Human Sexuality (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as SOC 125
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 130
Survey of topics pertinent to an understanding of the development of human sexuality. Emphasis on biological, psychological, and cultural determinants of sexual behavior. Current sex norms and various aspects of interpersonal and individual sexual adjustment.

PSYC 130 Psychology of Gender (3)

3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
Psychological research and theories to examine the development and impact of gender identity. Explores the ways race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and age modify people’s experience. Areas covered include communication, mental and emotional adjustment, sex-role socialization, body image, family, work, and intimacy. Content will be relevant to both women and men.

PSYC 140 Introduction to Psychological and Social Services (4)

3 hours lecture – 3 hours laboratory
Note: Cross listed as SOC 140/AODS 140
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Supervised internship in a human service agency or an alcohol and other drug treatment facility. An overview of the field of human services, including alcohol and other drug treatment. The roles of psychologists, sociologists, social workers, family therapists, social service assistants and addiction counselors are compared and contrasted, and the issues they deal with are described. Through cooperative efforts of provider agencies, the instructor, and the student, the skills utilized for entry-level employment are observed, practiced, and evaluated under supervision.

PSYC 145 Psychology and Sociology of Aging (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as SOC 145
Transfer acceptability: CSU
A multi disciplinary approach to the field of gerontology; historical, demographic, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging.

PSYC 150 Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as SOC 150/AODS 150
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Examines alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive drugs in society. Biological, psycho- logical and sociocultural factors of drug abuse and dependence will be explored. The impact of addiction on families and society; contemporary treatment techniques, and the addiction counseling profession will be covered.

PSYC 155 The Physiology and Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as SOC 155/AODS 155
Transfer acceptability: CSU
This course will examine how psychoactive drugs affect the nervous system. Ways of classifying drugs will be identified including the processes of physical and psychological dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, and genetic predispositions. Temporary and long-term affective, behavioral, cognitive, biological, and social consequences of psychoactive drug use will be explored, including disorders such as Korsakoff’s syndrome and other nutritional deficiencies.

PSYC 160 Prevention, Intervention, and Education (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as SOC 160/AODS 160
Transfer acceptability: CSU
This course will review historical and contemporary approaches for chemical dependency, including prevention, intervention, and education. It will analyze the progression of substance abuse and chemical dependency disorders and will evaluate types of prevention, education, and intervention strategies.

PSYC 197 Special Topics in Contemporary Psychology (1,1.5,2,3)

1, 11⁄2, 2, or 3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – Credit determined by UC upon review of course syllabus.
Current topics of special interest to psychology students will be debated and discussed in a seminar format. Issues in such areas as social psychology, perception and learning, personality, and others will be analyzed from theoretical and methodological perspectives. Content will change from semester to semester.

PSYC 205 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4)

4 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in MATH 54, 56 or 60 or eligibility determined through the math placement process
Note: Cross listed as SOC 205
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – PSYC/SOC 205 and MATH 120 combined: maximum credit, one course
C-ID SOCI 125
Quantitative and qualitative methods as applied to behavioral science data. Frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, variability, hypothesis testing, measures of probability and significance, correlation, regression, and inferential statistics. Also included are data entry, graphing, statistical analysis, and interpretation of data using word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical software.

PSYC 210 Physiological Psychology (4)

3 hours lecture – 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in PSYC 100
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 150
An examination of the biological basis of behavior. Topics to be covered include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, psychoactive drug use and addiction, endocrinology, encephalic evolution, learning and memory, sexual behavior, sleep processes and neuropsychological disorders. Laboratory includes neuroanatomical dissection.

PSYC 211 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)

3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: PSYC 100
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
A general introduction to the principles of cognition. This course examines theoretical and research approaches to the study of cognitive neuroscience, perception, attention, memory, knowledge, visual imagery, language acquisition and development, problem solving and decision making.

PSYC 225 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior (3)

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in PSYC 100
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 120
Identification and description of the various types of psychological abnormalities, deficiencies, and disorders which may interfere with a human individual’s ability to cope with the demands of the surroundings. All of the major psychiatric categories will be covered as well as the types of personality problems which lead to domestic, social, and economic inadequacies, and in some instances, to difficulties with the law.

PSYC 230 Research Methods in Psychology (4)

3 hours lecture – 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in PSYC 100, PSYC/SOC 205, ENG 100
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
C-ID PSY 205B
Introduction to psychological research methods with emphasis on the use of the scientific method in psychological research. The laboratory is designed to complement the lectures and allow each student to design and conduct psychological research.

PSYC 235 Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification (3)

3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
The basic principles and research in classical conditioning, operant conditioning, cognitive learning processes, the impact of biochemical processes on learning, and application of behavior modification techniques for changing behavior.

PSYC 250 Group Leadership and Process (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as AODS 250/SOC 250
Transfer acceptability: CSU
An introduction to the dynamics of group interaction, with emphasis upon the individual’s firsthand experience as the group studies itself under supervision. Problems of communication, effective emotional responses, and personal growth will be highlighted. The emphasis will be upon group process as a means of changing behavior.

PSYC 255 Case Management, Law and Ethics (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as AODS 255/SOC 255
Transfer acceptability: CSU
This course reviews the principles and practice of case management in addiction treatment including the processes of intake, screening, assessment, treatment planning, referral, and documentation. Professional and ethical codes of conduct and behavior are also reviewed and emphasized

PSYC 260 Chemical Dependency Family Counseling (3)

3 hours lecture
Note: Cross listed as AODS 260/SOC 260
Transfer acceptability: CSU
This course is designed to explore methods of assisting family members and others to understand and to cope with the alcohol and drug abuse of alcoholics and addicts. Several family therapy modalities will be explored. The approach will be experiential in format and students will participate in exercises that lead to the development of these skills.

PSYC 296 Special Problems in Psychology (1, 2, 3)

1, 2, or 3 hours lecture
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – Credit determined by UC upon review of course syllabus.
An individualized or group project in psychology of any nature approved by, and under the personal supervision of, the instructor.

PSYC 298 Directed Field Experience I (5)

3 hours lecture – 6 hours laboratory
Note: Cross listed as AODS 298/SOC 298
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Supervised internship in a human service agency or an alcohol and other drug treatment facility. The student intern will have an opportunity to observe human service providers working with clients in agency settings. Ethical guidelines for helping professions, developing cultural competence, stages of change and motivational interviewing as a helping style are discussed. Interns practice interviewing skills for increasing motivation for positive change.

PSYC 299 Directed Field Experience II (6)

3 hours lecture – 9 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in AODS 140/SOC 140/PSYC 140 or AODS 298/SOC 298/PSYC 298
Note: Cross listed as AODS 299/SOC 299
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Supervised internship in an alcohol and other drug treatment facility. This course emphasizes advanced concepts in chemical dependency. Students refine their skills for the 12 core functions of effective clinical practice and compile a professional portfolio in preparation for the state certifying written exam. This course meets the 45-hour supervised practicum requirement for the California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors.