Psychological and Cognitive Sciences

This interdisciplinary course integrates educational psychology and cognitive science to equip pre-service STEM educators with strategies that support diverse learners in K-12 settings. Students will explore cognitive load theory, differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), applying these concepts to enhance student engagement and outcomes for students with disabilities.

The course emphasizes the role of social learning theory and cognitive developmental theory in shaping student behavior and motivation. Culturally responsive teaching practices, traumainformed approaches and collaboration with families and communities are also key components that will be explored through case studies, classroom observations, and scenario-based role plays. Students will develop practical skills in instructional lesson design and implementation and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of course learning objectives through a final project that aligns coursework to real-world teaching scenarios.

How are we able to distinguish instruments, timbres and rhythms from the intertwined sonic stream presented by the world? How do we organize these elements in time to create rhythms, melodies, phrases and pieces? How do perception and memory interact to allow us navigate a musical work? We will explore these questions by considering the cognitive and perceptual processes that shape our musical experience. Topics will include event distinction, temporal perception, hierarchical organization, perceptual grouping, expertise, memory and categorization. We will illustrate these ideas in musical contexts by listening to a variety of musical works. We will consider how psychological principles are applied to music technologies, such as compression algorithms, mixing methodologies and the field of music information retrieval. We will consider experiments that focus on some of these topics to further our understanding about how we experience music. Note: Students that received credit for MU 202X may not receive credit for MU 2501. Students also may not receive credit for both MU 2501 and PSY 2501. This course can count for either the HUA or the SSPS requirement, but it cannot double count for both the HUA and SSPS graduation requirements.

Psychological science is the experimental study of human thought and behavior. Its goal is to contribute to human welfare by developing an understanding of why people do what they do. Experimental psychologists study the entire range of human experience, from infancy until death, from the most abnormal behavior to the most mundane, from the behavior of neurons to the actions of nations. This course offers a broad introduction to important theories, empirical findings, and applications of research in psychological science. Topics will include: use of the scientific method in psychology, evolutionary psychology, behavioral genetics, the anatomy and function of the brain and nervous system, learning, sensation and perception, memory, consciousness, language, intelligence and thinking, life-span development, social cognition and behavior, motivation and emotion, and the nature and treatment of psychological disorders.

This course provides an opportunity for students with little to no background in psychological science to learn about a special topic within Psychological Science. This course may be repeated for different topics.

This course provides an opportunity for students with some background and interest in psychological science to learn about a special topic within Psychological Science. This course may be repeated for different topics.

This course provides an opportunity for students learn how to conduct psychological research in a research laboratory in psychological sciences. This course may be repeated for credit.

This course provides an opportunity for students with a solid background and interest in psychological science to learn about a special topic within Psychological Science. This course may be repeated for different topics.

This course provides an opportunity for students to conduct psychological research in a research laboratory in psychological sciences. This course may be repeated for credit.

This course provides an opportunity for students with a strong background and interest in psychological science to learn about a special topic within Psychological Science. This course may be repeated for different topics.

This course provides an opportunity for students to conduct advanced psychological research in a research laboratory in psychological sciences. This course may be repeated for credit.