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Rensselaer Catalog 2017-2018 [Archived Catalog]
Courses
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MTLE 6900 - Graduate Seminar
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 0
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MTLE 6930 - Literature Study
A special course assignment open to graduate students working toward a master’s degree. Applicable where a student cannot reasonably arrange to submit a thesis. A written report on the study must be submitted and defended before a committee of the faculty.
Credit Hours: 1 to 3
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MTLE 6940 - Materials Engineering Project
Credit Hours: 3
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MTLE 6960 - Topics in Materials Engineering
Credit Hours: 3
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MTLE 6970 - Professional Project
Active participation in a semester-long project, under the supervision of a faculty adviser. A Professional Project often serves as a culminating experience for a Professional Master’s program but, with departmental or school approval, can be used to fulfill other program requirements. With approval, students may register for more than one Professional Project. Professional Projects must result in documentation established by each department or school, but are not submitted to the Office of Graduate Education and are not archived in the library. Grades of A, B, C, or F are assigned by the faculty adviser at the end of the semester. If not completed on time, a formal Incomplete grade may be assigned by the faculty adviser, listing the work remaining to be completed and the time limit for completing this work.
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MTLE 6980 - Master’s Project
Active participation in a master’s-level project under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s project report. Grades of IP are assigned until the master’s project has been approved by the faculty adviser. If recommended by the adviser, the master’s project may be accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in the Library. Grades will then be listed as S.
Credit Hours: 1 to 9
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MTLE 6990 - Master’s Thesis
Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s thesis. Grades of S or U are assigned by the adviser each term to reflect the student’s research progress for the given semester. Once the thesis has been presented, approved by the adviser, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education, it will be archived in a standard format in the library.
Credit Hours: 1 to 9
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MTLE 9990 - Dissertation
Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s thesis. Grades of S or U are assigned by the adviser each term to reflect the student’s research progress for the given semester. Once the dissertation has been publicly defended, approved by the doctoral committee, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education, it will be archived in a standard format in the library.
Credit Hours: Variable
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PHIL 1110 - Introduction to Philosophy
An introduction to the major areas of philosophy (ethics, theory of knowledge, philosophy of religion, etc.) and to some of the main problems treated within these fields. Selections from contemporary as well as classical authors are studied and discussed. Students are encouraged to develop a disciplined approach to intellectual problems. Emphasis varies with the instructor.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 1120 - Minds and Machines
This course is an introduction to the philosophy of mind. Students will debate and write papers on the nature of mind, free will, personal identity, consciousness, artificial intelligence, and animal cognition. This is a communication-intensive course.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed with IHSS 1140; students cannot obtain credit for both courses.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2100 - Critical Thinking
This course provides tools for the identification, analysis, and evaluation of the various patterns of reasoning as they occur in the real world. Patterns of reasoning include deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, scientific reasoning, statistical reasoning, and causal reasoning. The course also covers some basic psychology and sociology of reasoning and belief, and concludes with a critical discussion of science and the scientific method.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as PSYC 2100. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PSYC 2100.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2120 - Introduction to Cognitive Science
This course is an introduction to the new and quickly growing field of Cognitive Science which studies the various aspects of cognition, including reasoning, learning, memory, and perception and action. Cognitive Science is a highly interdisciplinary field of study at the intersection of philosophy, psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology, and the course hosts a number of guest lectures given by experts in these respective fields.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as PSYC 2120. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PSYC 2120.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2140 - Introduction to Logic
Introduction to first-order logic as a tool to be used in engineering, computer science, philosophy, etc., and as procedural knowledge helpful in puzzle-solving environments (e.g., standardized tests). A hands-on laboratory component is included.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2400 - Philosophy of Biology
This course addresses such issues as: Are species real entities in the world or just human constructs? Are biological phenomena reducible to physical processes or do irreducible biological features exist? What is the relationship between microevolution and macroevolution? Does sociobiology have something to contribute to our understanding of ethics? To what extent are the structures of the human mind products of evolution?
When Offered: Spring or fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2600 - Moral Development
An analysis of psychological research on how commonsense moral beliefs develop from early childhood through old age and their application to daily problems. A major focus is on the conflict between themes of justice or individual rights and caring compassion and its relation to gender differences (the Kohlberg/Gilligan debate). This is a communication-intensive course.
When Offered: Fall or spring term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as PSYC 2600. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PSYC 2600.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2830 - Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
Central to philosophy is a careful examination of human reasons for holding their beliefs. Given the complexity/ineffability of religious experience, philosophy of religion’s examination of reasons is especially difficult. This course will analyze and evaluate Western monotheism both generally and as it relates to the traditional questions of faith and reason, the problem of evil, fate, and free will and the existence of miracles. Time permitting, non-Western as well as Western religions will be considered.
When Offered: Upon availability of instructor.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 2940 - Philosophy Studies
Independent study of a particular topic.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 1 to 4
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PHIL 2960 - Topics in Philosophy
Experimental courses on subjects to be announced in advance.
Credit Hours: 1 to 4
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PHIL 4130 - Philosophy of Science
How does science stimulate philosophical thinking and how has philosophy influenced science? This broad range of interaction is studied with special attention given to the concepts of theory, observation, and scientific method. Special attention is given to issues basic to psychology, in particular, reductionism, behaviorism, functionalism, and cognitivism. This is a communication-intensive course.
When Offered: Spring term odd-numbered years.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4140 - Intermediate Logic
This course is a continuation of PHIL 2140, covering basic metatheory of logic (including formal syntax and semantics, model theory, and soundness and completeness of proof systems), applications of logic (including automated theorem proving, deductive problem solving, and the axiomatization of various branches of mathematics), and alternative systems of logic (including sequent systems, diagrammatic logic, and modal logic).
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHIL 2140.
When Offered: Spring term even-numbered years.
Cross Listed: MATH 4040.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4240 - Ethics
A critical examination of traditional and contemporary works in ethical theory by considering what these theories have to say about how people should live, what rights and obligations they have, what things are intrinsically valuable. Typically this includes such topics as ethical and cultural relativism, egoism, freedom, and responsibility. Often the focus will be on contemporary issues such as war, abortion, equality, or punishment. This is a communication-intensive course.
When Offered: Fall or spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4260 - Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
This course may be roughly divided into two general areas: philosophical problems in AI and philosophical issues that arise because of AI. An example from the first area is the Knower Paradox, a paradox in which an apparently desirable formalism for handling an agent’s knowledge leads to inconsistency; an example from the second area is John Searle’s attack on so-called “Strong” AI by way of his Chinese Room argument, wherein he claims that because a computer at bottom just manipulates symbols it cannot genuinely understand.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHIL 2140.
When Offered: Upon availability of instructor.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4300 - Environmental Philosophy
While concepts such as quality of life, environment, nature, global ecology, and the like figure heavily in contemporary discussions, they are seldom integrated into an environmental philosophy. The course tries to achieve this integration by understanding some of the religious, mythic-poetic, and scientific dimensions of the man-nature matrix. Some specific environmental problems are examined in order to illustrate the system of values implied by various solutions.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Spring term even-numbered years.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as STSH 4340. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and STSH 4340.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4310 - Scientific Revolutions
What is progress in science? How has the concept of progress been influenced by science? Are there significant differences between scientific and technological revolutions? These questions are explored in order to shed light on the complex dynamics of academic and industrial research.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHIL 1110 or PHIL 2130.
When Offered: Upon availability of instructor.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4420 - Computability and Logic
A team-based, project-oriented, hands-on introduction to the great concepts and discoveries in logic and computability, including Turing Machines, first-order logic, the limitations of computing machines, Godel’s incompleteness results, and so forth. A hands-on laboratory component is included.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHIL 2140.
When Offered: Spring term odd-numbered years.
Cross Listed: Cross listed with MATH 4030. Students cannot received credit both this course and MATH 4030.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4480 - Metaphysics and Consciousness
Daydreams about some tropical paradise … the smell of freshly baked bread … the flash of anger experienced when one person cuts another off … the vision of an albino squirrel on the campus green … Humans take all of these to involve activities or states of consciousness. But what is this consciousness with which they claim to be so intimately familiar? What are its metaphysical implications, and can people reconcile those implications with current scientific understanding of the world? This is a communication-intensive course.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: one course in philosophy.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4500 - Bioethics
This course involves a philosophical analysis of some of the basic moral issues raised by recent and anticipated developments in the areas of biology and medicine. The general question “What are moral problems, and how does one resolve them?” is examined in the context of concrete cases involving issues such as abortion, euthanasia, organ transplants, experimentation on human patients, cloning, genetic engineering, and behavior control and modification. This is a communication-intensive course.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as STSH 4250. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and STSH 4250.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHIL 4940 - Topics in Philosophy
Experimental courses on subjects to be announced in advance.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 1 to 4
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PHIL 4990 - Capstone Experience in Philosophy
Students conduct original scholarly projects: original research, theoretical or analytical reviews of the literature, or computer simulations. Working either alone or in groups, students prepare written reports relating to this project, under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: permission of a supervising faculty member.
When Offered: Fall, spring, and summer terms annually.
Credit Hours: 3 to 6
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PHYS 1010 - A Passion for Physics
A weekly one-hour seminar by physics department faculty members, in which they describe their scientific and research interests, at a level suitable for first-year college students. This course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 1
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PHYS 1100 - Physics I
The first semester of a two-semester sequence of interactive courses. Topics include linear and angular kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, momentum and collisions, forces and fields, gravitation, oscillatory motion, waves, sound, and interference.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Corequisite: MATH 1010 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Credit cannot be obtained for both Physics 1050 and Physics 1100.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 1150 - Honors Physics I
Introductory physics for students seeking a more intensive experience. Newton’s laws are introduced using differential calculus, with solutions based on integral calculus. Material on fluids, thermodynamics, and special relativity is included. Laboratory exercises are carried out emphasizing measurement uncertainty and clear, concise reporting. Recommended for students intending to major in physics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Corequisite: MATH 1010.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 1200 - Physics II
The second semester of the two-semester sequence of interactive courses. Topics include electric and magnetic forces and fields, Gauss’s Law, dc and ac circuits, Ampere’s Law and Faraday’s Law, electromagnetic radiation, physical optics, and quantum physics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 1100 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Corequisite: MATH 1020.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 1250 - Honors Physics II
Introductory physics for students seeking a more intensive experience. Electricity and magnetism is discussed making use of multivariable differentiation and integration. AC and DC circuits. Electromagnetic waves, optics, and selected topics in modern physics. Laboratory exercises are carried out emphasizing measurement uncertainty and clear, concise reporting. Recommended for students intending to major in physics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 1100 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Corequisite: MATH 1020.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 1500 - Physical Modeling
An introductory physics course in which students learn by constructing computer models of physical systems and then examining the behavior of the models. Whenever possible, the models will be compared to real systems. Spreadsheets will be the main tools used to construct the models, and no prior programming experience is required.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: high school physics.
When Offered: Consult department.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 1600 - Materials Science
Introduction to the scientific principles that dictate the structure and properties of engineering materials, including metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers. Physical properties of materials (mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical) are discussed in terms of the underlying structure, spanning multiple length scales from atomic packing to micron scale defects in practical engineering materials. Throughout the course, the material behaviors are understood from the viewpoint of thermodynamics and kinetics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prequisites: CHEM 1100.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Cross Listed: ENGR 1600, CHEM 1600, and ISCI 1600. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and ENGR 1600, CHEM 1600, or ISCI 1600.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact, Lecture or Lab Hours: 5
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PHYS 1960 - Topics in Physics
Credit Hours: 1
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PHYS 2210 - Quantum Physics I
Introduction to the formalism of Special Relativity, Schrodinger wave mechanics, and spin-1/2 particles. Solutions to Schrodinger’s Equation in one, two, and three dimensions. One-electron atoms and quantum mechanical magnetic dipole moments.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: PHYS 1200 or PHYS 1250, MATH 1020.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 2350 - Experimental Physics
Experiments in mechanics, optics, electricity and electromagnetics, oscillations and waves, atomic, nuclear, and solid-state physics. Experimental methods, quantitative observations, and interpretation of data. This is a communication-intensive course.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: PHYS 2220.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact, Lecture or Lab Hours: 9 contact hours
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PHYS 2620 - Fundamentals of Optics
A survey of optics and optical phenomena and their applications. A modern laboratory is part of the course. Topics include geometrical optics and instruments, wave and Fourier optics, and polarization of light. Applications of modern optics to communications and manufacturing are stressed.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 1200 or equivalent.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 2940 - Special Projects in Physics
Reading and study in various fields of physics to develop interest in and ability for independent study.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 3
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PHYS 2960 - Topics in Physics
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 2990 - Thesis
An independent investigation.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 3 or 4
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PHYS 4100 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics beyond Schrodinger wave mechanics. The postulates of quantum mechanics. Second quantization, Dirac notation, Hilbert spaces, perturbation theory, and applications to simple systems.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: PHYS 2220.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4210 - Electromagnetic Theory
Field theory of electricity and magnetism with emphasis on solving boundary value problems. Dielectric and magnetic materials. Maxwell’s equations and wave propagation with applications to optics. Relativistic electrodynamics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: PHYS 2220 and MATH 4600.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4240 - General Relativity
Introduction to the physics of gravitation and spacetime. Special relativity, tensor calculus, and relativistic electrodynamics. General relativity with selected applications of Einstein’s field equations (gravitational time dilation; gravitational lensing; frame dragging; gravitational radiation). The physics of nonrotating and rotating black holes. Relativistic models for the large-scale structure of the Universe. Observational constraints on the cosmological parameters. Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the Cosmic Background Radiation. A culminating experience project is required. (Meets with ASTR 4240).
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: PHYS 4330 and MATH 4600.
Cross Listed: Cross listed with ASTR 4240. Students cannot receive credit for both PHYS 4240 and ASTR 4240.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4330 - Theoretical Mechanics
Particle and rigid body dynamics using Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian methods. Motion of particle systems. Central force motion. Rotating coordinate systems. Rigid body motion using the inertia tensor and Euler angles. Coupled systems and normal coordinates. Introduction to continuum mechanics and the mechanics of deformable media. Introduction to Hamiltonian Mechanics, including proof and applications of Liouville’s Theorem. Formalism of Special Relativity. Introduction to nonlinear dynamics and chaotic behavior.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: PHYS 1250 or PHYS 1200, MATH 2400, and MATH 2010. Corerequisite: MATH 4600.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4420 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
The principles and physical applications of classical thermodynamics are developed. Basic concepts in classical and quantum statistical mechanics are introduced and their relations to thermodynamics are developed.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: PHYS 2220. Also MATH 2400, and MATH 2010.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4510 - Quantum Mechanics I
Classical mechanics: from Lagrangian to Hamiltonian, single particle formalism, small oscillations, normal modes, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, Hamilton’s equation, review of wave mechanics: Schroedinger equation, barrier tunneling, quantum wells. Mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics: ket space, representations, observables, eigenstates and diagonization, quantum postulates, application of quantum postulates to two-level systems, harmonic oscillators, creation and annihilation operators. Quantization of angular momentum, spherical harmonics, rotation operators, Landau levels, central force: hydrogen atom. Path Integral formalism for quantum theory. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHYS 6510.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 4100 or equivalent.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4620 - Elementary Particle Physics
Survey of the elementary particles and their interactions. Historical introduction and discussion of experimental apparatus and particle accelerators. Relativistic kinematics and incorporation into quantum field theory, including Feynman diagrams. Bound states and the quark model. Symmetries and their manifestation. Neutrino oscillations and gauge theories. Quantum electrodynamics, the electroweak interaction, quantum chromodynamics, and prospects for grand unification. A culminating experience project is required.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 4100.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4630 - Lasers and Optical Systems
Optical physics and applications of lasers. Design of optical systems. Topics include: wave optics and beam propagation, Gaussian beams, resonators, optical properties of atoms and laser gain media, laser amplifiers, pulsed laser systems, applications of lasers, nonlinear optics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 2620 recommended.
When Offered: Fall term odd-numbered years.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as ECSE 4630. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ECSE 4630.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact, Lecture or Lab Hours: Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week.
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PHYS 4640 - Optical Communications and Integrated Optics
Phenomena, materials, and devices for optical communications and computing. Topics include: guided wave and fiber optics, integrated optics, electro-optic and nonlinear optical switching, pulse and soliton propagation, sources and detectors.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 2620.
When Offered: Fall term even-numbered years.
Cross Listed: Cross listed with ECSE 4640. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and ECSE 4640.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact, Lecture or Lab Hours: Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week.
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PHYS 4720 - Solid-State Physics
An introduction to theoretical and experimental solid-state physics. Wave mechanics in the perfect crystal. X-rays, electrons, and phonons. Electrical properties of metals and semiconductors. Qualitative treatment of lattice defects.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 or equivalent.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Cross Listed: ECSE 4720; students cannot receive credit for both this course and ECSE 4720.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4810 - Computational Physics
Computational physics studies the implementation of numerical algorithms to solve problems of physics which do not have analytical solutions. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to solve physics problems from a variety of fields under realistic conditions, using modern architectures such as graphical processing units and supercomputers. This course makes extensive use of computers but remains a physics course where students enrich their understanding of physical phenomena. A culminating experience project is required.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: CSCI 1100, PHYS 1100, and PHYS 1200 or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 4910 - Culminating Experience Project
Independent study to accompany designated capstone courses in Physics and Astronomy. Designated courses are: ASTR 4220 Astrophysics; ASTR 4240 Gravitation and Cosmology; ASTR 4510 Origins of LIfe: a Cosmic Perspective; PHYS 4810 Computational Physics; PHYS 4620 Elementary Particle Physics; PHYS 4240 General Relativity; ASTR 4120 Observational Astronomy; PHYS 4630 Lasers and Optical Systems; PHYS 4640 Optical Communications and Integrated Optics; PHYS 4720 Solid State Physics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Corequisite: Must be concurrently registered in one of the following: ASTR 4120, ASTR 4220, ASTR 4240, ASTR 4510, PHYS 4240, PHYS 4620, PHYS 4630, PHYS 4640, or PHYS 4720, PHYS 4810, or by instructor permission.
Credit Hours: 1
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PHYS 4960 - Topics in Physics
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 6410 - Electrodynamics
Electrostatics and magnetostatics. Relativistic kinematics. Relativistic dynamics. Relativistic theory of classical fields. Electromagnetic waves. Linear and nonlinear materials. EM waves in linear, dispersive media. EM waves in nonlinear materials. Diffraction. Radiation by relativistic particles.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 6510 - Quantum Mechanics I
Classical mechanics: from Lagrangian to Hamiltonian, single particle formalism, small oscillations, normal modes, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, Hamilton’s equation, review of wave mechanics: Schroedinger equation, barrier tunneling, quantum wells, mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics: ket space, representations, observables, eigenstates and diagonization, quantum postulates, application of quantum postulates to two-level systems, harmonic oscillators, creation and annihilation operators. Quantization of angular momentum, spherical harmonics, rotation operators, Landau levels, central force: hydrogen atom. Path integral formalism for quantum theory. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHYS 4510.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 4100 or equivalent.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 6520 - Quantum Mechanics II
Intrinsic spins, Pauli matrices, spinors. Addition of angular momenta, Clebsch-Gordon coefficients, Wigner-Eckart Theorems, applications. Approximate treatments: variation methods, overlap integrals, Block wavelength. WKB methods. Stationary perturbation, degeneracy. Fine structure and hyperfine structure in atoms. Approximations for time dependent problems: Fermi-Golden rules. Classical fields: Lagrangian density, variational principle, field equations, normal modes. Field quantization: quantization of continuous systems, EM radiation, photons, EM-atom coupling, spontaneous emission. Relativistic single particle: Dirac equation, free space solution, central force solution.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 6510.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 6530 - Quantum Mechanics III
Relativistic wave equations. Commutation relations and the quantization of free fields. Spin and statistics of Bose and Fermi fields. Interacting fields and commutation relations. Interaction representation and S-matrix perturbation theory. Renormalization theory and applications in quantum electrodynamics.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 6520.
When Offered: Consult department about when offered.
Credit Hours: 3
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PHYS 6590 - Statistical Mechanics
Review of thermodynamics, probability, and statistics. Statistical basis of thermodynamics, various ensembles, quantum statistics. Ideal Fermi and Bose gases and applications to solids and the black-body radiation. Interacting systems, phase transitions, and critical phenomena. Phase transition in the Van der Waals gas and in the Ising ferromagnet. Mean-field approximation and Landau theory of continuous phase transitions. Random walk, diffusion, Brownian motion, and Langevin equation. Stochastic processes.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 6510.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PHYS 6710 - Theory of Solids I
An introduction to the theory of solids. Theory of the free-electron metal, band theory, and phonons. Application to the electrical, optical, and thermal properties of solids. Qualitative discussion of cohesion.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 6520.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 3
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PHYS 6720 - Theory of Solids II
More detailed application of solid-state theory to electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of matter. Consideration of particular materials; semiconductors, ferrites, ferroelectrics, and superconductors.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 6710.
When Offered: Upon availability of instructor.
Credit Hours: 3
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PHYS 6810 - Nonlinear and Quantum Optics
Theoretical framework for analysis of wave propagation in nonlinear media. Classical and quantum theory of nonlinear response. Multi-wave mixing, including second-harmonic generation, optical phase conjugation and optical bistability. Quantization of the electromagnetic field and quantum stochastic processes in atom-field interactions. Applications to amplifiers, lasers, resonance fluorescence, and squeezed state generation. Quantum theory of measurements.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PHYS 6510.
When Offered: Consult department about when offered.
Credit Hours: 3
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PHYS 6900 - Seminar
Selected topics.
Credit Hours: to be arranged
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PHYS 6940 - Readings in Physics
Supervised reading and study in various fields of physics.
Credit Hours: 3
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PHYS 6960 - Topics in Physics
Credit Hours: Variable
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PHYS 6970 - Professional Project
Active participation in a semester-long project, under the supervision of a faculty adviser. A Professional Project often serves as a culminating experience for a Professional Master’s program but, with departmental or school approval, can be used to fulfill other program requirements. With approval, students may register for more than one Professional Project. Professional Projects must result in documentation established by each department or school, but are not submitted to the Office of Graduate Education and are not archived in the library. Grades of A, B, C, or F are assigned by the faculty adviser at the end of the semester. If not completed on time, a formal Incomplete grade may be assigned by the faculty adviser, listing the work remaining to be completed and the time limit for completing this work.
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PHYS 6980 - Master’s Project
Active participation in a master’s-level project under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s project report. Grades of IP are assigned until the master’s project has been approved by the faculty adviser. If recommended by the adviser, the master’s project may be accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in the library. Grades will then be listed as S.
Credit Hours: 1 to 9
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PHYS 6990 - Master’s Thesis
Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s thesis. Grades of S or U are assigned by the adviser each term to reflect the student’s research progress for the given semester. Once the thesis has been presented, approved by the adviser, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education, it will be archived in a standard format in the library.
Credit Hours: 1 to 9
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PHYS 9990 - Dissertation
Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a doctoral dissertation. Grades of IP are assigned until the dissertation has been publicly defended, approved by the doctoral committee, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in a standard format in the library. Grades will then be listed as S.
Credit Hours: Variable
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PSYC 1200 - General Psychology
An introduction to psychology. Topics covered vary with instructor but may include physiological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, child and adult development, motivation, personality, psychological disorders, social behavior. Introduction to basic methods of psychological research is a course requirement that can be met in several ways (described during the first class meeting). There is a significant experiential component that varies with the instructor but will include interactive computer stimulations, class demonstrations, group projects.
When Offered: Fall, spring, and summer terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2100 - Critical Thinking
This course provides tools for the identification, analysis, and evaluation of the various patterns of reasoning as they occur in the real world. Patterns of reasoning include deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, scientific reasoning, statistical reasoning, and causal reasoning. The course also covers some basic psychology and sociology of reasoning and belief, and concludes with a critical discussion of science and the scientific method.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as PHIL 2100. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHIL 2100.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2120 - Introduction to Cognitive Science
This course is an introduction to the new and quickly growing field of Cognitive Science which studies the various aspects of cognition, including reasoning, learning, memory, and perception and action. Cognitive Science is a highly interdisciplinary field of study at the intersection of philosophy, psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology, and the course hosts a number of guest lectures given by experts in these respective fields.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed as PHIL 2120. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHIL 2120.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2220 - Human Factors in Design
This course provides a broad introduction to the theories and principles of human performance, man-machine interfaces, and systems designs. It also emphasizes the applications of these theories and principles to the design of controls, work space, data entry devices, training systems, and the human-computer interface.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200 or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2310 - Research Methods and Statistics I
This course, the first in a two-course sequence, provides an introduction to basic methods of behavioral and social science research, including experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental research designs, psychometric considerations (e.g., reliability, validity, control, importance, levels of measurement), approaches to data collection and analysis, and communication of results. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the topics covered by writing a detailed research proposal formatted according to American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. Students will also gain experience in using a selection of parametric (e.g., correlation, simple and multiple regression, ANOVA) and non-parametric (e.g., Chi-square Test of Independence, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon T, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman’s ANOVA) statistical procedures. Data analysis will be carried out using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). This is a communication-intensive course.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: PSYC 1200 or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2600 - Moral Development
An analysis of psychological research on how our common sense moral beliefs develop from early childhood through old age, and their application to daily problems. A major focus is on the conflict between themes of justice or individual rights and caring compassion and its relation to gender differences (the Kohlberg/Gilligan debate).
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Cross Listed: PHIL 2600; students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHIL 2600.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2730 - Social Psychology
This is a survey course covering theories, methods, and empirical research on personal and situational factors influencing social behavior. Topics covered include social perception, the construction of social reality, decision making, group influences on behavior, and attitudes. This is a communication-intensive course.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 2800 - Introduction to Sports Psychology
An introduction to psychology as applied to sport; the topics covered include history of sport behavior, principles of learning and their application, anxiety and arousal, motivation, leadership, cohesion, audience effects, aggression, personality assessment, female athletes, youth in sport, coach behavior, and physical activity for all.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4110 - Motivation and Performance
This course encompasses a broad spectrum of theories concerned with the biological, psychological, and social components of motivation. Throughout the course, students relate theoretical issues to both recent research evidence and potential practical applications to enhance performance. Group projects, focus group discussions, and interactive guest speakers are used to establish links between theory and performance.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4160 - Human Factors Seminar
A comprehensive, project-oriented survey of special topics in human factors. Applied, experimental, and/or field research will be required.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 2220 or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Upon sufficient demand.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4170 - Professional Development II: Leadership Theories
This course examines the major theories of leadership, as well as provides the opportunity to apply these theories to actual or symbolic leaders. Students wishing to become effective managers or leaders will benefit from this course, since the focus is on providing students with information about the traits, behaviors, power and influence, and charisma of effective leaders.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: ENGR 2050. Restricted to junior and senior engineering majors.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 2
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PSYC 4200 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology
A broad introduction to the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Topics covered include personnel selection, job analysis, training, performance appraisal, work-related attitudes, employee motivation, leadership, decision making, and organizational theory.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4260 - Psychological Tests and Measurements
Methods, techniques, and instruments for measuring individual differences are surveyed. Topics include representative methods of test construction, a critical analysis of representative tests, criteria for evaluating and selecting tests, and the value and limitations of tests.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4310 - Research Methods and Statistics II
This course is the second in a two-semester sequence on research methods and statistics in the behavioral sciences. Students will learn how to analyze data using multiple regression, analysis of variance, factor analysis, principal component analysis, and multi-level linear modeling. Additional procedures (e.g., structural equation modeling, alternatives to null hypothesis significance testing) will be covered if time permits. Students will also gain proficiency with the R programming language and software environment for statistical computing. Each student will carry out a research project and prepare a formal report that comports with the guidelines from the American Psychological Association. This is a communication-intensive course.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200 and/or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4320 - Behavioral Neuroscience
This course is an introduction to the role of physiological mechanisms in behavioral processes. There will be detailed examination and discussion of the involvement of biological systems in feeding and drinking, sexual behavior, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, psychopathology and psychopharmacology.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200 or PHIL/PSYC 2120.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4340 - Human Sexuality
This course provides biological, cultural, historical, and psychological perspectives of sexuality. Basic information on human development and reproductive physiology is provided. In addition, current topics such as marriage, alternate lifestyles, contraception, and pornography are discussed. Small group focus discussions, media-based discussions, and interactive guest speakers are used to link course material to responsible sexuality and understanding of diversity.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4370 - Cognitive Psychology
The focus of this course is on the flow of information from sensory input to retrieval from long-term memory. Within this framework, topics such as mnemonics, pattern recognition, attention, computer simulation, reasoning, and the relationship between culture and thought are discussed.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200 or PHIL/PSYC/COGS 2120.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4400 - Personality
Modern theories of personality are presented and compared. Using these theories, students analyze the processes by which people cope with intrapsychic, interpersonal, and institutional demands. Evidence on adaptive processes from clinical, field, and laboratory studies is evaluated. This is a communication-intensive course.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Upon availability of instructor.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4410 - Sensation and Perception
What are the processes that allow humans to detect information about their surroundings, recognize people and objects, and perceive depth and motion? This course will focus on the physiological and neural mechanisms underlying sensation (sight, hearing, and touch), the qualitative aspects of human perceptual experience, and how perception and action are interconnected. Color perception, object recognition, space and motion perception, and perception and action are all examined.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200 or PHIL/PSYC 2120.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4450 - Learning
The first half of this course is devoted to presentation of traditional theories of learning. Classical and operant conditioning and single-subject methodology are studied in depth. During the second half of the course, students apply their knowledge of operant conditioning principles in the context of a group-based field study.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4500 - Drugs, Society, and Behavior
This course is an exploration of the social and psychological effects of extensive use of pharmacological agents that are salient to daily behavior. There is an emphasis on the effects of addictive drugs such as alcohol, heroin, and cocaine.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Fall and spring terms annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4510 - Cognitive Modeling
Cognitive modeling investigates human cognition by developing computational systems that simulate cognitive processes. Cognitive modeling grew out of Cognitive Psychology and Artificial Intelligence. Cognitive models are used in a number of basic and applied domains including Human-Computer Interaction, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Computer-Generated Forces, and Synthetic Characters. In this course, students will develop models in ACT-R (a unified theory of cognition) that simulate recent findings in cognitive psychology.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: PSYC 1200 or PHIL/PSYC 2120 and CSCI 2300. Recommended: CSCI 4150 and/or PSYC 4370 or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4620 - Cognitive Engineering
Covers cognitive theory from an applied perspective to understand and predict the interactions among human cognition, artifact (i.e. tools), and task. Cognitive task analysis techniques will be taught and used throughout the course, as well techniques for collecting and analyzing fine-grained behavioral data. Topics covered may include visual search and visual attention, cognitive skills and its acquisition, hard and soft constraints on interactive behavior, human error, soft constraints on judgment and decision-making, and experts and expertise.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC/PHIL 2120 or PSYC 4370 or permission of instructor.
When Offered: Fall term annually.
Cross Listed: Cross listed with COGS 4620. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and COGS 4620.
Credit Hours: 4
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PSYC 4720 - Abnormal Psychology
The definition, history, major schools of thought, and models of the normal and abnormal personality are presented. Disorders are examined within the framework of D.S.M. and competing schools of thought. The description, etiology, treatment, including pharmacologic, and prevention of each of the disorders are considered. Illustrative cases are presented. Students write a paper on a topic, approved by the instructor, that focuses upon the impact of public policies on psychopathology.
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisite: PSYC 1200.
When Offered: Spring term annually.
Credit Hours: 4
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