Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences
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General Psychology
CAS PS 101
Basic introduction to the field of psychology. Topics include theories and findings governing learning, memory, perception, development, personality, and social and abnormal psychology. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 21-June 27)
Summer 1 seven-week course (May 14-June 28)
O1 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsMartha TompsonOnline CourseMeets online every Mon 7:30-9 pm for a live class. Nonstandard course datesSummer 2 (July 2-August 8)
Summer 2 seven-week course (July 1-August 16)
O2 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsMartha TompsonOnline CourseMeets online every Mon 7:30-9 pm for a live class. Nonstandard course datesSummer 1 Sections A1 & A2 and Summer 2 Section B1: As a special provision of these BU Hub courses, BU financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for up to one course in summer 2024. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu.Summer 1 Section O1 and Summer 2 Section O2: As a special provision of these summer online BU Hub courses, BU financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for up to one course in summer 2024. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu.For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information. -
Introduction to Experimental Design
CAS PS 211
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). Introduction to the logic and processes involved in descriptive and inferential statistics for psychology. Topics include statistical inference, significance, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, regression, and statistical software analysis. This is a hybrid class: class time is reserved for hands-on activities. Does not count toward the principal courses required for the major or minor. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning I. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 21-June 27)
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Perception
CAS PS 222
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). How do we perceive the world around us? In this course, we'll explore vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste and find out how the brain constructs our perceptual experience from light, sound, pressure, and chemicals in the world. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7)
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Physiological Psychology
CAS PS 231
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). Online offering. Students may receive credit for CAS PS 231 or CAS NE 101, but not for both. Structure and function of the nervous system and how it controls behavior. Basic neuroanatomy, cellular basis of neurotransmission, and physiological aspects of sensation. Mechanisms of simple and complex cognitive neural function and the biological underpinnings of major psychiatric disorders. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 seven-week course (May 14-June 28)
O1 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsJames CherryOnline CourseMeets online every Wed 6-8 pm for a live class. Nonstandard course datesSummer 1 Section O1: As a special provision of this summer online BU Hub course, BU financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for up to one course in summer 2024. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu.For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information. -
Developmental Psychology
CAS PS 241
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). Critical review of research and theories pertaining to intellectual and social development of infants and children. Role of early experiences and biological factors in later formation of personality, and intellectual and motivational behaviors; includes theories of Erikson, Piaget, and Freud. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7)
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Psychology of Personality: Theories and Application
CAS PS 251
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). Emphasizes the historical development of personality theories and their application to social, research, and clinical concerns. Classic theories of personality (e.g., psychoanalytic, behavioral, trait, humanistic, cognitive, and social roles) are explored and evaluated through lectures, readings, and case materials. A consideration of trait-based approaches and personality disorder with regards to DSM 5 criteria is also included. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 22-June 26)
Make-up class on Friday, 5/31 -
Social Psychology
CAS PS 261
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). Provides an understanding of how behavior, feelings, and thoughts of individuals are influenced and determined by characteristics of the situation. Topics: attraction, attitudes, prejudice, social roles, aggression, person perception, and groups. Readings cover theories, experimental research, and application. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills units in the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry 1, Critical Thinking. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 22-June 26)
Make-up class on Friday, 5/31 -
Experimental Psychology: Personality
CAS PS 325
Prereq: (CAS PS 101 & CAS PS 251) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). In addition, PS majors must complete (CAS PS 211 or CAS PS 212 or CAS NE 212 or (CAS MA 115 & CAS MA 116)); PS minors must complete (CAS PS 211 or CAS PS 212 or CAS NE 212 or CAS MA 115). Systematic approaches to the study of personality. Experimental and observational investigations of selected aspects of personality. Demonstration of experimental procedures; student participation in laboratory and field studies. Please note that students cannot receive credit for more than one of the following experimental psychology courses: CAS PS 324, CAS PS 325, CAS PS 326. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 22-June 26)
Make-up class on Friday, 5/31 -
Drugs and Behavior
CAS PS 333
Prereq: (CAS PS 231 or CAS NE 101) and PS junior or senior standing or consent of instructor. Comprehensive survey of drug influences on behavior; introduces a neuroscience approach to behavior. Several classes of drugs are discussed, including abused and addictive substances, and psychoactive and therapeutic agents. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 2 (July 2-August 8)
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Psychology of the Family
CAS PS 370
Prereq: (CAS PS 101 or CAS SO 205) and PS junior or senior standing. Survey of psychological issues related to the family. Includes examination of psychological research and data on the individual's experience in the family, with special emphasis on developmental and clinical issues. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 21-June 27)
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Psychopathology
CAS PS 371
Prereq: (CAS PS 101). A thorough review of psychopathology and related clinical issues are examined. The etiology, clinical characteristics, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all major categories of adult psychopathology, as well as evidence-based methods to promote psychological health, are covered. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 21-June 27)
Summer 2 (July 2-August 8)
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Introduction to Clinical Psychology
CAS PS 473
Prereq: (CAS PS 371) and PS junior or senior standing. Introduction to current diagnostic and treatment techniques in clinical psychology from empirical, applied, and theoretical perspectives. Covers clinical interviewing, psychological testing, and a comparison of humanistic, analytic, and systems approaches to therapy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7)
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Childhood Adversity: Risk and Resilience
CAS PS 550
Prereq: (CAS PS 241). Consideration of why some children overcome adversity while others have maladaptive outcomes. Concepts of risk and resilience are applied to contexts of childhood adversity: poverty, maltreatment, homelessness, orphanages, and natural disasters. Discussion of implications for prevention, intervention, and policy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3180
Summer 1 (May 21-June 27)