REQUIRED RESEARCH COURSES
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56:830:510
Introduction to Psychological Science (3)
This first-semester course has two components: a classroom component and a laboratory component in which students work with
their faculty adviser. The classroom component provides an overview of
research practices in psychological science, with particular emphasis on
reading, understanding, and reviewing the psychological literature, and a
review of research methods and statistical analysis. Students will gain
research experience via an apprenticeship with a faculty member and will write
a critical review of the literature related to their likely thesis research.
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56:830:580
Research Methods (3)
This first-semester course
and 56:830:650 Statistics and Research Design, given the following semester, form a
two-semester sequence. Research Methods covers designing, conducting, and
analyzing research, including issues of ethics, informed consent, control groups,
measurement, and data collection. Topics may include basic research
designs and statistical analyses, including experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational,
survey, and archival research, and associated statistical, computer, and
graphical techniques, with the goal of preparing students to design and carry out methodologically sound
research projects.
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56:830:590
Independent Study: Thesis Proposal (3)
Designed to assist students in developing their thesis proposal through an
apprenticeship experience with a faculty member. Students are expected to
meet weekly with their adviser, who will provide expert guidance on the
proposal. Admission to this class and the grade assigned for this class are
determined by the faculty adviser in consultation with a committee including
the graduate director (see Degree Requirements).
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56:830:650
Statistics and Research Design (3)
This second-semester course is a
continuation of 56:830:580 Research Methods, and builds upon knowledge and skills acquired
in that course. The focus is on the multivariate design issues students will
confront in applied research settings. The course covers between- and
within-subjects designs and mixed models, regression and covariance analysis,
and other univariate and multivariate techniques, relying on computerized data
analysis and graphical representation.
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56:830:690
Independent Study: Thesis Research (3)
Designed to assist students in completing their thesis research. Students are
expected to meet weekly with their adviser, who will provide expert guidance on
data collection, analysis, and write-up (in accordance with the Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association and the Rutgers–Camden Thesis
Style Guide). Admission to this class and the grade assigned for this class are determined by the faculty adviser in consultation with a committee including
the graduate director (see Degree Requirements).
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CORE CONTENT COURSES
Three of these courses must be
taken for completion of the master of arts degree. All content courses will survey
research in the relevant field of study but provide more depth than is
available in undergraduate-level courses. Further, all core content
courses will examine the research methods typically employed in the field of
study.
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56:830:626
Graduate Developmental Psychology (3)
An examination of life span
developmental psychology with reference to classic theories (e.g., Piaget) and
recent theoretical and experimental advances. An exploration of typical human
development, including infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, with
emphasis on childhood social, emotional, and cognitive development.
This course counts toward the required three content courses.
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56:830:631
Graduate Personality Psychology (3)
Examines contemporary research in
personality psychology, focusing on historical and modern perspectives ranging
from Freudian theory to the Five Factor Model of Personality. Both
genetic and environmental influences on personality development will be
considered as will the role of gender and culture in the development of
personality. Applications of personality psychology in the study of
mental and physical health will be discussed.
This course counts toward the required three content courses.
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56:830:635
Graduate Social Psychology (3)
This course will review theory and
research in social psychology. Content will be drawn from classic work, both
theoretical and empirical, and contemporary perspectives.
This course counts toward the required three content courses.
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56:830:640
Graduate Abnormal Psychology (3)
Familiarizes students with the
different diagnoses, etiologies, and treatments of major forms of
psychopathology. Uses the DSM-IV-TR classification system. Emphasizes the role
of current research findings in understanding psychiatric disorders and
appropriate treatment of disorders.
This course counts toward the required three content courses.
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56:830:662
Graduate Cognitive Psychology (3)
Examines current theories and
research methods in cognitive psychology and may cover topics including pattern recognition, attention, multiple aspects of memory, language
comprehension, decision making, thinking, and problem solving. Emphasis
will be on understanding some of these topics in depth rather providing a broad
survey of all.
This course counts toward the required three content courses.
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56:830:675
Graduate Physiological Psychology (3)
This course will explore
recent advances in physiological psychology in an in-depth manner. Topics to be addressed include memory and learning, language, vision, emotion, eating, substance abuse, autism, schizophrenia, and affective disorders.
This course counts toward the required three content courses.
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56:830:620
Program Evaluation (3)
A survey of methods of program evaluation, including targeted research, primary and secondary prevention, ameliorative programs, the assessment of pilot programs, evaluation of training and educational programs, and the study of broad policy issues. Consideration is given to the assessment and reporting of results, including the use of objective/quantitative measures and qualitative assessment of goals that depend on descriptive performance criteria. The iterative process of evaluation, triangulation methods, and meta-analysis are emphasized.
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56:830:625
Industrial Psychology (3)
An introduction to the field of industrial/organizational psychology, covering fundamental theory and research in personnel and organizations. Topics may include psychology of industrial and human relations; job analysis and design; worker morale, motivation, and efficiency; group work; organizational conflict; workplace diversity; leadership and top management teams; training and development; organizational culture and change.
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56:830:636
Psychology of Emotions (3)
Classic and contemporary
theories and research about emotions. Topics include phenomenology and physiology of emotions; emotional
expression and behavior; emotion and motivation; the causes, effects, and
functions of emotions; relationships among emotions; and emotional pathology and
regulation.
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56:830:638
Survey Research Methods (3)
This course teaches how to do
several different types of survey research. It covers topics such as the
purposes of survey research, modes of data collection, reliability and validity
in measurement, questionnaire construction, interviewing and questionnaire
administration, sampling, methods of minimizing and correcting for nonresponse,
survey data coding and analysis, and the reporting of survey research results.
Students are guided through the design of open-ended and closed-ended questions
or a small-scale survey research project.
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56:830:660
Human Factors (3)
Focuses on the person
as a factor in the design and operation of complex systems. Emphasis will
be placed on both the theoretical analysis of the "model human operator," and
on real-world applications of cognitive theories in such domains as the design
of displays, the sequencing of complex tasks, the use of virtual reality
aids, and the minimizing of human error. Students will complete short
projects to demonstrate relevant methodologies.
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56:830:674,675
Special Topics (3,3)
Selected problems in psychology reflecting the specific research interests of individual faculty.
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56:830:677
Evolutionary Psychology (3)
Why do people think, act, and feel
the way they do? These questions have occupied psychologists since the birth of
the field. More recently, researchers in a number of fields (including
psychology, biology, genetics, neuroscience, psychiatry, and physiology) have
examined whether or not the same evolutionary forces that selected for our
anatomy and physiology also shaped our basic psychological traits. In this
course, we will examine many facets of human behavior through an evolutionary
lens, asking such questions as whether or not our basic emotional and intuitive
responses to the environment and to other human beings can be explained as
adaptations that maximized the reproductive potential of our ancestors over the
course of evolutionary history. Some specific topics of discussion include: kin
selection, inclusive fitness, altruism, parental investment, and short-term and
long-term mating strategies.
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56:830:701
Research in Psychology (3)
Students conduct original research in psychology under the supervision of a faculty member.
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56:830:800
Matriculation Continued (0)
According to Graduate School–Camden policies, all students in degree programs must maintain status in the school by registering each fall and spring semester. Continuous registration may be accomplished by enrolling in standard course offerings (typically at least 3 credits), including research courses, or by enrolling in this course of 0 credits.
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56:830:830
Additional Content Courses
Some undergraduate courses may be cross-listed at the 600 level for graduate students who are expected to perform additional academic work to satisfy graduate requirements.
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