Psychology
The Psychology Department offers various foundational courses and more specialized courses that explore areas of social, developmental, and abnormal psychology.
Note:
- Undergraduate research courses are offered by the department to qualified students. For additional information, consult the Departmental Representative.
- For additional information regarding courses, faculty, major requirements, etc., visit the department's Web site.
For questions about specific courses, contact the department.
Courses
Introduction to the science of human behavior. Topics include history of psychology, brain function and development, sleep and dreams, sensation and perception, learning and memory, theories of development, language and cognition, research methods, emotion, mental illness, and therapy.
Course Number
PSYC1001S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/10228Enrollment
16 of 50Instructor
Sarah DeMoyaIntroduction to the science of human behavior. Topics include history of psychology, brain function and development, sleep and dreams, sensation and perception, learning and memory, theories of development, language and cognition, research methods, emotion, mental illness, and therapy.
Course Number
PSYC1001S002Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 17:30-20:40We 17:30-20:40Section/Call Number
002/10229Enrollment
19 of 50Instructor
Tina KaoCourse Number
PSYC1420S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
4 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 10:45-12:50Tu 10:45-12:50We 10:45-12:50Th 10:45-12:50Section/Call Number
001/10224Enrollment
8 of 20Instructor
Patricia LindemannPrerequisites: PSYCBC1001 Introduction to Psychology or its accepted equivalent. . An introduction to the study of abnormal behavior and various psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. The course broadly reviews scientific and cultural perspectives on abnormal behavior with an emphasis on clinical descriptions and diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and research methods. The following Columbia University course is considered overlapping and a student cannot receive credit for both the BC course and the equivalent CU course: PSYC UN2620 Abnormal Behavior.
Course Number
PSYC2141X001Session
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/00061Enrollment
6 of 15Instructor
Erica MusserPrerequisites: PSYCBC1001 Introduction to Psychology or its accepted equivalent. . An introduction to the study of abnormal behavior and various psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. The course broadly reviews scientific and cultural perspectives on abnormal behavior with an emphasis on clinical descriptions and diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and research methods. The following Columbia University course is considered overlapping and a student cannot receive credit for both the BC course and the equivalent CU course: PSYC UN2620 Abnormal Behavior.
Course Number
PSYC2141X002Session
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
002/00062Enrollment
6 of 15Instructor
Erica MusserPrerequisites: BC1001 or permission of the instructor.
The aim of this course is to critically examine the complex interaction of biological, psychological and environmental factors which impact the etiology, symptoms, and treatment of substance abuse and dependence. The course focuses on those drugs which have abuse and dependence potential with specific emphasis on Alcohol and the Depressants, the Psychostimulants, and the Opiates. A primary objective is to provide insight into factors which contribute to challenges with substances for some individuals and to better understand their felt and lived experience with drugs.
The course begins with a review of theoretical perspectives including disease, behavioral, cognitive, social learning, psychodynamic, and neurobiological models. The physical, psychological, and socio-cultural effects/impact of each major class of drug will then follow. Within each category, we will also discuss controversial issues related to each drug for example: methadone maintenance, needle exchange programs, Ritalin/Adderall abuse, the “opiate epidemic.” Throughout the course, case histories, film documentaries and memoirs will provide personal accounts of the drug experience. We conclude the course with an overview of treatment interventions.
Course Number
PSYC2177X001Session
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/00073Enrollment
8 of 15Instructor
E'mett McCaskillPrerequisites: BC1001 or permission of the instructor.
The aim of this course is to critically examine the complex interaction of biological, psychological and environmental factors which impact the etiology, symptoms, and treatment of substance abuse and dependence. The course focuses on those drugs which have abuse and dependence potential with specific emphasis on Alcohol and the Depressants, the Psychostimulants, and the Opiates. A primary objective is to provide insight into factors which contribute to challenges with substances for some individuals and to better understand their felt and lived experience with drugs.
The course begins with a review of theoretical perspectives including disease, behavioral, cognitive, social learning, psychodynamic, and neurobiological models. The physical, psychological, and socio-cultural effects/impact of each major class of drug will then follow. Within each category, we will also discuss controversial issues related to each drug for example: methadone maintenance, needle exchange programs, Ritalin/Adderall abuse, the “opiate epidemic.” Throughout the course, case histories, film documentaries and memoirs will provide personal accounts of the drug experience. We conclude the course with an overview of treatment interventions.
Course Number
PSYC2177X002Session
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
002/00074Enrollment
7 of 15Instructor
E'mett McCaskillAn introduction to basic concepts in cognitive psychology. Topics include theories and
phenomena in areas such as attention, memory, concepts and categories, language, reasoning,
decision making, and consciousness.
Course Number
PSYC2210S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/10225Enrollment
21 of 50Instructor
Nora IsacoffPrerequisites: PSYC W1001 or PSYC W1010, or the instructor's permission. Introduction to the scientific study of human development, with an emphasis on psychobiological processes underlying perceptual, cognitive, and emotional development.
Course Number
PSYC2280S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/11347Enrollment
10 of 50Instructor
Nim TottenhamCourse Number
PSYC2450S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 13:00-16:10We 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/10270Enrollment
20 of 50Instructor
Elif DumanCourse Number
PSYC2490S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/10223Enrollment
9 of 50Instructor
Lawrence ReedCourse Number
PSYC2620S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
We 13:00-16:00Fr 13:00-16:00Section/Call Number
001/10222Enrollment
10 of 50Instructor
Jeffrey CohenCourse Number
PSYC2630S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 13:00-16:10We 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/10226Enrollment
32 of 50Instructor
Joshua FeinbergClinical psychology is a broad and expanding field. This course will provide students with a broad overview of approaches to treatment and assessment in clinical psychology. These include theoretical orientations and current debates within the field. The course will also provide students with cultural and ethical considerations within the field. Finally, the course will offer many illustrative examples of the application of the provided material.
Course Number
PSYC2830S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-12:10We 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/10545Enrollment
12 of 50Instructor
Lawrence Reed
Psychedelics are receiving growing attention in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience for their therapeutic potential. Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT produce a wide range of changes to perception, ranging from visual perception to alterations in one’s sense of self. When combined with psychological support or psychotherapy, psychedelics have been shown to lead to rapid and long-lasting therapeutic benefits for a wide range of mental health disorders, including major depression and alcohol use disorder. The acute alterations in perception and long-lasting clinical effects offer exciting insight into the relationship between the mind and the brain. This course will focus on the current state of research on the psychological and neurobiological effects of psychedelics. We will begin with a crash-course into the basics of neuroscience and research methodology. Next, the course will delve into how psychedelics alter brain functioning, both acutely during the drug effects as well as long after they have worn off. Studies covered will span molecular, cellular, and systems level analysis. A core element of the course will include reviewing methodological approaches and neuroscientific evidence for psychedelics interventions in the treatment of clinical/psychiatric disorders. We will also review the clinical data and link neurobiological findings to their practical application to move the field of psychedelic science forward. Throughout the course, there will be a specific focus on critical appraisal of research, identifying strengths and limitations surrounding current research, and important avenues for future research. Students should leave the class with an enhanced ability to evaluate research findings and a broad understanding of the mechanisms of action of psychedelics.
The format of the course will include lectures, class discussions and presentations, and guest speakers.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1001 and any PSYC 2400-level neuroscience course or permission of the instructor.
Course Number
PSYC3472S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 09:00-12:10Th 09:00-12:10Section/Call Number
001/10544Enrollment
7 of 15Instructor
Broc PagniA seminar for advanced undergraduate students exploring different areas of clinical psychology. The specific focus within clinical psychology may differ each time the course is offered, so it is possible for the course to be retaken for additional credit.
Course Number
PSYC3622S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:00-16:10Th 13:00-16:10Section/Call Number
001/10269Enrollment
6 of 15Instructor
Usha BarahmandCourse Number
PSYC3625S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Tu 17:30-20:40Th 17:30-20:40Section/Call Number
001/10227Enrollment
9 of 15Instructor
E'mett McCaskillCourse Number
PSYC3950S001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
4 ptsSummer 2025
Section/Call Number
001/10231Enrollment
2 of 10Instructor
Patricia LindemannCourse Number
PSYC3950S002Format
In-PersonSession
Session BPoints
4 ptsSummer 2025
Section/Call Number
002/10232Enrollment
8 of 10Instructor
Patricia LindemannThis seminar will survey historical and modern developments in machine intelligence from fields
such as psychology, neuroscience, and computer science, and from approaches such as
cybernetics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, connectionism, neural networks,
and deep learning. The emphasis is on the conceptual understanding of topics. The course does
not include, nor require a background in, computer programming and statistics. The overall goal
is for students to become informed consumers of applications of artificial intelligence.
Course Number
PSYC4237W001Format
In-PersonSession
Session APoints
3 ptsSummer 2025
Times/Location
Mo 17:30-20:40We 17:30-20:40Section/Call Number
001/10230Enrollment
12 of 20Instructor
Trenton Jerde
Why do we feel the way we do, how do we understand ourselves and others, and how does this relate to our social relationships? Why does all of this sometimes leave us feeling anxious, depressed, lonely and isolated? And when that happens, what we can do about it? In this seminar, we will tackle these questions using an integrative approach that blends social psychology, clinical psychology and neuroscience to uncover how our emotions and social interactions sometimes work well and sometimes falter. To do this, we will examine human behavior at multiple levels, connecting our social and emotional lives (what we experience and how we act) to cognitive processes (how our minds process information) and underlying neural mechanisms (what's happening in the brain). As the semester unfolds, we start by building an understanding of where our emotions come from, how we can manage them, how we make sense of other people and how we can form positive connections with them. This knowledge provides a foundation for taking the next step - understanding what happens when things go awry and we end up with momentary - or long-lasting - bouts of anxiety, depression, loneliness and other clinical conditions. We end by considering what may be everyone’s life goal - the pursuit of happiness - and how everything we have learned can foster that pursuit through personal actions, social connections and psychotherapeutic support. The overarching goal is to build a nuanced understanding of how and why we think and feel the way we do – about ourselves and others – that can inform both scientific and personal explorations of what “wellbeing” and “mental health” means.
Prerequisites
Equivalents of an introductory Psychology course and one more advanced lecture, lab or seminar course in Psychology or a related discipline (and/or the instructor's permission).