Foundational courses like Psych 202: Introduction to Psychology establish the core scientific framework for all advanced coursework in the major. As students progress through the program, course options become more specific and specialized, allowing students to dive deep into niche topics that align with their career goals and specific interests. So, which upper-level classes fill fastest?
“For this fall semester, 603: Epigenetics and the Brain and 612: Neuropharmacology filled on the second day of enrollment,” says Maria Hartwig, undergraduate program manager in the Department of Psychology. “We have a large number of students who double major in Psychology and Neurobiology, so these courses are especially popular because they can count toward requirements for both majors.” Six more courses filled on the third day:
- 607: Introduction to Psychotherapy
- 626: Issues in Prisoner Reentry
- 601: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- 601: Neuropsychology and Development
- 601: Trauma, Stress, and Resilience
- 601: Tech, Growth, and Change
“It’s very common for our 600-level capstone courses to fill during senior enrollment week since they are high-demand courses with small enrollment of 25 students,” Hartwig says.
As the number of declared psychology majors continues to grow, the Department of Psychology has been keeping pace with increasing student enrollment, offering more higher-level capstone seminars for undergraduates. New clinical faculty have also introduced courses that address areas of interest for today’s students, including capstones like Katie Howell’s Trauma, Stress, and Resilience and Brooke Ammerman’s Psychology of Suicide.
“Students express strong interest in courses that connect psychology to mental health and issues they see in the world around them. Courses that focus on these topics give students an opportunity to explore them in greater depth and better understand how psychology can help us make sense of them,” says Hartwig.
But the study of psychology isn’t without some playfulness, too. This spring, assistant professor Vivian Paulun will teach a capstone on vision and perception of different materials, engaging students in the popular media sensation, “Is it cake?” We’re willing to bet that’s a class that fills up fast.