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Course Descriptions

Psychology - PSYCH

General Course Information

General Information

Unless stated otherwise, all courses are non-repeatable except under certain conditions.

Open Enrollment

It is the policy of West Hills College Lemoore, unless specifically exempted by statute, that every course section or class, the average daily attendance of which is to be reported for state aid, wherever offered and maintained by the District, shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the College and who meets such prerequisites as may be established pursuant to Chapter 11, Division 2, Part VI, Title 5 of the California Administrative Code, commencing with Section 41820.

Unit or Credit Value

Each course carries a certain credit or unit value. The amount is indicated in parentheses at the right of the title. A lecture class requires the equivalent of one academic hour, (50 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred. Laboratory classes require three academic hours, (150 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred.

Prerequisite

Prerequisites are prescribed courses covering skills and/or knowledge that are normally expected to be acquired prior to enrolling in another course. The intent of prerequisites is to ensure that any student enrolling in a course in which specific information is required will have the necessary background so that every opportunity exists to experience success. Therefore, any course with a prerequisite presumes that subject matter will be acquired in a sequential way.

Students enrolling in courses without the appropriate prerequisite may find that they are ill-prepared to continue their studies in that course. Prerequisites are designed to enhance success. Please refer to the West Hills College Lemoore prerequisite policy in the Academic Regulations portion of this catalog for additional information.

Corequisite

Corequisites are courses that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. (Successful completion is defined as a grade C or better for the minimum prerequisite/corequisite requirement.)

Class Hours

The total number of class lecture and laboratory hours for each course is indicated in its course description. The schedule of classes, which is available at the time of class registration, will indicate which dates, days and times a given class is scheduled to meet.

Course Subject

Courses are classified by subjects as they exist at West Hills College Lemoore. All courses within an area usually count towards a major in that area. Other institutions may classify their courses differently. Transfer students should consult the catalog of the four-year college to which they intend to transfer for its classification of identical or comparable courses.

Course Numbering

Courses numbered 001-049 are baccalaureate level (transfer) courses. These courses are transferable to four-year institutions. However, the institution that the student transfers to determines the specific transferability of courses.

Courses numbered 050-99 are associate degree level courses. These courses are primarily for the student who does not plan to continue his/her education beyond the community college level; however, occupational education courses may transfer according to articulation agreements. Complete information on articulation is available through the Counseling Center.

Courses numbered 100-199 are non-transfer and are non-degree applicable; they are skill building or remedial courses.

Courses in some subject areas that are traditionally taught as combination lecture- laboratory courses at four-year colleges are split into two separate courses:  one a lecture course for transfer students and one a laboratory course for both transfer and non-transfer students. Students wishing to transfer must take both the lecture and laboratory courses.

  • NOTE:  In case of transfer and non-transfer courses taught concurrently, a student may receive credit only for the course in which he/she is enrolled, not both. A student cannot change from one course to the other except according to regular drop/add procedures. He/She should be guided by the course description and may need to consult a counselor or advisor for aid.
Abbreviations for Degree, Non-Degree and Transfer Courses

The following abbreviations designate degree applicable, transfer and non-degree applicable courses:

(AA/AS) Associate Degree Applicable

(CSU) Transferable to California State University System

(UC) Transferable to University of California System

(NDA) Non-Degree Applicable

*Search courses by keyword or by subject
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  • PSYCH-001
  • Introductory Psychology
  • Credit(s) 3

Introductory Psychology
PSYCH 001 is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The content focuses on the exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior, perception, cognition and consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
PSY 110
  • PSYCH-002
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Credit(s) 3

Abnormal Psychology
PSYCH 002 introduces the scientific study of psychopathology and atypical behaviors, broadly defined. Students investigate abnormal behavior from a variety of perspectives including biological, psychological, and sociocultural approaches. An integrative survey of theory and research in abnormal behavior, and intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders are also introduced.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
PSY 120
  • PSYCH-003
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Credit(s) 3

Developmental Psychology
PSYCH 003 provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined, as well as attention to developmental problems.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A
P/NP
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
PSY 180
  • PSYCH-004
  • Personal Psychology
  • Credit(s) 3

Personal Psychology
PSYCH 004 is designed with an applied focus for students interested in how psychology is used in everyday life and is related to other social sciences. The course surveys different psychological perspectives and theoretical foundations and how these are applied across a person's life taking into account the influence of factors such as culture, gender, ethnicity, historical cohort, and socio-economic status. A broad understanding of how scientists, clinicians, and practitioners study and apply psychology is emphasized.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
PSY 115
  • PSYCH-005
  • Biological Psychology
  • Credit(s) 3

Biological Psychology
PSYCH 005 introduces the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences. Physiological, hormonal, and neurochemical mechanisms, and brain-behavior relationships underlying the psychological phenomena of sensation, perception, regulatory processes, emotion, learning, memory, and psychological disorders will be addressed. The course also notes historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes. Ethical standards for human and animal research are discussed in the context of both invasive and non-invasive experimental research.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
PSYCH 001
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
PSY 150
  • PSYCH-006
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • Credit(s) 3

Research Methods in Psychology
PSYCH 006 surveys various psychological research methods with an emphasis on research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, and the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of research data. Research design and methodology will be examined through a review of research in a variety of the sub-disciplines of psychology.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Prerequisite(s):
PSYCH 001, MATH 025
Transfers to:
UC/CSU
C-ID:
PSY 200
  • PSYCH-029
  • Introduction to Sports & Exerc
  • Credit(s) 3

Introduction to Sport & Exercise Psych
PSYCH 029 is the study and application of psychological and oundations to sport and exercise across the lifespan and across activity contexts. This course is designed to promote an understanding of the concepts and applied principles of sport and exercise psychology. Findings and principles from the sport and exercise psychology literature will be applied to sport and physical activity participants, ranging from youth sport and community exercise programs to elite and world class performers.

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A
Transfers to:
CSU