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Foreword
This handbook describes the opportunities and course requirements for the Psychology Major at The Colorado College. It is not intended to be the sole or authoritative source of information about the major, but instead should be used only as a guide. Further information on Psychology is available through your advisor, the CC Catalog (links only to Psych. section), and the Psychology Department Faculty. If there is information you expect but cannot locate in the Handbook, please submit your request for Handbook additions to Psychology@coloradocollege.edu. The online Pathfinder provides general campus information, policies, and guidelines.
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The Psychology Department at Colorado College provides a broad perspective on the field of psychology, emphasizing the scientific nature of the discipline. Courses are generally based on principles and theories that describe behavior of human and non-human animals and the methods that elucidate these principles. The department does not provide training in clinical, counseling or other applied fields of psychology, but does provide an excellent background for those students wishing to pursue these fields in a graduate program. This perspective is well suited to a liberal arts college and provides a good foundation for students wishing to pursue a variety of careers.
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Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty
Emeriti Faculty and Staff
Not teaching in the current academic year:
Technical/Statistical Director
Department Secretary
Psychology Paraprofessional
(The position of Paraprofessional changes yearly.) (Tutt Science
306K, ext. 6177)
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The Colorado College Psychology Department teaches basic and enduring principles of psychology rather than current fashions seen in the popular media. These basic principles, which include the scientific method, quantitative analysis, and biological bases of behavior, have served our students well over the years. A strong background in the natural sciences and mathematics in high school is highly recommended. Students wishing to continue their education in psychology, whether it is in clinical psychology or a related discipline, or in an academic or applied setting, are required to have a strong background in research methods and quantitative analysis. Those not interested in an advanced degree will find that the department’s major provides essential tools for living in an increasingly complex society. In addition to traditional course work, majors are encouraged to pursue research projects with departmental faculty.
If you think you might want to become a psychology major, please take the time to check on the opportunities and requirements of the major early in your college career. There are a minimum of 13 courses required for the major, many of them must be taken in sequence; so you should begin taking courses in the major as early as possible.
Students wishing to major in psychology are encouraged to take one of two offerings in Introduction to Psychology (either PY 100 or 101) in their first year. Additionally, because we do stress the scientific nature of the discipline, students should take Research Design (PY 202) by their Sophomore year. PY 202 Research Design is a two-block course integrating psychological methods and statistics. This will allow students to choose from the full complement of core courses and research opportunities while at the college. We believe this to be such a key requirement for the major that we do not allow prospective majors to declare until they have completed the Research Design course.
Once you decide to become a major, switch to an advisor in the Psychology Department so that you can hear first hand about any changes in the opportunities and requirements. Alternatively, you may have an advisor in any department, but check regularly with a psychology professor.
A Note to Transfer Students. Transfer students wishing to major in psychology at The Colorado College may encounter significant obstacles in fulfilling the requirements for the major. Because the major is currently in such high demand, most of our classes are filled by the end of pre-registration in the spring. Thus, incoming transfer students will find it difficult to get into (any of the) courses that they need for the major when they arrive in the fall, forcing them to postpone taking psychology courses for a year. This is especially problematic for students transferring to the college after their sophomore year, because they will be forced to take almost all of their required courses during their senior year. If you are interested in transferring to the Colorado College, we recommend that you complete both an introductory and a research design course in psychology at your present institution, and one or two courses comparable to those in the Psychology Core (Neuroscience, Abnormal, Lifespan Developmental, Personality, Social, Cognition, or Learning & Adaptive Behavior). (See the Course Descriptions or contact the Chair of the department for more information.)
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR:
(Note: For information on requirements for the Psychology Major prior
to 2004-2005, please see the Old Requirements.
There is also a link to an old course list showing
equivalents between current courses offered and those prior to 2004-2005.)
A. Requirements within the department. All majors in psychology complete the following requirements in the department or their equivalent. Any substitutions or transfer courses must be approved by the Psychology Faculty (submit your requests to the current Department Chair). Students must earn a grade of C- or higher to pass in all PY courses taken to fulfill major requirements. When a grade of D+ or lower is received in such a course, students must repeat the course for a passing grade. (From the "Credit and Grades" section of the Academic Policies chapter of the CC Catalog: "D+ and D grades under the P and G track options do fulfill graduation requirements. They do not fulfill major or prerequisite requirements.")
1) One introductory course:
PY100—Intro to Psych: Bases of Behavior or
PY101—Intro to Psych: Enduring Ideas and Present Principles(2 blocks, occasionally an FYE) or
PY111—Intro to Psych: General Laws and Individual Differences(2 blocks, FYE)
2) One course in research design and statistics*:
PY202—Research Design (2 blocks)
An integrated Statistics and Design course
[*Or two courses, one in Statistics and one in Research Design]
3) Five Core courses:
PY299— Neuroscience (2 blocks)*
PY362—Abnormal Psychology
PY374—Lifespan Developmental Psychology
PY281—Personality* OR PY209—Social Psychology*
PY332—Learning and Adaptive Behavior OR PY344—Cognition
[*All Core courses require PY 202 Research Design, except where noted by an asterisk]
4) Two of the following 400-level seminars:
PY405-409—Topical Seminar (each different 400-level Topical Seminar fulfills a 400-level requirement)
PY412—Neuropsychology
PY413—Developmental Psychopathology
PY417—Advanced Neuroscience Seminar
PY420—Cognitive Ethology
PY421—Perception
PY422—Emotion
PY423—Psychology of Morality and Conflict
PY425—Depression
PY426—Sport Psychology
PY427—Moral Reasoning in Context
PY430—Adolescence
PY433—Neuropharmacology
PY437—Evolutionary Psychology
PY441—Remembering
PY449—History of Psychology
5) Minimum of one unit of the following:
PY451, 452, 453, 454—Final Project
All psychology majors are required to complete at least one block of a Final Project. Students begin preparation for Final Project one year prior to the enrollment in PY451 . The final project takes one of three forms:
(a) Empirical research: This is supervised empirical research leading to a publishable paper. Students, in collaboration with a faculty supervisor, design a project, collect and analyze data, and write up a paper in a manner appropriate for a peer-reviewed journal. Examples of such research articles can be found in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology, and Cerebral Cortex.
(b) Literature review: This is a critical review of the literature that addresses a particular issue. Students carefully outline the topic they will address, and use (primarily) journal articles to support their thesis. Such a review is not a mere summary of the literature; instead, it critically analyzes existing literature to a particular end. Examples of such reviews can be found in Psychological Bulletin, and Nature Reviews Neuroscience (online).
(c) Directed field study: This is a project completed in the field under the direct supervision of a Colorado College (CC) faculty member. In addition to the service component, the project results in a final paper (e.g., grant/program application, critical summary) that is negotiated between the supervising CC faculty, the student, and the agency director. See Directed Field Study for additional information.Considerable preparation is required of all students prior to conducting their final project (see Final Project Preparation and Application below).
B. Requirements outside the Department. In addition to the above requirements, psychology majors will complete the following courses outside the department or their equivalent. Any substitutions or transfer courses must be approved by the Psychology Faculty (submit your requests to the current Department Chair). Students must earn a grade of C- or higher to pass in any "outside" course taken to fulfill major requirements. When a grade of D+ or lower is received in such a course, students must repeat the course for a passing grade. (From the "Credit and Grades" section of the Academic Policies chapter of the CC Catalog: "D+ and D grades under the P and G track options do fulfill graduation requirements. They do not fulfill major or prerequisite requirements.")
6) Math requirement
MA126—Calculus
7) Two units from courses taught in the Natural Science division.
These two courses must be taken from departments in the Natural Science Division: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Math, Physics, or Sport Science (not including adjunct certification courses). Some courses in Environmental Science and the Studies in the Natural Sciences may fulfill this requirement. The courses in EV that do not fulfill this requirement include any policy course or course that fulfills a social science credit. The courses in Studies in the NS that do not fulfill this requirement include any course that fulfills Social Science or Humanities requirements. MA117 (Probability and Statistics) cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit may fulfill one but not both of the two required courses for Natural Science unit credit.
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Students considered for Distinction in Psychology must successfully complete and present a research project that is awarded honors by the faculty. Important factors in the department’s granting of honors are the quality of (a) the research, (b) the research paper, and (c) the oral presentation (e.g., poster presentation at Poster Day). In addition to an excellent research project, several other factors are normally considered in granting distinction, including courses taken, grades received, work and research experience, and contribution to the department. Below are the minimal guidelines for graduating with distinction in Psychology.
General guidelines for distinction:
1) A minimum GPA of 3.6 in psychology. Normally not more than 1 or 2 courses should be taken P/F.
2) Successful completion of Final Project (PY 451-454).
More than one block of research is often preferable for a project worthy of distinction. (See Research Opportunities, Guidelines for FP papers [link immediately below], and Appendix A: Final Project for more information and its requirements.)
3) The project and the paper must be completed by the first Monday of Block 7 of the senior year and submitted by the student after consultation with the supervising professor.
4) The student must present the research at Psychology and Neuroscience Poster Day during Block 8 (see Poster Guidelines for details). Students are also encouraged to present their research at undergraduate conferences like the Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum or the West Coast Biological Sciences conference, or at a professional conference (e.g., Rocky Mt. Psych Assoc., Western Psych Assoc., etc.)
See Final Project Preparation and Application Process below.
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A student who is interested in an independent scholarship project in psychology has unusual opportunities at Colorado College. We have a faculty committed to undergraduate education and research. A research project is a valuable educational experience. For students interested in experimental psychology, it will provide a first taste of the field. Students wishing to focus on clinical or counseling psychology or social work will find all good graduate programs require a solid background in experimental work. A research project can be a positive element on your curriculum vitae and a topic about which you can be confident in interviews for diverse occupations. Students have the opportunity to participate at various levels of responsibility and either for academic credit or on a voluntary basis.
A. For academic credit:
1. PY 451 Final Project, required of all Psychology majors (under the new major), can take one of three forms, one of which is the Empirical Research project (the Literature Review and Directed Field Study options are described elsewhere). This is supervised empirical research leading to a publishable paper. Students, in collaboration with a faculty supervisor, design a project, collect and analyze data, and write up a paper in a manner appropriate for a peer-reviewed journal (following APA format). Examples of such research articles can be found in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology, and Cerebral Cortex. Additionally, empirical projects that involve human subjects may require approval of the Human Subjects Institutional Review Board.
PY451 may also take the form of a Literature Review or a Directed Field Study. The Literature Review is not experimental in nature and the Directed Field Study may or may not be empirical in nature, depending on the goals of the project.
For more information, see Final Project Preparation and Application Process below.
2. PY 251 Independent Study is for students to work in an apprentice position with a faculty member on an experimental project designed by the professor or those wishing to write a comprehensive literature review. The requirements for independent study are set by faculty members after discussion with the student. Usually, independent research results in a thesis paper. You do not need to submit a proposal in order to do an independent study; however, you should arrange with a faculty member to do a project as early as possible. Independent Study projects are assigned on a space available basis.
Research not for academic credit:
1. Volunteer positions are available on an ad hoc basis to assist in experiments sponsored by faculty. Consult individual faculty members or the paraprofessional about this. Notices for these opportunities will appear on the notice board between Room 230 and 232.
2. Volunteers are needed in local agencies such as mental health facilities, hotlines, and brother and sister groups. Information is available through the campus Center for Community Service, announcements made in class, and on the bulletin board.
Although such volunteer work does not carry remuneration, it provides valuable experience to help you decide on career objectives, and may be attractive to prospective employers.
The following is a list of some topic areas that are current interests of Psychology faculty who are supervising projects. They are useful as a guide for arranging projects.
| Faculty | Research Interests |
Social Psychology; Interpersonal Perception and Self-Presentation;
Prejudice and Stereotyping; Conflict and Negotiation; Judgment and Decision
Making; Evolutionary psychology; Cross-cultural Social Psychology |
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Neurotoxicology: effects of prenatal and/or early
postnatal exposure to environmental pollutants or other neurotoxins on
cognitive and affective processes; Nutritional supplementation as a means
to prevent or lessen neurotoxin-induced cognitive dysfunction; Psychopharmacology
of higher cognitive functions |
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| depression and anxiety in Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, malingering of neuropsychological impairment, sport psychology |
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| animal learning and adaptation, neural networks, human memory, meaning and categorization |
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| neuroscience, language acquisition, non-human animal communication, cognitive ethology |
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| social psychology of gender and the body; emotion; attitudes toward women |
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| etiology and correlates of depression in females, family systems, cross-cultural psychology, adolescent identity |
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http://www.coloradocollege.edu/IDProg/Neuroscience/
Director: JACOBS (Psychology); Advisors: Professors BERTRAND (Biology), CAPEN (Biology), DRISCOLL (Psychology), DROSSMAN (Chemistry), ERDAL (Psychology), HATHAWAY (Biology), HORNER (Psychology)
The neurosciences investigate the development, organization, and functioning of the nervous system. Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary undertaking with required courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and psychology. The major provides students with (1) a broadly based yet integrated education focused on the relationship between human behavior and biology, (2) laboratory experience to help them develop scientific process skills (i.e., critical reading, writing, and thinking), (3) the opportunity to integrate information gained by studying the nervous system at different levels, and (4) the opportunity to engage in original research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students completing the major will have an interdisciplinary scientific background from which to pursue their particular interests in the neurosciences. For additional information please visit the Neuroscience website. If you're interested in studying Neuroscience in China check out the Biology in Chinese Culture Program.
Students wishing to major in Neuroscience complete a minimum of 14 courses (16 units) across four different departments. Required courses are:
Psychology
Introduction to Psychology (PY100, PY101, or PY111)
Research Design (PY202; 2 Blocks)
Neuroscience (PY299; 2 Blocks)
Either Cognition (PY344) or Learning and Adaptive Behavior (PY332)
Two of the following courses:
Neuropsychology (PY412)
Advanced Neuroscience (PY417)
Neuropharmacology (PY433)
Biology of Vertebrates (BY109)
Cell Biology (BY210)
Animal Cell Physiology (BY301) or Biochemistry I (CH382)
Integrated General Chemistry I, II (CH107, CH108)
Structure of Organic Molecules (CH250)
Reactions of Organic Molecules (CH251)
Calculus I (MA126)
Note: Before a student can declare a major in Neuroscience, the student must first complete five of the above courses, one of which must be PY299.
Although not required, Introduction to Physics I, II (PH141-142) or Introductory Classical Physics (PH241-242) is highly recommended, especially for students planning on attending medical school. In addition, the following are also recommended: Histotechnique (BY244), Molecular Genetics (BY 361), Molecular Biology (BY465), and Physics and Living Things (PH151).
Students who wish to pursue graduate studies in the neurosciences are strongly encouraged to complete at least one block of relevant independent laboratory research under close faculty supervision from one of the following: PY451-454, BY309/409, or CH201. Note that such research projects must be conducted with one of the Neuroscience advisors. If the advisor is in the psychology department, the student must complete the academic year before the research is to be conducted. Links to project application information can be found in Appendix C: Final Project.
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Barnes
Prospective students who are interested in attending CC and
majoring in psychology may be eligible for the Margaret
T. Barnes Scholarship in the Natural Sciences. Students applying
to CC who are interested in pursuing this scholarship should indicate
their intentions in majoring in psychology on their application.
This scholarship provides full-tuition grants, renewable to four
years, to outstanding students who plan to major in the natural
sciences. To apply contact the Admissions
Office (E-mail
contacts).
Psi Chi
Psychology majors who have a 3.0 GPA in psychology courses and are in the
top 35% of their class in overall GPA may be elected to Psi Chi, a national
honorary society for undergraduate psychology students. The national society
holds regional conferences and sponsors a number of scholarships. Election into
Psi Chi is normally in the spring semester with an induction ceremony in Block
7. Contact Lori Driscoll
for information.
William Arthur Blakely Award
A small monetary award in honor of W. Arthur Blakely can be
presented to an outstanding psychology major at Honors Convocation,
usually to a non-senior. W. Arthur Blakely was a Colorado College
professor from 1931-1961. The prize indicates that the recipient
has shown unusual seriousness of purpose in psychology.
Cornelia Manley Sabine Award
This award is presented annually to the outstanding graduating
psychology senior on behalf of Cornelia Sabine, Class of 1947,
a longtime supporter of Colorado College and the Department of
Psychology. This award serves as a tribute to Cornelia, who has
had a long and distinguished career in public service as a psychologist,
working with both children and adults in Colorado. Her advice
to students is to use their knowledge of psychology to bring peace
and understanding into relationships in our fractious modern world.
For additional information on scholarships, financial aid, and application deadlines at Colorado College see the information available at the CC Financial Aid and Admissions websites (see also, Available Aid ). Search for scholarships and other financial aid information at The Financial Aid Information Page maintained by Mark Kantrowitz. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) offers information on student financial aid programs and opportunities for students, parents, and counselors in the public portion of their web site.
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The following are examples of papers or posters presented recently
by Colorado College psychology majors at national and local conferences:
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
“Self-Assessment of Children with Fetal-Alcohol Syndrome Siblings”
MIDWESTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
“Musical and Numerical Interval Comparisons”
PSI CHI ONE-DAY SEMINAR
“What Price Beauty: Discrimination in the Pricing of Services and Products by Gender”
“Parenting Styles and Their Effect on the Academic Achievement and Academic Competence of Female Adolescents”
“Self-Assessment of Children with Fetal-Alcohol Syndrome Siblings”
“The Role of Attitudes in the Management of Diabetes”
“Quantitative Dendritic Analysis of Four Functional Distinct Areas of the Human Cerebral Cortex”
“The Emergence of Leadership in Mixed Sex Groups”
“Body Memory: Perspective on Implicit Memory”
“Recovery from Stroke Involving the Left-middle Cerebral Artery”
“The Effects of Ear Infections and Colds on Cognitive Tasks in 6- and 12-month-old Infants”
PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY
“Treatments for Children with Cancer”
“Age in the Asch Conformity Situation”
“Wait Time and Sex Differences in School”
“Is Depression Recognized in Elementary School Children?”
“Gender and Academic Major Effects on Mental Rotation”
“Quantitative Dendritic and Spine Analysis of Human Prefrontal and Occipital Cortices”
“Peer Interaction in Understanding a Balance Beam”
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Psychology Society
The Psychology Society (a.k.a, Psych Soc; "sock") meets once a block, usually at lunchtime on the second Wednesday of the block. There are outside speakers, meetings about graduate school applications, and presentations of honors theses. The Psychology Society also sponsors Departmental parties and picnics. There is a Major’s Meeting at the beginning of each semester that everyone is required to attend.
Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum (LINK)
The Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum (CSURF) (co-sponsored by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the United States Air Force Academy and Colorado College) is an opportunity for undergraduate students to develop and polish skills involved in presenting their academic work in a formal setting. Using either poster or oral format, students share a presentation based on their community service, creative work, thesis research, independent study or study abroad and receive valuable feedback from established scholars in their field. Students also learn important writing skills by composing the abstract required in the application process and gain speaking experience in small group and one-on-one settings. By participating in the Forum, students expand the abilities necessary for success in the job market and in graduate school.
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1. Research assistance for grant-aided experiments sponsored by faculty. See individual faculty members for further information. Research assistants are often needed for faculty members who have grants from the Natural Sciences Division at CC.
2. Animal keeper. Apply to the Psychology Paraprofessional. Normally, this work is given to students on work/study programs, which are directed by the Financial Aid Office.
3. Venture grants. The Venture Grant Committee awards funds for research projects under the guidance of a professor. Funds may also be granted to permit students and faculty to attend scientific meetings and conferences. Further information and application forms are available in the Dean’s office.
4. Hughes Undergraduate Research Program. This program provides students with funding to conduct original research in biology and related fields.
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Paraprofessional: The Psychology Department hires a Paraprofessional each year to assist the members of the department in teaching, experimental and administrative work. Applications for the 12-month (July 1 to June 31) Paraprofessional position should be submitted to the head of department by the end of the first week in Block 6. The selection of the Paraprof is made before Spring Break. See the Paraprof Job Description page (includes a link to the Paraprof Job Application).
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1. For those not considering graduate school in psychology:
Many occupations are available for psychology majors who are not considering graduate school in psychology. These include education at any level, law, management, business, human resources, medical school and health sciences, public service, physical therapy, public relations, health sciences, and social work.
2. For those interested in psychology graduate school:
The following are some of the careers that can be studied in graduate school:
a. clinical psychologist: treats patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety
b. counseling psychologist: treats clients who are having problems in living, such as marital conflict or vocational re-training
c. educational psychologist: typically a counseling psychologist who specializes in school counseling, assessment, and guidance
d. health psychologist: typically a clinical/counseling or research psychologist treating/studying the psychological needs of patients with physical illnesses; such as obesity, smoking cessation, and cardiovascular problems
e. child psychologist: typically a clinical psychologist who treats children coping with problems of development or life change problems such as divorce or bereavement
f. neuropsychologist: typically a clinical psychologist with specialty training in neuroscience and psychological assessment; conducts assessments and treatment with neurologically-impaired patients such as those with head injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease
g. rehabilitation psychologist: typically a clinical psychologist who treats physically-disabled patients such as those with spinal cord injury, spina bifida and orthopedic injuries, runs programs and support groups in a rehabilitation setting.
h. career counselor -- provides feedback to clients about career selection.
i. industrial/organizational psychologist -- works within the business world providing training and feedback to employees about effective work
j. human factors consultant -- works to improve efficiency of visual and auditory displays in work or leisure, e.g. designing a car dash-board
k. psycholinguist -- specializes in speech recognition, speech production, or grammatical skills sometimes employed by speech therapist, telephone companies, or government agencies to design forms
l. market researcher -- organizes research into product sales, satisfaction, and usage
m. psychophysiologist -- performs and interprets electrical recordings of perceptual or brain processes such as EEGs or visually evoked responses
n. research psychologist -- employed by research teams or manufacturing company to design and perform experiments relevant to a particular research area (e.g. aging and effect on driving) or products (e.g. pharmacology)
o. neuroscience -- interested in any aspect of brain research
p. neuropsychopharmacology -- interested in drugs and their effects on behavior
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1. Getting started.
During your sophomore or junior year you should seriously consider your interests and discuss them with your advisor or a member of the psychology department. Some questions that should be asked are: In which areas of psychology are you most interested? Are you willing to commit to 4-5 years of graduate study? Even if you plan to take a year off from academic pursuits before going to graduate school, it is wise to take advantage of the information, advice, and college setting to make decisions and complete applications while at CC.
The American Psychological Association publishes a listing of all graduate programs in psychology in the US and Canada. Listed for each are the number of applicants and places available, requirements, preferred backgrounds, and special features of the program. This publication can be consulted in the Psychology Department office. The listing includes indices based on the topic of the graduate program (e.g. clinical, experimental) and on institutional location.
Many graduate schools send out posters and leaflets about their programs. These are placed on file in the Psychology Office.
2. Application procedure.
Consult each graduate school about procedures and deadlines for applications. The APA listing is only a guide. Most require candidates to select an area of interest (e.g., cognitive, developmental, clinical psychology) because the programs are quite separate.
It is a good tactic to select an area of interest and find research being published by particular members of that Department (listing of faculty will be included in application information). This may be helpful in making your decision to apply. You might contact directly the person selected to express your interest in the research and ask advice about applying. If you have support from a professor at the graduate school who is interested in your application, you are more likely to be accepted.
3. GRE -- Graduate Record Exam
Many graduate schools require that you take the General (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical) portion of the GRE. Some others will also require that you take the specific test in the field that you are applying to (i.e., psychology). It is best to take these in the fall of your senior year or earlier. Even if you do not plan to attend graduate school immediately, or if the schools that you are presently applying to do not require the GRE, it is best to take them then as insurance against future applications; since you will generally score better now than later. See the Registrar’s office about dates and applications. There are study books that give sample questions and may be an excellent investment of time and money. In addition, please have the testing service that gives the GRE send your scores to the department, as it provides a valuable test of our effectiveness.
4. Funding for graduate schools
a. Some national scholarships are available. For example, Woodrow Wilson Fellowships and Danforth Fellowships are awarded to students whose ultimate goal is college teaching. National Science Foundation Fellowships are given to students with an emphasis on research.
b. Institutional funding, at least for partial support, is the rule for graduate students. Scholarships, part-time employment as research assistants or teaching assistants are typical. Apply for this funding directly to the graduate school.
Psychology Society Handouts are available online from the annual Block 2 Psychology Society meeting, "Graduate Study in Psychology or Neuroscience" at: Web Resources Handout and Applying to Grad School Handout.
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Employers, graduate schools, summer programs, and scholarship applications often ask applicants to submit letters from former professors. As a matter of courtesy, ask a professor familiar with your work at least two weeks before the recommendation is due.
Provide:
1) A written and signed list of the addresses to whom the references should be sent.
2) Include: a) a curriculum vita, b) a transcript, and c) a few lines of biographical information about why you are applying for the particular position and the experiences in your background not covered by a) and b) that enhance your fit to the opportunity.
The recommendation is usually more effective if it can be tailored to the position and your interests.
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The Colorado College Tutt Library has a good collection of psychology journals, books, and videos. Since many topics in psychology are under current investigation, students tend to use journal articles more often than books. The library staff is helpful and will show you how to use PsychLit or FirstSearch, which lists journals articles, books, and chapters in books about particular topics. The computer services at Tutt Library are extensive, providing considerable information on psychology. Consult the librarian with your particular needs.
If you cannot find a reference in the library, interlibrary loan is one option. There are interlibrary loan forms near the main desk. Some journals not found at Colorado College may be located at the Kraemer Library at CU-The Springs (University of Colorado - Colorado Springs). The librarians can give you information about the city bus that travels to the UCCS campus on Austin Bluffs Parkway. A third option is to sign up for the Tutt library-sponsored bus which travels from Colorado College to Denver University (Penrose Library) and University of Colorado, Boulder (Libraries) on Saturdays during a block. Computer listings often indicate at which library a particular reference is obtained.
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Appendix A: PY 451 Final Project
GENERAL INFORMATION. All psychology majors are required to complete at least one block of a Final Project. The final project takes one of three forms:
(a) Empirical research: This is supervised empirical research leading to a publishable paper. Students, in collaboration with a faculty supervisor, design a project, collect and analyze data, and write up a paper in a manner appropriate for a peer-reviewed journal. Examples of such research articles can be found in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology, and Cerebral Cortex.
(b) Literature review: This is a critical review of the literature that addresses a particular issue. Students carefully outline the topic they will address, and use (primarily) journal articles to support their thesis. Such a review is not a mere summary of the literature; instead, it critically analyzes existing literature to a particular end. Examples of such reviews can be found in Psychological Bulletin, and Nature Reviews Neuroscience (online).
(c) Directed field study: This is an project completed in the community under the direct supervision of a Colorado College (CC) faculty member. In addition to the service component, the project results in a final paper (e.g., grant/program application, critical summary) that is negotiated between the supervising CC faculty, the student, and the agency director. See Directed Field Study for additional information.
PREPARATION. Considerable preparation is required of all students prior to conducting their final project. Outlined below are the necessary steps that extend over two academic years: the exploratory year and the project year. In the year prior to conducting their final project, students weigh their preference for the type of project they wish to complete, with which professor they would like to conduct their project, and, in collaboration with professors, brainstorm potential project ideas. The following is the general timeline (See also the Final Project Timeline webpage and handout):
Blocks 1-5: Make appointments with individual professors to discuss potential research options. Professors will outline to students prospective projects, opportunities, and limitations. As you speak to each of the professors, take specific notes about each project type and the description of the potential projects. You will need this information to complete the Final Project Application. Failure to meet to discuss potential topics with professors will greatly limit a students’ opportunities regarding the final project.(You can find a list of faculty interests in the Research Opportunities section of this handbook.).
Block 6: By the last Monday of Block 6, complete the application for Final Project, including preferences for professor and type of project to be completed. An application is considered pending, if the student's major declaration is not on file with the chair of the department. Provide the information as requested on the online application. (Link to Final Project Application Form). Department makes final decisions about Final Projects, and notifies students of acceptance.
Block 7: Students register for courses, including PY451: Final Project.
Blocks 7-8: Students meet with their Final Project advisor to discuss individual projects for the next year.
For December graduates:
1. Students must submit the Final Project paper by the last day of Block 3 in the year they are graduating. It will be read by a second reader and feedback will be provided to the students by the end of the second week of Block 4.
2. Students are required to participate in Poster Day on the third Friday of Block 4 or present their work in a forum approved by the supervisor.
APPLICATION PROCESS. After meeting with individual professors and learning about their options, students complete the Final Project application online by the last Monday of Block 6 (Link to Final Project Application Form). On the application students:
1. Select three preferred professors with whom to work. (See Faculty above)
2. Select the preferred type of final project for each of the the professors (e.g., empirical research, literature review, or directed field study).
(a) Empirical Research. This is supervised empirical research leading to a publishable paper. Students, in collaboration with a faculty supervisor, design a project, collect and analyze data, and write up a paper in a manner appropriate for a peer-reviewed journal (following APA format). Examples of such research articles can be found in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology, and Cerebral Cortex. Additionally, empirical projects that involve human subjects may require approval of the Human Subjects Institutional Review Board.
(b) Literature review: This is a critical review of the literature that addresses a particular issue. Students carefully outline the topic they will address, and use (primarily) journal articles to support their thesis. Such a review is not a mere summary of the literature; instead, it critically analyzes existing literature to a particular end. Examples of such reviews can be found in Psychological Bulletin, and Nature Reviews Neuroscience (online).
(c) Directed field study: This is a project completed in the field under the direct supervision of a Colorado College (CC) faculty member. In addition to the service component, the project results in a final paper (e.g., grant/program application, critical summary) that is negotiated between the supervising CC faculty, the student, and the agency director. See Directed Field Study for additional information.
3. Briefly describe the project for each of the professors—a short summary for each will suffice. The better prepared the students are, the more likely they will get their top choice. However, students are not automatically guaranteed their first choice of professor or type of final project. For a student's preferences to be considered, a declaration of major must be on file with the chair of the department.
4. State how many blocks will be involved for each of the potential projects.
Acceptance process. By the end of Block 6, the psychology department meets with all applications in hand to accept and assign applications to professors. Before the start of Block 7, students will be notified with whom they will be conducting their Final Project, and what type of project they will be doing.
Registration. During Block 7, students will register for their courses, including their Final Project course(s). Students, in consultation with their Project Professor, may register for more than one block (i.e., PY451, 452, etc.).
Follow-up. During blocks 7 and/or 8, students will meet with their Project Professor to discuss their Final Project, including expectations, timelines, and overall goals. Students are strongly encouraged to spend time over the summer on familiarizing themselves with the literature and background reading on their project topic.
PAPER GUIDELINES.
1) The paper may be based on either (a) an empirical study (including case reports or ethnographic research) (b) a literature review (i.e., library research) involving a critical synthesis of current literature, usually to support a specific hypothesis, or (c) directed field study.
2) The paper follows exactly the guidelines of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Publication Manual (5th ed.). Students writing an Final Project (Senior Thesis) manuscript should purchase this manual as part of the their Final Project block (unless a copy was retained when purchased for PY202 Research Design).
3) The paper is well-written and concise. Typically, empirical studies should not exceed 20-25 pages of text, literature reviews should not exceed 25-30 pages of text.
4) The paper, which should make a significant contribution to the field, will be evaluated by all full-time psychology professors according to several criteria: depth of analysis, the importance of the hypothesis being explored, the competence of the work, and the quality of writing.
5) The student must present the research at Psychology and Neuroscience Poster Day during Block 8 (as the date approaches, see Events and Announcements for details). Students are also encouraged to present their research at a professional meeting.
PROJECT EVALUATION. All final projects must be submitted to the Project Professor by 3PM of the first day of Block 7. Late Final Projects will likely not be evaluated in time for Spring graduation.
Students turn in two copies of their final version to their Project Professor. Each Project Professor grades the Final Project and then puts it in a pool, where one other psychology professor, anonymously, evaluates the Final Project, as being Acceptable, Acceptable with revisions, or Not acceptable. If there is considerable disagreement between the two professors, a third professor will be asked to evaluate the project. If it is deemed necessary, students may be required to revise or redo their final project. The student will receive that feedback by the end of the third week of Block 7.
If the student meets the GPA criterion for distinction, each of the readers will decide if the paper should be given distinction.
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