Students may also review the College Catalogue.

Students cannot receive credit for taking the same class at both Barnard and Columbia, or at any other institution. For a list of overlapping Columbia Courses, click here.

Introductory Courses

PSYC BC 1001x, y
Introduction to Psychology1
Introduction to the chief facts, principles, and problems of human and animal behavior, through systematic study of a text, lectures, exercises, reading in special fields, and brief participation in a current investigation. (An alternative to participation can be arranged at the student's request.)
This course is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses. Enrollment limited to 45 students per section. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

*Attention Columbia College and GS students: BC1001 counts as elective credit toward general graduation requirements, but it does NOT count toward the Columbia College or General Studies science requirements. BC1001 will however count toward the introductory psychology requirement of the CC or GS psychology major or concentration, subject to their limitations on Barnard and transfer credits.

PSYC BC 1099x, y
Science and Scientists
Weekly meetings with researchers to discuss the nature of scientific inquiry in psychology, and intellectual, professional, and personal issues in the work of scientists.
Recommended for first- and second-year students. Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. 1 point. (no credit towards the major or minor)

Core Courses

PSYC BC 1101x, y
Statistics
Introduction to statistics and its applications to psychological research. Basic theory, conceptual underpinnings, and common statistics. Recitation devoted to discussion of weekly problem assignments.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 36 students per section. Preregistration through the lottery. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

NOTE: Economics minors and double-majors can satisfy the requirement with ECON BC 2411. Students that declared their major in psychology prior to the 2008-2009 academic year may satisfy the major statistics requirement with STAT W1111 or W1211 in lieu of PSYC BC1101. Those who take an outside course cannot also receive credit for PSYC BC 1101. They will also need an extra psychology elective to achieve the eight psychology courses required for the major (or the five courses required for the minor). 

PSYC BC 1105x
Psychology of Learning with Laboratory
Basic methods, results, and theory in the study of how experience affects behavior. Operant and classical conditioning, and application of these procedures to analysis of behavior in a variety of species, including humans. Laboratory consists primarily of experiments using rats and humans as subjects.
Prerequisite: BC 1001. Enrollment limited to 72 students. Preregistration through the lottery. 4.5 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1107 x
Psychology of Learning -Lecture only
Same as BC 1105, but without the laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 30 students.
3 points.

PSYC BC 1108 x
Perception with Laboratory
Introduction to problems, methods, and research in perception. Discussion of psychological studies of seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling. In the laboratory, students conduct experiments and learn to report their findings.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 48 students. Preregistration through the lottery. 4.5 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1110x
Perception -Lecture only
Same as BC 1108, but without the laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 15 students.
3 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1113y
Cognitive Psychology with Laboratory
Selected topics illustrating the methods, findings, and theories of contemporary cognitive psychology. Topics include attention, memory, categorization, perception, and decision making. Special topics include neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. The laboratory consists of experiments related to these topics.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 and departmental permission. Enrollment limited to 48 students. Preregistration through the lottery.
4.5 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1115y
Cognitive Psychology
Same as BC 1113, but without laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001. 3 points.

PSYC BC 1119y
Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience -Lecture only
Same as BC 1117y, but without the laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 3 points.

PSYC BC 1123x
Psychology of Personality with Laboratory
Surveys the principal approaches to personality and their implications for personality development, psychological adjustment, and everyday behavior. In laboratory, students will participate in all stages of personality research: conceptualizing a personality construct, designing and administering tests, identifying individual differences, and carrying out a study.
Prerequisite: BC 1001. Enrollment limited to 50 students. Preregistration through the lottery. 4.5 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1125x
Psychology of Personality -Lecture only
Same as BC 1123y but without the laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of instructor. 3 points.

PSYC BC 1127x, y
Developmental Psychology with Laboratory
Cognitive, linguistic, perceptual, motor, social, affective, and personality development from infancy to adolescence. Laboratory offers an opportunity for direct contact with children; major areas of research at each level of development are covered.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 44 students. Preregistration through the lottery. 4.5 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1129x, y
Developmental Psychology -Lecture only
Same as BC 1127, but without the laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. 3 points.

PSYC BC 1136y
Social Psychology with Laboratory
A survey of contemporary theory and research on social thought and behavior. Issues such as person perception, attitudes, attraction, aggression, stereotyping, group dynamics, and social exchange will be explored. The application of theory and research to addressing social problems will be discussed.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 50 students. Preregistration through the lottery. 4.5 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 1138y
Social Psychology Lecture
Same as BC 1136, but without the laboratory.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 25 students. 3 points.

Middle-Level Courses

PSYC BC 2134x
Educational Psychology
Through a participative classroom model the major theories of human development and learning fundamental to the educative process are examined. Analysis of applications and implications of psychological knowledge for classroom teaching through observations in elementary and secondary school classes. Includes instructional models, motivation, teaching and learning strategies, evaluations, and gender issues.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 2141x, y
Abnormal Psychology
Introduction to the study of deviant and maladaptive behaviors such as childhood disorders, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and mental retardation, focusing on scientific, philosophical and sociocultural issues in the study of abnormal behavior and the relationship between diagnosis and treatment strategy.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 60 students. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 2151y
Organizational Psychology
Introduction to behavior of individuals and small groups in work organizations. Recent theory and research emphasizing both content and research methodology. Motivation and performance, attitudes and job satisfaction, power, influence, authority, leadership, cooperation and conflict, decision-making, and communications.
Prerequisite: BC 1001. Enrollment limited to 45 students. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus I / Sample Syllabus II

PSYC BC 2154y
Hormones and Reproductive Behavior
Biological basis of parental and sexual behavior from a comparative perspective. Complex relations among genetic, hormonal, environmental and experiential factors in mediating sexual, parental, emotional, and feeding behavior. Aspects of biology and physiology necessary to understand those behavioral processes are covered in class and are not prerequisites.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or Biology BC 1101, 1101. Enrollment limited to 45 students. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 2156y
Introduction to Clinical Psychology
A survey of the historical roots and conceptual models in clinical psychology, aimed at becoming familiar with professional issues in the field, and comparing assessment techniques and therapeutic approaches for their utility, efficacy, and soundness.
Prerequisites: Both BC 1001 and 2141, as well as one of the following: Personality, Human Motivation, or Developmental Psychology. Enrollment limited to 35 students. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 2158y
Human Motivation
Empirical study of human motivation with emphasis on motives in fantasy, action and society. Surveys different approaches to the study of human motives and their scientific status. Discusses the development of motives in childhood, their behavioral and societal manifestations. Particular emphasis is given to need for achievement, need for power, need for affiliation, fear of failure, fear of success.
Prerequisite: BC 1001. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 2163x
Human Learning and Memory
Survey of contemporary theories and empirical research on human memory. Topics will include sensory, short term and long term memory, levels of processing, organization, forgetting, and encoding specificity. Special topics include eyewitness testimony, amnesia, implicit memory, and false memory.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and at least one psychology lab course. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

Upper-Level Courses

PSYC BC 3152y
Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality
A survey and critical evaluation of research investigating psychological, biological, and social factors in human sexual behavior. Topics will include sexuality throughout the life span, sexual dysfunction, and cultural attitudes toward sexuality.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and two other psychology courses or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 30 students. Preference given to seniors. 3 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3153x
Psychology and Women
Selected topics examined from the perspective of different groups of women in western society. Topics include gender differences on cognitive tasks, in personality and attitudes, and the contribution of differential power to gender differences; psychological aspects of some special female experiences (e.g. sexuality, menstruation, etc.).
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or, for Women's Studies majors, instructor's permission. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3155y
Psychology and Law
A survey of the research of psychology as it relates to the legal process. among the topics covered will be eyewitness identifications, jury decision making, the insanity defense, rape trauma syndrome, capital punishment and the death qualified jury. Each of these problems will be considered from both a theoretical and an applied perspective.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and instructor's permission. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3162x
Introduction to Cultural Psychology
Challenges to the universalizing assumptions and perspectives of psychology. Drawing on recent theory and research in cultural psychology, an examination of cultural approaches to topics of psychological significance, such as the self, emotion, and gender, and an exploration of potential interdisciplinary collaborations.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and either BC 1123, 1125, 2141, or instructor's permission. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3164y
Perception and Language
Psychological Investigations of spoken communication from listener's perspective. Topics include perception of the sounds of speech and the apprehension of meaning from words and utterances; the perceptual basis for rhyme and rhythm in speech; and the natural history of vocal communication.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and one of the following: BC 1105, BC 1108 BC 1117, BC 1127, BC 1130 or equivalent. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points. Alternate years.

PSYC BC 3165y
The Social Self
Review of the classic and contemporary empirical research pertaining to the self, with an emphasis on the self as a socially-based construct. Focus on the social basis of identity, self-concept, and self-regulation.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and one other Psychology course. Seminar. Limited to 20 students. 4 points

PSYC BC 3166x
Social Conflict
A survey of the literature on development of social conflict, the motivations and cognitions of individuals in conflict, and the procedures available for resolving conflict. Particular emphasis will be placed on the psychology of fairness and its implications for conflict resolution.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and one additional psychology course, or permission of the instructor. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.

PSYC BC 3170y
Introduction to Psychoanalysis Introduces the major contributors to Introduces the major contributors to contemporary psychoanalysis. Changes in theory and technique will be traced through Freud, Ego Psychology, The Kleinian, Interpersonal and British Object Relations Schools, Contemporary Freudians, Self Psychology, and contemporary Relational theorists.
Prerequisites: BC PSYC 1001 and PSYC 2156, and permission of the instructor. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points. 
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3177x
Psychology of Drug Use & Abuse
An examination of the biological, psychological, and social factors that lead to drug use and abuse. A biopsychosocial model will be used to examine the behavioral effects of prescription, "over the counter" and "street" drugs.
Prerequisites: PSYC BC 1001. Enrollment limited to 30 Students. 3 points.

PSYC BC 3368y
The Psychology of Creativity/The Creative Process
Consideration of classic Psychodynamic (the unconscious/incubation), Psychometric (testing/training), and Personailty (train/motivation) models of creativity. Application of contemporary Process (cognitive/problem-solving) models to art, literature, and independently selected areas of expertise. Process models are involving constraint selection within well-established domains are emphasized.                                                                             Seminar. Enrollment limited to 15 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus                                                        

PSYC BC 3369x
Language Development
An examination of the acquisition of a first language by children, from babbling and first words to complex sentence structure and wider communicative competence. Signed and spoken languages, cross-linguistic variation and universalities, language genesis and change, and acquisition by atypical populations will be discussed.
Prerequisites: BC 1001, one Psychology laboratory course, one of the following: PSYC W 2240, BC 1127, BC 1129, or LIN BC V 1101, and permission of the instructor. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 15 students. 4 points.

PSYC BC 3372y
Comparative Cognition
A review and critical evaluation of current empirical research investigating cognitive processes in both human and non-human species. Topics include comparisons in episodic memory, metacognition, theory of mind, self awareness, and language abilities.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and one additional course in psychology. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3373y
Health Psychology
A comprehensive survey of the biological, psychological, and social factors related to health and illness. Issues such as the relationship of stress to illness, methods of coping with illness and improving health, links between personality and health, and alternative approaches to healing will be discussed. Emphasis on the role of the mind in health and illness.
Prerequisites: PSYC BC 1001 and/or equivalent plus two or more Psychology courses (preferably BC 1117-19 BC 1136-38 BC 1123-25). Enrollment limited to 15 students. Seminar. Permission of instructor required. 4 points.

PSYC BC 3376x, y
Infant Development
Analysis of human development during fetal period and early infancy. Review of effects of environmental factors on perinatal perceptual, cognitive, sensory-motor, and neurobehavioral capacities, with an emphasis on critical conditions involved in both normal and abnormal brain development. Other topics include acute and long term effects of toxic exposures (stress, smoking, and alcohol) during pregnancy, and interaction of genes and the environment in shaping the developing brain of "high risk" infants, including premature infants and those at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and BC 1127 or BC 1129. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 15 students.
4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3379y
Psychology of Stereotyping and Prejudice
The seminar will review current literature from experimental social psychology pertaining to stereotyping and prejudice. Issues that will be covered include the functions and costs of stereotyping, the formation and maintenance of stereotypes, and stereotype change. Recent research concerning the role of cognitive processes in intergroup perception will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 or permission of the instructor. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.

PSYC BC 3380x
Fundamentals of Neuropsychology
Exposition of research and theory in neuroscience with an emphasis on the use of the neural imaging techniques (EEG, evoked potentials, MEG, PET, fMRI) for exploring sensation, perception, and cognition in the healthy, intact brain.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and instructor permission. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3381y
Theory of Mind and Intentionality
Survey and critical analysis of the developmental and neurological research on theory of mind--the attribution of mental states like belief, desire, and knowledge to others--in humans and non-human animals. Emphasis will be on the role of intentionality, the stages of acquisition, the neurological and genetic bases, and seen deficits in theory of mind.
Prerequisites: BC 1001 and instructor permission. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3382y
Adolescent Psychology
Examines adolescent development in theory and reality. Focuses on individual physiological, sexual, cognitive, and affective development and adolescent experiences in their social context of family, peers, school, and community. Critical perspectives of gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality, and "teen culture" explored.
Prerequisite: BC 1001, Developmental Psychology and permission of the instructor. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3383x
Neuropharmacology and Behavior
Basic principles of the study of drugs that influence the neural systems and induce changes in behavior.  Molecular, biochemical and behavioral characterization of psychotropic drugs: stimulants, sedative-hypnotics, anxiolytics, alcohol, hallucinogens, and opiates.  Etiology and treatment of psychological and neurological disorders.
Prerequisite: One of the following: PSYC BC1117, PSYC BC1119, BIOL BC3280 and permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3387y
Topics in Neuroethics
Recent advancements in neuroscience raise profound ethical questions. Neuroethics integrates neuroscience, philosophy, and ethics in an attempt to address these issues. The course reviews current debated topics relevant to the brain, cognition, and behavior. Bioethical and philosophical principles will be applied allowing students to develop skill in ethical analysis.
Prerequisite: BC 1001 and one of the following: Neurobiology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Fundamentals of Neuropsychology. Seminar. Enrollment limited to 20 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC W 4232y
Production and Perception of Language
Review of theories and current research on the processes of speech perception. Topics include the acoustic theory of phonetic differentiation, peripheral transduction, auditory and phonetic analysis, word recognition, phrase formation, and the effects of context in perception and production. Special topics include language perception and production in the deaf, perception of metaphor, and automatic speech recognition.
Prerequisite: One of the following courses: BC 2160, BC 3164, or W2240y. Seminar. 4 points.

PSYC G 4695
Psychology of Close Relationships
This course is designed as an overview to the field of close relationships.  We will utilize major theories of close relationships, including evolutionary, attachment, interdependence, and cognitive approaches, as well as perspectives from neighboring fields (such as sociology and clinical psychology).  Topics covered include relational needs; attraction, jealousy and infidelity; communication; relationship development, maintenance and trajectories; individual differences in relationship styles; and relationships and health.  Methodological issues will be discussed within the context of each topic.
Sample Syllabus
 

Research and Fieldwork Courses

PSYC BC 3465x, 3466y
Field Work and Research Seminar: The Barnard Toddler Center
The Barnard Toddler Center provides the focus for field work ad research in applied developmental psychology, an amalgam of developmental, educational, and clinical psychology. Students assist one morning a week at the Center, make individual class presentations, carry out team research projects, and participate in a two-hour weekly seminar which integrates theory, research, and practice.
Prerequisite: BC 1127 or 1129 and permission of the instructor. Permission should be requested in the Spring of the year preceding registration. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 4 points.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3473x
Field Work Seminar in Psychological Services and Counseling
Supervised field work (minimum of 7 hours per week) applying psychological principles to work and treatment in clinical, educational, medical, and other institutional settings. Seminar discussions of theoretical approaches to clinical problems and case materials.
Prerequisites: Three psychology courses and permission of the instructor (to be obtained during program planning the previous Spring--contact department for details). Enrollment limited to 12 students; priority given to seniors. 4 points.
Field Work & Research Seminar Information        Download an Application

PSYC BC 3591x, 3592y
Senior Research Seminar
Discussion and conferences on a research project culminate in a senior thesis. Each project must be supervised by a member of the department. Successful completion of the seminar substitutes for the major examination.
Open to senior psychology majors who submit a research proposal which has been approved by the course instructor and the project supervisor. Prerequisites: BC 1001, a minimum of five other completed psychology courses, and permission of the instructor. 4 points.

NBV/Neuroscience & Behavior BC 3593x, 3594y
Senior Research Seminar. Same as above, but for Neuroscience and Behavior majors.
Sample Syllabus

PSYC BC 3599x, y
Individual Projects
Research projects planned in consultation with members of the department.
Open to majors upon written permission of the department member who will supervise the project. 3 or 4 points.