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Education sciences minor: Coursework requirements

Prerequisite coursework:

Research methods and statistics

All students must complete two prerequisite research methods and statistics courses (at least 3 credits per course) in a single disciplinary sequence. (Students who have already completed this coursework prior to entering the MITER Program will not need to retake these prerequisites.) Examples of acceptable statistics sequences include:

Note: students choose a two-course sequence (a total of at least 6 credits) in one disciplinary area.

EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods I: Probability and Inference
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3264 or 5261 or equiv; fall, spring, summer, every year) Advanced theory, derivations of quantitative statistics. Descriptive statistics, probability, normal distribution. One-/two-sample hypothesis tests, confidence intervals. One-way analysis of variance, follow up tests.

EPSY 8262—Statistical Methods II: Regression and the General Linear Model
(3.0 cr; Prereq-[8260, 8261] or equiv; fall, spring, summer, every year) Analysis of variance designs (two-/three-way), repeated measures, correlation, simple/multiple regression methods, non-parametric procedures, multivariate analyses.

Psy 8814—Analysis of Psychological Data
(4.0 cr; Prereq-Undergrad course in statistics, grad student in [psychology or child psychology], #) Data-analytic procedures used in psychological research. Types of variables used in psychological research. Data collection designs, their limitations. Procedures for analyzing experimental/ nonexperimental data, both univariate and multivariate. Emphasizes selection of data-analytic procedures. Procedures and their assumptions. Computation using statistical software. Limitations, interpretation. Lecture, lab.

Psy 8815—Analysis of Psychological Data
(4.0 cr; Prereq-Undergrad course in statistics, grad student in [psychology or child psychology], #) Data-analytic procedures used in psychological research. Types of variables used in psychological research. Data collection designs, their limitations. Procedures for analyzing experimental/nonexperimental data, both univariate and multivariate. Emphasizes selection of data-analytic procedures. Procedures and their assumptions. Computation using statistical software. Limitations, interpretation. Lecture, lab.

PUBH 7405—Biostatistics: Regression
(4.0 cr; prereq [7405, [STAT 5101 ], biostastistics major] or #; spring, every year) T-tests, confidence intervals, power, type I/II errors. Exploratory data analysis. Simple linear regression, regression in matrix notation, multiple regression, diagnostics. Ordinary least squares, violations, generalized least squares, nonlinear least squares regression. Introduction to General linear Model. SAS and S-Plus used.

PUBH 7406—Biostatistics: ANOVA and Design
(4.0 cr; prereq-7405, [STAT 5102, biostastistics major] or #; spring, every year) Single factor ANOVA, diagnostics, classical non-parametrics, multifactor ANOVA, multiple comparisons, power and sample size determination, calculating expected mean squares, random/mixed effects models. ANOVA in regression notation. Randomized block designs, nested designs, repeated measures designs, cross-over designs. SAS and S-Plus used.

Soc 5811—Intermediate Social Statistics
(4.0 cr; Prereq-3811 or equiv; fall, every year) Measurement, theory of probability, and bivariate statistics. Focus on multiple regression analyses of sociological data. Primarily for first-year sociology graduate students who need preparation for advanced social statistics. Undergraduates preparing for graduate programs may register upon availability.

Soc 8811—Advanced Social Statistics
(4.0 cr; Prereq-5811 or equiv, grad soc major or #; A-F or Aud, fall, spring, every year) Statistical methods for analyzing social data. Sample topics: advanced multiple regression, logistic regression, limited dependent variable analysis, analysis of variance and covariance, log-linear models, structural equations, and event history analysis. Applications to datasets using computers.

Cognition and learning

All students must complete two of the prerequisite cognition and learning courses listed below (students who have already completed this coursework prior to entering the MITER Program will not need to retake these prerequisites):

EPSY 5112—Knowing, Learning, and Thinking
(4.0 cr; A-F or Aud, fall, spring, summer, every year) Principles of human information processing, memory, and thought; mental operations in comprehension and problem solving; developing expertise and automaticity; emphasis on applied settings.

EPSY 5114—Psychology of Student Learning
(3.0 cr; A-F or Aud, fall, spring, summer, every year) Principles of educational psychology: how learning occurs, why it fails, and implications for instruction. Topics include models of learning, development, creativity, problem-solving, intelligence, character education, motivation, diversity, special populations.

EPSY 5118—Language: Psycholinguistic Research and Educational Application
(3.0 cr; A-F or Aud) Psychological study of language. Psychological processes involved in language use, mechanisms that guide these processes. Failures of these mechanisms. How language operates.

Required Coursework:

The following 4 core courses are required of all students:

EPsy 8117
Req: Writing Empirical Papers and Research/Grant Proposals in Education and Psychology
EPsy 8311
Req: Education Sciences Proseminar (students complete 3 cr. over 3 semesters)
EPsy 8116
Req: Reading for Meaning: Cognitive Processing in Comprehension of Texts
EPsy 8222/5865
Req: Advanced Measurement: Theory and Application

EPSY 8117—Writing Empirical Papers and Research/Grant Proposals in Education and Psychology (3.0 cr; Prereq-#)
Scientific writing skills. Focuses on logic/argumentation. Each student produces an empirical paper or research proposal. Breaks down the writing process into components: one component per week. Each week, students write a section of their paper/proposal and critique others'.

EPSY 8311—Education Sciences Proseminar
Topics will involve education-related research issues such as problems of school-based research and diverse research methodologies, educational research and the diversity of K–12 students, the role of laboratory-based studies in education research, critiques of education research, the relation of cognitive theory to school-based research, and translating research into school-based practice. There will be an emphasis on the importance of causal inferences and generality of findings from educational research.

EPSY 8116—Reading for Meaning: Cognitive Processes in the Comprehension of Texts
(3.0 cr; Prereq-#) Students read primary articles on cognitive processes involved in reading comprehension. Focuses on inference making during reading and on construction of a coherent memory representation. Computational models, neurological processes, developmental/individual differences, effects of text genre (e.g., expository, narrative).

EPSY 8222/PSY 5865—Advanced Measurement: Theory and Application
(4.0 cr; =[PSY 5865]; Prereq-[5221 or Psy 5862 or equiv], [8261 or 8262 or equiv]; spring, even years) Generalizability theory, item response theory, factor models for test items, binomial model. Application to problems of designing, linking assessments. Includes a computer lab.

Cognition & Learning

Note: students must complete at least 3 elective credits

CPsy 8301
Elective: Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Processes
Psy 5014
Elective: Psychology of Human Learning and Memory
Psy 5015
Elective: Cognition, Computation, and Brain
Psy 5054/8054
Elective: Seminar: Psychology of Language
Psy 8060
Elective: Seminar: Neural Substrates of Mental Processes
NSc 5661
Elective: Behavioral Neuroscience

CPsy 8301—Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Processes
 (4.0 cr; Prereq-Doctoral student or #; fall, every year) Perceptual, motor, cognitive and language development, and biological bases of each. Conceptual framework of research issues.

Psy 5014—Psychology of Human Learning and Memory
 (3 cr; Prereq–3011 or 3051 [except for honors/grad student]) Survey of basic methods and findings of research on human learning, memory, and cognition. Emphasis on major factors influencing human encoding or acquisition of information and skill, retention, and retrieval. Theoretical perspectives on underlying processes of encoding, retention, and retrieval.

PSY 5015—Cognition, Computation, and Brain
(3 cr; Prereq–3051 [except for honors/grad student]) Human cognitive abilities (perception, memory, attention) from different perspectives (e.g., cognitive psychological approach, cognitive neuroscience approach).

Psy 5054/8054—Psychology of Language
(3 cr; Prereq–[3001W or equiv] or honors or grad student) Theories/experimental evidence in past/present conceptions of psychology of language.

Psy 8056—Seminar: Psychology of Language
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Grad psych major or #; A-F or Aud) Selected topics in psycholinguistics.

Psy 8060—Seminar: Neural Substrates of Mental Processes
(3.0 cr [max 12.0 cr]; Prereq-5012 or 5061 or 5062 or 5064 or NSci 5661 or 8010 or CPsy 8301 or NSci 8401 or #; fall, every year) Neurobiological substrates of psychological processes such as memory, attention, and emotion. Neurobiological substrates of mental dysfunction.

NSC 5661—Behavioral Neuroscience
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Grad NSc major or grad NSc minor or #; A-F or Aud, spring, every year) Neural coding/representation of movement parameters. Neural mechanisms underlying higher order processes such as memorization, memory scanning, and mental rotation. Emphasizes experimental psychological studies in human subjects, single cell recording experiments in subhuman primates, and artificial neural network modeling.

Research methods and statistics

Note: students must complete at least 3 elective credits

EPsy 8215
Elective: Advanced Research Methodologies
CPsy 8304
Elective: Research Methods in Child Psychology
PA 8386
Elective: Research Methods in Social and Labor Policy
Psy 5065
Elective: fMRI: Hands-on Training
Psy 5960
Elective: Introduction to fMRI
Soc 8801
Elective: Sociological Research Methods

EPSY 8215—Advanced Research Methodologies in Education
(3.0 cr; Prereq-5221, 5247, 8261, 8262, #) Quantitative research methods, including models of scientific inquiry, role of theories/research design, role of measurement error in quantitative data-based inference, and qualitative methods of inquiry. Focuses on advanced quantitative/qualitative methodologies used in methodologically oriented studies in educational measurement, evaluation, and stats.

CPsy 8304—Research Methods in Child Psychology
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Doctoral student or #; spring, every year) Review of principal research methods and designs in developmental psychology and consideration of special issues concerning research, including scientific integrity.

PA 8386—Research Methods in Social and Labor Policy
(3.0 cr; Prereq-5032 or 5033, 5022 or equiv; A-F or Aud) Use of social science research methods in analyzing and developing public policies.

PSY 5065—Functional Imaging: Hands-on Training
(3 cr; Prereq–[2801 or 4801 or equiv], [3061 or NSCI 3101] or #) Basic neuroimaging techniques. Emphasizes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Theory/background. Students design/ execute fMRI experiment on Siemens 3 Tesla scanner, incorporating techniques that compensate for distortion and other imaging artifacts.

Psy 5960*—Introduction to fMRI
(3 cr; Prereq–[1000]) Introduction to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). [*Note: this course number may be assigned to a variety of Psychology graduate seminars. If you wish to take Psy 5960 as a methods elective, it must be this exact course, entitled, “Introduction to fMRI”. If you have any questions as to whether you are registering for the right course, please speak with your MITER advisor prior to registering for and completing the course.]

Soc 8801—Sociological Research Methods
(4.0 cr; Prereq-Grad soc major or #; A-F or Aud, fall, spring) Multiple objectives of social research and how they inform research design. Conceptualization and measurement of complex concepts. Broad issues in research design and quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and management.

Revised April 2009


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Last modified on February 05, 2013.