PSYCHOLOGY/NEUROSCIENCE 1001
NEW STUDENT SEMINAR IN PSY AND NSC
New Student Seminar in Psychology and Neuroscience
Fall, 2014
Faculty Leaders:
Dr. Tamara J. Lawrence
Office: BSB A309
Office Hours: MWF 10-11:00, 1:15-3:30pm; & by
appointment
Phone: 710-2961 (Psy/NSC Office)
E-Mail Tamara_Lawrence@baylor.edu
Dr. Charles A Weaver III
Office: BSB A327
Office Hours: MWF 11-12; MW 1-3 or by
appointment. TR by appt only
Phone: 710-2961 (Psy/NSC Office)
E-Mail: Charles_Weaver@Baylor.edu
Course Syllabus
Course Overview
This course is designed as an introduction for first year and transfer students entering as PrePsychology or Pre-Neuroscience majors. We will introduce you to the faculty in the department, discuss
the academic requirements of the major, and discuss ways in which you can make the adjustment to
Baylor successful.
Goals
Students will learn:
 About organizations, activities, and resources that are available to them as students of Baylor
University.

How they can organize their time as efficiently as possible.

What kinds of study techniques are likely to be effective, and which will not.

About the MAP-Works tools, and how they can use MAP-Works to increase their likelihood of
success

What it means to be a part of an “academic community,” and what is expected of all members of
that community.

What kind of resources are available to foster spiritual growth

How to develop independence and autonomy, both in academic and personal matters

Various career paths available to them as PSY or NSC majors.

What is required of students as pre-majors before applying to become PSY or NSC majors

About the faculty they will encounter in PSY and NSC, and learn about academic interests and
research opportunities that are available.
NSC/PSY 1001
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Fall, 2014
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COURSE POLICIES
Attendance
You will be held to the University requirement of 75% attendance. That means you need to attend 9
of the 12 class meetings. Attendance will be taken each day in class by signing your name on the
attendance sheet. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for the class and the attendance sheets have
already been circulated, you will be counted "absent.”
According to the policy of Baylor University, even so-called "excused" absences count against
your attendance. In other words, there are no “excused absences.”
Grading
The is a credit/no credit course. You will receive course credit only if you attend 75% of the sessions,
and complete the handful of simple assignment. You must earn credit in this course to apply for full
NSC or PSY major status.
Blackboard
All of the course materials (syllabi, handouts, grade lists, and outside readings) are now available on
Blackboard. If you have never used the blackboard system, you may wish to contact the ITC office for a
list of training seminars. (Actually, the system is quite easy to learn.) We’ll post all course material in
the COURSE DOCUMENTS section.
Office of Access and Learning Accommodation
Any and all special accommodations (longer test sessions, etc.) should be handled through the
Office of Access and Learning Accommodation. You need to present the documentation to me the first
week of class.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Students declaring a Psychology or Neuroscience major during the Fall 2011 semester or
after are subject to the following policy introduced in the 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog (page 108):
A student who earns a D or F in a PSY or NSC course may repeat the course. However, a student earning a second
D or F in the same course, or in a subsequent PSY or NSC course will not be eligible to continue in the Psychology
or Neuroscience major.
Upon earning a D or F in one of your major courses, you will be advised by the Director of Undergraduate Studies
or the director’s designee with the objective of finding a path to success in the major or identifying another major
better suited to the your aptitude and abilities.
Students declaring a Psychology or Neuroscience major during the Fall 2014 semester or after are subject to the
Pre major policy introduced in the 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog. We will discuss this extensively during this
seminar
NSC/PSY 1001
New Student Seminar in PSY and NSC
Fall, 2014
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COURSE MATERIALS FOR NSC/PSY 1101
NEW STUDENT SEMINAR IN PSY AND NSC
FALL, 2014
Articles and Readings
We’ve assigned a series of articles. They are available on BLACKBOARD.
Readings:
Dr. Hugh Riley, Senior Lecturer & Dr. Jim Diaz-Granados, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Psychology
and Neuroscience: Adjusting to Your New Life at Baylor
Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Former Executive Vice President & Provost: Mission and Vision
Dr. Charles Weaver, Professor and Director Undergraduate Studies: Studying: What works and what
doesn’t
Freshman Survival Guide
Career Paths within the clinical and counseling fields (Departmental Document)
Graduate School (Dr. Lawrence)
Tasks (to be completed for credit)
Prepare for Your Advising Appointment
Using MAP-Works
Pre-Major Application
NSC/PSY 1001
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Fall, 2014
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Fall, 2014
DATE
WEEK
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
Aug 25
1
Welcome to Baylor
R: Riley and DG (2013)
Guests: Drs. Riley and Diaz-Granados
Sept 8
2
Surviving your first semester
R: Freshman Survival Guide
NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Frisch
Sept 15
3
Welcome to PSY & NSC
R: Premajor policy
NSC/PSY Faculty: Drs. Tsang and Limbers
Sep 22
4
Getting Involved: Psychology Club, Psi Chi, BNS,
Nu Rho Psi
Guest: Dr. Achor
NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Dolan
Sep 29
Oct 6
5
6
Who can you turn to for help?
R: Davis (2013)
Dr. Martha Lou Scott, Assoc. Vice President for
Complete MAP-Works* (finish
Student Life & Ombuds to Students
by 9/29/14)
MAP-Works
Guest: Ron English, Paul Foster Success Center
Oct 13
7
Academic Success
R: Weaver (2013)
NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Patton
Oct 20
8
Advising
A: Prepare for Your Advising
Guest Joyce Miller, University Advising
Appointment*
NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Sanford
Oct 27
9
Diversity and Adjustment
Special Panel: Drs. Latendresse, Riley & DG
Nov 3
10
Career Paths in PSY/NSC: Health-related
professions
Guest: Dr. Rich Sanker, Director of Pre-Health
Studies
NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Klocek
Nov 10
11
Career Paths in PSY/NSC: Clinical, counseling, and
R: Lawrence
graduate school
NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Rowatt
Nov 17
12
You made it: What’s next?
A: Pre-Major Application*
NSC/PSY Faculty: Drs. Smith and Latendresse
Nov 24
13
No meeting
Dec 1
14
Dr. Pepper Float “Mixer”
A: You have to drink Dr. Pepper Floats