**THESE TWO COURSES MUST BE TAKEN TOGETHER TO RECEIVE THE FULL CREDIT**

The Advanced Studies in Psychology course is a semester long course that provides students with the opportunity to learn psychological principles and phenomena, develop their understanding of behavior and mental processes, as well as to learn and use scientific methods in the study of behavior. This course will prepare students for the second semester of the Advanced Placement Psychology course. The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas. These courses prepare students to take the AP Psychology exam. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. SS1339 must be taken first semester for enrollment in SS1340 second semester.