Institute for Child Development

Course Information for Undergraduates

PSYC 355: Lab in Child Behavior

• The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the foundations and principles of applied behavior analysis. Students will be introduced to empirically based concepts and procedures for the assessment, intervention, and evaluation of human behavior. This course will also seek to increase critical thinking skills through application of the scientific method in order to better understand behavioral phenomena in an applied setting. Skills will be shaped through intense academic and highly supervised practicum experiences.

PSYC 493: Assessment, Intervention, and Evaluation II

• The purpose of this course is to expand and develop mastery in the application of behavioral principles introduced in PSYC 355 Lab in Child Behavior. Skills will be shaped through intense academic and highly supervised practicum experiences within one of the identified concentrations. This course will also seek to increase critical thinking skills through application of the scientific method in order to better understand behavioral phenomena in an applied setting. Broad domains to be covered include ethical considerations, behavioral principles process and concepts, behavioral assessment, research methods for single-case designs, empirical measurement of behavior, display and interpretation of behavioral data, and appropriate communication of research evidence in APA style.
  • Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

PSYC 494: Assessment, Intervention, and Evaluation III

• The purpose of this course is to expand and develop mastery in the application of behavioral principles and methodology introduced in PSYC 355 Lab in Child Behavior and PSYC 493 Assessment, Intervention & Evaluation II. Skills will be shaped through intense academic and highly supervised practicum placements. Strong emphasis will be placed on understanding behavioral principles in the applied setting (e.g., clinical). Broad domains to be covered include behavioral principles, processes and concepts, and behavioral assessment and intervention.
  • Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

PSYC 476R: Conceptualization of and Intervention for Child Disorders

• This course explores the area of child disorders from an etiological and assessment perspective, rather than a simple treatment technique survey. Emphasizes the process of deriving treatment strategies from assessment conceptualization. Special emphasis on empirical approaches to assessing treatment effectiveness. A requirement for the major track in applied behavior analysis, but open to all students based upon space available. Format: Students select a topic that must be approved by the instructor and present their topic orally during a class period. In-class participation must reflect reading of the parallel text and understanding of class lectures. Integration of materials is the expectation.
  • Prerequisites: Consent of instructor only. Students should have completed Learning, Developmental and Behavior Disorders prior to taking this class.
  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION: During academic year 2008-2009, this course will be offered in Fall 2008 semester only. During the 2009-2010 academic year and subsequent years thereafter, this course will be available during Spring semesters only!

Advanced Coursework

• Prerequisites: Enrollment in advanced coursework is based on permission of instructor only. PSYC 355, 493, & 494 and all ABA track prerequisite courses must be completed before request to participate in 490 level courses. 490G, 490H, & 490I are all based on excellent performance in prior ABA track courses with a final grade of B or better in each course.

PSYC 490G: Application of ABA

• This is an advanced course for ABA track students that works primarily with CULD in close consultation of graduate student supervisors

PSYC 490H: Advanced Practicum in ABA

• This is an advanced course, typically within the CUTE program, that works in close consultation with graduate students and unit staff

PSYC 490I: Advanced Psychological Research

• This is an advanced course within the ABA track that allows the opportunity to work on various research projects active at the Institute for Child Development under the direct supervision of graduate students.

**Please visit Blackboard for course syllabi and more detailed information about class schedules and assignments.**

Academic Dishonesty:

• Students are to abide by the Rules Governing Academic Life of Binghamton University. Any acts of plagiarism, cheating, and/or falsification of information (e.g., data) will not be tolerated. Any student that violates this policy will receive a failing grade in the course. Failure to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty is not an excuse. It is the students’ responsibility to read and understand the Academic Policies and Procedures.
• Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com.
• See Academic Policies and Procedures on the Binghamton website for further information.
  http://bulletin.binghamton.edu/program.asp?program_id=703#1

Course Requirements:

Attend Intensive Training Weekend Sessions:

• All students are required to attend the first seminar held at the ICD the first Monday of the semester, from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
• During the first one to two weeks of the semester, students are required to follow the intensive training schedule required for their practicum assignment. This schedule is distributed on the first day of class. At the end of training all students must take a written manual exam, and pass with a 90% or better within three attempts.
• An additional mandatory training is held either the first or second Saturday following the start of classes. At the end of the training, new students are required to take a performance exam, which also must be passed within three attempts. Please see the task and responsibilities checklist and training schedule for more details. Both of those documents will be distributed during the first class
• Students who fail to pass either the written manual exam or the performance exam within three attempts MUST withdraw the course.

Session Attendance:

• All students are expected to attend their scheduled hours at the Children’s Unit (students will be assigned 8 or 6 hours to work with the children depending upon the course). Students are expected to use additional times (2 hours per week) prior to and following their scheduled sessions to prepare for the sessions. These times should also be used to schedule consultations with staff regarding children's behavior and/or programs.
• All students are required to attend weekly seminars Monday evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm.
• Students must sign in and out any time you are at the unit. Failure to do so will result in an absence being recorded for that shift. In such a situation, you will be required to make up all hours recorded as an absence.
• Students are responsible for attending scheduled sessions when their assigned practicum is functioning. Failure to attend will significantly lower your grade. You are not required to come in for your assigned session: 1. during University holidays and 2. days the Units are closed.
• All students will be required to participate in the Unit for 1/2 normal hours during finals week.

Absences:

• If you have a medical or personal emergency, you must speak to a supervisor as to whether or not you may reschedule your session. It is absolutely necessary that you call in ahead of time on the days you are not able to come in for your hours.
• CUTE students must call the Unit by 8:00am, CULD students should call in by 12:00pm, and Research students should contact the graduate student for whom s/he works with to let him or her know that you will not be able to attend your hours.
• In addition to calling in, you must e-mail the graduate students at icdugrad@binghamton.edu. If your supervisor deems it a legitimate absence, hours must be rescheduled with a TA within 2 weeks.
• Paperwork located in the undergraduate coat room must also be completed to indicate to your supervisor, classroom teacher (when applicable), and course TAs when practicum hours will be made up.

Snow Days:

• CUTE & CULD monitor local television (WBNG) or radio stations (e.g., 105.7) for closing
  information. CUTE & CULD are closed when both Vestal and Binghamton schools are closed. The Institute for Child Development will post school closings on the TV station WBNG, channel 12. If you are unable to get WBNG, channel 12, you can log onto their website at WBNG.com and click on school closings. Closures will also be posted on the website.

Academic Calendar:

• Download the University Calendar here.

Seminar Attendance:

• Seminars are held on Mondays from 6-7:30 pm in the Seminar Room at ICD. Seminar attendance and participation are mandatory and constitute an important part of your final grade. Attendance and timeliness are also a part of your grade. Missing any scheduled ICD time (seminar, CUTE/CULD hours, scheduled research times, etc.) without proper documentation will result 5 points deducted from your performance grade. See the course schedule for the dates seminars will be held.

Staff Manuals and Identification Badges:

• You will be issued a staff manual and ID badge at the beginning of the semester. You must return the ID badge, and staff manual at the end of the semester before your grade is submitted. You must also sign in using your ID Badge each time you enter and exit the building.
• There is a $5 fee for lost ID Badges.
• Manuals must be returned on the date specified in the course schedule. If manuals are not returned, or are damaged in any way (i.e. water damage, writing, torn pages, etc.) you will be required to pay a $10 fee before your grade is submitted.

Dress Code:

• ALL students must purchase at least one ICD T-shirt for $7 to be worn at all times when in the building (except during seminar).
• Failure to wear the ICD t-shirt will result in negative evaluations that will significantly impact performance grades. Additionally, all students must adhere to the guidelines found on a separate handout in the folders with regard to all other clothing being worn in addition to the ICD T-shirt. Please also refer to page 17 of the Staff manual.

Unit Exams:

• Manual Exams: ALL students (new and returning) are required to pass the Manual Exams to participate at the Children’s Unit. You will sign up for TA office hours to take your manual exam within the first one to two weeks of classes.
• ALL STUDENTS MUST PASS THE MANUAL EXAM BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START DATE FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN. Students who do not pass the exams on the first attempt are given two more opportunities to pass the exam.
• Performance Exams: ALL NEW STUDENTS and any students CHANGING CONCENTRATIONS must take the performance exam. The performance exam will be conducted during the Saturday training weekend.
• A maximum of two retakes per exam is allowed. Both exams must be passed in order to participate. Students who fail to pass the staff manual and performance exams MUST withdraw from the course.