Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• MET PS 326: Experimental Psychology: Social
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: PS101 and PS261, and MA113 or MA213 - Supervised experience in formulating, carrying out, interpreting, and critically evaluating social-psychological research. Students conduct research on such topics as attraction, impressions and stereotypes, helping, aggression, conflict, etc. Variety of research techniques examined.
• MET PS 330: Leadership in the Workplace
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METPS101) - This class is aimed at students who are eager to develop an understanding of the interplay between psychology, leadership, and workplace dynamics within organizations. The focus of the class is on the practical as well as the applied and theoretical aspects of organization psychology. Investigations will focus on actual work related case studies and leadership and work related issues, as well as an investigation of the dynamic nature of the field. We will use the classroom setting as a laboratory to analyze cases and to discuss solutions for work related problems. This class is ideal for students preparing to enter the workplace.
• MET PS 335: How the Brain Works: An Introduction to Neuropsychology
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METPS101) - Where do our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors come from? They all originate in the brain. The mysteries of the brain become accessible through the study of tragically commonplace medical events and conditions such as stroke and dementia and exceptionally rare cases where n = 1 (the amnesic patient H.M.; the infamous Phineas Gage). Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between the brain and behavior. This course examines the anatomical structures of the brain including the cerebral lobes, brain stem and subcortical regions and will explore cognitive processes including memory, language, attention, and emotion. Significant emphasis will be placed on the relation between brain disorders (resulting from head injury, stroke, degenerative disease, etc.) and abnormal behavior.
• MET PS 340: Business and Organizational Psychology
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET PS 101 - The discipline of business and organizational psychology is a fast-growing expert area in the behavioral sciences. As a whole it concerns itself with the scientific application of psychological principles, research, theories, methods, and interventions to the world of business and organizations. This course introduces the undergraduate student to the discipline's theories, methods, and practical applications.
• MET PS 371: Mental Health, Diagnosis, and Wellbeing
  Learn an integrative approach to the psychology of mental health, focusing on the biopsychosocial paradigm for understanding and treating psychological distress. You will examine psychological diagnoses, emotional distress, and treatment approaches through different fields of knowledge, including psychiatric symptoms and diagnosis, the 'recovery model,' subjective lived experience, and holistic approaches.
• MET PS 472: Psychology of Women
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: three psychology courses or consent of instructor. - This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the myriad factors influencing the development of girls and women in a variety of cultures and societies. Topics that will be covered include feminist scholarship and research; gender socialization, women's biology, and health; sexuality, relationships and family; and work, career, and power issues.
• MET PS 512: Sexual Violence
  This course will engage the topics of sexual deviance and sexual trauma through multiple lens. These lenses will include psychological, sociological, criminal justice, public health and social justice perspectives. The course will explore multiple facets of understanding sexual deviance and sexual trauma including legal and philosophical perspectives, historical activism, understanding and treatment of sexual offending, and survivor responses. The roles of multiple systems including the media, mental health organization and the criminal justice system will be taken into account. This course includes ongoing group work that will engage critical inquiry, addressing relevant topics in sexual trauma in practical ways. Students will utilize knowledge of theory and research methodology to pursue real world responses to issues of sexual violence and trauma.
• MET PS 515: Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Methods, Practice, and Theory
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METPS371) - The field of forensic psychology lies at the crossroads of psychology, the law, and the criminal justice system. This course presents upper-level undergraduates and master's level graduate students with the scope of forensic psychology practice and research. First, the course focuses on the scope of the field: what forensic psychologists do, the ethical conflicts they encounter, and the field's special methodology (e.g., assessment of malingering and deception). The use and function of expert witness testimony is reviewed and critically evaluated. A range of civil and criminal psychological issues is addressed including eyewitness memory, sexual offenders and battered women.
• MET PS 520: Violence and Trauma
  Violence and Trauma examines the psychological impact of crime, terror and disasters on society and the individuals who are members of it. The class is geared toward students in the social sciences including Psychology, Urban Affairs, Criminal Justice, and Sociology. A variety of traumas will be examined (e.g., childhood abuse, domestic violence and crime, war combat, terrorism, and natural disasters). The course examines the social, cultural and political environments in which trauma, trauma research and treatment occur. This course provides an introduction and overview of the field of traumatic stress studies including the nature of trauma, responses to trauma and treatment for disorders of traumatic stress.
• MET PS 592: Positive Psychology
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METPS101) - Positive Psychology is the scientific study of what makes it possible for human beings to lead happy, meaningful and productive lives--sometimes despite formidable odds. This course offers an introduction to the discipline's methods, empirical findings and theory.
• MET PS 599: Capstone in Applied Social Science
  This course engages upper level undergraduate Department of Social Science majors in a capstone experience through applied research. It focuses on integrating competencies gained through the student's major and BU Hub requirements with specific focus on applied theory and research. The capstone integrates the principles and applications of the major areas of study in Applied Social Sciences, including criminal justice, psychology, sociology and urban affairs. The course will specifically address questions of public policy, social justice, and mental health. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration.
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  • The Individual in Community
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• MET PY 105: Elementary Physics
  Assumes a knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Satisfies premedical requirements. Principles of classical and modern physics: mechanics, heat, light, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. Fundamental concepts of energy; conservation laws, energy sources, and transformations. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking.
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  • Critical Thinking
  • Quantitative Reasoning I
  • Scientific Inquiry I
• MET PY 106: Elementary Physics
  Assumes a knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Satisfies premedical requirements. Principles of classical and modern physics: mechanics, heat, light, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. Fundamental concepts of energy; conservation laws, energy sources, and transformations. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking.
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  • Critical Thinking
  • Quantitative Reasoning II
  • Scientific Inquiry II
• MET PY 211: General Physics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METMA124 OR METMA123) MET MA 124, or MA 123 with consent of instructor. For premedical stude nts desiring a more analytical course than MET PY 105, PY 106, and for science concentrators who require a one-year physics course. - For premedical students desiring a more analytical course than MET PY 105, PY 106, and for science concentrators who require a one-year physics course. Basic principles of physics, emphasizing topics from mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Teamwork/Collaboration, Critical Thinking.
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  • Critical Thinking
  • Quantitative Reasoning I
  • Scientific Inquiry I
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• MET PY 212: General Physics II
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (METMA124 OR METMA123) MET MA 124, or MA 123 with consent of instructor. For premedical stude nts desiring a more analytical course than MET PY 105, PY 106, and for science concentrators who require a one-year physics course. - For premedical students desiring a more analytical course than MET PY 105, PY 106, and for science concentrators who require a one-year physics course. Basic principles of physics, emphasizing topics from mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Critical Thinking
  • Quantitative Reasoning II
  • Scientific Inquiry II
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• MET UA 503: Housing and Community Development
  Have you ever wondered why some neighborhoods thrive while others struggle to access safe, affordable housing? In this course, you’ll explore how housing and community development shape opportunity, stability, and mobility across the United States. You’ll examine the forces that influence where and how people live—such as poverty, segregation, and social inequality—and discover how housing policies and community development efforts can strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity. Through discussions, readings, and real-world examples, you’ll trace the history of housing policy and analyze how federal, state, and local decisions affect communities today. Along the way, you’ll reflect on your own experiences and perspectives while building the tools to think critically about housing challenges and solutions. Whether you’re interested in public policy, urban planning, or community leadership, this course helps you understand how housing decisions shape communities—and how you can help build more equitable ones.
• MET UA 505: Urban Management
  How do cities actually run—and who makes the decisions that shape daily life in your community? In this course, you’ll explore real-world cases in municipal and public management to understand how local governments operate and serve the public. You’ll look at how city leaders organize departments, manage budgets, plan programs, and work with employees and community partners. The course also examines how public agencies collaborate—and sometimes clash—with private organizations to deliver services. Through case studies, you’ll explore how cities manage essential functions. By the end of the course, you’ll have a clearer picture of how municipal governments turn policy into action and how effective management can improve services, strengthen communities, and address complex urban challenges.
• MET UA 508: Real Estate Development
  Various factors affecting location, construction, financing, and marketing of real estate in metropolitan areas. Studies the relationship of public policy to the activities of the private sector, market analysis techniques, evaluation of development projects, and problems of real estate investment.
• MET UA 510: Selected Topics in Urban Affairs
  Graduate Prerequisites: (METUA301 & METUA701) or consent of instructor. - UA510 is the designation for "Special Topics in Planning". The subject matter for UA510 courses changes from semester to semester, and more than one UA510 can be offered in a given semester.
• MET UA 515: History, Theory and Planning Practice
  In this course, you’ll dive into the history, theory, and practice of planning, asking big questions about why planning matters, whose interests it serves, and how planners navigate ethical and political challenges. Along the way, you’ll examine how cities in the U.S. have evolved, considering issues like community power, representation, participation, and conflict. Through readings, discussions, and case studies, you’ll build a practical and critical understanding of the planning process, learning how historical context, theory, and policy come together to shape urban spaces. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools to think like a planner—analyzing cities, evaluating strategies, and understanding the values and trade-offs that guide urban decision-making.