Program Overview

Psychology Major

Overview

The Psychology Major is awarded a BA degree, requiring 39 hours to complete and 12 courses.

Requirements

The major requirements are divided into four sections:

1. Four foundation courses: All foundation courses must be completed no later than the end of the junior year.

• PSYC 110 Introduction to Psychology I: Psychobiology and Cognition
• PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology II: Development, Social Behavior, and Individual Differences
• QTM 100 Introduction to Statistical Inference
• PSYC 200W Laboratory Methods (QTM 100 is a prerequisite for PSYC 200)
• Students who have received AP credit or obtained a score of 6 or 7 for an international baccalaureate psychology course will be exempted from Psychology 111 and must take an additional elective course to replace it.

2. Two Survey Courses: Majors must take at least one survey course in each of two areas, designated Area 1 and Area 2.

• Survey Area 1:
  • 207 Brain and Behavior
  • 209 Perception and Action
  • 215 Cognition
  • 223 Drugs and Behavior
• Survey Area 2:
  • 205 Child Development
  • 210 Abnormal Psychology
  • 211 Childhood Psychopathology
  • 212 Social Psychology
• Prior enrollment in Psychology 110 and/or 111 and QTM 100 is strongly suggested for the survey courses.

3. Four Depth Courses: Majors must take at least 4 courses at the 300 level or above.

• 300 and 400 level courses require 110, 111, and QTM 100 and at least one 200 level breadth course.
• Individual instructors may further require PSYC 200 and/or specify any additional prerequisites.

4. Two Elective Courses: Students must take two additional psychology courses offered by the department to fulfill the electives requirement.

• Elective options include Psychology 100, 200, 300, and 400 level courses, with exceptions noted below.
• Note that students may count (only) one (1) three-hour enrollment in PSYC 494R or 499R, Directed Research towards the major.

Excluded Courses

The following psychology courses do not count toward the major:

• 190, Freshman Seminar
• 495A/B, Honors
• 498R, Directed Reading