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Psychology Major Program

Department of Psychology | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2013 Spring

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To be admitted, students must complete

  • PSYC 100-3 Introduction to Psychology I
  • PSYC 102-3 Introduction to Psychology II

and must obtain a final course grade of C (2.0) or better in each of the following courses

  • PSYC 201W-4 Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
  • PSYC 210-4 Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology

Course Selection

Students should complete PSYC 100, 102 and 201 as soon as possible to gain better access to upper division PSYC courses. Students who plan to major in psychology should also complete PSYC 210 and 300 as soon as possible.

The department strongly recommends that students do not leave any of these required courses to the end of their degree. If a student is unable to obtain the required grade in these courses, he or she will not be able to graduate with a major in psychology.

To enrol in psychology courses, students are required to meet the prerequisites or special instructions that may be stipulated for each. The listed prerequisites indicate the minimal background expected by instructors. See PSYC courses for details.

The department reserves one hundred per cent of all 300 and 400 division PSYC courses for approved psychology major, minor or honours students. Those who are not approved cannot enrol in these upper division courses until the open enrolment date.

Program Requirements

Students complete 120 units, as specified below.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete all of

  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology I (3)
  • PSYC 102 Introduction to Psychology II (3)
  • PSYC 201W Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology* (4)
  • PSYC 210 Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology* (4)

*with a final course grade of C (2.0) or better

and one course from the following group A courses

  • PSYC 221 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
  • PSYC 280 Introduction to Biological Psychology (3)

and one course from the following group B courses

  • PSYC 241 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (3)
  • PSYC 250 Introduction to Developmental Psychology (3)
  • PSYC 260 Introduction to Social Psychology (3)
  • PSYC 268 Introduction to Law and Psychology (3)

and one additional course from either group A or group B (see above).

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 30 upper division units with a minimum psychology cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and psychology upper division CGPA of 2.0 (calculated on ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV PSYC courses only), and which includes

  • PSYC 300W Critical Analysis of Issues in Psychology (3)
  • PSYC 308 History and Systems of Modern Psychology (3)

and an additional 24 upper division PSYC units. No more than six directed studies units may be applied to the program. A minimum of 15 upper division psychology units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.

Psychology and Statistics

A level of statistical sophistication is required before undertaking independent research or evaluating research of others.

The department offers several courses in research methodology and data analysis.

  • PSYC 201W Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology (4)
  • PSYC 210 Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology (4)
  • PSYC 301 Intermediate Research Methods and Data Analysis (4)
  • PSYC 410 Research Design I (4)
  • PSYC 411 Research Design II (4)

Students who have a special interest in more extensive statistical training to facilitate their work in psychology should also consider courses from STAT 270 and above, and in particular, the following.

  • STAT 270 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)
  • STAT 302 Analysis of Experimental and Observational Data (3)
  • STAT 330 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3)
  • STAT 403 Intermediate Sampling and Experimental Design (3)
  • STAT 410 Statistical Analysis of Sample Surveys (3)
  • STAT 430 Statistical Design and Analysis of Experiments (3)

Directed Studies Courses

PSYC 493, 494, and 495 are directed studies courses. Enrolment enables an individual or small group to work with a faculty member on a reading or research project of mutual interest. Common reasons for a student requesting such a course are

  • to continue a reading or research project begun in a 400 division seminar
  • to cover material not included in regular courses

The minimum requirement is a B (3.0) average, at least 60 units and department permission. Directed studies students complete an application form (available at ) with the intended instructor.

Letters of Permission

See Courses at Other Institutions/Letters of Permission for information. The department does not normally approve letters of permission for enrolled ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV students to complete PSYC 201, 210 and 301 at a different institution. Such permission may be granted for other courses. Enquire of the psychology undergraduate advisor.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Program Requirements

For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes

  • at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
  • at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
  • at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
  • an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit.
Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject
Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division
6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc
6 units Humanities: B-Hum
6 units Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements)
Additional breadth units must be from outside the student's major and may be B-designated (B-Hum, B-Soc, B-Sci courses). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 units as upper division work.

Also refer to International Exchange Programs.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.

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