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Psychology Minor

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements

To be admitted, students complete both of


PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology I (3)
PSYC 102 Introduction to Psychology II (3)

and must obtain a final course grade of C (2.0) or better in

PSYC 201W Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology (4)

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 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 grades in these courses, he or she will not be able to graduate with a minor 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

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete all of

PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology I (3)

Acquaints the student with the major issues in contemporary psychology and considers the historical antecedents. Special attention is given to questions of methodology and research design in psychology. Topics in physiological psychology, perception, learning and motivation are considered. Students with credit for PSYC 101 may not take PSYC 100 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences. Breadth-Social Sciences.

PSYC 102 - Introduction to Psychology II (3)

Acquaints the student with major issues in contemporary psychology and considers their historical antecedents. Topics in learning, cognition, social psychology and abnormal psychology are considered. Recommended: PSYC 100 is recommended but not required. Students with credit for PSYC 101 may not take PSYC 102 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences. Breadth-Social Sciences.

PSYC 201W - Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology (4) *

An introduction to the procedures used in psychological research, and to the logic underlying them. Topics include the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research, the formulation of testable questions, the control of extraneous influences, the measurement of effects, and the drawing of valid conclusions from empirical evidence. Provides a background for senior psychology courses since it offers a basis for the critical evaluation and conduct of research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 102 (or PSYC 101). See the Letters of Permission section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology. Students with credit for PSYC 201 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

and a minimum of two courses from

PSYC 221 - Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)

Introduction to the study of cognitive and perceptual processes. Topics include memory, perception, attention, language, mental imagery, creativity, judgment and decision-making, and an introduction to cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, dyslexia, aphasia and attention-deficit disorder. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 (or PSYC 101). Students with credit for PSYC 320 may not take PSYC 221 for further credit.

PSYC 241 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (3)

Introduces students to the area of abnormal psychology. Topics include the definition and classification of pathological behavior, factors involved in the development of pathology, and evaluation of therapy outcome. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 340 may not take PSYC 241 for further credit.

PSYC 250 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology (3)

Considers the psychological and physical aspects of human development from conception through middle childhood. Topics include social, emotional, language, cognitive, perceptual and physical development. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 350 or 351 may not take this course for further credit.

PSYC 260 - Introduction to Social Psychology (3)

Examines methodology and content in social psychology. Topics include: attitudes and values; social perception and cognition; group behavior; social includence; prejudice, discrimination, and sexism; aggression; altruism, interpersonal attraction and interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 360 may not take PSYC 260 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

PSYC 268 - Introduction to Law and Psychology (3)

An introduction to the area of law and psychology. The role and influence of psychology in the legal system will be discussed. Topics include: social psychology and law, developmental psychology and law, juvenile justice, experimental psychology and law, mental disability and law. Prerequisite: PSYC 102 (or 101). Students with credit for PSYC 369 may not take this course for further credit.

PSYC 280 - Introduction to Biological Psychology (3)

Surveys the major areas in biological psychology. Topics include the basics of neuroanatomy and nerve cell function, the behavioral and physiological effects of drugs and hormones in the nervous system, evolutionary perspectives on the brain and behavior, and the biopsychology of vision, the chemical senses, hearing, movement, biological rhythms, sex, and cognitive processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 (or 101). Recommended: BISC 101. Breadth-Science.

* PSYC 201W must be completed with a final course grade of C (2.0) or better.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 15 upper division PSYC units with a minimum psychology cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and psychology upper division CGPA of 2.0 (calculated over ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV PSYC courses only).

No more than three directed studies units may be applied to the minor. A minimum of eight upper division PYSC units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.

Directed Studies Courses

PSYC 493 - Directed Studies (3)

Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a CGPA of 3.0, and permission of the department. See the Directed Studies Courses section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology section.

PSYC 494 - Directed Studies (3)

Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a CGPA of 3.0, and permission of the department. See the Directed Studies Courses section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology section.

PSYC 495 - Directed Studies (3)

Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a CGPA of 3.0, and permission of the department. See the Directed Studies Courses section within the undergraduate Department of Psychology section.

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 http://www.psyc.sfu.ca/ugrad) 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 Major 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

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