Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers programs of study that lead to the Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science.
The Department also collaborates with Cognitive Systems, Linguistics (Speech Sciences), and Women's and Gender Studies.
For information on the Bachelor of Science, see the Faculty of Science.
For information on advanced degrees, see graduate Psychology.
Visit the Course Schedule for details on current offerings.
Major in Psychology
Students are reminded that the Faculty of Arts requires at least 60 credits outside the Major for the Bachelor of Arts, and that the Department of Psychology requires at least 30 senior-level Psychology credits for the Psychology Major, and at least 48 senior-level Psychology credits for the Honours program. PSYC 340, 348, 440, or 448 may not be included for the minimum 30 Psychology credits required for the Major Program.
Students who are contemplating graduate studies or other research activities in psychology should consider taking PSYC 359 in addition to the above minimum requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.
Students may declare their Major in Psychology upon attaining second year status (completion of 27 credits). Students must be declared Psychology Majors in order to take PSYC 217 and 218, which are required for the Major. Arts students who have declared majors in either Cognitive Systems or Speech Sciences are also eligible to take PSYC 217 and 218.
First and Second Years
Students must complete:
- either PSYC 100 or PSYC 101 and PSYC 102
- PSYC 217 and 218
Third and Fourth Years
Students must take a minimum of 30 credits in 300- or 400-level courses including:
1. At least 6 credits from one of the following two lists:
- Behavioural Neuroscience: PSYC 301, 304, 306, 360, 361, 363, 364, 460, 461, 462, 466, 467
- Cognitive Science: PSYC 309, 321, 333, 334, 336, 337, 365, 367, 368, 409, 463
2. At least 6 credits from each of two of the following four lists:
- Clinical/Forensic/Health: PSYC 300, 311, 314, 331, 350, 400, 401, 402, 420, 431, 469
- Developmental: PSYC 302, 315, 319, 320, 322, 325, 412, 413, 414
- Foundations/Psychometrics: PSYC 303, 312, 323, 359, 465
- Personality/Social: PSYC 305, 307, 308, 321, 358, 403, 404, 407, 408, 415, 418
All students are encouraged to include fourth-year courses in their programs. In addition to providing greater depth, they provide an opportunity to work in smaller groups.
Honours in Psychology (B.A.)
The Honours program is designed to provide intensive and extensive preparation in psychology for outstanding students who intend to pursue graduate studies in Psychology.
Admission to the Honours program requires at least a 76% average in the second year and at least 80% in PSYC 217 and 218. Students failing to meet either of these criteria may petition for admittance into the program. All students enrolling in the Honours program must consult with the chair of the departmental Honours committee.
Graduation in the Honours program requires:
- a minimum of 120 total credits including 48 credits of Psychology courses numbered 300 or above, including several specified courses that are listed below, but no more than 6 credits total for PSYC 340, 348, 440, or 448
- an average of at least 76% in the final 60 credits of study
- an average of at least 80% in at least 12 credits of Psychology courses numbered 300 or above
First and Second Years
Students must complete:
- either PSYC 100 or 101 and 102
- PSYC 217 and 218
- BIOL 121 or BIOL 344
Third and Fourth Years
Students must complete:
- a minimum of 30 credits taken concurrently in third year, including PSYC 312, 349, and 359
- a minimum of 30 credits taken concurrently in fourth year, including PSYC 449
- no more than 6 credits total from PSYC 340, 348, 440, 448
- at least 6 credits from four of the five content areas listed below
at least 12 credits from:
- Behavioural Neuroscience: PSYC 301, 304, 306, 360, 361, 363, 364, 460, 461, 462, 466, 467
- Cognitive Science: PSYC 309, 321, 333, 334, 336, 337, 365, 367, 368, 409, 463, 465
and at least 12 credits from:
- Clinical/Forensic/Health: PSYC 300, 303, 311, 314, 323, 331, 350, 400, 401, 402, 420, 431, 469
- Developmental: PSYC 302, 315, 319, 320, 322, 325, 412, 413, 414
- Personality/Social: PSYC 305, 307, 308, 321, 358, 403, 404, 407, 408, 415, 418
All students are encouraged to include fourth year courses in their programs. In addition to providing greater depth, they provide an opportunity to work in smaller groups.
Minor in Psychology (B.A.)
First and Second Years
Students must complete:
- either PSYC 100 or 101 and 102
- PSYC 207 and 208 or 6 credits of 200-level Psychology
Third and Fourth Years
Students must take at least 18, but no more than 30 credits, of 300- or 400-level psychology courses, and may not count PSYC 340, 348, 440, or 448 toward the minimum requirement of 18 credits.
Major in Cognitive Systems: Cognition and Brain (B.A.)
For a program description and admission requirements, see Cognitive Systems (Arts).
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| CPSC 111,121 | 8 |
| ENGL 100-level | 6 |
| LING 100 | 3 |
| PSYC 100 (or 101 and 102) | 6 |
| Electives1,2,3 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
| Second Year | |
| COGS 200 | 3 |
| PHIL 220 (or 320)4 | 3 |
| PSYC 217 | 3 |
| PSYC 218 (or STAT 200)5 | 3 |
| Electives2,3 | 18 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
| COGS 300, 303, 401, 402 | 12 |
| PHIL 441, 451 | 6 |
| PSYC 365 | 3 |
| Other Cognitive Systems module courses numbered 300 or higher6,7 | 18 |
| Electives3 | 21 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum Credits for Degree | 122 |
| 1 Students enrolled in the 18-credit Arts One or Coordinated Arts programs should take PSYC 100 and LING 100 in their first year, and CPSC 121 and 111 in their second year. | |
| 2 Students attempting the COGS major should choose electives to obtain prerequisites to appropriate third- and fourth-year courses. | |
| 3 Cognitive Systems module courses are recommended as electives for each year of study. Modules are sets of recommended courses that are directly relevant to Cognitive Systems. For the list of module courses, see Cognitive Systems. Courses explicitly listed as required cannot also be credited as module courses. | |
| 4 The prerequisite PHIL 220 may be waived for PHIL 320 with the consent of the instructor. | |
| 5 Requires integral calculus (MATH 101, 103, 105, 120, or instructor consent). | |
| 6 At least 6 credits must be PSYC module courses, and at least 6 credits must be non-PSYC module courses. | |
| 7 BIOL 455 and 458 can also be counted toward this requirement, as long as neither PSYC 360 nor PSYC 304 have been taken. | |
