The University of British Columbia

Psychology

You are reading the 2022/23 Academic Calendar. The 2021/22 version remains in effect until 31 August 2022 and is available here

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 Department of Psychology requires at least 30 upper-level Psychology credits for the Psychology Major, and at least 48 upper-level Psychology credits for the Honours program. PSYC 340, 348, 388, 440, 448 or 488 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 as part of their upper-level Psychology requirement. 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.

Lower Level Requirements

Students must complete:

• either PSYC 100; or PSYC 101 and PSYC 102
• Quantitative Methods courses:
  PSYC 217 and 218

Upper Level Requirements

Students must take a minimum of 30 credits in 300- and/or 400-level courses including:

1. At least 6 credits from the following two lists:

• Behavioural Neuroscience: PSYC 301, 304, 306, 361, 363, 460, 461, 462, 466, 472
• Cognitive Science: PSYC 309, 321, 333, 335, 336, 365, 367, 368, 409, 421, 463

2. At least 6 credits from each of two of the following four lists:

• Clinical/Health: PSYC 300, 311, 314, 331, 350, 400, 401, 402, 469
• Developmental: PSYC 302, 315, 319, 320, 322, 325, 412, 413, 414
• Foundations/Psychometrics: PSYC 303, 312, 359
• Personality/Social: PSYC 305, 307, 308, 358, 403, 404, 407, 408, 415, 418

All students are encouraged to include fourth-year courses in their programs to provide greater depth of understanding.

Honours in Psychology

The Honours program is designed to provide intensive and extensive preparation in psychology for outstanding students who intend to pursue graduate studies in Psychology.

Students are admitted into the Honours program in their third year on broad-based criteria, which include grades, relevant research experience, commitment to public speaking, and team research.

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 who do not 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, 388, 440, 448, or 488
• 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

Lower-Level Requirements

Students must complete:

• either PSYC 100; or PSYC 101 and PSYC 102
• Quantitative Methods Courses:
  PSYC 217 and 218

Upper-Level Requirements

Students must complete:

• The following courses taken concurrently in third year: PSYC 312, 349, and 359
• PSYC 449 (after successfully completing PSYC 349 and achieving 4th year status)
• no more than 6 credits total from PSYC 340, 348, 388, 440, 448, or 488
• 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, 370, 371, 460, 461, 462, 466, 472
• Cognitive Science: PSYC 309, 321, 333, 335, 336, 365, 367, 368, 409, 421, 463

and at least 12 credits from:

• Clinical/Health: PSYC 300, 303, 311, 314, 331, 350, 400, 401, 402, 469
• Developmental: PSYC 302, 315, 319, 320, 322, 325, 412, 413, 414
• Personality/Social: PSYC 305, 307, 308, 358, 403, 404, 407, 408, 415, 418

All students are encouraged to include fourth year courses in their programs to provide greater depth of understanding.

Minor in Psychology (B.A.)

Lower Level Requirements

Students must complete:

• either PSYC 100; or PSYC 101 and PSYC 102
• 6 credits of 200-level Psychology, such as PSYC 207, 208, 216. PSYC 216 is recommended to prepare for upper level PSYC courses.

Upper Level Requirements

Students must take 18 credits of 300- and/or 400-level psychology courses, and may not count PSYC 340, 348, 388, 440, 448, or 488 toward that requirement.

Major in Cognitive Systems: Cognition and the Brain

For a program description and admission requirements, see Cognitive Systems (Arts).

For a list of acceptable Cognitive Systems Module Courses, see here.

Lower-level requirements

• PSYC 100 (or 101 and 102)
• CPSC 110 (or 103 and 107)¹, 121
• LING 100
• COGS 200
• PSYC 217 or 277²
• PSYC 218 or 278³, or STAT 200 or 201⁴
• PHIL 220 or PHIL 320⁵

Upper-level requirements

• COGS 300, 303, 401, 402
• Six credits of philosophy courses taken from this list: PHIL 351, PHIL 326, PHIL 441, PHIL 451, PHIL 455
• PSYC 365 and 6 credits of additional PSYC module courses
• 12 credits of additional Cognitive Systems module courses numbered 300 or higher (chosen from this list), at least 6 credits of which must be non-PSYC module courses⁶

¹While CPSC 110 is the recommended route for students pursuing a program in Cognitive Systems, CPSC 103 and 107 may be taken in its place.

²PSYC 277 registration is limited to BSc students. BA students without prior credit for this course should plan to register in PSYC 217.

³PSYC 278 registration is limited to BSc students. BA students without prior credit for this course should plan to register in PSYC 218.

⁴Students intending to enroll in the Minor in Data Science should satisfy this requirement by taking STAT 201.

⁵The prerequisite of PHIL 220 may be waived for PHIL 320 with the consent of the instructor.

⁶BIOL 455 and 458 can also be counted toward this requirement, as long as none of PSYC 304, PSYC 360 nor PSYC 371 has been taken.