Major Requirements
The major in psychology consists of eleven courses. The distribution of courses presented for a major should conform to the following pattern:
- PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology
Note: Students can earn credit for PSYC 100 by scoring a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in Psychology of by scoring a 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate higher level Psychology exam. - PSYC 201 and PSYC 202 : Research in Psychology I and Research in Psychology II
Note: Students may substitute MATH 253 , Applied Multivariate Statistics, for PSYC 201 . Students who plan to follow this path should consult with a member of the psychology department as soon as possible to ensure adequate preparation for PSYC 202 , Research in Psychology II. - Three other courses at the intermediate level, at least one of which must be from Group A and at least one of which must be from Group B.
Group A
PSYC 240 —Principles of Learning and Behavior
PSYC 242 —Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 244 —Cognitive Neuroscience (Same as NEUR 244 )
PSYC 246 —Exploring Sensation and Perception (Same as NEUR 246 )
PSYC 246 —Behavioral Neuroscience (Same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies NEUR 248 )
Group B
PSYC 250 —Developmental Psychology
PSYC 252 —Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorder: Perspectives on the DSM
PSYC 254 —Social Psychology
PSYC 256 —Personality Psychology
Other Intermediate Courses
PSYC 180 —Brain, Mind & Behavior (Same as Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies 180)
PSYC 182 —Drugs and Society
PSYC 220 —Educational Psychology
PSYC 264 —Psychology of Gender
PSYC 266 —History of Psychology
PSYC 268 —Psychology of Multiculturalism
- PSYC 300 Directed Research in Psychology
- Three upper level courses (courses numbered 301 or above). At least one of these courses must have a ubstantial student-led component. A list of such courses will be available on the department website each semester. A 4-credit independent study, internship, or preceptorship may also fulfill one of the upper level course requirements with prior departmental permission.
- Culture and Context Requirement: One course that explores the social and cultural context of psychological science and/or critiques the theoretical, philosophical, and methodological underpinnings of psychological inquiry.
Culture and Context
PSYC 262 —Asian American Psychology
PSYC 264 —Psychology of Gender
PSYC 266 —History of Psychology
PSYC 268 —Psychology of Multiculturalism
PSYC 370 —Understanding and Confronting Racism
PSYC 379 —Cultural Psychology
PSYC 380 —Community Psychology
PSYC 488 —African American Psychology
PSYC 488 —Lives in Context
PSYC 488 —Development in Context
This requirement may be met at any level of the curriculum, and courses that fulfill this requirement may also satisfy other requirements for the major (e.g., Cultural Psychology fulfills both the Culture and Context requirement as well as the upper level course requirement).
- One other psychology course.
No more than one independent project, internship or preceptorship can count towards the major. The capstone requirement in psychology may be satisfied by Directed Research (PSYC 300 ).
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