Curriculum

Requirements for the Major

PSYC 101: Introductory Psychology

Introductory psychology is a team-taught survey of the field. As part of the course, students can volunteer to participate as subjects in faculty research.

PSYC 201: Experimentation and Statistics

This course prepares students for the science of psychology by teaching fundamentals of deriving hypotheses, design, data collection, analysis and research report writing. We strongly recommend that majors take it in the sophomore year and require that it be completed by the end of the junior year.

Three 200 level courses, in addition to PSYC 201, from the list below:

  • COGS/PHIL/PSYC 222: Minds, Brains, and intelligent Behavior: An introduction to Cognitive Science*
  • NSCI 201/BIOL 212/PSYC 212: Neuroscience
  • PSYC 221: Cognitive Psychology*
  • PSYC 232: Developmental Psychology
  • PSYC 242: Social Psychology
  • PSYC 252: Clinical Psychology
  • PSYC 272: Psychology of Education

*Either Psychology 221 or 222, but not both, can count towards the three required 200-level courses

Three 300-level courses

An array of 300-level lab and seminar courses enable students to conduct original research, work in applied settings, and engage in small group discussion of primary source material. Majors take at least three 300-level courses from at least two of the six areas listed below. At least one of these 300-level courses must be from among those carrying the designation Empirical Lab Course .

  • Area 1: Behavioral Neuroscience (courses with middle digit 1)
  • Area 2: Cognitive Psychology (courses with middle digit 2)
  • Area 3: Developmental Psychology (courses with middle digit 3)
  • Area 4: Social Psychology (courses with middle digit 4)
  • Area 5: Clinical Psychology (courses with middle digit 5)
  • Area 6: Other/Interdisciplinary Psychology (courses with a middle digit 6)
  • Area 7: Educational Psychology (courses with a middle digit 7)
  • PSYC 397/398: Independent Study

One 400-level senior seminar course

 

The Degree with Honors in Psychology

Students who are candidates for Honors need take only two 300-level courses from two different areas, but they must enroll in Psychology 493-W031-494 and write a thesis based on original empirical work. Guidelines for pursuing the degree with Honors are available from the department.