Psychology

General Information and Curriculum

Successful completion of PSYC 1003 or equivalent is necessary before taking PSYC 1004. Both PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 must be completed before taking any of the remaining Psychology courses.

Normally, all Psychology courses counted toward the Psychology Major, BA Psychology Double Major, BA Honours Degree, or Minor, must have been completed within the 10 years prior to graduation. 

Major

To qualify for a Major degree a student must accumulate 14 approved term-courses in Psychology. Six term-courses are compulsory as follows: PSYC 1003, PSYC 1004, PSYC 2102, PSYC 2901 (or equivalent), PSYC 3913 (or equivalent), PSYC 4053 , and one of PSYC 4021, PSYC 4111, PSYC 4233, PSYC 4293, PSYC 4313, PSYC 4463, PSYC 4493, PSYC 4583, PSYC4733, PSYC 4813, PSYC 4833 or another approved seminar course. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all Psychology courses taken to meet the major requirement.

Double Major

A student who wishes to do a double major in Psychology and another discipline must complete 12 term-courses including six term-courses in upper level electives and all the compulsory courses for the single major in Psychology. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all Psychology courses taken to meet the double major requirement.

Honours

The Honours program in Psychology provides a broad knowledge of this field and its research methods. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in psychology are advised to consider this program.

Students may apply to the Honours program during their third year and can enrol in the Honours program when they have completed 90 ch (30 term-courses). Applications to the Honours program are typically due in December/January for admission in the following academic year. To be eligible to apply students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+), as well as, a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 in all psychology courses at the 2000, 3000, and 4000 level. Please note that these minimum requirements do not guarantee acceptance into the Honours program; admittance is competitive and students must have a Faculty member willing to supervise them. As well, space may be limited.

Students must complete 18 approved term-courses in Psychology for the Honours degree. Of the 18 term-courses the following 10 term-courses are compulsory: PSYC 1003; PSYC 1004; PSYC 2102; PSYC 2901 (or equivalent); PSYC 3913 (or equivalent); PSYC 4053; one of PSYC 4021, PSYC 4111, PSYC 4121, PSYC 4122, or PSYC 4201; PSYC 4142, PSYC 4143, and PSYC 4145.

An additional 8 term-courses are required.

 

All Psychology courses taken for the Honours degree must be passed with at least a C (2.0). Furthermore, to graduate with an Honours degree in Psychology an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+) is necessary, as well as, a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 in all required Psychology courses. For a First Class Honours designation, a grade point average of 3.6 is required in such Psychology courses. For an Honours designation, a grade point average of 3.3 is required in such Psychology courses.

Specializations in Psychology 

In addition to the BA in Psychology, students can specialize in three areas of psychology. .  Courses will not be counted towards more than one specialization (this also includes the Criminal Justice minor), i.e.  no double counting of courses is permitted.

1. BA Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience 

Required:  PSYC 3723 Introduction to Neuropsychology (3ch) (Prerequisite: PSYC 2712 Foundations in Neuroscience(3ch)) 

Three additional courses chosen from: 

  • PSYC 2693 Foundations in Perception and Cognition (3ch)

BA Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology  

Required:  PSYC 3201 Child Development (3ch)

Three additional courses chosen from: 

BA Psychology with a Specialization in Psychology and the Law  

At least one of PSYC 3263 The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour (3ch), or PSYC 3265 Psychology in the Justice System (3ch

Three additional courses chosen from: 

  • PSYC 3323 Psychology Health in the Community (3ch)
  • PSYC 3493 Changing Behaviour (3ch)
  • PSYC 3553 Psychological Disorders (3ch)
  • PSYC 3752 Drugs and Behaviour (3ch)
  • PSYC 4263 Field Placement in Criminal Justice I (3ch)
  • PSYC 4264 Field Placement in Criminial Justice II (3ch) 
  • PSYC 4265 Field Placement in Clinical Psychology (3ch) 
  • PSYC 4813 Substance Use Disorders (3ch) 

 

Minor in Psychology

The Minor in Psychology is an eight term-course program aimed at students wishing to acquire a basic foundation in psychology outside of their major area of study.

Admission to the Minor in Psychology is not open to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in a Major or Honours in Psychology or Biology-Psychology. The minor requires a minimum of eight term-courses. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses.

NOTE: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for all Psychology courses.

Mandatory Psychology Courses (four term-courses)

PSYC 1003 Introductory Psychology I (3ch) 
PSYC 2102 Research Methods in Psychology (Prerequisites: PSYC 2901)(3ch) 
PSYC 1004 Introductory Psychology II (3ch) 
PSYC 2901 Statistics for Psychologists (3ch) 

Required Psychology Electives (four term-courses)

Any four 3000/4000 level Psychology courses

Minor in Gerontology 
A Multi-Disciplinary Study of Aging

Gerontology is the study of aging – the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur to individuals over the adult years. Gerontology also examines how outside influences impact the elderly in terms of health care, pensions, housing facilities, ethics, and end- of-life legislation. This minor will help students understand the needs of an aging community by examining changes from a multidisciplinary perspective. Opportunities will also exist for experiential learning in field placements in which students will work with seniors in our community.
Eligibility
Open to students pursuing a BA or BSc degree who meet their program requirements and the prerequisites for the eight term-courses required for the minor. All eight term-courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. Courses cannot be counted towards both a minor and a major. Note: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for all PSYC courses at the 2000, 3000 and 4000 level; additional prerequisites may apply.

Five Mandatory Term-Courses:
- BIOL 1411 Anatomy and Physiology I (3ch)
- HSCI 2001 Introduction to Health (3ch)
- PHIL 3133 Health Care Ethics I (3ch)
- PSYC 3293 The Psychology of Aging (3ch)
- PSYC 3725 The Dementias (3ch)

Three Term-Courses from the following list*:
- BIOL 1412 Anatomy and Physiology II (3ch)
- PHIL 3134 Health Care Ethics II (3ch) 
- PSYC 2693 Foundations in Perception and Cognition (3ch)
- PSYC 3723 Human Neuropsychology (3ch) 
- PSYC 4266 Field Placement in Aging I (3ch)
- PSYC 4267 Field Placement in Aging II (3ch) 
- SOCI 2376 Sociology of Health, Illness and Healing (3ch) 
* or other approved courses