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The Psychology Program:
Detailed Explanation of Academic Requirements for the Major

1. PSY 1350/Introduction to Psychology:
   Should be taken early in the program because it is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses except independent studies, tutorials, and internships. Grades of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology exam satisfy this requirement.
    
   
2. PSY 2320/Behavioral Statistics:
   Covers both descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests and analysis of variance. This course is a prerequisite for advanced standing in psychology, and thus is a prerequisite for Experimental Psychology and the Junior Seminar. Ideally should be taken the semester before Experimental Psychology.
    
   
3. PSY 3550/Experimental Psychology:
   Lecture/lab course in research methods; a lab section must be taken as part of the course. Should be taken before the Junior Seminar. The prerequisite for this course is advanced standing in psychology. This course is a prerequisite for the Senior Project.
    
   
4. PSY 3660/Physiological Psychology:
   Offered only in the spring semester; usually taken in the junior year.
    
   
5. Five elective courses in psychology, at least four of which must be upper level (3000- or 4000-level):
   1. The following courses cannot be used to fulfill this requirement: independent studies, tutorials, internships, teaching assistantships, and PSY 3850/Practicum in Child Development.
   2. BPS 3000-level courses offered by the School of Liberal Studies & Continuing Education cannot be counted as upper-level electives for this requirement (but one can be used as the lower-level elective).
   3. PSY 1530/Introduction to Psychology is a prerequisite for upper-level electives; PSY 2650/Child Development is also a prerequisite for some upper-level courses in the area of developmental psychology.
   4. Students interested in the psychobiology concentration must consult with their advisors regarding appropriate biology electives and additional course requirements.
   
   
6. PSY 3890/Psychology Junior Seminar:
   Guided production of a critical literature review of primary research on a topic in the instructor’s area of expertise. The prerequisite for this course is advanced standing in psychology; completion of Experimental Psychology is also highly recommended. This course is a prerequisite for the Senior Project.
    
   
7. PSY 4990/Senior Project:
   A two-semester research project conducted by the student under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. The project is typically an empirical study, and in some cases is conducted at an off-campus placement. The student meets regularly in tutorial sessions with the sponsor and must submit a thesis at the conclusion of the project. Grades of C or higher in Experimental Psychology and the Junior Seminar are prerequisites for the Senior Project.
    
   
8. PSY 4880 and 4890/Psychology Senior Seminar I and II:
   A one-credit course taken concurrently with Senior Project for two semesters in which seniors present their research projects to other seniors and to faculty in a weekly seminar.
    
   
9. One biology course:
       BIO 1550/General Biology I or
       BIO 1560/General Biology II or
       BIO 1510/Human Anatomy & Physiology I: Anatomy & Physiology
   Lab not required. This course should be taken as early as possible in the program, and a grade of C- or higher is required.
    
   
10. One anthropology or sociology course:
    Any anthropology or sociology course meets this requirement. A lower-level course is recommended.
     
    
11. One philosophy course:
    Any philosophy course meets this requirement. A lower-level course is recommended.

For additional information:
Overview of typical progress through the psychology major

Updated July 7, 2006

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