Psychology, B.S.

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Requirements for the Major:

1. Psychology Requirements

PSY 100 , PSY 200 , and PSY 300 , and nine other courses, one of which can be selected from a list of cognate courses from related disciplines. This list of courses is available from the department secretary or on the department web site. Majors should normally complete PSY 200 and PSY 300 by the end of the junior year. Only one course numbered PSY 451 -PSY 497 (independent study/research/internship) may count toward the major; however, students conducting an independent study abroad (ISA) may count two courses numbered PSY 451 -PSY 497 toward the major.

2. At least one laboratory course from each of the following two content areas:

Physiological Psychology:

Cognitive Psychology:

3. At least one course from two of the following three content areas:

Social Psychology:

PSY 230 - Social Psychology

Developmental Psychology:

PSY 240 - Developmental Psychology

Clinical/Personality Psychology:

4. Two courses numbered 400 or higher.

One of these courses must be a seminar (courses numbered PSY 410 through PSY 450 ).

5. Senior Writing Requirement:

Students may fulfill the senior writing requirement in psychology in one of three ways: (1) by writing a thesis; (2) by completing a seminar (400-level) course designated WS in the senior year (this course must be in addition to any other seminar used to fulfill the basic WAC requirements); or (3) by completing a one- or two-term senior project. Any courses which fulfill the Senior Writing Requirement also count toward the requirement of two 400-level courses (see above).

Requirements for Honors:

In addition to meeting College-wide requirements, honors in psychology requires:

(1) A psychology grade point average of 3.40 or higher

(2) Three grades of “A” or “A minus” in psychology “core” courses, which include

(3) A two-term thesis with a grade of “A” or “A minus” and

(4) An oral presentation of the student’s work (usually at the Steinmetz Symposium)

Additional Requirements

Interdepartmental majors who wish to earn honors will do an interdepartmental thesis. ID majors must also meet the same GPA requirements for psychology courses as full majors, although only two grades of “A” or “A minus” in psychology “core” courses will be required. Please note that PSY 200 and PSY 300 are prerequisites to registering for a thesis.

All proposals for honors theses must be submitted to the department chair no later than the end of the eighth week of the spring term of the junior year. The proposal should be one typewritten page describing the general area of the project, the student’s preparation for the project (e.g., related course work), and the proposed faculty supervisor. Further information is available from the department secretary.