Psychology: Degrees & Policies
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: BA, BS
Graduate: MA, PhD
Graduate: MA, PhD
Degree Options
The BA degree allows students to pursue diverse interests while obtaining a strong foundation in the behavioral sciences. The requirements and flexibility of this program readily allow students to pursue double majors or multiple minors to complement their interests in psychology. At the same time, the requirements for the BA degree program ensure that students have a solid foundation for advanced training in a variety of disciplines.
The BS degree in psychology provides students with a challenging undergraduate major that includes a strong science-training component. The basic goal is to provide a program that emphasizes the scientific foundations of psychology to prepare students for advanced training in psychology, medicine, cognitive science, neuroscience, and other related disciplines. The BS degree program is explicitly aimed at helping prepare students for graduate study in the sciences and science-based professions. Even if students do not continue their education at the graduate level, the background in science and mathematics that is part of this program provides students with knowledge and skills that broaden their career opportunities. Sample descriptions of programs that fulfill the requirements for the BS in psychology for students interested in cognitive psychology or cognitive science and for students interested in behavioral neurosciences (this program also fulfills typical requirements for a pre-med program) are available in 283 Park Hall.
Joint Major. The joint major is possible only with other majors that offer the BA degree. Students must complete PSY 101, MTH 115 or equivalent*, PSY 207, PSY 250, and five additional courses: four 300-level courses (one in each of four substantive areas) and one 400-level course. See BA requirements for additional information. The joint major requires 25 credit hours in psychology.
The BS degree in psychology provides students with a challenging undergraduate major that includes a strong science-training component. The basic goal is to provide a program that emphasizes the scientific foundations of psychology to prepare students for advanced training in psychology, medicine, cognitive science, neuroscience, and other related disciplines. The BS degree program is explicitly aimed at helping prepare students for graduate study in the sciences and science-based professions. Even if students do not continue their education at the graduate level, the background in science and mathematics that is part of this program provides students with knowledge and skills that broaden their career opportunities. Sample descriptions of programs that fulfill the requirements for the BS in psychology for students interested in cognitive psychology or cognitive science and for students interested in behavioral neurosciences (this program also fulfills typical requirements for a pre-med program) are available in 283 Park Hall.
Joint Major. The joint major is possible only with other majors that offer the BA degree. Students must complete PSY 101, MTH 115 or equivalent*, PSY 207, PSY 250, and five additional courses: four 300-level courses (one in each of four substantive areas) and one 400-level course. See BA requirements for additional information. The joint major requires 25 credit hours in psychology.
Transfer Policy
Transfer students who bring psychology coursework to UB must meet the same criteria for acceptance into the department as students who start at this university. Students may transfer coursework required for admission into the department, as well as additional psychology coursework. However, courses taken in statistics and research methods, as well as upper-level psychology courses, must be evaluated and approved by the department. A minimum of three upper-level psychology courses must be taken at UB.
Psychology - B.A.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.
Advising Notes
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in psychology courses is required for graduation. Majors whose GPAs in psychology courses fall below 2.0 during any semester are automatically placed on probation. Majors whose GPAs remain below 2.0 in consecutive semesters are dismissed from the department.
PSY 495 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching and PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
PSY 497 Honors, PSY 498 Undergraduate Research, and PSY 499 Independent Study may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group count toward major requirements.
400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. Students are advised to go to 283 Park Hall and to apply early for the major, preferably while enrolled in PSY 250. Acceptance decisions can then be made contingent upon completion of PSY 250, and registration in upper-level courses is facilitated.
Students who have completed 60 credit hours but have not completed the prerequisite courses or achieved the minimum GPA of 2.5 may be provisionally accepted by the department (283 Park Hall). Students who are accepted provisionally must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisites to be fully accepted into the department. Students who do not have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisites must repeat appropriate prerequisite coursework. The second grade in the repeated course is honored by the department for the purpose of admission to the psychology major.
PSY 495 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching and PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
PSY 497 Honors, PSY 498 Undergraduate Research, and PSY 499 Independent Study may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group count toward major requirements.
400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. Students are advised to go to 283 Park Hall and to apply early for the major, preferably while enrolled in PSY 250. Acceptance decisions can then be made contingent upon completion of PSY 250, and registration in upper-level courses is facilitated.
Students who have completed 60 credit hours but have not completed the prerequisite courses or achieved the minimum GPA of 2.5 may be provisionally accepted by the department (283 Park Hall). Students who are accepted provisionally must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisites to be fully accepted into the department. Students who do not have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisites must repeat appropriate prerequisite coursework. The second grade in the repeated course is honored by the department for the purpose of admission to the psychology major.
Prerequisite Courses
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
MTH 115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent* or higher
PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
MTH 115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry or equivalent* or higher
PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
Required Courses
Seven additional PSY courses distributed as follows:
Four 300-level courses, one from each of the four substantive areas listed after the B.S. chart
Minimum of three courses at the 400 level
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 35
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Four 300-level courses, one from each of the four substantive areas listed after the B.S. chart
Minimum of three courses at the 400 level
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 35
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall PSY 101, MTH 115* or higher
Spring PSY 207, one 300-level PSY course
SECOND YEAR
Fall PSY 250, one 300-level PSY course
Spring One 300-level PSY course
THIRD YEAR
Fall One 300-level PSY course
Spring One 400-level PSY course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall One 400-level PSY course
Spring One 400-level PSY course
*Unless exempted by SAT score, Advanced Placement credits, or transfer credits
Fall PSY 101, MTH 115* or higher
Spring PSY 207, one 300-level PSY course
SECOND YEAR
Fall PSY 250, one 300-level PSY course
Spring One 300-level PSY course
THIRD YEAR
Fall One 300-level PSY course
Spring One 400-level PSY course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall One 400-level PSY course
Spring One 400-level PSY course
*Unless exempted by SAT score, Advanced Placement credits, or transfer credits
Psychology - B.S.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.
Advising Notes
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in psychology courses is required for graduation. Majors whose GPAs in psychology courses fall below 2.0 during any semester are automatically placed on probation. Majors whose GPAs remain below 2.0 in consecutive semesters are dismissed from the department.
PSY 495 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching and PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
PSY 497 Honors, PSY 498 Undergraduate Research, and PSY 499 Independent Study may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group count toward major requirements.
400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. Students are advised to go to 283 Park Hall and to apply early for the major, preferably while enrolled in PSY 250. Acceptance decisions can then be made contingent upon completion of PSY 250, and registration in upper-level courses is facilitated.
PSY 495 Undergraduate Supervised Teaching and PSY 496 Supervised Applied Experience do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
PSY 497 Honors, PSY 498 Undergraduate Research, and PSY 499 Independent Study may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group count toward major requirements.
400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. Students are advised to go to 283 Park Hall and to apply early for the major, preferably while enrolled in PSY 250. Acceptance decisions can then be made contingent upon completion of PSY 250, and registration in upper-level courses is facilitated.
Prerequisite Courses
10 credit hours in psychology and 8 credit hours in mathematics:
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
One two-course mathematics sequence (MTH 121-MTH 122 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I-II or MTH 141-MTH 142 College Calculus I-II)
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology
PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
One two-course mathematics sequence (MTH 121-MTH 122 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I-II or MTH 141-MTH 142 College Calculus I-II)
Required Courses
BIO 200 Evolutionary Biology
CHE 101-CHE 102 General Chemistry or CHE 105-CHE 106 Chemistry: Principles and Applications
Nine additional PSY courses, distributed as follows:
Four 300-level courses, one from each of the four substantive areas listed below
A minimum of five courses at the 400 or graduate level (500 level and above, taken with special permission as part of the undergraduate program), including PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology or another laboratory-based upper-level PSY course (from a department-approved list)
Two courses from the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Courses, listed below
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 60
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
CHE 101-CHE 102 General Chemistry or CHE 105-CHE 106 Chemistry: Principles and Applications
Nine additional PSY courses, distributed as follows:
Four 300-level courses, one from each of the four substantive areas listed below
A minimum of five courses at the 400 or graduate level (500 level and above, taken with special permission as part of the undergraduate program), including PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology or another laboratory-based upper-level PSY course (from a department-approved list)
Two courses from the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Courses, listed below
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 60
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall CHE 101 or CHE 105; MTH 121 or MTH 141
Spring CHE 102 or CHE 106; MTH 122 or MTH 142
SECOND YEAR
Fall BIO 200, PSY 101
Spring PSY 207, one 300 level PSY course
THIRD YEAR
Fall PSY 250, two 300 level PSY courses
Spring PSY 450, one 300 level PSY course, one 400 level PSY course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Two 400 level PSY courses
Spring One 400 level PSY course
Fall CHE 101 or CHE 105; MTH 121 or MTH 141
Spring CHE 102 or CHE 106; MTH 122 or MTH 142
SECOND YEAR
Fall BIO 200, PSY 101
Spring PSY 207, one 300 level PSY course
THIRD YEAR
Fall PSY 250, two 300 level PSY courses
Spring PSY 450, one 300 level PSY course, one 400 level PSY course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall Two 400 level PSY courses
Spring One 400 level PSY course
Electives and Course Groupings
Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
PSY 402 Psychopharmacology
PSY 416 Reasoning and Problem Solving
PSY 419 Biological Bases of Memory
PSY 421 Systems and Theories of Psychology
PSY 426 Biological Bases of Mental Disorders
PSY 428 Language Development
PSY 429 Psychophysiology
PSY 431 Mind-Body Connection in a Social World
PSY 434 Animal Behavior
PSY 435 Psychology of Reproduction
PSY 436 Neuropsychology
PSY 439 Biopsychology of Stress
PSY 440 Hormones and Behavior
PSY 443 Neurobiology of Communication in Animals
PSY 445 Memory
PSY 446 Animal Cognition
PSY 447 Psychology of Music
PSY 448 Psycholinguistics
PSY 451 Drug Addiction
PSY 457 Cognitive Development
PSY 470-PSY 475 Senior Seminars (in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience areas)
PSY 485-PSY 490 Special Topics (in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience areas)
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 1: CLINICAL
PSY 321 Psychology of Personality
PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 323 Community Psychology
PSY 324 Clinical Psychology
PSY 325 Health Psychology
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 2: SOCIAL
PSY 331 Social Psychology
PSY 332 Social Conflict and Its Resolution
PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organizations
PSY 336 Developmental Psychology
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 3: COGNITIVE
PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind
PSY 343 Sensory Processes and Perception
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 4: BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
PSY 351 Biopsychology
PSY 402 Psychopharmacology
PSY 416 Reasoning and Problem Solving
PSY 419 Biological Bases of Memory
PSY 421 Systems and Theories of Psychology
PSY 426 Biological Bases of Mental Disorders
PSY 428 Language Development
PSY 429 Psychophysiology
PSY 431 Mind-Body Connection in a Social World
PSY 434 Animal Behavior
PSY 435 Psychology of Reproduction
PSY 436 Neuropsychology
PSY 439 Biopsychology of Stress
PSY 440 Hormones and Behavior
PSY 443 Neurobiology of Communication in Animals
PSY 445 Memory
PSY 446 Animal Cognition
PSY 447 Psychology of Music
PSY 448 Psycholinguistics
PSY 451 Drug Addiction
PSY 457 Cognitive Development
PSY 470-PSY 475 Senior Seminars (in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience areas)
PSY 485-PSY 490 Special Topics (in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience areas)
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 1: CLINICAL
PSY 321 Psychology of Personality
PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 323 Community Psychology
PSY 324 Clinical Psychology
PSY 325 Health Psychology
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 2: SOCIAL
PSY 331 Social Psychology
PSY 332 Social Conflict and Its Resolution
PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organizations
PSY 336 Developmental Psychology
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 3: COGNITIVE
PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind
PSY 343 Sensory Processes and Perception
SUBSTANTIVE AREA 4: BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
PSY 351 Biopsychology
Updated: Jun 30, 2009 2:51:24 PM
