General Sequence
Honors Sequence
Minor
Sequence
Educational Planning Questionnaire
Course Offerings
Worksheet for the major requirements in psychology are available outside of 105 Elliott and in 107 Elliott at all times. The letters below conform to the lettered requirements on the worksheet.
Core Course RequirementsThe following three courses are required of all psychology majors, with very few exceptions. These constitute the foundation of the psychology major program.
1. Psy 1001: Introduction to Psychology
All psychology majors must first complete Psy 1001 or its equivalent.
Psy 1001 is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses. This course provides an introductory overview to the primary domains within the discipline of psychology and introduces students to pschological scientific thinking.
2. Psy 2801: Intro to Psychological Measurement & Data Analysis
Psy 2801 is an introduction to the basic concepts and procedures related to the measurement and analysis of psychological variables. The main goal of this course is for students to understand the data of psychology and the appropriate selection and use of statistical tools to describe and evaluate results of psychological research. This course is a combination lecture/laboratory course. As such, students are expected to listen and participate in both the lectures and laboratory activities.
Students should complete Psy 2801 as soon as possible following completion of Psy 1001 and prior to upper level courses in the discipline.
- I have already taken a stats class. Do I have to take Psy 2801 too? Possibly. Consult with a psychology advisor for more information about statistics classes that can replace Psy 2801.
3. Psy 3001W: Introduction to Research
Methods (prereq: Psy 2801)
Psy 3001W is designed to teach the fundamentals of psychological research and to teach critical thinking in all areas of psychology research. Students apply the scientific method and learn experimental design and the standards used to write up experimental results. This course requires written reports of experiments conducted in class as well as quizzes, exams and a final experimental report. You will also learn to develop a research project proposal with appropriate statistical tests for data analysis. Psy 3001W should be taken imediately following Psy 2801.
- Can I take 3xxx-level psych courses without research methods? Yes, in some cases. Check course prerequisites.
4. Distribution Requirements--all are 3
credits unless otherwise indicated
The department of Psychology divides its courses into the three
broad areas listed below. You are required to take courses in each
of these areas as described in letters A-C in order to ensure breadth
of understanding across the discipline. Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
to complete at least one course at the 5XXX level.
A. Cognitive and Biological (CAB) Psychology-at least TWO of the following courses:
| 3011 | Intro. To Learning and Behavior |
5031W | Perception |
| 3031 | Intro. to Sensation and Perception |
5034 | Psychobiology of Vision |
| 3051 | Intro. to Cognitive Psychology |
5036W | Computational Vision |
| 3061 or 5061 |
|
5037 | Psychology of Hearing |
| 4011 | Applied Behavioral Psychology |
5038W | Introduction to Neural Networks |
| 4036 |
Perceptual Issues in Visual Impairment |
5051W | Psychology of Human-Machine Interaction |
| 5012 |
Learning and Cognition in Animals |
5054 | Psychology of Language |
| 5014 |
Psychology of Human Learning and Memory |
5062 | Cognitive Neuropsychology |
| 5015 | Cognition, Computation, and Brain | 5064 | Brain and Emotion |
B. Clinical, Personality, and Social Psychology- at least TWO of the following:
| 3101 OR 5101 | Intro. to Personality OR Personality Psychology | 5204 | Psych of Interpersonal Psychology |
| 3201 | Intro. to Social Psychology | 5205 | Applied Social Psychology |
| 3301 | Intro. to Cultural Psychology | 5206 | Social Psychology and Health Behavior |
| 3604 OR 5604H | Intro. to Abnormal Psychology OR Abnormal Psychology | 5207 | Personality and Social Behavior |
| 3617 | Intro. to Clinical Psychology | CPsy3301 | Intro. to Child Psychology (4 cr.) |
| 3666 | Human Sexuality | CPsy4303 | Adolescent Psychology (4 cr.) |
| 5202 | Attitudes and Social Behavior |
C . Individual Differences, Quantitative
and Applied Psychology- at least ONE of the following:
3135 OR 5135 |
Intro. to Individual Differences OR Individual Differences | 5138 | Psychology of Aging |
| 3511 | Intro. to Counseling | 5501 | Vocational & Occupational Health Psychology |
| 3711 | Intro. to Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 5707 | Personnel Psychology (4cr.) |
| 4133 | Testing and Assessment | 5708 | Orgaizational Psychology (4cr.) |
| 4501 | Psychology of Women | 5862 | Psychology Measurement: Theory and Methods |
| 4801 | Intro. to Statistics | 5865 | Advanced Psychological and Educational Measurement |
| 5137 | Behavior Genetics |
5. Psychology Electives
The Psychology major for the Bachelor of Arts degree reflects the
Department of Psychology’s historic emphasis on broad psychological
training—an education with a foundation across psychology
disciplines. This area of the major requirements provides an opportunity
to pursue individual interests. Elective courses from 3xxx-, 4xxx-
or 5xxx-level psychology courses must be taken to satisfy the total
minimum credit requirement (36 semester credits). Electives may
be:
· Courses from any of those listed in Groups A through C
above which are not applied to satisfy the requirements for those
groups.
· Additional courses offered in psychology but not listed
in the other groups above. You may take any course with a Psy indicator.
These include special learning opportunities of which you are encouraged
to take advantage. (See Section
III: Classes and Special Opportunities for more information.)
3960: Undergraduate Seminar*
3993: Directed Studies*
3996: Undergraduate Field Study/Internship in Psychology*
4960: Seminar in Psychology*
4993: Directed Research: Special Areas of Psychology & Related
Sciences*
5960: Topics in Psychology*
*Note: Only six credits from Psy 3960/4960/5960, 3993/4993, and 3996/4996H may be counted toward the minimum major requirements. Examples of typical offerings in 3960 are given in the section on Classes and Special Opportunities in Section III of the on line student handbook.
6. Psy 3902W: Major Project
The Major Project is the capstone course for the psychology major, to be
taken during your senior year.
- What are the Psychology prerequisites for Psy 3902W? Prerequisites are Psy 1001, 2801, 3001W, distribution areas A, B and C, and junior or senior status (at least 60 credits). You may only register for the major project course after you have completed these requirements, preferably one or two semesters before you intend to graduate.
- Are there additional prerequisites? You are encouraged to complete at least two of your four upper division Writing Intensive courses prior to taking Psy 3902W. Major Project requires that you have well-developed writing skills and familiarity with the APA writing style. (Psy 3001W constitutes a required WI course.)
- What do I need to know to register? You will need to be prepared to choose the major project option that best suits you. Be sure to read about these options carefully.
- If I'm completing a double major do I have to do two major projects? Students completing a double major in another CLA department may choose for which department they would like to complete a major project. Those who choose to complete their major project in the other department still must complete 36 total credits in Psychology. This means they will need to take additional elective credits in order to replace those that would have been earned for the Psychology major project. Students from other colleges within the University of Minnesota who are completing a second major in psychology must complete Psy 3902W.
The courses discussed in the categories above constitute the basic major program in psychology and will fulfill minimum major requirements.
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The Honors program in Psychology offers high performing studnets a structured means to take full advantage of the opportunities of a highly reputed psychology program with a research emphasis. Only CLA Honors majors can receive an Honors Psychology degree. See the CLA Honors Program website for additional information.
Worksheets
for the Honors major requirements in psychology are available outside
of 105 Elliott and in 107 Elliott at all times.
Core Course Requirements
The following courses are required of all psychology Honors majors. These constitute the core of the honors major program.
1. Psy 1001/Psy 1001H: Introduction to Psychology
All psychology majors must first complete Psy 1001 or its equivalent.
Psy 1001/1001H is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses.
Honors students are encouraged to take Psy 1001H: Honors Introduction to Psychology, which is a more in-depth version of Psy 1001 designated for high ability students.
2. Psy 2801: Intro to Psychological Measurement & Data Analysis
Psy 2801 is an introduction to the basic concepts and procedures related to the measurement and analysis of psychological variables. The main goal of this course is for students to understand the data of psychology and the appropriate selection and use of statistical tools to describe and evaluate results of psychological research. This course is a combination lecture/laboratory course. As such, students are expected to listen and participate in both the lectures and laboratory activities. Students should complete Psy 2801 as soon as possible following completion of Psy 1001 and prior to upper level courses in the discipline.
- I have already taken a stats class. Do I have to take Psy 2801 too? Possibly. Consult with a psychology advisor for mor information about statistics classes that can replace Psy 2801.
3. Psy 3001W/3001V: Introduction to Research Methods (prereq: Psy 2801)
Psy 3001W/3001V is designed to teach the fundamentals of psychological research and to teach critical thinking in all areas of psychology research. Students apply the scientific method and learn experimental esign and the standards used to write up experimental results. This course requires written reports of experiments conducted in class as well as quizzes, exams and a final experimental report. You will also learn to develop a research project proposal with appropriate statistical tests for data analysis. Psy 3001W should be taken imediately following Psy 2801. Psy 3001V is an alternative to Psy 3001W and an Honors opportunity. Psychology Honors students are encouraged to complete 3001V: Honors Introduction to Research Methods.
- Can I take 3xxx-level psych courses without lab psych? Yes, in some cases. Check course prerequisites.
4. Distribution Requirements--all are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated
The department of Psychology divides its courses into the three broad areas listed below. You are required to take courses in each of these areas as described in letters A-C in order to ensure breadth of understanding across the discipline. Honors students should explore 5xxx level course options, fulfilling requirements in this manner as often as possible.
A. Cognitive and Biological (CAB) Psychology-at least TWO of the following courses:
| 3011 |
Intro. To Learning and Behavior |
5031W | Perception |
| 3031 |
Intro. to Sensation and Perception |
5034 | Psychobiology of Vision |
| 3051 |
Intro. to Cognitive Psychology |
5036W | Computational Vision |
| 3061 or 5061 |
|
5037 | Psychology of Hearing |
| 4011 |
Applied Behavioral Psychology |
5038W | Introduction to Neural Networks |
| 4036 |
Perceptual Issues in Visual Impairment |
5051W |
Psychology of Human-Machine Interaction |
| 5012 |
Learning and Cognition in Animals |
5054 | Psychology of Language |
| 5014 |
Psychology of Human Learning and Memory |
5062 | Cognitive Neuropsychology |
| 5015 | Cognition, Computation, and Brain | 5064 | Brain and Emotion |
B. Clinical, Personality, and Social Psychology- at least TWO of the following:
| 3101 OR 5101 | Intro. to Personality OR Personality Psychology | 5204 | Psych of Interpersonal Psychology |
| 3201 | Intro. to Social Psychology | 5205 | Applied Social Psychology |
| 3301 | Intro. to Cultural Psychology | 5206 | Social Psychology and Health Behavior |
| 3604 OR 5604H | Intro. to Abnormal Psychology OR Abnormal Psychology | 5207 | Personality and Social Behavior |
| 3617 | Intro. to Clinical Psychology | CPsy3301 | Intro. to Child Psychology (4 cr.) |
| 3666 | Human Sexuality | CPsy4303 | Adolescent Psychology (4 cr.) |
| 5202 | Attitudes and Social Behavior |
C . Individual Differences, Quantitative and Applied Psychology- at least ONE of the following:
3135 OR 5135 |
Intro. to Individual Differences OR Individual Differences | 5138 | Psychology of Aging |
| 3511 | Intro. to Counseling | 5501 | Vocational & Occupational Health Psychology |
| 3711 | Intro. to Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 5707 | Personnel Psychology (4cr.) |
| 4133 | Testing and Assessment | 5708 | Orgaizational Psychology (4cr.) |
| 4501 | Psychology of Women | 5862 | Psychology Measurement: Theory and Methods |
| 4801 | Intro. to Statistics | 5865 | Advanced Psychological and Educational Measurement |
| 5137 | Behavior Genetics |
5. Psy 4994V: Honors Research Practicum
The Honors Research Practicum is designed to prepare you for the
completion of your Honors Thesis. The course meets weekly for a
seminar during which students learn about the research process and
present research projects on which they are working. Each student
will be assigned a faculty advisor with whom they will be working
on a research project. This experience may lead to development of
your Honors Thesis. It will introduce you to the research process
and Psychology Department faculty, which will assist in your selection
of a project and thesis advisor. Because this course constitutes
preparatory work for the Honors Thesis, it is to be taken prior to beginning the Honors Thesis and during the junior year.
6. Psy 4902V, Honors Project
The Honors Project satisfies the Major Project requirement for honors
majors.
- When? It typically takes students at least two semesters to complete the Honors Project. We recommend that you begin the project Fall term of your senior year. You will work on the project independently in consultation with your faculty advisor.
- What are the prerequisites? Psy 1001/1001H, 2801, 3001W/3001V, 4994V, and junior or senior status. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you complete the majority of your upper division Psychology courses.
- How do I find an advisor? The psychology undergraduate advisors may be able to suggest possible matches of interest and experience between you and faculty members. However, identifying and approaching a prospective faculty advisor is your responsibility.
- How do I register and how many credits should I take? A contract form and information sheet are available from the advisors in 105 Elliott Hall. You must submit the signed contract form to an advisor in 105 Elliott for a course permission number, allowing you to register. You will consult with your faculty advisor to determine the appropriate number of credits you will receive for your work. A general rule of thumb is three hours of work per week for each credit you earn in a semester (e.g., three credits is about 9-10 hours of work per week). You may earn a maximum of six Psy 4902V credits, taken across one or more semesters as registration fits your workload and academic schedule.
- What is the nature of my project? Your project may consist of either a comprehensive critical literature review or an original research project and report. The letter is most common. The nature and scope of the project are determined in consultation with a faculty project advisor whom you select.
7. Electives from 3xxx-, 4xxx- or 5xxx-level psychology courses to satisfy the total minimum credit requirement (36 credits). A total of six credits from Psy 3960/4960/5960, 3993/4993, and 3996/4996H may be used.
The courses discussed in the categories above constitute the basic Honors major program in psychology and will fulfill the minimum Honors major requirements.
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