2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog College of Arts and Sciences - Psychology

Professor Douglas J. Gillan, department head

Professors Cooke, Gregory, Johnston, Paap, Stephan, Trafimow; Associate Professors Foltz, Lee, McDonald, Thompson; Assistant Professors Abalakina, Guynn, Madson

(505) 646-2502

DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts
MAJOR: Psychology

Students may take a major in psychology either as an area of emphasis in a liberal arts program or in preparation for further graduate education leading to professional careers in psychology. A major in psychology may be appropriate for the liberal arts student who wishes to pursue a career involving extensive social interaction and requiring solutions to people- related problems. Such careers include law, business, parenting, government, education, and management. Professional careers in psychology generally require some postbaccalaureate education. These careers include provision of clinical and counseling services, conducting research, applying research findings in industrial or government settings, and doing teaching and research in colleges and universities. Students planning to apply to graduate school are encouraged to take PSY 311, Advanced Research Seminar, no later than the Fall semester of their senior year.

The requirements listed below should provide an adequate exposure to psychology for the liberal arts student and a basic foundation for students seeking a career in psychology. While all majors should consult with the department's advising center and with a faculty adviser, students wishing to prepare for a professional career in psychology are especially encouraged to work closely with an adviser, as early as possible. The advising center maintains several model programs that help prepare majors to fulfill various career goals.

General Requirements

Students must receive a C or better in courses used to satisfy the departmental and nondepartmental requirements of the psychology major.

Departmental Requirements

PSY 201G, Introduction to Psychology 3

Three credits from the following core: PSY 302, Abnormal Psychology; PSY 350, Developmental Psychology: Conception through Childhood; PSY 440, History and Systems 3

Eight credits in research methods: PSY 310, Experimental Methods I or PSY 355, Developmental Research Methods; and PSY 311, Experimental Methods II 8

The following requirements are to be met after the student has completed PSY 310 or PSY 355:

At least 3 credits in Basic Mechanisms from the following:
PSY 301, Introduction to Psycholinguistics; PSY 375, Introduction to Biopsychology; PSY 376, Evolutionary Psychology; PSY 380, Perception 3-4

At least 3 credits in Acquisition and Use of Knowledge from the following: PSY 320, Learning; PSY 340, Cognitive Psychology; PSY 383, Memory; PSY 442, Thinking 3

At least 3 credits in Understanding Behavior from the the following: PSY 315, Motivation; PSY 317, Social Psychology; PSY 321, Personality; PSY 358, Individual and Group differences 3

Additional electives to bring total credits in psychology to at least 35, with at least 24 credits being upper division.

Nondepartmental Requirements

Three credits in quantitative methods from the following:

STAT 271, Statistics for Psychological Science is recommended; STAT 251, Statistics for Business and Behavioral Sciences, or E ST 311G, Statistical Applications are acceptable 3

Three credits in Philosophy from the following:

PHIL 350, Theories of Knowledge; PHIL 351, Philosophy of Science; PHIL 352, Philosophy of the Human Sciences 3

At least three credits of introductory biology. A course that includes a laboratory is highly recommended:

BIOL 111G and BIOL 111L 3-4

BIOL 211G and 211L are also recommended (Prerequisite: Chem 110G or CHEM 111)