Psychology
Modern scientific psychology studies brain processes and behaviour, human and animal, under various conditions. It examines how internal and external factors influence development, cognition, perception, and motivation. The Department of Psychology has a well-earned reputation as one of the elite departments of its kind in Canada with groundbreaking research in many fields. The Department accepts a limited number of top students directly into honours.
All programs have a common core consisting of courses in statistics, research methods, behavioural neurobiology, and the history of psychology, plus a selection of courses from the areas of social, abnormal, personality and development, and from perception, cognition, learning, and memory.
BA and BSc
All programs in the Department of Psychology (except the Behavioural Neuroscience Option) can be completed as either a BA or BSc. These degrees do not differ in terms of the psychology courses which are available and/or required. However, the BSc requires a number of science prerequisites. These courses are normally completed before application, but they can be completed as part of the undergraduate program.
Psychology
BA/BSc Honours in Psychology — 66 credits
An intensive program designed for students who are committed to pursuing graduate studies. It builds on the most intensive level of the Specialization by adding two Honours seminars and an Honours thesis. The entrance requirements for Honours, either on admission or by transfer from another program, are demanding, but graduates have an impressive record of success in terms of admission to select graduate programs.BA or BSc Specialization in Psychology — 60 credits
Designed for students planning on careers in psychology-related fields, especially those requiring professional qualifications and graduate training. The Specialization adds to the Major a number of more intensive courses (Tier 2). These are more in-depth and specialized extensions of the core courses and may also include more extensive background in statistics and methodology, and the possibility of the equivalent of a thesis course.BA or BSc Major in Psychology — 42 credits
The Major in Psychology is the basic psychology program pursued by approximately half of our students. It provides a solid background in psychology, while allowing students to pursue courses in a number of other departments or Faculties, possibly organized into an elective group, a Minor or even a second Major. Students planning on careers in psychology or closely related areas may be better served by a more intensive program.Minor in Psychology — 24 credits
This program provides a core background in psychology to support a Major or Specialization in a related discipline. For example, Fine Arts students planning to pursue art or drama therapy, or political science students planning on a career in law.
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Behavioural Neuroscience Option
A Behavioural Neuroscience Option is offered for both the BSc Specialization and BSc Honours programs. This option is designed to add a special emphasis on the physiological and biochemical bases of behaviour. It combines the disciplines of Psychology, Biology, and Chemistry, and offers numerous opportunities for students to conduct research with faculty whose primary interest is in the neurobiology of behaviour.
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BSc Honours in Psychology — Behavioural Neuroscience Option —
66 credits
This program has the same requirements as the BA or BSc Honours programs except that it includes the Behavioural Neuroscience Option (21 credits selected from Chemistry and Biology). This replaces the requirement for elective courses from outside Psychology, but it does not replace the General Education requirement. BSc Specialization in Psychology — Behavioural Neuroscience Option — 60 credits
This program has the same requirements as the BA or BSc Specialization programs except that it includes the Behavioural Neuroscience Option (21 credits selected from Chemistry, and Biology). This replaces the requirement for elective courses from outside Psychology, but it does not replace the General Education requirement.
Admission Requirements
Behavioural Neuroscience (BSc - Honours/Specialization) requirements: Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Sample courses include:
Introductory Psychology, Research Methods and Designs I and II, Statistical Analysis I and II, Current Issues in Personality, Developmental Psychopathology, Hypnosis and Dissociation, Memory and Attention, Neurobiology of Drug Abuse and Addiction
Psychologist, medical professional, social worker, youth counsellor.
See the BA degree or BSc degree description for information on the core and elective requirements. For a complete list of courses: Undergraduate Calendar
Undergraduate admissions guidelines: For information on international admission, required documents, proof of language proficiency, the university admissions timetable, selection and notification process.
