Psychology, Bachelor of Science
Psychology is the science of human and animal behavior. Psychology majors receive a broad science-based liberal arts education. As a result, those with a Bachelor of Science in psychology are widely sought in business, education and mental health fields. For a professional career in psychology, a graduate degree is needed.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Specializations: General Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Minor: No
- Academic Learning Compact: Psychology, B.S.
- Website: www.psych.ufl.edu/~undergrad
Overview
The psychology curriculum at UF provides a strong background to pursue careers in psychology or to prepare students for entry into advanced professional schools such as law or medicine. The curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of psychological knowledge, both as a natural science and as a social science.
Students in the psychology major can specialize in general psychology or behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. Both specializations require coursework in psychology, statistics, mathematics and biology, and both offer the option to conduct a senior honors thesis if desired. The specializations vary in the specific courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. General psychology requires courses in four core areas within the discipline as well as elective psychology courses. Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience focuses more specifically on natural science-oriented psychology courses and allows students to take limited approved non-psychology courses relevant to contemporary neuroscience. This specialization also requires more math and biology courses than general psychology.
For more information contact psych-advising@ufl.edu or refer to the department website.
Coursework for the Major
A psychology major consists of a minimum of 36 credits with related coursework in biological science, mathematics and statistics. At least 18 of the 36 credits must be taken at the University of Florida. Courses used toward the major must be earned with minimum grades of C.
Required Coursework
Required coursework will depend on the program the student chooses. Coursework for each specialization can be found below.
Recommended Coursework
In addition to regularly scheduled courses, the department offers six individual work courses, four involving research (PCO 4911 Undergraduate Research in Psychology of Health Disparities, PSY 4911 Undergraduate Research in Psychology, PSY 4905 Individual Work and PSY 4970 Senior Thesis), one involving teaching (PSY 4940 Introduction to Teaching in Psychology) and one involving community work (PSY 4949 Community Work in Psychology). In each case, a psychology faculty member or other approved professional serves as supervisor. A maximum of nine credits of individual work courses (CLP 3911, PCO 4911, PSY 4911, PSY 4905, PSY 4940, PSY 4949, PSY 4970) can count toward the major. More information
Research
Research in psychology means asking questions about behavior, designing and running experiments and collecting data regarding those questions, analyzing and interpreting the results, and communicating these results to colleagues. Developing research skills is encouraged, especially if students anticipate graduate school in psychology or in other professional areas. More information; look under Research Experience.
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General Psychology
Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
General Psychology
Required Coursework
Students in the general psychology specialization are required to complete 36 credits of psychology coursework with minimum grades of C. At least 30 of the 36 credits must be at the 3000-level or above.
- 3 credits, introductory level: PSY 2012 General Psychology (or equivalent, such as a general psychology course taken elsewhere or credit by exam for PSY 2012 via AP, IB, AICE).
- 12 credits, foundation level core: Each of the four foundation areas is an introduction to a substantive area of psychology: biological bases of behavior and mental processes; developmental changes across the lifespan; learning and cognition; and sociocultural (individual differences) approaches/influences. Students must choose at least one course from each area:
- Biological Bases: CBH 3003 Comparative Psychology, EXP 3104 Sensory Processes, PSB 3002 Physiological Psychology or PSB 3340 Behavioral Neuroscience*
* Students may not take both PSB 3002 and PSB 3340 under any circumstances.
- Developmental Changes: DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology
- Learning and Cognition: EAB 3002 Principles of Behavior Analysis, EAB 3764 Applied Behavior Analysis or EXP 3604 Cognitive Psychology
- Sociocultural / Individual Differences Approaches: CLP 3144 Abnormal Psychology,
PPE 3003 Psychology of Personality or SOP 3004 Social Psychology
- 3 credits, laboratory course: PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology
- 6 credits, two 4000-level psychology courses (does not count individual work courses)
- 12 credits additional psychology courses: Students must choose additional 3000/4000-level psychology courses to meet the 36-credit minimum requirement (with the exception that three credits of 2000-level courses can count toward this requirement). In addition, up to nine credits of individual work courses will count toward the 36-credit minimum requirement.
Students who wish to transfer courses in psychology toward the major must see an adviser in the department for approval.
Related Coursework
Statistics: STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 and STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 are also required. STA 2023 is a prerequisite for some 4000-level psychology and laboratory courses. STA 3024 must be taken before or concurrently with any specialized psychology laboratory, and it also counts toward the CLAS requirement of 3000-level electives not in the major.
Mathematics: Proficiency through precalculus is required. MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (or higher course) will meet this requirement. The combination of MAC 1114 Trigonometry and MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra may be substituted for MAC 1147.
Biological Science: BSC 2005 Biological Sciences or BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 is required.
All majors are encouraged to see a psychology adviser in 135 Psychology Building. No appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Advising office hours
Most of the foundation-level courses and the laboratory methods course are offered each semester. Special topic and other advanced courses are offered less frequently. Fewer courses are offered in summer.
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Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
The following critical-tracking courses are required:
- BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 Biological Sciences or Biology Principles 1
- MAC 1147 or MAC 1140 and MAC 1114 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry
- PSY 2012 General Psychology
- PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
Semester 1
- Complete MAC 1140 or MAC 1147
- 2.4 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete PSY 2012; if MAC 1140 is taken in semester 1, MAC 1114 must be taken semester 2
- 2.6 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 critical-tracking courses from BSC 2005 or BSC 2010, STA 2023 or
PSY 3213L with a 2.6 critical-tracking GPA
Students should take PSY 3213L in semester 3 or 4 before taking any additional 3000-level or above psychology courses.
- 2.7 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 and STA 2023 (if not previously taken) with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.8 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete PSY 3213L (if not previously taken) with 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.8 UF GPA required
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry |
4 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) |
3 |
| Total |
14-15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
15-17 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
BSC 2005 Biological Sciences or
BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (both GE-B) |
3 |
| PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology |
3 |
| Electives (3 credits of foreign language if 4-3-3 option) |
6 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course (GE-S) |
3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
Biological Science (GE-B)
(if not met through psychology courses) |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course (GE-S) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 (GE-M)
(counts as a 3000-level or above elective, not in the major) |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Psychology courses (3000 level or above, at least one 4000-level) |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| Elective |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Psychology courses (3000 level or above, at least one 4000-level) |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| Psychology courses (3000 level or above) |
6 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Electives |
7 |
| Total |
16 |
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Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
Required Coursework
Students in the behavioral and cognitive neuroscience specialization are required to complete 36 credits of coursework with minimum grades of C. At least 22 credits must be taken in psychology.
- 3 credits, introductory level: PSY 2012 General Psychology (or its equivalent, such as a general psychology course taken elsewhere or credit by exam for PSY 2012 via AP, IB, AICE, etc.)
- 6 credits, foundation core: Each is an introduction to the substantive areas of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience: biological bases of behavior and mental processes, and learning and cognition. Students must choose at least one course from each area:
- Biological Bases: PSB 3002 Physiological Psychology or PSB 3340 Behavioral Neuroscience
- Learning and Cognition: EXP 3604 Cognitive Psychology
- 7 credits, laboratory courses: PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology (a
3-credit general laboratory course) and a specialized psychology laboratory course (EAB 4022C Laboratory Procedures in Behavior Analysis or EXP 4174C Laboratory in Sensory Processes)
- 6 credits, two 4000-level psychology courses (does not include individual work courses)
- 14 credits additional courses: Students must choose 14 or more credits of psychology courses or approved neuroscience-relevant courses outside psychology to meet the 36-credit minimum requirement
- 3 credits may be at the 2000-level or higher
- The remaining 11 or more credits must be at the 3000/4000-level
- Any neuroscience-relevant courses outside psychology must be approved by a psychology adviser before enrollment
Students may not take both PSB 3002 and PSB 3340 under any circumstances.
Students who wish to transfer courses in psychology toward the major must see an adviser in the department for approval.
Related Coursework
- Statistics: STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 and STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 are also required. STA 2023 is a prerequisite for some 4000-level psychology and laboratory courses. STA 3024 must be taken before or concurrently with any specialized psychology laboratory, and it counts as a 3000+ level elective not in the major.
- Mathematics: Proficiency through Calculus 2 is required. MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 and MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 meet this requirement.
- Biological Science: BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and BSC 2011 Integrated Principles of Biology 2 are required.
All majors are encouraged to see a psychology adviser in 135 Psychology Building. No appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Advising office hours.
Most of the foundation-level courses and the laboratory methods course are offered each semester. Special topic and other advanced courses are offered less frequently. Fewer courses are offered in summer.
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Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
The following critical-tracking courses are required:
- BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- PSY 2012 General Psychology
- PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
Semester 1
- Complete MAC 1147 or MAC 2311
- 2.4 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete MAC 2311
- Complete PSY 2012
- 2.6 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 of the following critical-tracking courses: BSC 2010, MAC 2312 or
PSY 3213L with a 2.6 critical-tracking GPA
Students should take PSY 3213L in semester 3 or 4 before taking any additional 3000-level or above psychology courses.
- 2.7 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 1 tracking course from BSC 2010, MAC 2312, PSY 3213L or STA 2023 with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.8 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete the final tracking course (BSC 2010, MAC 2312, PSY 3213L or STA 2023) with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.8 UF GPA required
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)
(take MAC 1147 instead, if needed) |
4 |
| Foreign language |
4-5 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) |
3 |
| Total |
14-15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Foreign language |
3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
16-18 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (GE-B) |
3 |
| PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology |
3 |
| Electives (3 credits of foreign language if 4-3-3 option) |
6 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2011 Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (GE-B) |
3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course (EXP 3604 [GE-S], PSB 3002 or PSB 3340) |
3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 (GE-M)
(counts as a 3000-level or above elective, not in the major) |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course (EXP 3604 [GE-S], PSB 3002 or PSB 3340) |
3 |
Approved neuroscience-relevant course outside psychology or
Psychology course (3000-level or above) |
3 |
| Electives |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
Approved neuroscience-relevant course outside psychology or
Psychology course (GE-S; 3000 level or above) |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Psychology course (4000 level) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| Elective |
3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
| Psychology courses (4000 level) |
3 |
| Specialized psychology laboratory course (EAB 4022C or EXP 4174C) |
4 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
Approved neuroscience-relevant course outside psychology or
Psychology courses (3000 level or above) |
8 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
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