Psychology (PSYC)
Department of Psychology, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
The discipline of Psychology is normally associated with the social sciences, the biological sciences, and the health professions. Specialization in Psychology at Guelph is available as a B.A. Honours program major and minor and a B.A. General program area of concentration, all of which are described below, as well as a B.A. Honours program Co-op major (PSYC:C).
Through its different undergraduate programs, the Psychology Department provides:
- a broad general education emphasizing psychological theory and methodology, with an empirical basis in course work (e. g., experiments and projects);
- an appropriate background in psychology for those who leave the University with an undergraduate degree to embark on careers in related areas; and
- a sound preparation for graduate study in Psychology.
Students intending to apply to research-focussed Psychology graduate programs (i.e., those involving a Masters or PhD thesis), and students who want a structured, intensive research experience, may apply to enrol in the Honours Thesis courses (See Option B – Honours Thesis Stream). In addition, students intending to apply for admission to graduate programs in Psychology should note most graduate programs require the applicant to have at least an A- average in order to be considered for admission.
Advising Note
We advise students to take PSYC*1000 Introduction to Psychology In their first semester and PSYC*1010 Making Sense of Data in Psychological Research and PSYC*1500 Foundational Skills for Psychology in their second semester
The maximum number of PSYC credits students can take at each level is as follows:
- 1000 level courses: no cap
- 2000 level courses: 3.50 credits
- 3000 level courses: 3.50 credits
- 4000 level courses: 3.00 credits
Major Requirements (Honours)
This is a major within the degree: Bachelor of Arts.
A total of 9.00 credits are required:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | ||
PSYC*1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*1010 | Making Sense of Data in Psychological Research | 0.50 |
PSYC*1500 | Foundational Skills for Psychology | 0.50 |
Year 2 | ||
PSYC*2070 | Teams, Leadership, and Professional Behaviour | 0.50 |
PSYC*2360 | Psychological Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
Select 1.00 credits from the following: | ||
PSYC*2330 | Principles of Learning | 0.50 |
PSYC*2390 | Sensation and Perception | 0.50 |
PSYC*2410 | Behavioural Neuroscience I | 0.50 |
PSYC*2650 | Cognitive Psychology | 0.50 |
Select 1.00 credits from the following: | ||
PSYC*2020 | Clinical Psychology and Mental Health | 0.50 |
PSYC*2310 | Social Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2450 | Developmental Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2740 | Personality | 0.50 |
Select one of the following options for years 3 & 4: | ||
Option A - Honours Regular Stream | ||
Year 3 | ||
PSYC*3000 | Historical and Critical Perspectives on Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*3290 | Conducting Statistical Analyses in Psychology | 0.50 |
1.50 additional credits in Psychology at 3000 level. | 1.50 | |
Year 4 | ||
PSYC*4290 | Psychological Measurement | 0.50 |
PSYC*4540 | Practical Applications of Psychology | 1.00 |
0.50 additional credits in Psychology at 4000 level. | 0.50 | |
Option B - Honours Thesis Stream 1 | ||
Year 3 | ||
PSYC*3000 | Historical and Critical Perspectives on Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*3290 | Conducting Statistical Analyses in Psychology | 0.50 |
1.0 additional credits in Psychology at 3000 level. | 1.00 | |
Year 4 | ||
PSYC*4290 | Psychological Measurement | 0.50 |
PSYC*4780 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
or PSYC*4790 | Qualitative Methods in Psychology | |
PSYC*4870 | Honours Thesis I 2 | 0.50 |
PSYC*4880 | Honours Thesis II 2 | 1.00 |
- 1
The Honours Thesis stream is recommended for students considering research-focussed graduate programs in Psychology (i.e., those involving a Masters or PhD thesis). These programs expect that students will have completed an undergraduate thesis or equivalent. The two honours thesis courses (PSYC*4870 Honours Thesis I and PSYC*4880 Honours Thesis II) are normally taken in a Fall-Winter sequence. Registration for these courses requires Department approval, which is normally granted to those students whose academic performance meets the minimum admission requirements of Psychology graduate programs.
- 2
Students should note that the Honours Thesis courses are normally taken in a Fall-Winter sequence and are worth the equivalent of 1.50 credits toward the 20.00 credits Honours B.A. degree requirements.
Co-op Requirements (Honours)
This is a major within the degree: Bachelor of Arts.
The Co-op program in Psychology is a four year program, including three work terms. Students must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/).
Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule
Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2 COOP*1100 | Off |
2 | Academic Semester 3 | COOP*1000 Work Term I | Academic Semester 4 |
3 | COOP*2000 Work Term II | Academic Semester 5 | COOP*3000 Work Term III |
4 | Academic Semester 6 | Academic Semester 7 | Academic Semester 8 |
Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements.
For additional program information students should consult with their Co-op Co-ordinator and Co-op Faculty Advisor, listed on the Co-operative Education web site.
Credit Summary
(21.50 Total Credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Core Courses | 9.00 | |
Humanities credits from at least two areas (BA distribution requirement) | 1.50 | |
Social Science credit outside of PSYC (BA distribution requirement) | 0.50 | |
Natural Science credits (BA distribution requirement) | 1.00 | |
Electives | 8.00 | |
Co-op Work Terms | 1.50 | |
Total Credits | 21.5 |
Note: When selecting core and elective credits the student should keep in mind the prerequisites for their desired 3000- and 4000-level courses. When selecting courses beyond Psychology the student should keep in mind both their second specialization (if relevant) and courses appropriate for potential work-term placements.
Note on Honours Courses
Courses designated with (H) are for students in Psychology Honours programs. These include: B.A. Honours Psychology (PSYC, PSYC;C) major or minor, B.A. Information Systems and Human Behaviour (ISHB) major and the Neuroscience (NEUR) major or minor. A cumulative average of at least 70% in all course attempts in Psychology or registration in the ISHB major, NEUR minor, or PBC major or minor is required to enrol in H designated courses.
A total of 9.00 credits are required for the Psychology Co-op BAH. Students must complete 1.50 credits at the 1000 level and 3.00 credits at the 2000 level in Psychology. For those in the Honours Regular Stream, students must complete 3.00 credits at the 3000 level and 1.50 credits at the 4000 level in Psychology. For those in the Honours Thesis Stream, students must complete 2.50 credits at the 3000 level and 2.00 credits at the 4000 level in Psychology.
The maximum number of PSYC credits that students can take at each level is as follows:
- 1000 level courses: no cap
- 2000 level courses: 3.50 credits
- 3000 level courses: 3.50 credits
- 4000 level courses: 3.00 credits
Students wanting to move more quickly through the program are recommended to take two DE courses in the summer of their first year and/or one DE course during each work term. If they do so, the number of electives required in Semester 8 will depend on how many additional courses the student has taken throughout the program to meet the 20.00 credit requirement.
Graduate Studies Advisory Note: Most graduate programs require the student to have at least an A- average in order to be considered for admission. They also require students follow the Honours Thesis Stream. Students planning on applying to graduate school in Psychology will need to take the following courses in the semesters outlined below:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PSYC*3290 | Conducting Statistical Analyses in Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*4780 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
PSYC*4870 | Honours Thesis I | 0.50 |
PSYC*4880 | Honours Thesis II | 1.00 |
Recommended Program Sequence
A total of 9.00 credits are required:.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | ||
Semester 1 - Fall | ||
PSYC*1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 0.50 |
2.00 additional credits | 2.00 | |
Semester 2 - Winter | ||
COOP*1100 | Introduction to Co-operative Education | 0.00 |
PSYC*1010 | Making Sense of Data in Psychological Research | 0.50 |
PSYC*1500 | Foundational Skills for Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2390 | Sensation and Perception | 0.50 |
or PSYC*2650 | Cognitive Psychology | |
PSYC*2020 | Clinical Psychology and Mental Health | 0.50 |
or PSYC*2740 | Personality | |
0.50 additional credits | 0.50 | |
Summer Semester | ||
If students want to progress more quickly through the program or plan to apply to graduate school, they should complete: 1.00 PSYC credits at the 2000 level. If not taken in the summer semester, they must be completed by the end of semester 4. | ||
Year 2 | ||
Semester 3 - Fall | ||
PSYC*2070 | Teams, Leadership, and Professional Behaviour | 0.50 |
PSYC*2360 | Psychological Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
PSYC*2330 | Principles of Learning | 0.50 |
or PSYC*2410 | Behavioural Neuroscience I | |
PSYC*2310 | Social Psychology | 0.50 |
or PSYC*2450 | Developmental Psychology | |
0.50 additional credits | 0.50 | |
Winter Semester | ||
COOP*1000 | Co-op Work Term I | 0.50 |
Semester 4 - Summer | ||
0.50 credits in PSYC at the 3000 level | 0.50 | |
2.00 additional credits | 2.00 | |
Select one of the following options for years 3 & 4: | ||
Option A - Honours Regular Stream | ||
Year 3 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
COOP*2000 | Co-op Work Term II | 0.50 |
Semester 5 - Winter | ||
PSYC*3000 | Historical and Critical Perspectives on Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*3290 | Conducting Statistical Analyses in Psychology | 0.50 |
1.00 additional credits in PSYC at the 3000 level | 1.00 | |
0.50 additional credits | 0.50 | |
Summer Semester | ||
COOP*3000 | Co-op Work Term III | 0.50 |
Year 4 | ||
Semester 6 - Fall | ||
PSYC*4290 | Psychological Measurement | 0.50 |
0.50 additional credits in PSYC at the 4000 level | 0.50 | |
1.50 additional credits | 1.50 | |
Semester 7 - Winter | ||
PSYC*4540 | Practical Applications of Psychology | 1.00 |
1.50 additional credits | 1.50 | |
Semester 8 - Summer | ||
2.50 credits | 2.50 | |
Option B - Honours Thesis Stream | ||
Year 3 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
COOP*2000 | Co-op Work Term II | 0.50 |
Semester 5 - Winter | ||
PSYC*3000 | Historical and Critical Perspectives on Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*3290 | Conducting Statistical Analyses in Psychology | 0.50 |
1.00 additional credits in PSYC at the 3000 level | 1.00 | |
0.50 additional credits | 0.50 | |
Summer Semester | ||
COOP*3000 | Co-op Work Term III | 0.50 |
Year 4 | ||
Semester 6 - Fall | ||
PSYC*4780 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
or PSYC*4790 | Qualitative Methods in Psychology | |
PSYC*4870 | Honours Thesis I | 0.50 |
0.50 additional credits in PSYC at the 3000 level | 0.50 | |
1.00 additional credits at the 3000 or 4000 level | 1.00 | |
Semester 7 - Winter | ||
PSYC*4880 | Honours Thesis II | 1.00 |
PSYC*4290 | Psychological Measurement | 0.50 |
1.00 additional credits | 1.00 | |
Semester 8 - Summer | ||
2.50 credits | 2.50 |
Minor Requirements (Honours)
This minor cannot be combined with a major in Psychology.
A total of 5.00 credits are required, including:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PSYC*1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*1010 | Making Sense of Data in Psychological Research | 0.50 |
PSYC*2360 | Psychological Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
Select an additional 2.00 credits from the following: | ||
PSYC*2020 | Clinical Psychology and Mental Health | 0.50 |
PSYC*2310 | Social Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2330 | Principles of Learning | 0.50 |
PSYC*2390 | Sensation and Perception | 0.50 |
PSYC*2410 | Behavioural Neuroscience I | 0.50 |
PSYC*2450 | Developmental Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2650 | Cognitive Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2740 | Personality | 0.50 |
1.50 additional credits at the 3000 level in Psychology | 1.50 |
Note: There is a maximum number of Psychology credits a student may complete. Please refer to the major for further information.
Area of Concentration Requirements (General)
This is an area of concentration within the degree: Bachelor of Arts.
A total of 6.00 credits are required:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | ||
PSYC*1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*1010 | Making Sense of Data in Psychological Research | 0.50 |
PSYC*1500 | Foundational Skills for Psychology | 0.50 |
Year 2 | ||
PSYC*2070 | Teams, Leadership, and Professional Behaviour | 0.50 |
PSYC*2360 | Psychological Methods and Statistics | 0.50 |
Select 0.50 credits from the following: | ||
PSYC*2330 | Principles of Learning | 0.50 |
PSYC*2390 | Sensation and Perception | 0.50 |
PSYC*2410 | Behavioural Neuroscience I | 0.50 |
PSYC*2650 | Cognitive Psychology | 0.50 |
Select 1.00 credits from the following: | ||
PSYC*2020 | Clinical Psychology and Mental Health | 0.50 |
PSYC*2310 | Social Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2450 | Developmental Psychology | 0.50 |
PSYC*2740 | Personality | 0.50 |
Year 3 | ||
PSYC*3470 | Putting Psychology to Work | 0.50 |
1.00 additional credits in PSYC at the 3000 level. | 1.00 | |
0.50 additional credits in PSYC at the 2000 level or above. | 0.50 |