Psychology Major - Curriculum & Duration

The psychology curriculum is designed to enhance opportunities for students to take a multidisciplinary and inquiry-based approach to learning about psychology. The courses in the first year and early in the second year expose students to broad areas of knowledge in the humanities, mathematics, writing, and sciences. Foundational psychology courses and our orientation course focus on establishing a knowledge base upon which the student can begin to build an inquiry-based experience. Advisors work with students to initiate the psychology portfolio and explain the research and capstone experiences required of all students in the major.

In the second year, students begin to develop applied research experience during our 8-credit course sequence in research design and statistics. Throughout the second and third years, students are exposed to the core disciplines of psychology and may choose to focus their major curriculum by developing an academic concentration area or minor and research skills. The student works with his/her faculty advisor to develop the minor or concentration area, selecting from approved University minor programs or suggested program concentration areas. Students are not required to develop a concentration area or minor.

The inquiry-based approach is emphasized in the third and fourth years. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students select psychology and elective courses that best satisfy personal interests and career goals. By the end of year three (i.e., the sixth semester), the capstone project must be approved and may be initiated as early as the spring semester of the third year. In year four, the capstone project is completed and advanced program electives embrace and build upon core disciplines of psychology and related areas introduced in the first three years. All fourth-year students participate in a fourth-year senior seminar that includes review, analysis, discussion, and formal oral presentation of the capstone projects.

The following is a typical curriculum for psychology students entering University of the Sciences in Fall 2016; current students should refer to their academic advisor for their curricula.

First Year

General Biology I, II
Health Psychology Orientation
Introduction to Psychology
Philosophy of Psychology
Physical Education I, II
Communication (Written & Oral) Discipline Requirements
Mathematics Discipline Requirements

Second Year

Biological Psychology
Health Psychology or Cognitive Psychology
Psychology of Human Development
Research Design and Statistical Analysis I, II
Humanities Discipline Requirement
Multidisciplinary Inquiry Requirements
Psychology Core Requirement
Social Sciences Discipline Requirement

Third Year

Health Psychology or Cognitive Psychology
Advanced Psychology Requirement
Communication (Written & Oral) Requirement
General Education Electives
Humanities Discipline Requirement
Psychology Core Requirements

Fourth Year

Independent Study in Psychology or Internship in Psychology or Directed Research in Psychology
Psychology Seminar
Advanced Electives
Advanced Psychology Requirements
General Education Elective
Psychology Core Requirements
Additional general education courses are required as part of the program.

Interdisciplinary Concentrations and Minors

Psychology program faculty advisors work with students to develop a minor or concentration in disciplines related to psychology. This approach adds diversity to the academic program and matches courses to your interests and career goals. The listing below highlights some of the core course sequences and concentration areas that may be combined with the psychology major.

Exercise Science

Course Number	Course Name
FT 200	Exercise Physiology
FT 300	Exercise Testing and Prescriptions
FT 360	Fitness and Sport Nutrition
FT 460	Health and Wellness

Forensic Science

Course Number	Course Name
FS 201	Forensic Analysis I
FS 304	Crime and Society
FS 202	Forensic Anthropology
FS 410	Principles of Forensic Pathology

Marketing

Course Number	Course Name
PB 319	Introduction to Marketing Management
PB 425	Consumer Behavior: Healthcare Marketing Applications
PB 429	Product Management
PB 435	Advertising and Promotion

Behavioral Neurosciences

Course Number	Course Name
BS 310 BS 311	Anatomy and Physiology I and II
BS 425	Neuroscience
PS 412	Psychopharmacology
PS 428	Human Neuropsychology

Pre-Medical Concentration With Biology Minor (additional courses required)

Course Number	Course Name
CH 201 CH 202	Organic Chemistry I and II
CH 203 CH 204	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II
PY 201 PY 202	Introductory Physics I and II
BS 240	Basics of Microbiology
CH 341	Biochemistry
BS 466	Genetics

Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration (additional courses required)

Course Number	Course Name
PY 201/202	Introductory Physics I and II
BS 310 BS 311	Anatomy and Physiology I and II
BS 209	Basic Nutrition
PT 300 PT 301	Medical Terminology for Physical Therapy I and II