The Honours Psychology Bachelor or Science (BSc) Academic Plan is particularly appropriate for students interested in behavioural neuroscience or cognitive psychology, or who plan to seek professional training in medicine, perhaps with specialization in neurology, psychiatry, or pediatrics. A strong background in the "natural science" area of psychology would complement a student's preparation for research or graduate work in these fields of study.
Students interested in Honours Psychology will normally be admitted at the beginning of their second year based on their academic performance in Year One, (see Recommended Course Sequence for details). Application for admission to Honours Psychology is made at the time of enrolment for Year Two. Normally, only students whose Year-One Science average is at least 60%, cumulative overall average is 60%, and whose Psychology average is at least 75% will be admitted. Please refer to "Applying for a Psychology Major" in the Faculty of Arts for further details.
In order to remain in good standing in Honours Psychology, students must maintain a cumulative average of at least 60% in the Faculty of Science courses, a cumulative overall average of 60% and a cumulative average of at least 75% in the Psychology courses. Conditional status for one academic term only may be granted to students who fall below these criteria.
In order to graduate in Honours Psychology, students must successfully complete:
- 21.0 units of which at least 19.0 must be lecture units. The 21.0 units must include all of the following:
- MATH 127, 128
- Two 100-level courses in BIOL
- CHEM 120, 120L, 123, 123L
- PHYS 111, 111L, 112, 112L (or all of PHYS 121, 121L, 122, 122L)
- 5.0 additional Science units including:
- no more than 2.0 "SCI "-labelled units.
- at least 2.0 units at the 300- or 400-level, exclusive of "SCI"-labelled units.
- no more than 1.5 Science faculty lecture units at the first year level (i.e., courses other than the BIOL, CHEM, PHYS courses listed above for Year One).
- no more than 1.0 lab unit.
- 9.0 units in Psychology (PSYCH) as listed for Honours BA Psychology.
- 2.0 units of unspecified electives.
- Completion of the English Language Proficiency Examination (ELPE)
Notes
For those students studying in the co-op format, find detailed information on co-op program requirements in the Co-operative Program Evaluation information and the Co-operative Education and Career Action section of the undergraduate calendar. Please also refer to the Psychology Undergraduate website for important information for Psychology Co-op students including the Guidelines for Writing Psychology Work Term Reports.
Students considering applying to professional or graduate programs should ensure that they have the appropriate first and upper year labs associated with courses needed for admission.
Honours Thesis
The Honours Thesis (PSYCH 499A/B/C) course is optional but recommended for Honours Psychology Majors who are a)considering graduate or professional programs that may require a completed honours thesis for admission, or b) who have a strong interest in, and commitment to, conducting original research. For those who choose to do an Honours Thesis, PSYCH 499A/B/C (worth 1.5 units) will count for three of the "Four additional PSYCH courses to be taken at the 300-level or above (excluding PSYCH 323R)." Please consult the Honours Thesis Handbook for further details regarding PSYCH 499.
Honours Psychology Co-operative Academic Plan
See "Honours Psychology Co-op" in the Faculty of Arts.
See the Faculty of Arts, Psychology.