The Honours Psychology Bachelor of Science (BSc) Academic Plan is particularly appropriate for students interested in cognitive 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.
Honours Psychology provides opportunities for in-depth study of psychological theory and research. Courses are available in the following areas: clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and social psychology. Third- and fourth-year students have opportunities to study in small groups, to obtain hands-on laboratory training, to enrol in courses where they work one-on-one with faculty members, and to enrol in apprenticeship courses that provide practical field experience in applied settings.
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, MATH 128
- Two 100-level courses in BIOL (exclusive of BIOL 101)
- CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, CHEM 123, CHEM 123L
- One of PHYS 111, PHYS 121
- One of PHYS 111L, PHYS 112L
- One of PHYS 112, PHYS 122
- One of PHYS 112L, PHYS 122L
- 5.0 additional Faculty of 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 Requirement
Notes
Psychology courses are offered by the Faculty of Arts and not the Faculty of Science.
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.
Students considering Joint Honours plans with Psychology should read Science Minors and Joint Programs. The only Joint Honours Psychology combinations with a Joint Honours plan in the Faculty of Science are:
- BSc degree- Joint Honours Science (Non-Major) and Psychology
- BSc degree- Joint Honours Science Major (e.g., Biology, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics) and Psychology
- BA degree- Joint Honours Psychology and Science (Non-Major)
See the Joint Honours Psychology section on the Psychology undergraduate website for further details.
Honours Thesis
The Honours Thesis (PSYCH 499A/PSYCH 499B/PSYCH 499C) 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/PSYCH 499B/PSYCH 499C (worth 1.5 units), will count for three of the "Four additional PSYCH courses to be taken at the 300-level or above." Please consult the Honours Thesis Handbook for further details regarding PSYCH 499A, PSYCH 499B, and PSYCH 499C.
Honours Psychology Co-operative Academic Plan
See "Honours Psychology Co-op" in the Faculty of Arts.
See the Faculty of Arts, Psychology.