Psychology
[ graduate program | courses | faculty ]
1533 Mandler Hall
http://psychology.ucsd.edu
All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Updates may be found on the Academic Senate website: http://senate.ucsd.edu/catalog-copy/approved-updates/.
The Undergraduate Program
Major Programs
The UC San Diego Department of Psychology emphasizes research in the experimental and theoretical analysis of human and animal behavior, and the study of the mind. Students who major in psychology can expect to develop knowledge in a broad range of content areas, as well as basic skills in experimental and analytic procedures. We offer courses in all major areas of experimental psychology, with areas of specialization in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, psychology of human health, sensation and perception, and social psychology, and a joint major with the Department of Cognitive Science, in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Once a student has decided upon a major in psychology, he or she is highly encouraged to consult with the Psychology Student Affairs Office to ensure full understanding of the major requirements.
Degrees offered include:
- Psychology Bachelor of Arts
- Psychology Bachelor of Science
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Human Health
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Social Psychology
- Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Bachelor of Science
Students majoring in psychology must have departmental approval for electives taken outside the department. We recommend consulting the Department of Psychology before enrolling in courses offered by other departments. It is recommended that all students seek additional advising from faculty and advising staff to determine whether additional coursework in mathematics, programming, physical or biological sciences, philosophy, or in any other discipline may be valuable, given students’ specific academic or professional goals after graduation.
Lower-Division Course Requirements for the BA
Experimental psychology uses scientific tools and concepts: knowledge of formal systems such as logic or calculus, probability theory, computer science, chemistry, biology, physics, and statistics. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.
Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Meeting these requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper-division psychology courses.
Lower-Division Requirements (twenty-eight units, seven courses)
Three Natural Science Courses (choose three of the following)
- BILD: 1, 2, 3, 10, 20, 24, 26 (BILD 12 and 22 are NOT accepted.)
- CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
*Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit. - PHYS: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11
Two Formal Skills Courses (choose two of the following)
- PSYC 70 (preferred)
- Math 10A, 10B, 10C, 20A, 20B, 20C
- PHIL 10, 12
Students who are interested in fields that may require calculus are advised to take PSYC 70 and the Math 10 series.
One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)
- COGS 18*
- CSE 3, 5A, 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
- ECE 15*
- MAE 5, 8*, 9, 10
*Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in psychology.
One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)
- PSYC 60 (preferred)
- BENG 100
- BIEB 100
- COGS 14B
- ECON 120A
- Math 11, 181,* 183, 186
*There are four difficult Math 181 courses: A-B-C-D.
Major Regulations
- Statistics must be taken for a letter grade; all other lower-division courses may be taken Pass/Not Pass.
- All upper-division courses numbered 100-193 must be taken for a letter grade.
- Courses taken Pass/Not Pass cannot be used to satisfy the upper-division major requirement.
- Psychology 195 (Undergraduate Instructional Apprentice) can be credited once by petition.
- AIP 197 (Academic Internship Program) can be credited once if pre-approved by the department.
- Excluded from credit toward the major are graduate seminars (2XX).
- A minimum of nine upper-division psychology courses must be taken at UC San Diego.
- A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.
BA Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements
Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units, twelve courses)
Four PSYC Core Courses (choose four of the following)
- PSYC: 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108
Eight Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose eight of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BA Psychology
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 formal skills |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 computer programming |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Lower-Division Course Requirements for all BS Majors in Psychology
This includes the following majors:
- Psychology Bachelor of Science
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Human Health
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception
- Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Social Psychology
Experimental psychology uses scientific tools and concepts: knowledge of formal systems such as logic or calculus, probability theory, computer science, chemistry, biology, physics, and statistics. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.
Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Meeting these requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper-division psychology courses.
Lower Division Requirements (thirty-two units, eight courses)
Three Natural Science Courses (choose three of the following)
- BILD 1, 2, 3, 10, 20, 24, 26 (BILD 12 and 22 are NOT accepted.)
- CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
*Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit. - PHYS 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11
Three Formal Skills Courses
- Math 10A or 20A
- Math 10B or 20B
- PSYC 70
*Students who are interested in fields that may require calculus are advised to take the Math 20 series.
One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)
- COGS 18*
- CSE 3, 5A, 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
- ECE 15*
- MAE 5, 8*, 9, 10
*Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in psychology.
One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)
- PSYC 60 (preferred)
- BENG 100
- BIEB 100
- COGS 14B
- ECON 120A
- Math 11, 181*, 183, 186
*There are four difficult Math 181 courses: A-B-C-D.
Major Regulations
- Statistics must be taken for a letter grade; all other lower-division courses may be taken Pass/Not Pass.
- All upper-division courses numbered 100-193 must be taken for a letter grade.
- Courses taken Pass/Not Pass cannot be used to satisfy the upper-division major requirement.
- Psychology 195 (Undergraduate Instructional Apprentice) can be credited once by petition.
- AIP 197 (Academic Internship Program) can be credited once if pre-approved by the department.
- Excluded from credit toward the major are graduate seminars (2XX).
- A minimum of nine upper-division psychology courses must be taken at UC San Diego.
- A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.
BS Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
Four PSYC Core Courses (choose four of the following)
- PSYC 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Eight Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose eight of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements
The clinical psychology specialization provides instruction in the psychological and physiological causes of and treatments for mental illness in children and adults.
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
One PSYC Core Course in Specialization
- PSYC 100
Three Additional PSYC Core Courses (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Three Upper-Division PSYC Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 116, 124, 125, 132, 133, 134, 151, 154, 155, 168, 172, 184, 188, 190
Five Additional Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose five of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
PSYC 100 |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements
Cognitive psychology includes understanding reasoning, thinking, language, judgment, and decision making in adults and children (including attention, memory, and visual and auditory information processing).
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
One PSYC Core Course in Specialization
- PSYC 105
Three Additional PSYC Core Courses (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Three Upper-Division PSYC Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 123, 128, 129, 137, 141, 142, 144, 145, 146, 148, 152, 156, 161, 170, 171, 176, 187, 191
Five Additional Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose five of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
PSYC 105 |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements
Developmental psychology entails all aspects of human development with emphases on social and personality development, perceptual development, and language acquisition. This specialization also includes the study of developmental psychopathology.
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
One PSYC Core Course in Specialization
- PSYC 101
Three Additional PSYC Core Courses (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Three Upper-Division PSYC Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 136, 146, 147, 152, 156, 158, 168, 172, 180, 187, 190
Five Additional Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose five of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
PSYC 101 |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Psychology with a Specialization in Human Health Upper-Division Course Requirements
Health psychology focuses on understanding how psychological, biological, and environmental factors interact to jointly influence human health. Topics include addiction, impulsive behavior, and issues related to cognitive control.
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
Three PSYC Core Courses in Specialization
- PSYC 100, 101, 104
One Additional PSYC Core Course (choose one of the following)
- PSYC 102, 105, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC: 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Three Upper-Division PSYC Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 123, 124, 130, 132, 133, 134, 154, 155, 168, 169, 171, 172, 179, 181, 184, 188, 191
Five Additional Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose five of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Human Health
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
PSYC 100 |
PSYC 101 |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
PSYC 104 |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Psychology with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception Upper-Division Course Requirements
Sensation and perception is the study of how our sense organs and brain allow us to construct our consciously experienced representation of the environment. Experiments using computer-controlled stimuli are used to test models of sensory or perceptual processes. Processes of particular interest include color vision, motion perception, and auditory illusions and paradoxes.
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
One PSYC Core Course in Specialization
- PSYC 102
Three Additional PSYC Core Courses (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 100, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Three Upper-Division PSYC Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 128, 129, 138, 150, 159, 169, 182
Five Additional Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose five of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
PSYC 102 |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Psychology with a Specialization in Social Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements
Social psychology is the study of human behavior in social situations. The specialization focuses on topics including emotion, aggression, and social cognition. It also encompasses applied social psychology, including psychology and the law and behavioral medicine.
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
One PSYC Core Course in Specialization
- PSYC 104
Three Additional PSYC Core Courses (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 100, 101, 102, 105, 106, 108
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, one of the two 199 courses must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than Friday of the tenth week of the graduating quarter.
Three Upper-Division PSYC Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)
- PSYC 114, 130, 137, 139, 141, 147, 152, 153, 155, 157, 158, 162, 164, 172, 176, 178, 187, 190
Five Additional Upper-Division PSYC Courses (choose five of the following)
- PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Social Psychology
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
1 computer programming |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 |
PSYC 70 |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
PSYC 104 |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC core |
1 PSYC core |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 PSYC area of specialization |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 UD PSYC elective |
1 PSYC research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
BS Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN)
The BS in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience (CBN) is a major jointly administered by the Departments of Psychology and Cognitive Science. Cognitive and behavioral neuroscience seeks to determine, understand, and examine the links between neural activity and perception (e.g., color vision, attention), basic behaviors (e.g., appetitive drives such as hunger and sleep), and higher level cognitive function (e.g., working memory and executive function) using multiple tools ranging from single-unit physiology to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG).
Lower-Division Course Requirements for the BS in CBN
Cognitive and behavioral neuroscience uses scientific tools and concepts—knowledge of formal systems such as calculus, computer programming, understanding of basic neurobiology, and additional knowledge in chemistry, biology, physics, and statistics. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.
Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. These requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper-division CBN courses.
Lower-Division Requirements (thirty-six units, nine courses)
Three Natural Science Courses
- COGS 17
Plus choose two of the following
- BILD 1, 2, 3, 10, 20, 24, 26 (BILD 12 and 22 are NOT accepted.)
- CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
*Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit. - PHYS 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11
Four Formal Skills Courses
- Math 10A or 20A*
- Math 10B or 20B*
- Math 10C OR 20C*
- PSYC 70 or COGS 14A
*Preferred calculus courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue mathematically intensive areas of CBN.
One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)
- COGS 18*
- CSE 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
*Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in cognitive science or psychology.
One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)
- PSYC 60
- COGS 14B
By petition, Math 11 will be accepted for the major.
Major Regulations
- Statistics must be taken for a letter grade. All lower-division courses must be passed with a minimum grade of a C– or P.
- All upper-division courses numbered 100-193 must be taken for a letter grade and a minimum grade of C– is required for the course to count towards the major.
- Courses taken Pass/Not Pass cannot be used to satisfy the upper-division major requirement.
- Excluded from credit toward the major are graduate seminars (2XX).
- A minimum of nine upper-division courses toward the CBN major must be taken at UC San Diego.
- A grade point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.
Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units, fourteen courses)
Four CBN Core Courses
- COGS 107A
- PSYC 102 or COGS 101A
- PSYC 106 or COGS 107B
- PSYC 108 or COGS 107C
Two Research Experience Courses
- PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 199
- COGS 102B, 102C, 118B, 119, 120, 121, 153, 160 (must pre-approve), 189, 199
By petition, one of the following may be accepted for the major: BIPN 105, CHEM 143A, CHEM 143B, or CHEM 143C.
If the two research courses are 199s, at least one of them must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the corresponding department's Student Affairs Office prior to graduation. Please see the corresponding department for more information.
Six Upper-Division Courses in CBN (choose six of the following)
- PSYC 116, 122, 123, 125, 132, 133, 144, 150, 159, 169, 170, 171, 179, 181, 189
- COGS 115, 119, 154, 163, 164, 169, 171, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 184
- HDP 110
Two Additional Upper-Division Elective Courses (choose two of the following)
- PSYC 100, 101, 104, 105, 110-193
- COGS 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 102C, 109-189
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN)
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
Year 1 |
||
Math 10A or 20A |
Math 10B or 20B |
Math 10C or 20C |
COGS 17 |
1 natural science |
1 natural science |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 2 |
||
PSYC 60 or COGS 14B |
PSYC 70 or COGS 14A |
1 computer programming |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 3 |
||
COGS 107A |
1 CBN core |
1 CBN core |
1 CBN core |
1 CBN elective |
1 CBN elective |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 CBN research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Year 4 |
||
1 CBN elective |
1 CBN elective |
1 CBN elective |
1 CBN elective |
1 additional elective |
1 additional elective |
1 CBN research |
1 university/college GE |
1 university/college GE |
Honors Program
Students are encouraged to participate in the department’s honors program, which is strongly recommended for all students interested in graduate school. A minimum overall GPA of 3.3 (transfer GPA of 3.5 for transfer students) is a prerequisite. Admission is granted by application in the fall quarter of the junior year (Deadline: October 31). This program is composed of the following courses:
- Junior Year
Winter:
- Junior Honors Research Seminar (PSYC 110)
- Advanced Statistics and Research Methods (PSYC 111A)
- Advanced Statistics and Research Methods (PSYC 111B)
- Senior Year: A yearlong independent research project (PSYC 194A-B-C)
under the mentorship of a faculty adviser. This research culminates in an honors thesis and poster presentation during the spring quarter.
- For the BA with honors: At least one laboratory course (PSYC 107, 109, 114, 115, 117, 119, 121, 140) or, one PSYC 199, Independent Study (199s, however, do not count as upper-division credit toward the major).
- For the BS with honors: Because all BS degrees in the psychology department already require two research experiences, there is no additional laboratory requirement to participate in the honors program. PSYC 194A-B-C fulfills one of the two research experiences required for all BS degrees in the department.
Spring:
Successful completion of the honors program requires a minimum grade of A– in PSYC 194A, PSYC 194B, and PSYC 194C, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the upper-division courses taken for the major.
Minor Program
The minor in psychology consists of seven four-unit courses from the Department of Psychology course offerings, of which at least twenty units (five four-unit courses) must be upper division. At least four upper-division courses must be taken at UC San Diego for a letter grade. Psychology 199 (Independent Study) may count for one upper-division course toward the minor.
If PSYC 60 (Statistics) is chosen as one of the lower-division courses, it must be taken for a letter grade. To declare or change your minor, use the minor tool on TritonLink. A grade point average of at least 2.0 is required for graduation.
Education Abroad
Students are often able to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UC San Diego’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) while still making progress toward the major. Students considering this option should discuss their plans with the Department of Psychology Student Affairs Office before going abroad. Courses taken abroad must be approved by the Department of Psychology in order to be applied to the major. Students may receive credit for a maximum of three upper-division psychology courses from their courses taken abroad. Information on EAP/OAP is detailed in the Education Abroad Program section of the UC San Diego General Catalog. Interested students should contact the Program Abroad Office in the International Center.
Transfer Credit
In general, all introductory courses in experimental psychology are accepted for lower-division credit toward a psychology minor. Upper-division psychology courses will be evaluated for transfer credit toward a psychology major or minor on a course-by-course basis.