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PsychologySTUDENT SERVICES OFFICE: 1533 McGill Hall Annex The Undergraduate ProgramThe Psychology Major ProgramThe department offers three degree programs: bachelor of arts (B.A.), bachelor of science (B.S.), and the integrated bachelor of science (B.S.)/master of arts (M.A.). We offer courses in all major areas of experimental psychology, with emphasis in behavior analysis, biopsychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology and cognitive neuropsychology, developmental psychology, human information processing, physiological psychology, psychopathology, sensation and perception, and social psychology. The department 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 a knowledge of a broad range of content areas, as well as basic skills in experimental and analytic procedures. Majors must have departmental approval for electives taken outside the department. Of the required courses in the area of specialization (three regular upper-division courses and two research experiences), no more than two may be taken outside the department. We recommend consulting the department before enrolling in courses offered by other departments. Prerequisites for the B.A.Experimental psychology uses the tools and knowledge of science: 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. A bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in psychology will be granted if the following requirements have been met:
Students should complete these prerequisite requirements by the end of the sophomore year. Major Requirements for the B.A.A minimum of twelve upper-division courses in psychology is required. Five must be taken from the core courses (Psychology 101–106), and at least seven from the upper-division elective courses. A minimum of six upper-division psychology courses must be taken at UCSD. These courses must be taken for a letter grade; courses taken on a Pass/No Pass prior to declaring psychology as a major cannot be used to satisfy the major requirement. Excluded from credit toward the major is Psychology 199 (Special Studies); however, Psychology 195 (Instructional Assistant) can be credited once. A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division courses of the major is required for graduation. 2XX. Graduate Seminar We encourage juniors and seniors with an overall 3.0 GPA or better to enroll in graduate seminars. Check the schedule of classes and contact the student affairs office on how to enroll. Honors Program for the B.A. ProgramStudents are encouraged to participate in the department’s honors program. It is strongly recommended for all students interested in graduate schools. An overall GPA of 3.3 is a prerequisite. Admission is granted by application in the fall of the junior year (deadline October 31). This program is composed of the following courses.
Successful completion of the Honors Program requires a grade of A- in Psychology 194 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the upper-division courses taken for the major. Prerequisites for the B.S.In general, the prerequisites for the B.S. Degree in psychology overlap with the B.A. prerequisites. However, to fulfill the formal skills, we require the mathematics sequence 20A-B-C. Major Requirements for the B.S.A minimum of twelve upper-division courses is required. Five of these courses must come from the core courses: Psychology 101–106. The seven elective courses may be chosen from any of the upper-division courses listed for the psychology program at UCSD. B.S. students must choose an area of specialization (behavior analysis, biopsychology, clinical psychology, cognitive and cognitive neuropsychology, developmental psychology, sensation and perception, or social psychology), and three courses of the seven electives must be in the chosen area of concentration. In addition to the twelve upper-division courses, all B.S. Degree students must complete two research experience courses in the chosen area. Research experience courses will be comprised of a combination of laboratory courses and Psychology 199 (Independent Study). If two Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, they must be directed by the faculty within the chosen area of specialization and culminate in a research paper approved by the adviser and submitted to the Under- graduate Student Services Office in due time for graduation. 2XX. Graduate Seminar We encourage juniors and seniors with an overall 3.0 GPA or better to enroll in graduate seminars. Check the schedule of classes and contact the student affairs office for how to enroll. Honors Program for the B.S.The honors program is strongly recommended for all students interested in graduate schools. In general, the honors program for the B.S. is the same as for the B.A. except that only one 199 rather than two is required. NOTE: The senior thesis, if done with a faculty member affiliated with the chosen area of concentration, will satisfy the laboratory experience requirement. Successful completion of the honors program requires a grade of A– in Psychology 194 and a minimum GPA 3.5 in the upper-division courses taken for the major. Upper-Division Course Requirements for the B.S.Core courses of which five have to be taken for any area of concentration Psych 101 Intro to Developmental Psychology Areas of concentration and their associated courses are listed in alphabetical order below. (Subject to change—for additional qualifying courses, see the department’s Student Affairs Office, 1533 McGill Annex). Concentration in Behavior Analysis Behavior analysis is based on the principles of Pavlovian and operant conditioning, and other aspects of contemporary associative learning theory. It also includes the application of reinforcement principles and other behavior modification techniques in applied settings (applied behavior analysis). Courses: Concentration in Biopsychology This area studies how the nervous system mediates behavioral effects in the realms of motivation, perception, learning and memory, and attention. It also includes human neurophysiology and aphasia. Courses: Concentration in Clinical Psychology This area studies psychological and physiological causes of and treatments for mental illness in children and adults. Courses: Concentration in Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology
Courses: Concentration in Developmental Psychology This area studies all aspects of human development with emphasis on social and personality development, perceptual development, and language acquisition. Also includes the study of developmental psychopathology. Courses: (For additional qualifying courses, see the department’s Student Affairs Office, 1533 Mandler Hall.) Concentration in Sensation and Perception This area studies how our sense organs and brain make it possible for us to construct our consciously experienced representation of the environment. Experiments using stimuli and computer control are used to test models of sensory or perceptual processes. Processes of particular interest include color vision, motion perception, and auditory illusions and paradox. Courses: Concentration in Social Psychology This area studyies human behavior in social situations, with specialization in such topics as emotion, aggression, social cognition, and aesthetics. It also encompasses applied social psychology, including psychology and the law and behavioral medicine. Courses: AdvisingStudents are strongly encouraged to choose an adviser among the faculty. The Undergraduate Student Services Office will assist with the choice, office hours, or appointments. The student then plans her or his major program with the aid of the adviser. Such planning should take place in the student’s sophomore year or as soon as possible thereafter. Preparation for Graduate SchoolRegardless of the area of specialization that a student chooses to pursue, it is strongly advised that she or he obtain a strong general background in statistics and experimental methods through research with a faculty member. A recommended program of study to accomplish these goals is the following:
Quarterly, the Associated Students’ U.S. Grants Program awards funds to undergraduate students’ research independent of in-class projects. We encourage students to apply. Also, check the Web at http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/finaid/Scholarships/ucsdsch.htm, usgrants@ucsd.edu, and http://usgrants.ucsd.edu; or visit the U.S. Grants Office on the third floor of the Price Center room 3.346 for an application. Preparation for Graduate School in Clinical PsychologyThe above program is recommended for all students planning to go on to graduate school, including those interested in a clinical graduate program. Experience in research methodology and a general knowledge of psychology are considered the most important features and are preferred over a large number of courses in one particular area. Students are strongly advised not to take a large number of clinical courses in lieu of the recommended program of study listed above. The Minors ProgramThe minor in psychology consists of at least twenty-eight units (seven four-unit courses), of which at least twenty units (five four-unit courses) must be upper-division. At least four courses have to be taken at UCSD. If Psychology 60 (Statistics) is chosen as one of the lower-division courses, it, too, has to be taken for a letter grade. The application for a minor can be obtained from your college. Education AbroadStudents are often able to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UCSD’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) while still making progress toward the major. Students considering this option should discuss their plans with the director of Undergraduate Studies before going abroad, and courses taken abroad must be approved by the department. Information on EAP/OAP is detailed in the Education Abroad Program of the UCSD General Catalog. Interested students should contact the Program Abroad Office in the International Center. Transfer CreditIn general, all introductory courses in experimental psychology are accepted for lower-division credit toward a psychology minor. Lower-division courses covering special topics in psychology (e.g., personal adjustment, human sexuality) will be accepted only if: 1) the student had a general introductory course as a prerequisite, and 2) the student had satisfied this prerequisite before taking the special topics course. Advance Placement credit for Statistics is not sufficient for the psychology major. Upper-division psychology courses will be evaluated for transfer credit on a course by course basis. Elementary School TeachingMajoring in psychology offers excellent preparation for teaching in the elementary schools. If you are interested in earning a California teaching credential from UCSD, contact the Teacher Education Program (TEP) as early as possible in your academic career for information about the prerequisite and professional preparation requirements. Major Requirements for the Integrated B.S./M.A.An integrated program leading to a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in psychology is offered to those undergraduate students who are enrolled in any of the major programs offered in the Department of Psychology at UCSD. Qualified students are able to obtain the M.A. degree within one year following receipt of the B.S. Degree Students interested in applying to this program must meet with the B.S./M.A. adviser in the psychology student affairs office BEFORE the end of their junior year. The program is open only to UCSD undergraduates. Psychology does not have financial aid available for students enrolled in this program. Eligibility and EnrollmentTo be eligible, students must have completed the first two quarters of their junior year in residence at UCSD and must have an overall UCSD GPA of at least 3.0 and students’ major GPA should be at least 3.3. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to select a faculty member who would be willing to serve as the student’s adviser and in whose laboratory the student would complete at least twenty-four units of research over a two-year period. Twelve of the twenty-four units of research Psychology 194A-B-C or 196A-B-C) must be completed during the student’s senior undergraduate year and must be taken IN ADDITION to the requirements for the bachelor of science degree. There are two applications:
Requirements for the M.A.For an M.A. in psychology, students must pick a concentration in one of six areas: Behavioral, Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, Sensation and Perception, and Social. Students who have been approved (by both the Department of Psychology and UCSD Office of Graduate Studies) for the program must enroll in their graduate year in:
This amounts to forty units of graduate work. All courses must be completed with the grade of B+ or better. All course work is to be approved by the advisers (forms available from the Undergraduate Students Affairs Office). Students are expected to meet the graduate requirements for the M.A. in one year (three consecutive, contiguous, academic quarters, beginning in the fall after graduation). Any deviation from this plan, such as a break in enrollment for one or more quarters, will cause the student to be dropped from the program. All forms required for the program must be submitted and approved by the psychology undergraduate coordinator prior to each quarter of the graduate year. This includes the Application for Candidacy. Students must pay fees and be officially enrolled at UCSD during the quarter that the master’s degree is to be awarded. The thesis draft should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for review before the final copy is officially submitted. See the Undergraduate Students Affairs Office for further details. The Graduate ProgramThe Department of Psychology provides broad training in experimental psychology. Increased specialization and the general burgeoning of knowledge make it impossible to provide training in depth in every aspect of experimental psychology, but most aspects are represented in departmental research. PreparationApart from the general university requirements, the department generally expects adequate undergraduate preparation in psychology. A major in the subject, or at least a strong minor, is normally a prerequisite, but applicants with good backgrounds in such fields as biology and mathematics are also acceptable. Language RequirementsThere is no foreign language requirement. Graduate CurriculumAll students must fulfill all course requirements (stated below) while registered as graduate students in psychology at UCSD. There may occasionally be exceptions granted to this rule. Requests for exception should be in the form of petitions from students and their advisers to the Committee on Graduate Affairs. It is in the best interest of the student if these petitions are forthcoming at the time of admission to the graduate program. In this way, the committee, the students, and their advisers will all be aware of the course requirements before any of them are taken. Program of StudyCourses are divided into six areas: behavior analysis (including basic and applied), biopsychology (including neuropychology and neurophysiology), cognitive (including attention, language, and perception), developmental (including language acquisition), sensation and perception (including vision and audition), and social (including health and law). The Graduate Affairs Committee provides an approved list of courses from these areas. In the first year of study, each student must fulfill the following four requirements:
Any student whose needs cannot be reasonably met with courses conforming to these guidelines is encouraged to petition the Graduate Affairs Committee. The petition should contain a specific list of courses and a statement of justification and must be approved by the student’s adviser. Advancing to CandidacyIn order to advance to Ph.D. candidacy a student must:
The qualifying examination is divided into two sections to be taken separately by all students. Part I of the qualifying exam consists of a paper written by the student that is modeled after those published in Psychological Bulletin or Psychological Review. Ideally, the paper would consist of a detailed review and theoretical synthesis of a coherent body of research. The paper should demonstrate independent and original thinking on the part of the student, and should either take a theoretical stance or recommend experiments designed to resolve theoretical ambiguities (i.e., the paper should not merely review published research). Students form a qualifying committee in much the same way that they form a dissertation committee. The same rules apply, except that members from outside the department need not be included (although up to two may be). Once the committee is formed, the student should prepare a brief (e.g., three pages) proposal defining the area of research and the theoretical issues that will be addressed in the paper. A proposal meeting is then arranged (usually in spring quarter of the student’s second year), and committee members may at that time recommend changes in the scope of the paper and define their expectations. The paper does not have a prescribed length, although low-end and high-end limits of thirty and fifty pages, respectively, seem reasonable. An oral defense of the paper is required (and should be completed by the end of the student’s third year). Part II of the qualifying examination is the defense of the dissertation proposal. This will normally follow Part I of the qualifying examination and will be an oral examination including outside examiners. TeachingIn order to acquire adequate teaching experience, all student are required to participate in the teaching activities of the department for at least four years (one quarter for the first year and two quarters the second through the fourth year). ResidencyEach student must complete the requirements for qualification for candidacy for the Ph.D. Degree by the end of the third year of residence. Any student failing to qualify by this time will be placed on probation. A student who fails to qualify by the end of the spring quarter of the fourth year of residence will automatically be terminated from the department. No students may allow more than eight calendar years to elapse between starting the graduate program and completing the requirements for the Ph.D. Degree Students will automatically be terminated from the program at the end of the spring quarter of their eighth calendar year in the department. ResearchIn each year of graduate study all students are enrolled in a research practicum (Psychology 270 in the first year; Psychology 296 in subsequent years). Students are assigned to current research projects in the department and recieve the personal supervision of a member of the staff. Departmental Ph.D. Time Limit PoliciesStudents must be advanced to candidacy by the end of four years. Total university support cannot exceed eight years. Total registered time at UCSD cannot exceed eight years. |
