2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
Psychology is the science of human and animal behavior. Psychology majors receive a broad science-based liberal arts education. As a result those with a B.S. in psychology are widely sought in business, education and in the mental health fields. For a professional career in psychology a graduate degree is needed.
The psychology curriculum at UF provides the student with a strong background to pursue that career path, as well as an entry into advanced professional schools (e.g., law, medicine, business, education).
The curriculum for the major in psychology curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of psychological knowledge both as a natural science and as a social science. Students interested majoring in psychology should take: PSY 2012; at least one of the 3000 level courses in psychology; STA 2023; BSC 2007, BSC 2008, or
BSC 2010; and either MAC 1147 or both MAC 1140 and MAC 1114. For more information contact psychology advising, psyadv@grove.ufl.edu or refer to the department website.
Majors should examine the Psychology Major Guidebook. Individual sections of the guidebook can be selected or a complete guidebook is available for downloading or printing. All majors are also encouraged to see a psychology adviser in the Psychology Building, Room 135.
Courses: Most of the foundation courses and the general laboratory course are offered each semester. Special topic and other advanced courses are offered less frequently. Fewer courses, especially laboratory courses, are offered in summer. Descriptions of current courses are available in the Psychology Advising Office, room 135.
Individual Work: In addition to regularly scheduled courses, the department offers four individual-work courses on a pass-fail basis: PSY 3912, PSY 4905, PSY 4949 and PSY 4970. Up to nine of these hours will count toward the 36 hours of required psychology courses for the major. In each case, a psychology faculty member or other approved professional serves as a supervisor.
Some of the research and community work opportunities for individual work courses PSY 3912, PSY 4905, PSY 4949 and PSY 4970 may be found on the department's Web site (www.psych.ufl.edu) under these links: "Undergraduate Program" and "Research and Volunteer Exp." For these and other research opportunities, students should contact individual supervisors. For the Community Work, PSY 4949 course, students should visit the Advising Office in room 135 for further information. Forms to register for all of these courses are available outside room 136, Psychology Building.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Electives : Consider minors in other social, natural or computer sciences and business, etc.
| Psychology |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Science |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Minor: No |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: www.psych.ufl.edu |
Psychology is the science of human and animal behavior. Psychology majors receive a broad science-based liberal arts education. As a result those with a B.S. in psychology are widely sought in business, education and in the mental health fields. For a professional career in psychology a graduate degree is needed.
The psychology curriculum at UF provides the student with a strong background to pursue that career path, as well as an entry into advanced professional schools (e.g., law, medicine, business, education).
The curriculum for the major in psychology curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of psychological knowledge both as a natural science and as a social science. Students interested majoring in psychology should take: PSY 2012; at least one of the 3000 level courses in psychology; STA 2023; BSC 2007, BSC 2008, or
BSC 2010; and either MAC 1147 or both MAC 1140 and MAC 1114. For more information contact psychology advising, psyadv@grove.ufl.edu or refer to the department website.
Critical-Tracking Courses
- PSY 2012 General Psychology,
- One additional psychology course,
- One of the foundation courses listed below,
- STA 2023,
- One of BSC 2007, 2008 or 2010, and
- Either MAC 1147 or both MAC 1140 and MAC 1114.
Course Distribution
- All critical-tracking courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- Introductory level - PSY 2012 or its equivalent. (A score of 3 or above in the AP psychology exam, for example.) A maximum of one additional 2000-level class can be included in the 36-hour total.
- Foundation level - Students choose a minimum of two courses from each group: Group A: CBH 3003, EAB 3002 or EAB 3764 (but not both to fulfill the Group A requirement), EXP 3104, EXP 3604, PSB 3004 or PSB 3340 (but not both). Group B: CLP 3144, DEP 3053, SOP 3004, PPE 3004.
- Laboratory courses - Take either the general laboratory PSY 3213L, or one of the following specialized laboratory courses: DEP 4704C, EAB 4022C, EAB 4714C, EAB 4724C, EXP 4174C, EXP 4934C, PPE 4324C, PSB 4104C, SOP 4214C. Students considering continuing in graduate school are strongly encouraged to take one of the specialized laboratory courses. Both the general and a specialized laboratory course may be taken.
- Choose enough additional courses from the 3000 (including those listed above under Group A and Group B), 4000 or 5000 levels in psychology to meet the 36-hour minimum.
- Senior Capstone Course - All students with catalog year 2007 or later are required during their senior year to take PSY 4049, Psychological Science and Practice, a one-credit course. Students with catalog years prior to this are strongly encouraged to take this course. Do not take PSY 4049 prior to the senior year.
- Statistics - Two courses in statistics are required: STA 2023 and STA 3024. STA 2023 is a prerequisite for all 4000/5000-level courses in psychology and should be taken before laboratory courses. STA 3024 should be taken before or concurrently with any specialized psychology laboratory.
- Mathematics - Achieve proficiency up through pre-calculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (MAC 1147). The combination of MAC 1114 and MAC 1140 may be substituted for MAC 1147.
- Biological Science - Completion of BSC 2007, 2008 or 2010 is required.
- It is strongly recommended that majors considering graduate school take PSY 3220, Communicating Psychological Science. This course replaces the previously recommended ENC 3254, Writing in the Discipline (psychology). PSY 3320 provides important preparation for writing research reports in the required laboratory courses and can also fulfill the second composition course required by the college. The course also enhances application to graduate and professional schools (e.g., writing an effective essay on the application form) and counts toward the psychology major. Students are encouraged to take the course as a junior or first-semester senior. Students who do not meet the prerequisites and need permission of the instructor to take the course should contact the psychology advising office, 135 psychology building.
Majors should examine the Psychology Major Guidebook. Individual sections of the guidebook can be selected or a complete guidebook is available for downloading or printing. All majors are also encouraged to see a psychology adviser in the Psychology Building, Room 135.
Courses: Most of the foundation courses and the general laboratory course are offered each semester. Special topic and other advanced courses are offered less frequently. Fewer courses, especially laboratory courses, are offered in summer. Descriptions of current courses are available in the Psychology Advising Office, room 135.
Individual Work: In addition to regularly scheduled courses, the department offers four individual-work courses on a pass-fail basis: PSY 3912, PSY 4905, PSY 4949 and PSY 4970. Up to nine of these hours will count toward the 36 hours of required psychology courses for the major. In each case, a psychology faculty member or other approved professional serves as a supervisor.
Some of the research and community work opportunities for individual work courses PSY 3912, PSY 4905, PSY 4949 and PSY 4970 may be found on the department's Web site (www.psych.ufl.edu) under these links: "Undergraduate Program" and "Research and Volunteer Exp." For these and other research opportunities, students should contact individual supervisors. For the Community Work, PSY 4949 course, students should visit the Advising Office in room 135 for further information. Forms to register for all of these courses are available outside room 136, Psychology Building.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Semester 1:
- 2.4 UF GPA required
- Complete MAC 1147 or MAC 1140
Semester 2:
- 2.6 UF GPA required.
- Complete at least 1 additional critical-tracking course - PSY 2012, BSC 2007 or BSC 2010, STA 2023, additional psychology course. If MAC 1140 is taken in semester 1, MAC 1114 must be taken in semester 2.
Semester 3:
- 2.7 UF GPA required
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with a 2.6 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
Semester 4
- 2.8 UF GPA required
- Complete STA 2023 with a 2.75 on all critical-tracking courses
Semester 5:
- Maintain 2.8 UF GPA
- Complete 1 additional psychology course (1 of the 3 psychology courses must be from a foundation course) with 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Electives | 3-0 |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15-14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| BSC 2007 Biological Sciences: Cells, Organisms and Genetics or BSC 2008 Biological Sciences: Evolution, Ecology and Behavior or BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (all GE-B) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Psychology course | 3 |
| Electives (3 credits of foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Physical Sciences (GE-P) | 3 |
| Psychology course | 3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| General or specialized psychology laboratory course (meets CLAS laboratory requirement) | 3-4 |
| 3000-level foundation psychology course | 3 |
| STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Biological Science (if not met through psychology courses [GE-B]) | 3 |
| PSY 3220 Communicating Psychological Science (WR) (recommended) | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Foundation psychology courses | 6 |
| Psychology course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Foundation psychology course | 3 |
| PSY 4905 Individual Work (optional) or psychology course at 3000 level or above | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| PSY 4049 Senior Capstone Course | 1 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| PSY 4970 Senior Thesis (optional) or psychology course at 3000 level or above | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Electives | 9-8 |
| Total | 15-14 |
Electives : Consider minors in other social, natural or computer sciences and business, etc.