Psychology
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 mental health fields. For a professional career in psychology, a graduate degree is needed.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Minor: No
- Website: www.psych.ufl.edu/~undergrad
Overview
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 such as law or medicine.
The curriculum for the major in psychology 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.
Coursework for the Major
An undergraduate psychology major consists of a minimum of 36 semester hours in psychology as well as coursework in biological science, mathematics and statistics. At least 30 of the 36 hours must be in upper-division (3000 level or above) courses. At least 18 of the 36 hours must be taken at the University of Florida. To count toward the 36-hour total, a grade of C or better must be earned in each course, including critical-tracking courses.
Required Coursework
- Introductory level: PSY 2012 General Psychology (or its equivalent, such as a general psychology course taken elsewhere or a score of 3 or above on the AP psychology exam) is required
- Foundation level: These courses form the core of the major. Each is an introduction to one of the substantive areas of psychology. You must choose at least two courses from Group A and two courses from Group B.
- Group A consists of CBH 3003, EAB 3002 or EAB 3764 (but not both); EXP 3104, EXP 3604 and PSB 3002 or PSB 3340 (but not both).
- Group B consists of CLP 3144, DEP 3053, PPE 3003 and SOP 3004.
- Laboratory courses: Either the 3-credit general laboratory course (PSY 3213L) or one of the 4-credit specialized laboratory courses (DEP 4704C, EAB 4022C, EAB 4714C, EXP 4174C, EXP 4934C, PPE 4324C, PSB 4104C, SOP 4214C) are required. Both the general and a specialized laboratory course may be taken. Students considering continuing in graduate school are strongly encouraged to take one of the specialized laboratory courses.
- Additional courses: Students must choose enough additional courses from the 3000/4000/5000-level courses in psychology to meet the 36-hour minimum requirement (with the exception that three credits of 2000-level courses can count toward this requirement). Courses listed under Group A and B that are not used to count for the foundation-level requirement can be taken. In addition, up to nine credits of individual work courses (see below) will count toward the 36-hour minimum requirement.
- Individual work courses: In addition to regularly scheduled courses, the department offers five individual-work courses, three involving research (PSY 3912, PSY 4905 and PSY 4970), one involving teaching (PSY 4940) and one involving community work (PSY 4949). In each case, a psychology faculty member or other approved professional serves as a supervisor. More information is available or students can contact an adviser in the psychology advising office.
Related Coursework
- Statistics: Two statistics courses, STA 2023 and STA 3024, are required. STA 2023 is a prerequisite for some 4000-level courses in psychology as well as the laboratory courses. STA 3024 must also be taken before or concurrently with any specialized psychology laboratory, and it counts as a 3000-level or above elective not in the major.
- Mathematics: Proficiency through pre-calculus is required. One math course, MAC 1147 (Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry) or higher, will meet this requirement. 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.
All majors are encouraged to see a psychology adviser in 135 Psychology. No appointments are necessary; students can walk in during hours that the psychology advising office is open.
Most of the foundation-level 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.
Recommended Coursework
Although not required, it is strongly recommended that majors considering graduate school take PSY 3220 Communicating Psychological Science, which provides important preparation for writing research reports in the required laboratory courses and enhances application to graduate and professional schools (e.g., writing an effective essay on the application form). Students are encouraged to take the course as a junior or first-semester senior. Students who do not meet the prerequisites must contact the instructor for permission to take the course.
Relevant Minors and/or Certificates
Consider minors in other social, natural or computer sciences and business, etc.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plans
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
The following critical-tracking courses are required:
- PSY 2012 General Psychology
- One additional psychology course
- One of the foundation-level courses listed below (i.e., Group A or B)
- STA 2023
- One of BSC 2007, 2008 or 2010
- Either MAC 1147 or both MAC 1140 and MAC 1114
Semester 1
- 2.4 UF GPA required
- Complete MAC 1140 or MAC 1147
Semester 2
- 2.6 UF GPA required
- Complete at least 1 additional critical-tracking course: PSY 2012, (BSC 2007 or BSC 2008 or BSC 2010), STA 2023 or an 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 a foundation-level course) with 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry | 4 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| 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 |
| Electives (3 credits of foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 6 |
| Foundation-level psychology course | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Foundation-level psychology course | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 (GE-M) (counts as a 3000-level or above elective, not in the major) | 3 |
| Biological Science (if not met through psychology courses) (GE-B) | 3 |
| Foundation-level psychology courses | 6 |
| General or specialized psychology laboratory course (meets CLAS laboratory requirement) | 3-4 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Composition (PSY 3220 Communicating Psychological Science recommended; GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Psychology courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Psychology courses (3000 level or above) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Psychology course (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) | 3 |
| Electives | 10-6 |
| Total | 16-12 |