The Psychology curriculum provides a strong background to pursue careers in Psychology or to prepare students for entry into advanced professional schools such as law or medicine. The curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of psychological knowledge, both as a natural science and as a social science.

General Psychology requires courses in four core areas within the discipline as well as elective psychology courses.

requirements for the major 

Students in the general psychology specialization are required to complete 36 credits of psychology coursework, with 13-14 credits of related coursework in biological science, mathematics, and statistics for a total of 49-50 credits. Courses used toward the major must be earned with minimum grades of C.  At least 30 of the 36 credits must be at the 3000-level or above. At least 18 of the 36 credits must be taken at the University of Florida.

The course listing below does not represent an ordered sequence. More detailed Psychology Bachelor of Sciences curriculum course scheduling information is available on the department’s webpage.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Psychology BS Major Core Courses
Introductory level
PSY 2012	General Psychology	3
Laboratory course
PSY 3213L	Laboratory Methods in Psychology	3
Foundation level core
Each of the four foundation areas is an introduction to a substantive area of psychology. Select at least one course from each:		12
Biological Bases of Psychology
Students may not take both PSB 3002 and PSB 3340 under any circumstances.
CBH 3003	Comparative Psychology
EXP 3104	Sensory Processes
PSB 3002	Physiological Psychology 1
PSB 3340	Behavioral Neuroscience 1
Developmental Psychology
DEP 3053	Developmental Psychology
Learning and Cognition
EAB 3002	Principles of Behavior Analysis
EAB 3764	Applied Behavior Analysis
EXP 3604	Cognitive Psychology
Sociocultural / Individual Differences Approaches
CLP 3144	Abnormal Psychology
PPE 3003	Psychology of Personality
SOP 3004	Social Psychology
Psychology BS Major Core Courses		18
4000-level Psychology Electives
4000-level courses in the Psychology department (does not count individual work courses) 2		6
Additional Psychology Electives
3000/4000-level courses to meet the 36-credit minimum requirement. Three credits of 2000-level courses can count toward this requirement. Students can earn up to a maximum combined total of nine credits for Individual Work courses in their undergraduate careers, which would apply to this requirement. 3, 4		12
Total Credits		54

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Students may not take both PSB 3002 and PSB 3340 under any circumstances.

²

Students should plan on taking their 4000-level courses in Fall/Spring terms as there are limited offerings in Summer terms.

³

Two courses from the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies can also be utilized as part of the 12 additional psychology credits. These courses include, but might not be limited to, WST 3323, WST 3371, WST 4630, and WST 4704. Refer to the department’s website for more information about courses that can count towards the Additional Psychology Electives requirement.

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Students interested in completing an honors thesis should talk to an advisor early in their academic careers to ensure they leave room in their required 36 credits of Psychology to enroll in the appropriate honors course(s).

Students who wish to transfer courses in psychology toward the major must see an advisor in the department for approval.

Related Coursework

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Statistics
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1 1	3
STA 3024	Introduction to Statistics 2 2	3
Mathematics
Proficiency through precalculus is required.
MAC 1147	Algebra and Trigonometry	4
MAC 1140 & MAC 1114	Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry	5
Biological Science
Select ONE:
BSC 2005	Biological Sciences	3
BSC 2010	Integrated Principles of Biology 1	3

STA 2023 is a prerequisite for some 4000-level psychology and laboratory courses. STA 3024 must be taken before or concurrently with any specialized psychology laboratory, and it also counts toward the CLAS requirement of 3000-level electives not in the major. BSC 2010 is a prerequisite for PSSB3340.

Most of the foundation-level courses and the laboratory methods course are offered each semester. Special topic and other advanced courses are offered less frequently. Fewer courses are offered in Summer.

Recommended Coursework

In addition to regularly scheduled courses, the department offers six Individual Work (IW) courses. Students can earn up to a maximum combined total of nine credits for IW coursework in their undergraduate careers. More information about IW courses, credits, and requirements can be found on the department's website.
More Info

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Research
PCO 4911	Undergraduate Research in Psychology of Health Disparities	3
PSY 4911	Undergraduate Research in Psychology	3
PSY 4905	Individual Work	1-3
PSY 4970	Senior Thesis	1-3
Teaching
PSY 4940	Introduction to Teaching in Psychology	3
Community Work
PSY 4949	Internship in Psychology	1-3

In each case, a psychology faculty member must supervise the student’s work. In cases where the student is working with (being supervised by) a faculty member or professional that is not in Department of Psychology, then a psychology faculty member must sign on as a sponsor. Students can earn up to a maximum combined total of nine credits for individual work coursework in their undergraduate careers.
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Research

Research in Psychology means asking questions about behavior, designing and running experiments and collecting data regarding those questions, analyzing and interpreting the results, and communicating these results to colleagues. Developing research skills is encouraged, especially if students anticipate graduate school in Psychology or in other professional areas.

SONA: Research Participation Requirement

One of the Psychology Department’s goals is to familiarize students with the research process in psychology. Toward meeting this goal, students enrolled in PSY 2012, CLP 2001, and any 3000 level Psychology course must participate in experimental research studies (Option 1) or critically analyze scientific research articles (Option 2). This is done through a system called SONA. Specific requirements are posted in the course CANVAS and syllabus.

Advising Note

The SONA requirement is an important factor to consider when planning each semester. We recommend that you take no more than two psychology courses requiring research participation each semester.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

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: BSC 2005 or BSC 2010, MAC 1147 or MAC 1140 and MAC 1114, PSY 2012, PSY 3213L, and STA 2023.

Although not required in the first five semesters, additional psychology courses taken in semesters 1-5 count toward the critical-tracking GPA for the major.

Semester 1

• Complete MAC 1140 or MAC 1147
• 2.4 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete PSY 2012; if MAC 1140 is taken in semester 1, MAC 1114 must be taken semester 2
• 2.6 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 2 critical-tracking courses from BSC 2005 or BSC 2010, STA 2023 or PSY 3213L with a 2.6 critical-tracking GPA
  Students should take PSY 3213L in semester 3 or 4 before taking any additional 3000-level or above psychology courses.
• 2.7 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 and STA 2023 (if not previously taken) with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.8 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete PSY 3213L (if not previously taken) with 2.75 critical-tracking GPA. Additional Psychology courses taken in semesters 1-5 are included in the critical-tracking GPA.
• 2.8 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete 2 of the remaining PSY 3XXX/4XXX required courses
• Complete STA 3024

Semester 7

• Complete 2 of the remaining PSY 3XXX/4XXX required courses

Semester 8

• Complete all remaining PSY 3XXX/4XXX required courses

Students are expected to complete the Writing, Civic Literacy, summer enrollment, and Quest requirements while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S) as part of the CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows students additional flexibility in its Distribution Requirements. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits TOTAL from the CLAS Distribution course lists towards Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Biological and Physical Sciences, with no more than 3 credits of Humanities, 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Sciences, or 6 credits of Biological or Physical Sciences.

The full list of major-specific requirements for this major can be found on the Overview tab. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree requirements can be found on the college’s degree requirements page.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

STA3024 may count towards 3000-level or above electives outside of the major.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
PSY 2012	General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences))	3
Quest 1		3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1		4-5
Gen Ed Physical Sciences		3
	Credits	13-14
Semester Two
MAC 1147	Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics )	4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
Elective		3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1		3-5
State Core Gen Ed Humanities		3
	Credits	16-18
Semester Three
Select one:		3
BSC 2005	Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BSC 2010	Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
PSY 3213L	Laboratory Methods in Psychology (Critical Tracking; Naturual Sciences Laboratory) 1
Electives (or CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 option) 1		3
Gen Ed Humanities		6
	Credits	12
Semester Four
Quest 2		3
STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)	3
Foundation-level psychology courses		6
Gen Ed Physical Sciences		3
	Credits	15
Semester Five
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
Foundation-level psychology courses		6
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science		3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences		3
	Credits	15
Semester Six
STA 3024	Introduction to Statistics 2 (Critical Tracking)	3
Psychology elective (Critical Tracking; 4000-level)		3
Psychology elective (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above)		3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science		3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		3
	Credits	15
Semester Seven
Psychology elective (Critical Tracking; 4000-level)		3
Psychology elective (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above)		3
Gen Ed Humanities		3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		6
	Credits	15
Semester Eight
Psychology courses (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above)		6
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)		6
Electives		4
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	120

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CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

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The Bachelor of Science in Psychology enables students to achieve a high level of proficiency in the science of psychology, including the core natural and social science areas of psychology. Laboratory courses emphasize students' understanding of the design, analysis, and critical interpretation of psychological research. Students will also refine their core knowledge and understanding of psychological research with advanced coursework in statistics, biology, and mathematics.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Demonstrate satisfactory (minimum grade of C) performance on exams, papers, and other coursework for six credits in core psychology natural sciences (course prefixes CBH, EAB, EXP and PSB), six credits of core psychology social sciences (course prefixes CLP, DEP, SOP and PPE) and three or four credits of psychological research methodology, design, and analysis, as graded by department rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Critical knowledge of basic and applied aspects of core natural science areas within psychology as well as core social science areas within psychology.
2. Knowledge of the design, analysis, and interpretation of psychological research.

Critical Thinking

3. Review, interpret, and analyze the literature in psychological science.

Communication

4. Clearly and effectively present ideas in speech and in writing that contribute to the dissemination of advances in research in psychological science.

Curriculum Map

All courses available to students are listed in the table; however, students select six credits in core psychology natural sciences, six credits of core psychology social sciences and three to four credits in psychological research methodology, design, and analysis.

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 4

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4
DEP 4115	R
DEP 4163	R
DEP 4305	R
DEP 4464	R
DEP 4930	R
EAB 4184	R
EAB 4704	R
EXP 4504	R
PCO 3320	R
PCO 4104	R
PCO 4272	R
PCO 4930	R
PSB 3842	R
PSB 4240	R
PSB 4342	R
PSB 4434	R
PSB 4504	R
PSB 4654	R
PSB 4810	R
PSB 4823	R
PSB 4934	R
PSY 3220		R	R	R
PSY 3443	R
PSY 4604	R	R	R
PSY 4930	R
SOP 3842	R
SOP 4444	R
SOP 4504	R
SOP 4704	R
STA 3024		I, R
Natural Sciences
CBH 3003	I, R, A
EAB 3002	I, R, A
EAB 3764	I, R, A
EXP 3104	I, R, A
EXP 3604	I, R, A
PSB 3002	I, R, A
PSB 3340	I, R, A
Social Sciences
CLP 3144	I, R, A
DEP 3053	I, R, A
PPE 3003	I, R, A
SOP 3004	I, R, A
Laboratories
DEP 4704C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
EAB 4022C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
EAB 4714C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
EXP 4174C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
EXP 4934C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
PPE 4324C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
PSY 3213L		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
SOP 4214C		I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
Individual work in research, teaching, or community service
PSY 3912		R	R	R
PSY 4905	R
PSY 4940	R
PSY 4949	R
PSY 4970		R	R	R

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Papers

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