Behavior Analysis

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 Bachelor of Science 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 Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Psychology is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the generation of psychological science and to its application and dissemination. The department is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory environment.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.0601 (tel) | 352.392.7985 (fax)

P.O. Box 112250
114 PSYCHOLOGY BUILDING
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-2250
Map

 Curriculum

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.

Behavior Analysis focuses more specifically on natural science-oriented psychology courses and how the environment around an organism can be modified to change behavior.

Requirements for the Major

Students in the Psychology behavior analysis specialization are required to complete 36 credits of psychology coursework and with 13 credits of related coursework in biological science, mathematics, and statistics for a total of 48 credits. Courses used towards the major must be completed 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.  Students can view more detailed Behavior Analysis curriculum course scheduling information in the Model Semester Plan or on the department’s website.

Psychology Behavior Analysis Major Core Courses
Introductory level
PSY 2012General Psychology3
Laboratory course
PSY 3213LLaboratory Methods in Psychology3
Behavior Analysis courses
EAB 3002Principles of Behavior Analysis3
EAB 3764Applied Behavior Analysis3
EAB 4184Behaviorism and Contemporary Society3
EAB 4930Advanced Seminar in Behavior Analysis3
or EAB 4741 Organizational Behavior Management
Behavior Analysis Laboratory course
EAB 4714CLaboratory in Applied Behavior Analysis 14
Psychology Behavior Analysis Major Electives
3000/4000-level Psychology 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. 2, 314
Total Credits36
1

There are two alternatives for the EAB 4714C Laboratory in Applied Behavior Analysis requirement. One is to take an additional 4000-level EAB course (listed above) as well as either PSY 4911 or PSY 4905 that is supervised or sponsored by a Behavior Analysis faculty member for one or more credits. The other opportunity is to take PSY 4905 for four credits (would require enrollment in PSY 4905 in two semesters) that is supervised or sponsored by a Behavior Analysis faculty member. 

2

Two courses from the Women's Studies department can also be utilized as part of the 14 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.
More Info 

3

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

Statistics
STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 1 13
STA 3024Introduction to Statistics 2 23
Mathematics
Proficiency through precalculus is required.
MAC 1147Algebra and Trigonometry 34
MAC 1140
MAC 1114
Precalculus Algebra
and Trigonometry
5
Biological Science
Select ONE:
BSC 2005Biological Sciences3
BSC 2010Integrated Principles of Biology 13
Total Credits21
1

STA 2023 is a prerequisite for some 4000-level psychology and laboratory courses. 

2

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.

3

The combination of MAC 1114 (Trigonometry; 2 credits) and MAC 1140 (Precalculus Algebra; 3 credits) may be substituted for MAC 1147

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.

Research
PCO 4911Undergraduate Research in Psychology of Health Disparities3
PSY 4911Undergraduate Research in Psychology3
PSY 4905Individual Work1-3
PSY 4970Senior Thesis1-3
Teaching
PSY 4940Introduction to Teaching in Psychology3
PSY 4949Internship in Psychology1-3

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.
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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:

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

Semester 2

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

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 two of the remaining EAB XXXX/4XXX required courses
  • Complete STA 3024

Semester 7

  • Complete two of the remaining EAB XXXX/4XXX required courses

Semester 8

  • Complete all remaining EAB 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.

STA 3024 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 OneCredits
Quest 1 3
PSY 2012 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)) 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 4-5
 Credits13-14
Semester Two
MAC 1147 Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences Elective 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3-5
 Credits16-18
Semester Three
Select one: 3
Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Laboratory Methods in Psychology (Critical Tracking; Natural Science Laboratory ) 1
Select one Behavior Analysis course: 3
Principles of Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Electives (or CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 option) 1 3
 Credits12
Semester Four
Quest 2 3
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Select one Behavior Analysis course: 3
Principles of Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Psychology elective 3
Gen Ed Humanities Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science 3
Psychology elective 6
 Credits15
Semester Six
STA 3024 Introduction to Statistics 2 (Critical Tracking) 3
Select one Behavioral Analysis course: 3-4
Behaviorism and Contemporary Society
Laboratory in Applied Behavior Analysis
Advanced Seminar in Behavior Analysis
Psychology elective 3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 6
 Credits15-16
Semester Seven
Psychology electives 3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 6
Elective 4
Select one Behavior Analysis course: 3-4
Laboratory in Applied Behavior Analysis
Behaviorism and Contemporary Society
Advanced Seminar in Behavior Analysis
 Credits16-17
Semester Eight
Complete Remaining Behavioral Analysis courses not previously taken: 3-4
Laboratory in Applied Behavior Analysis
Behaviorism and Contemporary Society
Advanced Seminar in Behavior Analysis (Behavior Analysis course )
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) 3
Electives 6
 Credits15-16
 Total Credits120
1

CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement


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

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

Communication

  1. 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

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