The psychology curriculum at UF 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.

Students in the psychology major can specialize in general psychology, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and behavior analysis. All specializations require coursework in psychology, statistics, mathematics, and biology, and all offer the option to conduct a senior honors thesis if desired. The specializations vary in the specific courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. General psychology requires courses in four core areas within the discipline as well as elective psychology courses. Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience focuses more specifically on natural science-oriented psychology courses and allows students to take limited approved non-psychology courses relevant to contemporary neuroscience. This specialization also requires more math and biology courses than general psychology. Behavior analysis also focuses more specifically on natural science-oriented psychology courses and how the environment around an organism can be modified to change behavior.

Required Coursework

Students in the behavior analysis specialization are required to complete 36 credits of psychology coursework with minimum grades of C. At least 30 of the 36 credits must be at the 3000-level or above.

• 3 credits, introductory level: PSY 2012 (or equivalent, such as a general psychology course taken elsewhere or credit by exam for PSY 2012 via AP, IB, AICE).
• 12 credits, behavior analysis courses:

• EAB 3002
• EAB 3764
• EAB 4184
• EAB 4930

• 3 credits, laboratory course: PSY 3213L
• 4 credits, laboratory course: EAB 4714C
• 14 credits additional psychology courses: Students must choose additional 3000/4000-level psychology courses to meet the 36-credit minimum requirement (with the exception that three credits of 2000-level courses can count toward this requirement). In addition, up to nine credits of individual work courses will count toward the 36-credit minimum requirement. Students can also take designated courses in the Women’s Studies as part of the 14 elective credits (WST 3323, WST 3371, WST 4704).

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

Related Coursework

Statistics

STA 2023 and STA 3024 are also required. 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.

Mathematics

Proficiency through precalculus is required. MAC 1147 (or higher course) will meet this requirement. The combination of MAC 1114 and MAC 1140 may be substituted for MAC 1147.

Biological Science

BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 is required.

All majors are encouraged to see a psychology advisor in 135 Psychology Building. No appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Advising office hours

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.

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
• 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 two of the remaining EABxxx/4xxx required courses
• Complete STA 3024

Semester 7

• Complete two of the remaining EABxxx/4xxx required courses

Semester 8

• Complete all remaining EAB 4xxx required courses

Students are expected to complete the writing 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).

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.

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.

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 choose 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

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Papers