UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002	[ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]

The Department of Psychology is designed to function as part of the liberal arts education program of CAS. It is not able to provide training in specific skills related to the care and treatment of people with psychological problems. Most of the courses offered by the department are oriented toward theory, methods of investigation, and results of scientific studies. Majors can choose a general degree in psychology or apply for a concentration in either developmental or cognitive psychology. Students who graduate with the general degree will have a broad background in psychology that includes an understanding of the scientific method. The flexibility in the general degree allows students either to sample many areas of psychology or to focus on a particular area of interest. For more information on the department and its programs, see http://www.pitt.edu/~psych/.

• Major Requirements

  Psychology majors are required to complete 29 credits in psychology, four credits in statistics, and 13 credits of corequirements. The distribution of the psychology credits is as follows:

  • Foundation Courses
    • PSY 0010 (Introduction to Psychology) or 0015 (Foundations of Psychology)
    • STAT 0200 (Basic Applied Statistics) or 1000 (Applied Statistical Methods)
    • PSY 0035 (Research Methods).

  • Core Courses
    • Students choose one course from each of the following four pairs for a total of four core courses:
      • PSY 0105 (Introduction to Social Psychology) or 0160 (Psychology of Personality)
      • PSY 0310 (Developmental Psychology) or 0315 (Comparative Animal Behavior)
      • PSY 0405 (Learning and Motivation) or 0420 (Human Cognition and Learning)
      • PSY 0505 (Introduction to Biopsychology) or 0510 (Sensation and Perception)

  • 1000-level Courses

    Students take three 1000-level courses, one of which may be PSY 1900 (Supervised Field Placement), 1902 (Directed Reading) or 1903 (Directed Research).

  • Psychology majors must follow these rules and requirements:
    • Psychology majors must maintain at least an average QPA of 2.00 for departmental courses.
    • Although the psychology department permits its majors to elect the S/N grading option for any psychology course, students are reminded that some graduate and professional schools and some employers may prefer to see standard grades on the transcript.
    • Majors must take one of the W-courses offered within the department. PSY 0035 (Research Methods) is offered every term and is a W-course.
    • Students should consult a psychology advisor when deciding on a related area.
    • Honors in psychology may be earned in conjunction with either the general degree or one of the concentrations described below.

• Concentrations: Cognitive Psychology and Developmental Psychology

  The concentrations are designed for highly motivated students who wish to specialize in an area of psychology. The department currently offers two concentrations, one in cognitive psychology and one in developmental psychology. The requirements for the concentrations build on the general degree requirements. Core course options vary slightly, and each concentration requires (specific) additional 1000-level courses. Also, both concentrations require the completion of a one-credit senior seminar "capstone" course, and maintenance of a 3.00 overall psychology QPA. Concentration requirements may be obtained from the Psychology Advising Office.

  Students interested in one of the concentrations must submit an application and meet two eligibility criteria: an overall QPA of 3.25, and a B grade or higher in the prerequisite course specific to the concentration. Students who do not meet these requirements are encouraged to apply for an exception. Students interested in applying for one of the concentrations should meet with a psychology advisor, even if they have not officially declared their major.

UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002	[ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]