Brown University

Source: https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/psyc/ Parent: https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Fundamental to the study of psychology is analytic methods and critical thinking about the relation between theory and evidence. Studying psychology allows students to understand human and animal behavior, cognitive, perceptual, and developmental processes, motivation, identity, and the relations between well-being and society. Studying psychology also allows students insight into clinical applications of psychological science. Students in the concentration are required to take courses in quantitative methods and experimental design, become familiar with a set of foundational topics in the psychological sciences, and participate in seminars and laboratory courses on specialized topics and state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The concentration in psychology can prepare students for careers in research, teaching, clinical practice, business, law, marketing, and education, among many other professions. The general goal of the psychology concentration requirements is to provide students with a broad exposure to the different areas within psychological science, while also allowing students to explore some of those areas deeply.

Careers in Psychology and related fields require familiarity with statistics. Therefore, the Psychology concentration requires a course in Statistics (CPSY 0900).  CPSY 0900 is a prerequisite for research methods and laboratory courses, so concentrators should plan to take this course by their fourth semester.  Students may substitute for CPSY 0900 a comparable statistics course taught in another department, with the approval of a Psychology concentration advisor.  Consult with a concentration advisor for details. The department does not grant concentration credit for AP Statistics, regardless of score.  We strongly recommend fulfilling the statistics requirement as a sophomore.

Another element in the Psychology concentration is a course on research methods.  Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900) is the preferred course for fulfilling this requirement. This course builds on the introductory statistics course and exposes students to a variety of topics in the psychological sciences: to qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., observations, surveys, experiments), to common designs (e.g., factorial experimental, correlational, longitudinal), to research ethics, and to best practices of literature review. Other CPSY laboratory courses may be used to fulfill the research methods requirement; consult with a Psychology advisor for lists of approved courses. Laboratory or research methods courses in other departments cannot be used to fulfill the research methods requirement. The research methods requirement should be fulfilled before senior year.

Foundation

To provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in their area of concentration, the Psychology concentration requires five foundation courses, representing core areas of Psychology as a science. Foundation courses are all numbered below the 1000 level. The list of approved foundation courses is posted on the CPSY undergraduate page. CPSY courses above the 1000 level and courses in other departments, at any level, cannot be used to satisfy foundation requirements.

Electives

Concentrators will select four additional courses that examine in greater depth topics of special interest to them. The CPSY courses designed to count as electives will often have foundation courses as prerequisites. Electives can be chosen from laboratory courses, lecture courses, or seminars. At least two electives should be at the 1000 level in the CPSY department. In addition, students may choose up to two courses outside of CPSY (preferably at the 1000 level) as electives. Electives should fit into a coherent intellectual theme, and should be chosen in consultation with a concentration advisor.

Requirements for the A.B. degree

Honors Requirement

The Honors Program in Psychology gives undergraduates a special opportunity to carry out a research project under the direction of a faculty member.  The program also provides the opportunity for outstanding senior concentrators to receive their undergraduate degree with Honors. Participation in the program allows students to develop an understanding of research and acquire research skills and background.  

Candidates for Honors in Psychology must meet all of the requirements of the concentration as described above. Candidates submit their application for the program in semester 7.  We encourage students to seek out a potential faculty mentor prior to semester 7. Candidates for Honors must have completed the Statistics CPSY 0900 and Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900 or laboratory course) requirements before semester 7.  Please refer to the CPSY Honors Program page for detailed information about the specific requirements for the Honors program in Psychology.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Fundamental to the study of psychology is analytic methods and critical thinking about the relation between theory and evidence. Studying psychology allows students to understand human and animal behavior, cognitive, perceptual, and developmental processes, motivation, identity, and the relations between well-being and society. Studying psychology also allows students insight into clinical applications of psychological science. Students in the concentration are required to take courses in quantitative methods and experimental design, become familiar with a set of foundational topics in the psychological sciences, and participate in seminars and laboratory courses on specialized topics and state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The concentration in psychology can prepare students for careers in research, teaching, clinical practice, business, law, marketing, and education, among many other professions. The general goal of the psychology concentration requirements is to provide students with a broad exposure to the different areas within psychological science, while also allowing students to explore some of those areas deeply.

Common Core

Careers in Psychology and related fields require familiarity with statistics. Therefore, the Psychology concentration requires a course in Statistics (CPSY 0900).  CPSY 0900 is a prerequisite for research methods and laboratory courses, so concentrators should plan to take this course by their fourth semester.  Students may substitute for CPSY 0900 a comparable statistics course taught in another department, with the approval of a Psychology concentration advisor.  Consult with a concentration advisor for details. The department does not grant concentration credit for AP Statistics, regardless of score.  We strongly recommend fulfilling the statistics requirement as a sophomore.

Another element in the Psychology concentration is a course on research methods.  Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900) is the preferred course for fulfilling this requirement. This course builds on the introductory statistics course and exposes students to a variety of topics in the psychological sciences: to qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., observations, surveys, experiments), to common designs (e.g., factorial experimental, correlational, longitudinal), to research ethics, and to best practices of literature review. Other CPSY laboratory courses may be used to fulfill the research methods requirement; consult with a Psychology advisor for lists of approved courses. Laboratory or research methods courses in other departments cannot be used to fulfill the research methods requirement. The research methods requirement should be fulfilled before senior year.

Foundation

To provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in their area of concentration, the Psychology concentration requires five foundation courses, representing core areas of Psychology as a science. Foundation courses are all numbered below the 1000 level. The list of approved foundation courses is posted on the CPSY undergraduate page. CPSY courses above the 1000 level and courses in other departments, at any level, cannot be used to satisfy foundation requirements.

Electives

Concentrators will select four additional courses that examine in greater depth topics of special interest to them. The CPSY courses designed to count as electives will often have foundation courses as prerequisites. Electives can be chosen from laboratory courses, lecture courses, or seminars. At least two electives should be at the 1000 level in the CPSY department. In addition, students may choose up to two courses outside of CPSY (preferably at the 1000 level) as electives. Electives should fit into a coherent intellectual theme, and should be chosen in consultation with a concentration advisor.

Additional ScB Requirements in Psychology

To satisfy an ScB. in the Psychology concentration, one must satisfy all the AB requirements as well as take five (5) additional classes in STEM fields related to the concentration. The goal of this requirement is to provide students with a broader background in both the study of psychology and STEM fields in general. At least two (2) of those five classes must be in the CPSY Department. These two courses must be at the 1000-level. We strongly recommend that one of these courses be a laboratory course.

The other three classes can be from the following departments: APMA, BIOL, CSCI, CHEM, CPSY, MATH, NEUR, or PHYS. Courses from other STEM departments might be eligible with permission of your concentration advisor, but such courses must be related to a student’s other courses, such as their electives. All courses must also be acceptable for the concentration requirements of a concentration administered by that department. For example, if a PHYS course is used to satisfy one of these requirements, it must be acceptable for a concentration in the PHYS department. 

Requirements Specific for the Sc.B. degree

Honors Requirement

The Honors Program in Psychology gives undergraduates a special opportunity to carry out a research project under the direction of a faculty member.  The program also provides the opportunity for outstanding senior concentrators to receive their undergraduate degree with Honors. Participation in the program allows students to develop an understanding of research and acquire research skills and background.

Candidates for Honors in Psychology must meet all of the requirements of the concentration as described above. Candidates submit their application for the program in semester 7.  We encourage students to seek out a potential faculty mentor prior to semester 7. Candidates for Honors must have completed the Statistics CPSY 0900 and Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900, Research Methods CPSY 1901, or laboratory course) requirements before semester 7.  Please refer to the CPSY Honors Program page for detailed information about the specific requirements for the Honors program in Psychology.