Major
A core of basic courses is required of all majors. Beyond these core courses, students have considerable leeway in constructing the major. Students interested in specific applications or sub-disciplines within psychology should consult early with their advisors to plan the most appropriate sequence of courses.
Required courses:
1. PSYC 100–The Study of Behavior
2. PSYC 200–Research Methods I and PSYC 300–Research Methods II
3. NSCI 201–The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience or NSCI 204–Human Neurobiology
4. PSYC 219–Cognitive Psychology
5. At least two of the following:
- PSYC 211–Personality: Theory and Research
- PSYC 214–Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 216–Developmental Psychology or PSYC 217-Adolescence and the Transition to Adulthood
- PSYC 218–Social Psychology
6. At least two of the following:
- PSYC 301–Laboratory in Personality/Social Psychology
- PSYC 302–Developmental Psychology Laboratory
- PSYC 303–Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 304-Laboratory in Adolescent Psychology
- PSYC 305–Human Psychophysiology
- NSCI 211–Laboratory in Neuroscience; or NSCI 327–Neuropharmacology Laboratory and NSCI 324–Laboratory in Neuroanatomy, which together count as one laboratory toward this requirement.
7. One 400-level seminar in psychology (except for honors students and senior independent research students)
To count toward the Psychology major, all courses must be passed with grades of C-/CR/P or better. The minimum number of hours for the major is 34. A minimum of 26 hours must be earned in courses numbered 200 through 499, with at least 19 of these 26 hours completed at Oberlin. Note: students may receive major credit for both PSYC 216 and PSYC 217. However, only one can be used to fulfill requirement #5, above. Up to eight hours of Neuroscience courses from the following list can count toward the major: NSCI 201 or 204, 211, 319, 324, 325, 327, 331, 339, 341, and 525. Note, however, that only NSCI 201 or 204, 211, 324, and 327 count toward the abovementioned 26 hour requirement. PSYC 100 (or an approved equivalent) is a prerequisite to most Psychology courses numbered 200 and above. Any variation in meeting major requirements must be approved in writing by the chair of the Department of Psychology.
Students intending to major in Psychology should complete PSYC 100 in their first year. In order to prepare for laboratory courses as well as other research opportunities, prospective majors should plan to finish Research Methods I (PSYC 200) and II (PSYC 300) no later than second semester of their sophomore year. Majors who plan on graduate training in psychology are encouraged to take additional courses in mathematics, computer science, and the sciences. They should also consider carrying out independent research during their junior and/or senior years. Additionally, majors who plan on graduate training in clinical, counseling, health psychology, or industrial-organizational psychology should obtain field experience in their area during Winter Term or in summer jobs. All majors contemplating graduate training should consult with their advisors and/or other members of the Department early in their major.
Minor
The minor in psychology consists of the following courses, which must be passed with grades of C-/CR/P or better:
1. PSYC 100–The Study of Behavior
2. NSCI 201–The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience or NSCI 204–Human Neurobiology
3. PSYC 219–Cognitive Psychology
4. At least one of the following:
- PSYC 211–Personality: Theory and Research
- PSYC 214–Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 216–Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 217-Adolescence and the Transition to Adulthood
- PSYC 218–Social Psychology
5. PSYC 200–Research Methods
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