Skip to main content
General Catalog General Catalog
  1. HOME
  2. curric
  3. Psychology

Psychology

[ graduate program | courses | faculty ]

1533 Mandler Hall
http://psychology.ucsd.edu

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.

The Undergraduate Program

Major Programs

The UC San Diego Department of Psychology emphasizes research in the experimental and theoretical analysis of human and animal behavior, and the study of the mind. Students who major in psychology can expect to develop knowledge in a broad range of content areas, as well as basic skills in experimental and analytic procedures. We offer courses in all major areas of experimental psychology, with areas of specialization in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, psychology of human health, sensation and perception, and social psychology; a major in business psychology; and a joint major with the Department of Cognitive Science, in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Students who are interested in considering a major in psychology, or who have declared a major are highly encouraged to consult with the Psychology Student Affairs Office to ensure full understanding of the major requirements.

Degrees offered include:

Students majoring in psychology must have departmental approval for electives taken outside the department. We recommend consulting the Department of Psychology before enrolling in courses offered by other departments. It is recommended that all students seek additional advising from faculty and advising staff to determine whether additional course work in mathematics, programming, physical or biological sciences, philosophy, or in any other discipline may be valuable, given students’ specific academic or professional goals after graduation.

Lower-Division Course Requirements for the BA

Experimental psychology uses scientific tools and concepts: knowledge of formal systems such as logic or calculus, probability theory, computer science, chemistry, biology, physics, and statistics. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.

Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Meeting these requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper-division psychology courses.

Lower-Division Requirements (twenty-four units)

Two Natural Science Courses (choose two of the following)

  • BILD: 1, 2, 3, 10, 12**, 20, 26 (BILD 22 is NOT accepted.)
  • CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
    *Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit.
  • COGS: 17**
  • PHYS: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11
  • PSYC: 2**
    **Only one of BILD 12, COGS 17, or PSYC 2 may be counted toward this requirement.

Two Formal Skills Courses

  • PSYC 70
    And choose one of the following:
  • MATH 10A or 20A
  • PHIL 10 or 12
    Students who are interested in fields that may require calculus are advised to take the MATH 10 series.

One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)

  • COGS 18*
  • CSE 3, 5A, 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
  • ECE 15*
  • MAE 5, 8*
    *Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in psychology.

One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)

  • PSYC 60 (preferred)
  • BENG 100
  • BIEB 100
  • COGS 14B
  • ECON 120A
  • MATH 11, 181A, 183, 186

BA Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

Four Psychology Core Courses (choose four of the following)

  • PSYC: 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108

Eight Upper-Division Psychology Elective Courses (choose eight of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
  • PHIL 137*, 149*
    *Only one of these courses can count toward the psychology elective requirement.
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BA Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 formal skills

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

1 computer programming

Year 3

    

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

Year 4

    

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

Major Regulations
  • Classes toward this major must be taken for a letter grade. The only exceptions are natural science, computer programming, formal skills, PSYC 195 (up to one by petition), and AIP 197 (up to one by petition).
  • Graduate courses (2XX) are not generally accepted for credit toward the major, but petitions for exceptions will be considered.
  • A maximum of three upper-division psychology courses may be taken outside UC San Diego.
  • A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.

Lower-Division Course Requirements for all BS Majors in Psychology

This includes the following majors:

  • Psychology Bachelor of Science
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Human Health
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Social Psychology

Experimental psychology uses scientific tools and concepts: knowledge of formal systems such as logic or calculus, probability theory, computer science, chemistry, biology, physics, and statistics. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.

Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Meeting these requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper-division psychology courses.

Lower Division Requirements (thirty-two units)

Three Natural Science Courses (choose three of the following)

  • BILD: 1, 2, 3, 10, 12**, 20, 26 (BILD 22 is NOT accepted.)
  • CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
    *Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit.
  • COGS: 17**
  • PHYS: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11
  • PSYC: 2**
    **Only one of BILD 12, COGS 17, or PSYC 2 may be counted toward this requirement.

Three Formal Skills Courses

  • PSYC 70
  • MATH 10A or 20A
  • MATH 10B or 20B
    *Students who are interested in fields that may require advanced calculus are advised to take the MATH 20 series.

One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)

  • COGS 18*
  • CSE 5A, 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
  • ECE 15*
  • MAE 5, 8*
    *Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in psychology.

One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)

  • PSYC 60 (preferred)
  • BENG 100
  • BIEB 100
  • COGS 14B
  • ECON 120A
  • MATH 11, 181A, 183, 186
Major Regulations
  • Classes toward this major must be taken for a letter grade. The only exceptions are natural science, computer programming, formal skills, PSYC 99, PSYC 195 (up to one by petition), AIP 197 (up to one by petition), and PSYC 199.
  • Graduate courses (2XX) are not generally accepted for credit toward the major, but petitions for exceptions will be considered.
  • A maximum of three upper-division psychology courses may be taken outside UC San Diego.
  • A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.

Research Requirement for All BS Majors in Psychology (eight units)

This includes the following majors:

  • Psychology Bachelor of Science
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Human Health
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception
  • Psychology Bachelor of Science with a Specialization in Social Psychology

The research requirement may be satisfied in the lower division, in the upper division, or partially in the lower division and partially in the upper division.

Two Research Experience Courses

  • PSYC 71, 81, 99**, 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 193L, 194A-B-C*, 199**
    *Successful completion of PSYC 194A-B-C fully satisfies the research requirement.
    **If the research experience requirement is fully satisfied by PSYC 99 and/or PSYC 199, one of these must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than 3:00 p.m. Thursday of the final exam week of the student’s graduating quarter.

BS Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

Four Psychology Core Courses (choose four of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108

Eight Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose eight of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC research

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

The clinical psychology specialization provides instruction in the psychological and physiological causes of and treatments for mental illness in children and adults.

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

One Psychology Core Course in Specialization

  • PSYC 100

Three Additional Psychology Core Courses (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108

Three Upper-Division Psychology Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 116, 124, 125, 132, 133, 134, 151, 154, 155, 168, 172, 184, 188, 190

Five Additional Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose five of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

PSYC 100

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC research

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

Cognitive psychology includes understanding reasoning, thinking, language, judgment, and decision making in adults and children (including attention, memory, and visual and auditory information processing).

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

One Psychology Core Course in Specialization

  • PSYC 105

Three Additional Psychology Core Courses (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108

Three Upper-Division Psychology Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 123, 128, 129, 137, 141, 142, 144, 145, 146, 148, 152, 156, 161, 170, 171, 174, 176, 187, 191

Five Additional Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose five of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

PSYC 105

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC research

 

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

Developmental psychology entails all aspects of human development with emphases on social and personality development, perceptual development, and language acquisition. This specialization also includes the study of developmental psychopathology.

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

One Psychology Core Course in Specialization

  • PSYC 101

Three Additional Psychology Core Courses (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108

Three Upper-Division Psychology Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 136, 146, 147, 152, 156, 158, 168, 172, 180, 187, 190

Five Additional Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose five of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

PSYC 101

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC research

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Psychology with a Specialization in Human Health Upper-Division Course Requirements

Health psychology focuses on understanding how psychological, biological, and environmental factors interact to jointly influence human health. Topics include addiction, impulsive behavior, and issues related to cognitive control.

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

Three Psychology Core Courses in Specialization

  • PSYC 100, 101, 104

One Additional Psychology Core Course (choose one of the following)

  • PSYC 102, 105, 106, 108

Three Upper-Division Psychology Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 123, 124, 130, 132, 133, 134, 154, 155, 168, 169, 171, 172, 179, 181, 184, 188, 191

Five Additional Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose five of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Human Health

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

PSYC 100

PSYC 101

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

PSYC 104

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC Research

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Psychology with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception Upper-Division Course Requirements

Sensation and perception is the study of how our sense organs and brain allow us to construct our consciously experienced representation of the environment. Experiments using computer-controlled stimuli are used to test models of sensory or perceptual processes. Processes of particular interest include color vision, motion perception, and auditory illusions and paradoxes.

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

One Psychology Core Course in Specialization

  • PSYC 102

Three Additional Psychology Core Courses (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108

Three Upper-Division Psychology Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 128, 129, 138, 150, 159, 169, 174, 182

Five Additional Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose five of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

PSYC 102

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC research

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Psychology with a Specialization in Social Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

Social psychology is the study of human behavior in social situations. The specialization focuses on topics including emotion, aggression, and social cognition. It also encompasses applied social psychology, including psychology and the law and behavioral medicine.

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-eight units)

One Psychology Core Course in Specialization

  • PSYC 104

Three Additional Psychology Core Courses (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 101, 102, 105, 106, 108

Three Upper-Division Psychology Courses in Specialization (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 114, 130, 137, 139, 141, 147, 152, 153, 155, 157, 158, 162, 164, 172, 176, 178, 187, 190

Five Additional Upper-Division Psychology Courses (choose five of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Psychology with a Specialization in Social Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

 

Year 3

    

PSYC 104

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 UD PSYC elective

 

 

1 PSYC research

Year 4

    

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 PSYC area of specialization

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 UD PSYC elective

1 PSYC research

 

 

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

BS Business Psychology

The BS in business psychology develops skills to understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. Students will study aspects of human behavior in the workplace, such as how consumers choose, how people work, and how they make decisions in groups and business settings. Students may choose to complete a twelve-unit concentration in marketing, STEM, or operations.

Lower-Division Course Requirements for the BS in Business Psychology

Business psychology entails a strong foundation of statistical and research methods training, as well as knowledge of formal systems such as calculus, computer programming, and understanding of natural science and how it applies to larger individual and organizational structures and functions. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.

Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Meeting these requirements will provide an adequate background for the topics of upper-division business psychology courses.

Lower-Division Requirements (forty units)

Three Natural Science Courses (choose three of the following)

  • BILD: 1, 2, 3, 10, 12**, 20, 26 (BILD 22 is NOT accepted.)
  • CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
    *Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit.
  • COGS: 17**
  • PHYS: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11
  • PSYC: 2**
    **Only one of BILD 12, COGS 17, or PSYC 2 may be counted toward this requirement.

 Three Formal Skills Courses

  • MATH 10A or 20A
  • MATH 10B or 20B
  • PSYC 70
    *Students who are interested in fields that may require advanced calculus are advised to take the MATH 20 series.

One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)

  • COGS 18*
  • CSE 5A, 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
  • ECE 15*
  • MAE 5, 8*
    *Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in psychology.

One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)

  • PSYC 60 (preferred)
  • MGT 3
  • BENG 100
  • BIEB 100
  • COGS 14B
  • ECON 120A
  • MATH 11, 181A, 183, 186

Two Business Fundamentals Courses

  • MGT 16
  • MGT 18
Research Requirement for BS in Business Psychology (eight units)

Two Research Experience Courses
Choose one of the options below:

  • MGT 52 and MGT 153
  • 2 PSYC 199s*
  • 2 MGT 199s*
  • 1 PSYC 199 and 1 MGT 199*
  • PSYC 194A-B-C

*If the two research courses are 199s, at least one of them must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the Psychology Student Affairs Office no later than 3:00 p.m. Thursday of the final exam week of the student’s graduating quarter. Business psychology students are encouraged to seek 199s with Rady faculty.

BS Business Psychology Upper-Division Course Requirements

Upper-Division Requirements (forty-four units)

Two Psychology Core Courses in Business Psychology

  • PSYC 104
  • PSYC 105

Two Additional Psychology Core Courses (choose two of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 101, 102, 106, 108

Three to Four Business Courses (choose twelve units of the following)

Students may choose to take electives in the same functional area and thus have a concentration in marketing, STEM, or operations. Alternatively, they may choose to elect courses spanning areas, opting for no concentration.

Marketing Concentration

  • MGT 103. Product Marketing and Management
  • MGT 105. Product Promotion and Brand Management
  • MGT 106. Sales and Sales Management
  • MGT 129.* Interpersonal Communication at Work (two units)
  • MGT 154. Advanced Business Research
  • MGT 162. Negotiation (two units)
  • MGT 164. Business and Organizational Leadership

STEM Concentration

  • MGT 121A. Innovation to Market A
  • MGT 121B. Innovation to Market B
  • MGT 127. Innovation and Technology Strategy
  • MGT 128. Innovation in Service Enterprises
  • MGT 129.* Developing an Entrepreneurial Workforce (two units)
  • MGT 129.* Interpersonal Communication at Work (two units)
  • MGT 154. Advanced Business Research (proposed)
  • MGT 162. Negotiation (two units)
  • MGT 164. Business and Organizational Leadership
  • MGT 167. Social Entrepreneurship 
  • MGT 172. Business Project Management
  • MGT 173. Project Management Health Services

Operations Concentration

  • MGT 117. Business Law
  • MGT 129.* Interpersonal Communication at Work (two units)
  • MGT 154. Advanced Business Research (proposed)
  • MGT 162. Negotiation (two units)
  • MGT 164. Business and Organizational Leadership
  • MGT 171. Production and Service Operations Management
  • MGT 174. Operations Management
  • MGT 175. Supply Chain Management
    *These are topics courses for which only the specific topics listed above will be counted toward the major.

Three Additional Psychology Electives in Business Psychology (choose three of the following)

  • PSYC 120. Learning and Motivation
  • PSYC 129. The Logic of Perception
  • PSYC 130. Delay of Gratification
  • PSYC 137. Social Cognition
  • PSYC 143. Control and Analysis of Human Behavior
  • PSYC 147. Gender
  • PSYC 148. Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making*
  • PSYC 151. Tests and Measurement*
  • PSYC 152. Conceptions of Intelligence
  • PSYC 153. Psychology of Emotion
  • PSYC 154. Behavior Modification
  • PSYC 157. Happiness
  • PSYC 158. Interpersonal Relationships
  • PSYC 161. Engineering Psychology
  • PSYC 162. Psychology and the Law
  • PSYC 173. Psychology of Food and Behavior
  • PSYC 176. Creativity
  • PSYC 178. Industrial/Organizational Psychology*
  • PSYC 184. Choice and Self-Control
  • PSYC 187. Development of Social Cognition
    *Students must choose at least one of these courses.

One Open Elective in Psychology (choose one of the following)

  • PSYC 100–193
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Business Psychology

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

 

 

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

1 computer programming

1 natural science

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

 

PSYC 60

PSYC 70

MGT 18

MGT 16

Year 3

 

 

PSYC 104

PSYC 105

1 Bus PSYC MGT

1 PSYC core

1 PSYC core

1 Bus PSYC elective

1 Research

Year 4

 

 

1 Bus PSYC MGT

1 Bus PSYC MGT

1 UD PSYC elective

1 Bus PSYC elective

1 Research

1 Bus PSYC elective

In addition to major requirements, students must complete college and university general-education requirements to graduate.

Major Regulations
  • Classes toward this major must be taken for a letter grade. The only exceptions are natural science, computer programming, formal skills, PSYC 195 (up to one by petition), AIP 197 (up to one by petition), PSYC 199, and MGT 199.
  • Graduate courses (2XX) are not generally accepted for credit toward the major, but petitions for exceptions will be considered.
  • A maximum of three upper-division courses toward the major may be taken outside UC San Diego.
  • A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.

BS Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN)

The BS in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience (CBN) is a major jointly administered by the Departments of Psychology and Cognitive Science. Cognitive and behavioral neuroscience seeks to determine, understand, and examine the links between neural activity and perception (e.g., color vision, attention), basic behaviors (e.g., appetitive drives such as hunger and sleep), and higher level cognitive function (e.g., working memory and executive function) using multiple tools ranging from single-unit physiology to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG).

Lower-Division Course Requirements for the BS in CBN

Cognitive and behavioral neuroscience uses scientific tools and concepts—knowledge of formal systems such as calculus, computer programming, understanding of basic neurobiology, and additional knowledge in chemistry, biology, physics, and statistics. Accordingly, students in upper-division courses must have an adequate background in these topics. Prerequisites for individual courses are specified in the catalog.

Lower-division courses for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. These requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper-division CBN courses.

Lower-Division Requirements (thirty-six units)

Three Natural Science Courses

  • COGS 17

Plus choose two of the following

  • BILD 1, 2, 3, 10, 20, 26 (BILD 12 and 22 are NOT accepted.)
  • CHEM 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, 13
    *Only one of CHEM 4 or 11 can be taken for credit.
  • PHYS 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 10, 11

 Four Formal Skills Courses

  • MATH 10A or 20A*
  • MATH 10B or 20B*
  • MATH 10C OR 20C*
  • PSYC 70 or COGS 14A
    *Preferred calculus courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue mathematically intensive areas of CBN.

One Computer Programming Course (choose one of the following)

  • COGS 18*
  • CSE 7*, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
    *Preferred computer programming courses critical for the success of students who plan to pursue research careers in cognitive science or psychology.

One Statistics Course (choose one of the following)

  • PSYC 60
  • COGS 14B

By petition, MATH 11 will be accepted for the major.

Upper-Division Requirements (fifty-six units)

Four CBN Core Courses

  • COGS 107A
  • PSYC 102 or COGS 101A
  • PSYC 106 or COGS 107B
  • PSYC 108 or COGS 107C

Two Research Experience Courses (choose two of the following)

  • PSYC 114, 115A, 115B, 116, 117, 121, 140, 193L, 194A-B-C*, 199**
  • COGS 102B, 102C, 118B, 119, 120, 121, 153, 160 (must pre-approve), 189, 190A-B-C*, 199**
    *Successful completion of either COGS 190A-B-C or PSYC 194A-B-C fully satisfies the research experience requirement.
    **If the two research courses are 199s, at least one of them must culminate in a research paper approved by the faculty adviser and be submitted to the corresponding department's Student Affairs Office prior to graduation. Please see the corresponding department for more information.

Six Upper-Division Courses in CBN (choose six of the following)

  • PSYC 116, 122, 123, 125, 132, 133, 144, 150, 159, 169, 170, 171, 179, 181, 189
  • COGS 115, 119, 154, 163, 164, 169, 171, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 184
  • HDP 110

Two Additional Upper-Division Elective Courses (choose two of the following)

  • PSYC 100, 101, 104, 105, 110-193
  • COGS 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 102C, 109-189
Suggested Four-Year Plan: BS Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN)

FALL

WINTER

SPRING

Year 1

    

MATH 10A or 20A

MATH 10B or 20B

MATH 10C or 20C

COGS 17

1 natural science

1 natural science

Year 2

  

PSYC 60 or COGS 14B

PSYC 70 or COGS 14A

1 computer programming

Year 3

    

COGS 107A

1 CBN core

1 CBN core

1 CBN core

1 CBN elective

1 CBN elective

 

 

1 CBN research

Year 4

    

1 CBN elective

1 CBN elective

1 CBN elective

1 CBN elective

1 additional elective

1 additional elective

1 CBN research

 

 
Major Regulations
  • Statistics must be taken for a letter grade. All lower-division courses must be passed with a minimum grade of a C– or P.
  • All upper-division courses numbered 100–193 must be taken for a letter grade and a minimum grade of C– is required for the course to count toward the major.
  • Courses taken Pass/Not Pass cannot be used to satisfy the upper-division major requirement.
  • Excluded from credit toward the major are graduate seminars (2XX).
  • A maximum of three upper-division courses toward the CBN major may be taken outside UC San Diego.
  • A grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the upper-division major courses is required for graduation.

Honors Program

Students are encouraged to participate in the department’s honors program, which is strongly recommended for all students interested in graduate school. A minimum overall GPA of 3.3 (transfer GPA of 3.5 for transfer students) is a prerequisite. Admission is granted by application in the fall quarter of the junior year (Deadline: mid-November, see department website for exact date). This program is composed of the following courses:

    1. Junior Year

      Winter:

      • Junior Honors Research Seminar (PSYC 110)
      • Advanced Statistics and Research Methods (PSYC 111A)

Spring:

    • Advanced Statistics and Research Methods (PSYC 111B)
  2. Senior Year: A yearlong independent research project (PSYC 194A-B-C) under the mentorship of a faculty adviser. This research culminates in an honors thesis and poster presentation during the spring quarter.
  3. For the BS with honors: Because all BS degrees in the psychology department already require two research experiences, there is no additional laboratory requirement to participate in the honors program. PSYC 194A-B-C fulfills one of the two research experiences required for all BS degrees in the department.

Successful completion of the honors program requires a minimum grade of A– in PSYC 194A, PSYC 194B, and PSYC 194C, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the upper-division courses taken for the major.

Minor Program

The minor in psychology consists of seven four-unit courses from the Department of Psychology course offerings, of which at least twenty units (five four-unit courses) must be upper division. At least four upper-division courses must be taken at UC San Diego for a letter grade. Psychology 199 (Independent Study) may count for one upper-division course toward the minor.

If PSYC 60 (Statistics) is chosen as one of the lower-division courses, it must be taken for a letter grade. To declare or change your minor, use the minor tool on TritonLink. A grade point average of at least 2.0 is required for graduation.

Transfer Credit

Lower- or upper-division psychology courses may be transferable for use in a psychology major or minor. A petition is required for any course not listed on assist.org. Full instructions can be found on the psychology website.

Only upper-division courses from four-year universities will be considered by petition toward upper-division requirements in the psychology majors or minor.

Education Abroad

Students are often able to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UC San Diego’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) while still making progress toward the major. Students considering this option should discuss their plans with the Department of Psychology Student Affairs Office before going abroad. Courses taken abroad must be preapproved by the Department of Psychology in order to be applied to the major. Students may receive credit for a maximum of three upper-division psychology courses from their courses taken abroad. Information on EAP/OAP is detailed in the Education Abroad Program section of the UC San Diego General Catalog. Interested students should contact the Study Abroad UC San Diego office.