Department of Psychology | McGill University

The major program in Science is intended to provide students with a solid background in the fundamental areas of psychology. Emphasis is placed on the experimental and theoretical foundation that is relevant to all subdisciplines of psychology. Students are encouraged to obtain a good general education by taking courses in other fields of science. This major program can provide students with a good preparation for graduate studies, if the appropriate courses are selected. It also equips students with a background relevant to many disciplines other than psychology.

Science students entering the Psychology department who have been admitted to a 90 to 96 credit program and those who have completed their freshman year and are now declaring a psychology program, will complete 54 required credits for the major program. The remaining 36 credits are electives, and may be selected from among any of the courses in the faculties of Arts and Science described in the McGill Calendar, provided the prerequisites have been met. Please see the section entitled Important Information Regarding Elective Courses

6 credits in Psychology from List A
6 credits in Psychology from List B
6 credits in Psychology at the 300 level or above
9 credits in Psychology at the 400 or 500 level
12 credits at the 300 level or above, chosen from the following disciplines: Psychology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physiology, Psychiatry.

Honours in Psychology prepares students for graduate study, and so emphasizes practice in the research techniques used in graduate school and professionally later on. Students are normally accepted into Honours at the beginning of their U2 year, and the two-year sequence of Honours courses continues through U3. Admission to Honours is selective. There is normally room for about 48-50 new Honours students each year. Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply, however during the past several years it has been possible to accept a maximum of 48-50 students with averages above 3.5 based on a 27-30 graded credit program over two terms. Once in the Honours program, students must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the U2 year in order to continue in the program for U3. Students in the Honours program are advised to complete 27 graded credits per academic year (fall and winter semester), and those who intend to apply for admission to the Honours program are required to do so. Students with particularly strong academic records may be admitted for the U3 year only on the basis of their marks and research experience. These students must complete all Honours program requirements.

Students should note that awarding of the honours degree will depend on both cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and a minimum grade of B on PSYC 380D1/PSYC 380D2, PSYC 482. "First Class Honours" is awarded to students with obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.5 and a minimum grade of A- in the required honours courses namely PSYC 380D1/D2, PSYC 482. "Honours" is awarded to students with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 and a grade of B in the required honours courses, namely PSYC 380D1/D2, PSYC 482. Moreover, the awarding of the Honours degree normally requires completion of two full years of study, U2 and U3, in the Psychology Department.

Applications for the honours program can be obtained from the Undergraduate Program Secretary of the Department of Psychology in room N7/9 of the Stewart Biological Sciences Building. Applications must be completed and returned to the Undergraduate Secretary by the last Friday in July. Candidates will be advised of the department's decision through email and by a notice posted in front of the Undergraduate Advisor's office (N7/9) before classes begin in September.

PSYC 482 Advanced Honours Seminar

Complementary courses (33 credits)

12 credits to be selected from:
PSYC 403 Modern Psychology in Historical Perspective
PSYC 483 Seminar in Experimental Psychology
PSYC 495 Psychology Research Project 2 (6 credits)
PSYC 496 Senior Honours Research 1 (6 credits)
PSYC 497 Senior Honours Research 2 (6 credits)
PSYC 498D Senior Honours Research (9 credits)
Any Psychology course at the 500 level.

6 credits in Psychology from List A
6 credits in Psychology from List B

9 credits at the 300 level or above, chosen from the following disciplines: Psychology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physiology, Psychiatry.

The minor program in Psychology is intended to complement the student's major field of study by providing a focused introduction to specialized topics in psychology. The minor program for Science students requires the completion of 24 credits in psychology, of which no more than 6 credits may overlap with the students principal program. In other words, a maximum of 6 credits may be counted towards the fulfilment of both the major program requirements and of the minor program requirements. Students interested in following a minor program are encouraged to consult with the chief academic advisor in the department of Psychology.

The recommended background for the psychology minor for science students is a course in introductory statistics, such as PSYC 204, BIOL 373, MATH 203 or MATH 323. Students who have not previously completed a statistics course will be expected to do so as soon as possible once the minor program is declared. No more than 6 credits may overlap with the students principal program. In other words, a maximum of 6 credits may be counted towards the fulfillment of both the major program requirements and of the minor program requirements.