Psychology encompasses a range of phenomena and levels of analysis in pursuit of three goals: to deepen our understanding of cognitive and neural mechanisms of sensation, perception, learning, and emotion; to probe the biological and evolutionary foundations of behavior; and to clarify the social perception and assessment of individuals and groups. Students take foundation courses in the field’s major sub-disciplines, including perception, cognition, developmental, behavioral neuroscience, and social psychology. Students also take a course in quantitative methods, and select from an array of seminars on specialized topics and laboratory courses that focus on research design and state-of-the-art techniques. The concentration in Psychology prepares students for careers in research, teaching, clinical psychology, business, law, and education, among others.
The A.B. concentration requires 12 courses.
Careers in Psychology and related fields requires familiarity with statistics. Therefore, the Psychology concentration requires a course in Quantitative Methods (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.
Another element in the Psychology concentration is a course on research methods. Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900 or Research Methods CPSY 1901 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 empirical methods (e.g., surveys, chronometry, eye tracking, brain imaging), to common designs (e.g., factorial experimental, correlational, longitudinal), to research ethics, and to best practices of literature review. Other CPSY laboratory courses can 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.
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. List of approved foundation courses are 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.
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 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
STANDARD PROGRAM FOR THE A.B. DEGREE | ||
Common Core: | ||
CPSY 0900 | Statistical Methods | 1 |
CPSY 1900 | Research Methods And Design (or approved laboratory course) | 1 |
OR | ||
Research Methods (or approved laboratory course) | ||
Five courses from the following: | 5 | |
Mind, Brain and Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Approach | ||
Learning and Conditioning | ||
Animal Behavior | ||
Human Cognition | ||
or CPSY 0220 | Making Decisions | |
Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
or CPSY 0450 | Brain Damage and the Mind | |
Perception and Mind | ||
Children's Thinking: The Nature of Cognitive Development | ||
or CPSY 0620 | Social and Moral Development | |
Social Psychology | ||
or CPSY 0701 | Personality Theory | |
Language and the Mind | ||
Four approved Electives related to Psychology | 4 | |
Capstone: Independent Study (CPSY 1970, CPSY 1980) or approved seminar | 1 | |
Total Credits | 12 |
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.
These are the new requirements approved by CCC effective Fall 2024. For existing concentrators graduating in 2024-25, the prior requirements can be found by selecting the Bulletin archive https://bulletin.brown.edu/archive/2023-24/
Common Core
Careers in Psychology and related fields requires familiarity with statistics. Therefore, the Psychology concentration requires a course in Quantitative Methods (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.
Another element in the Psychology concentration is a course on research methods. Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900 or Research Methods CPSY 1901 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 empirical methods (e.g., surveys, chronometry, eye tracking, brain imaging), to common designs (e.g., factorial experimental, correlational, longitudinal), to research ethics, and to best practices of literature review. Other CPSY laboratory courses can 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.
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. List of approved foundation courses are 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.
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 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 requirements for Sc.B.
In line with university expectations, the Sc.B. requirements include a greater number of courses and especially science courses. The definition of “science” is flexible. Some of these courses will be outside of CPSY, but several CPSY courses might fit into a coherent package as well. In addition, the Sc.B. degree also requires a laboratory course (in addition to CPSY 1900/CPSY 1901 or its alternative) to provide these students with in-depth exposure to research methods in a particular area of the science of the mind. Lists of approved laboratory courses can be obtained from the Psychology concentration advisors.
Requirements Specific for the Sc.B. degree
STANDARD PROGRAM FOR THE Sc.B. DEGREE | ||
Common Core: | ||
CPSY 0900 | Statistical Methods | 1 |
CPSY 1900 | Research Methods And Design (or approved laboratory course) | 1 |
OR | ||
Research Methods (or approved laboratory course) | ||
Five courses from the following: | 5 | |
Mind, Brain and Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Approach | ||
Learning and Conditioning | ||
Animal Behavior | ||
Human Cognition | ||
or CPSY 0220 | Making Decisions | |
Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
or CPSY 0450 | Brain Damage and the Mind | |
Perception and Mind | ||
Children's Thinking: The Nature of Cognitive Development | ||
or CPSY 0620 | Social and Moral Development | |
Social Psychology | ||
or CPSY 0701 | Personality Theory | |
Language and the Mind | ||
Four approved Electives related to Psychology | 4 | |
Capstone: Independent Study (CPSY 1970, CPSY 1980) or approved seminar | 1 | |
Five Additional STEM courses: of these, at least two (2) must be CPSY courses, all must be related to Psychology, and all must be applicable to a concentration in that department | 5 | |
Total Credits | 17 |
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.