UB Programs At-A-Glance

Psychology B.S.

Department of Psychology
College of Arts and Sciences
283 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4110

Phone: 716.645.3650, ext. 283
Fax: 716.645.3801
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/psychology
Email: cmgreen@acsu.buffalo.edu

Paul A. Luce
Chair

James R. Sawusch
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Christa M. Greenberg
Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies

About the Department

The Department of Psychology at UB, established in the 1920s, is situated in Park Hall. This modern building has state-of-the-art facilities for psychological research including specialized equipment for monitoring eye movements and autonomic responses, and for measuring the concentrations of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. The Psychological Services Center provides facilities for individual and group therapy, including marriage counseling and therapy with children. Many opportunities are available for undergraduate students to become involved in research with faculty and graduate students, primarily through independent study.

About Our Degrees

Objectives

Psychology is the science of behavior and the mind. In both the B.A. and the B.S. programs, the study of psychology provides an understanding of basic processes of sensation, perception, learning, cognition, development, and personality along with principles of social psychology, clinical psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Knowledge of psychological principles and of scientific methods for evaluating theories and research in the social sciences is essential in our rapidly changing society.

The basic goal of the B.S. program is to integrate the scientific foundation of psychology with a strong basic science background to prepare students for advanced training in psychology, medicine, cognitive science, neuroscience, and other related disciplines. The B.S. degree program is explicitly aimed at helping students prepare for advanced graduate study in the sciences and science-based professions. An example would be students interested in a pre-med program that provides them with both a major in psychology and the background in science (biology, chemistry, mathematics) that is essential to being accepted into medical school.

Furthermore, even if students do not continue their education at the graduate level, the background in science and mathematics that is part of this degree program provides students with both knowledge and skills that will broaden their career opportunities. The faculty in our department look for this same background in applicants to our graduate programs in behavioral neuroscience, some aspects of clinical psychology, and cognitive psychology. Students who have earned the B.S. in psychology are also likely to be perceived as more attractive applicants for graduate programs at other colleges and universities.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.

Provisional Acceptance

Students who have completed 60 credits but have not completed the prerequisite courses or have not achieved the minimum GPA of 2.5 may be provisionally accepted.

Acceptance Information

Deadline: Rolling
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in psychology courses is required for graduation.

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 400
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 200
400-level/advanced courses is: 30 - 40

Suggested Introductory Courses


For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About our Faculty

There is much information available on our web site about the Psychology department faculty and staff.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

About the Program

Psychology is the science of behavior and the mind. The study of psychology provides an understanding of basic processes of sensation, perception, learning, cognition, development, and personality along with principles of social psychology, clinical psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Knowledge of psychological principles and of scientific methods for evaluating theories and research in the social and behavioral sciences is essential in our rapidly changing society.

The requirements for the psychology major are designed to provide students with foundational skills in statistics (PSY 207) and scientific methods (PSY 250) that are essential for subsequent coursework in psychology. The additional requirements for the psychology major are intended to introduce students to the great breadth of psychology as a scientific discipline; therefore, students are required to complete courses in four complementary areas of psychology. A second course in research methods (PSY 450) and experience in psychological research (PSY 498) are recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology.

Extracurricular Activities

Undergraduate Psychology Association

The Undergraduate Psychology Association (UPA) is open to all students. This organization sponsors guest speakers on topics of interest to psychology students, workshops on topics such as applying to graduate schools, social activities for students and faculty, travel to regional and national psychology conferences, and an undergraduate graduation ceremony.

Psi Chi [National honor society in psychology]

Psi Chi was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to psychology majors who have a minimum GPA of 3.1 overall and 3.4 in psychology courses. The UB chapter of Psi Chi sponsors workshops on careers in psychology and social activities for students and faculty.

See the UB Student Association.

Career Information and Further Study

Skills gained in this program include:

Using insight to deal effectively with people; promoting good relationships with a group; applying knowledge of human needs/problems to counseling/crisis intervention; using interviewing techniques in investigative, reporting, social service, or marketing research; conducting surveys and interpreting results; analyzing statistical data, using computers and assisting in lab research; conducting library research and writing reports.

Transferable Skills:

Managing, interpreting, editing, advising, organizing, problem solving, detail orientation, writing, teaching, speaking to groups, reading critically, reasoning, analyzing, statistical analysis, ability to think conceptually, evaluating evidence, advising, selling, and observing human behavior

Career Choices

The undergraduate degree in psychology does not make you a psychologist or professional counselor. It does provide you with an excellent liberal arts background and is valuable for almost any type of work focused on people.

Students who earn a B.S. in psychology will be well-prepared for graduate study in psychology and related mental health fields, graduate study in medicine, education, law, or business, and other careers that require a good understanding of individual behavior and interpersonal relations.

There are many fine career possibilities, including: Advertising manager, behavior modification management, caseworker, child-care worker, clinical psychologist, college or university professor, community planner, computer programmer, counselor, (vocational, rehabilitation, probation, alcohol and drug), criminal justice (law enforcement, criminologist), educator, employment counselor, government programs and agencies, graduate school (all types, including law school, medical school, dentistry), guidance counselor, hospitals and mental health facilities, industrial management/business, medical technician, mental health worker, occupational therapist, personnel manager, probation officer, psychology aide/technician, public relations specialist, research/advertising, research assistant, research psychologist, sales, school psychologist, social and community agencies, social worker, special education worker, teacher (elementary and secondary), therapist, vocational rehabilitation counselor, and youth worker.

Work settings include:

Students with a bachelor's degree who pursue work after graduation typically work in aspects of business, government, health, education, and other areas requiring an understanding and sensitivity to behavioral dynamics. Approximately 40% of all psychologists in the USA and Canada work for business and industry, government agencies, hospitals and clinics or in private practice, as well as clinical or consulting agencies. The other 60% are employed in colleges/universities, elementary, and secondary schools.

Salary Information

Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. According to the 2005 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates in psychology, the average salary was $30,073, with salaries ranging from $15,000 to $39,000.

Additional Resources


Two excellent resources for current, detailed career information are:

Links to Further Information About This Program



Special Academic Opportunities

Honors Program

The Psychology department honors program is open to a limited number of seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 both overall and in psychology. The yearlong program involves the development and execution of an original research project under faculty supervision. This program is particularly helpful for students who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology or related disciplines.

Undergraduate Research

Many opportunities are available for undergraduate students to become involved in research in psychology with department faculty and graduate students. Current research programs include language processes, auditory and speech perception, memory, attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder, social interactions, personality, anxiety disorders, small-group processes, behavior therapy, human psychophysiology and biofeedback, and neurochemical and electrophysiological investigations into the physiological bases of behavior. The department’s computerized research facilities include eye tracking, real-time systems and networks for studies of behavior and physiological processes. The Psychological Services Center provides facilities for therapy and assessment with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students can receive course credit through PSY 498 Undergraduate Research. Students should visit the department web site where summaries of current research are found on faculty web pages.

Independent Study

PSY 499 Independent Study is available to students who have completed PSY 207 Psychological Statistics and PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry. This course allows students to pursue a program of specialized study, for a semester or longer, that would not be available through regularly scheduled courses. Enrolling requires permission of a faculty sponsor.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:15 EST