The Bachelor of Science degree program in Psychology provides students with a challenging undergraduate major that includes a strong science-oriented training component. The basic goal is to provide a degree program that emphasizes the scientific foundation of psychology along with a strong basic science background in order to better 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 to prepare students for advanced graduate study in the sciences and science-based professions. 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 will provide students with both knowledge and skills that will broaden their career opportunities.

The B.S. program in Psychology is aimed at students who desire an undergraduate major in Psychology that is more integrated with other related sciences and that better prepares them for advanced graduate training. 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. The faculty in our Department of Psychology 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.

B. S. in Psychology Requirements

The B. S. program in Psychology requires a total of 59 credits, of which 37 represent course work to be completed in Psychology and 22 represent course work to be completed in mathematics, chemistry, and biology. The total of 59 credits includes 10 credits of Psychology courses and 8 credits in mathematics required for admission to the B. S. program. Additional elective coursework in chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science is recommended but not required.

Admission requirements
The requirements for admission to the B.S. program in Psychology include completion of Psychology 101 (Introductory Psychology), 207 (Psychological Statistics), and Psychology 250 (Scientific Inquiry in Psychology) (10 credits) and a two-course mathematics sequence (8 credits) with a minimum combined grade average of 2.5 in the five courses. The two-course mathematics sequence may be fulfilled with, for example, Mathematics 121-122 (Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I, II) or Math 141-142 (College Calculus I, II). These admission requirements are the same as currently required for admission to the B.A. program in Psychology, with the addition of the mathematics requirement.

Program requirements
The requirements for the B.S. in Psychology include, in addition to the prerequisite admission requirements above, nine psychology courses (for a total of 12 courses and 37 credits in psychology). At least four courses must be at the 300-level (one from each of the four substantive areas listed in the B.A. program), including PSY 450 (Advanced Research Methods in Psychology) or another laboratory-based 400-level course in Psychology (from a department approved list) is required. In addition, FOUR additional 400-level or graduate courses (500-level or above, taken as part of the undergraduate program) are required. Out of the four 400-level courses two must be from the list of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Courses listed in UB's Undergraduate Catalog. All other Department of Psychology requirements for the B.A. in Psychology will also apply to students earning the B.S. in Psychology.

In addition, the requirements for the B.S. in Psychology include a year of mathematics [e.g., Mathematics 121-122 (Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I, II) or 141-142 (College Calculus I, II) (8 credits)]; a year of chemistry [101-102 (General Ch emistry) or 103-104 (Chemical Principles) or 105-106 (Chemistry: Principles and Applications) (10 credits)]; and Biology 200 (Evolutionary Biology, 4 credits), for a total of 22 credits of courses taken outside the Department of Psychology.

Sample descriptions of programs that will fulfill the requirements for the B.S. in Psychology for a student interested in (a) Cognitive Psychology or Cognitive Science and (b) Behavioral Neuroscience are available in the Department of Psychology Undergraduate Studies Office, Park Hall Room 283.