General

The General Track in Psychology is the most flexible of the tracks and is designed to provide students with a foundation in the subfields of the student's choice before entering more advanced coursework and sometimes incorporating lab work in a wide array of areas. A thesis option is available for students with a strong interest in the research component of the program.

This track is excellent preparation for students interested in exploring the breadth of psychology, and is flexible enough to provide good preparation for those thinking about working in business, law, medicine, or academia.
 

Course Sequence Recommended for Students Considering the General Track


Complete requirements can be found in the "General Track" column of the Requirements Chart

Students who are strongly considering this track should plan on enrolling in the following during their first two years...

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

PSY 1 (Fall or Spring)

PSY 971 (Fall or Spring)

PSY 1900 (Fall or Spring)

Research Methods:
PSY 1901 (Fall or Spring)

 At least one of the following Foundational Courses during first two years: 
 PSY 11, PSY 14, PSY 15, PSY 16, PSY 18, or NEURO 80
(formerly MCB 80)**


** MCB 81 is no longer offered as of the 2018-19 academic year, but if you have taken it previously, it may still count as a Foundational Course.
 

Ideally, students will take the Introductory Course and Statistics by the end of their first year. Students in this track must then take two Foundational Courses from the following list...

  • PSY 11, Cognition: How the Mind Works
  • PSY 14, Cognitive Neuroscience
  • PSY 15, Social Psychology
  • PSY 16, Developmental Psychology (or SLS 15 if taken previously)
  • PSY 18, Psychopathology
  • NEURO 80 (formerly MCB 80), Neurobiology of Behavior (MCB 81, if taken before Fall 2018, can count in lieu of NEURO 80)

Students should try to take at least one of the two required Foundational Courses by the end of their sophomore year.

In the third or fourth semester, students should enroll in PSY 971, Contemporary Issues in Psychology (Sophomore Tutorial). The required Research Methods course, PSY 1901, Methods of Behavioral Research, should be completed by the end of a student's fifth semester.

Students should consult our Declaring a Concentration page or with a Concentration Advisor for more guidance beyond the second year.