Major
A core of basic courses is required of all majors. Beyond these core courses, students have considerable leeway in constructing the major. Students interested in specific applications or sub-disciplines within psychology should consult early with their advisors to plan the most appropriate sequence of courses.
Courses must be passed with grades of C-/CR/P or better to count toward the Psychology major. The minimum number of hours for the major is 34. A minimum of 26 hours must be earned in courses numbered 200 through 499, with at least 19 of these 26 hours completed at Oberlin. Up to eight hours of Neuroscience courses from the following list can count toward the major: NSCI 201, 211, 319, 324, 325, 327, 331, 339, 341, and 400. Note, however, that only NSCI 201, 211, 324, 327, and 400 count toward the above mentioned 26 hour requirement. PSYC 100 (or an approved equivalent) is a prerequisite to most Psychology courses numbered 200 and above. Any variation in meeting major requirements must be approved in writing by the chair of the Department of Psychology.
Students intending to major in Psychology should complete PSYC 100 in their first year. To prepare for laboratory courses and other research opportunities, prospective majors should plan to finish Research Methods I (PSYC 200) and II (PSYC 300) no later than second semester of their sophomore year. Majors who plan on graduate training in psychology are encouraged to take additional courses in mathematics, computer science, and other sciences. They should also consider carrying out independent research during their junior and/or senior years. Majors who plan on graduate training in clinical, counseling, health psychology, or industrial-organizational psychology should obtain field experience during Winter Term or in summer jobs. All majors considering graduate training should consult with their advisors and other members of the Department early in their major.
Required Courses:
- NSCI 201 - The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 100 - The Study of Behavior Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 200 - Research Methods I Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 204 - Cultural Psychology Semester Offered: First Semester
- PSYC 219 - Cognitive Psychology Semester Offered: First Semester
- PSYC 300 - Research Methods II Semester Offered: Second Semester
At least two of the following:
- PSYC 211 - Personality: Theory and Research Semester Offered: Second Semester
- PSYC 214 - Abnormal Psychology Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 216 - Developmental Psychology Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 218 - Social Psychology Semester Offered: Second Semester
At least two of the following:
- NSCI 211 - Neuroscience Laboratory Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- NSCI 324 - Laboratory in Neuroanatomy Semester Offered: First Semester, First Module
- NSCI 327 - Neuropharmacology Laboratory Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Module
- PSYC 301 - Advanced Methods in Personality/Social Psychology Semester Offered: Second Semester
- PSYC 302 - Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychology Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 303 - Advanced Methods in Cognitive Psychology Semester Offered: First Semester, Second Semester
- PSYC 305 - Advanced Methods in Human Psychophysiolgy Semester Offered: First Semester
One 400-level seminar in psychology
- PSYC 430 - Seminar in Social Conflict Semester Offered: Second Semester
- PSYC 431 - Seminar in Psychology of Law Semester Offered: Second Semester
- PSYC 450 - Seminar in Psycholinguistics Semester Offered: Second Semester
- PSYC 461 - Seminar in Adolescent Development Semester Offered: First Semester
- PSYC 490 - Seminar in Child Developmental Disorders Semester Offered: Second Semester
- NSCI 400 - Neuroscience Seminar Semester Offered: Second Semester
Advanced Placement
Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology examination will be exempt from the requirement to take PSYC 100 and will receive three credit hours at the 100 level toward requirements and graduation.
Transfer of Credit
All transfer credit must be approved by the Department Chair. Students should obtain prior written approval from the Department Chair to insure that courses taken at other institutions will count toward major requirements. At least 19 of the 26 hours from courses numbered 200 through 499 and at least one of the two required laboratory courses must be taken at Oberlin. It is the student's responsibility to complete transfer of credit forms and submit them to the Office of the Registrar.
Winter Term
The Department strongly encourages majors and prospective majors to gain either research experience or experience in applied or clinical settings during Winter Term. Department faculty can provide general advice but students are free to develop specific projects on their own. Some students remain on campus during Winter Term to conduct honors research or independent research under the sponsorship of department faculty.
The following list of faculty interests can guide students seeking Winter Term sponsors: Mr. Carrier: sensation and perception; computer simulation of behavior; human-computer interface design. Ms. Darling: adolescent development; social relationships. Ms. deWinstanley: cognitive psychology; memory; attention; cognitive development. Ms. Frantz: social psychology; conflict resolution; perspective taking; sustainable human behavior. Mr. Friedman: developmental psychology; cognitive development; time concepts in children and adults. Ms. Hanna: cognitive psychology; psycholinguistics; language development. Mr. Mayer: social cognition; prejudice; helping behavior; resistance; Mr. Porterfield: psychophysiology; emotion; psychopathology; Ms. Sutton: psychotherapy and cognitive processes; personality and health; behavioral medicine.
Honors
Honors in Psychology. Junior psychology majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major and at least a B average in Research Methods I and II are invited to pursue Honors in Psychology. An invitee who wishes to do so should seek out an interested faculty member to serve as his/her primary Honors advisor.
