SAMPLE GENERAL PATHS IN PSYCHOLOGY

General psychology paths are appropriate for students with broad interests in psychology, for those who are seeking a flexible concentration as part of a liberal arts education.  These students may choose from two general paths, regular and thesis honors.

The general thesis option path is appropriate for students who have developed a strong interest in a specific topic and want to pursue this topic in independent research.  It is also appropriate, although not a requirement, for those who wish to pursue graduate study in psychology or related fields.  This path requires a minimum 3.5 GPA at the time of application, an honors thesis, and involves more focused coursework to provide a strong background for the thesis.  Because a thesis is a demanding yet satisfying undertaking, it can be a meaningful capstone to one's undergraduate studies.

The following two paths are examples of how students with general psychology interests may complete their concentration requirements.  These paths have many acceptable variations, involving the selection of different courses within requirement categories.  These categories are given in parentheses below, and other courses that will fulfill these requirements are listed at the end of this section.  These lists vary from year to year; each year some courses are bracketed.

YEAR	REGULAR GENERAL PATH  twelve half-courses (6 electives )	THESIS OPTION GENERAL PATH fourteen half-courses (5 electives)
First-year	Psychology 1, Introduction to Psychology (introduction)   Psychology 15,Social Psychology (Tier 2) **Historical Study A-87, Madness and Medicine (core/non-departmental elective)	Psychology 1, Introduction to Psychology (introduction)  Social Analysis 43, Psychological Trauma  (elective)
Sophomore	Psychology 971, Sophomore Tutorial (tutorial)  Psychology 1900, Intro to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (basic methods)  Psychology 18,Abnormal Psychology (Tier 2)	Psychology 971, Sophomore Tutorial (tutorial)  Psychology 1900 , Intro to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (basic methods)  *Psychology 1151r. Cognitive Evolution: Theory and Practice (L*)  Psychology 13, Cognitive Psychology (Tier 2)
Junior	Psychology 1901, Methods of Behavioral Research (advanced methods) Psychology 1557 Self and Identity Psychology 1861 Developmental Psychopathology Psychology 1652r, Laboratory in Early Cognitive Development (elective)	Psychology 1901, Methods of Behavioral Research (advanced methods)  Psychology 15, Social Psychology (Tier 2)  Psychology 985, Preparation for the Honors Thesis (elective)  Psy 1430, Human Memory and Amnesia (elective)
Senior	Psychology 995, Senior Seminar: General Psychology  (elective)  MBB 95, Drug Use, Behavior, and Choice (elective)	Psychology 990, Senior Tutorial, full course (tutorial)  **Historical Study A-87, Madness and Medicine (core/non-departmental elective) Psychology 1501 Social Psychology of Organizations
	** satisfies Core Hist. A requirement	* Thesis candidates must take a lab course from the approved list ** satisfies Core Hist. A requirement

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Last updated 26 September, 2008