B.A./M.A. Program in Experimental Psychology

for UCSD Undergraduates

Prerequisites

An integrated program leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in psychology is offered to those UCSD undergraduate students who are enrolled in any of the major programs offered by the department of psychology. Qualified students are able to obtain the M.A. degree within one year following receipt of the B.S. Degree. Students interested in applying to this program must meet with the B.S./M.A. advisor in the Psychology Student Affairs Office before the end of their junior year.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must have completed the first two quarters of their junior year in residence at >UCSD and must have an overall UCSD GPA of at least 3.3, as well as within the psychology major. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to select a faculty member who would be willing to serve as the student's advisor and in whose laboratory the student would complete at least twenty-four units of research over a two-year period. Twelve of the 24 units of research must be completed as an undergraduate in Psychology 194 ABC or 196 ABC during the student's senior undergraduate year, and must be taken in addition to the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. The remaining 12 units of research (Psychology 270 ABC) will be taken in the year of graduate study as part of their M.A. requirements.

General education requirements for a B.S. with intent to apply to the M.A. program

(Students are responsible for their College GE-requirements.)

1. Natural Science Courses: 3 quarters (distributed in any manner)

   Biology: 1, 2, 3, 10, 12 (or Cognitive Science 17), 20, 24, 26, 30
   Chemistry: 4, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11, 12, 13
   Physics: Any of the 1 and 2 series, 10, 11

2. Mathematics: 3 quarters

   Mathematics: 20A, 20B, 20C

3. Computer Programming: 1 quarter

   CSE 3, CSE 5A, CSE 5B, CSE 8A, CSE 8B, CSE 11, Ames 5, AMES 9, Ames 10, or Cognitive Science 18, or their equivalent

   Note: All Courses listed under 1 - 3 may be taken Pass/No Pass.
   
4. Statistics: 1 quarter

   Psychology 60, Econ 120A, Soc Sci 60, Math 10D, Math 181, BIEB 00, or CogSci 14

   Note: Statistics must be taken for a letter grade. A grade of "B" or better is needed to participate in Psychology 111A & B (Advanced Statistics and Research).

Upper-division Course Requirements for the B.S./M.A. With Honors in Psychology

A minimum of twelve upper-division courses are required. Five of these courses must come from the core courses: Psychology 101-106. The seven elective courses may be chosen from any of the upper division courses listed for the psychology program at UCSD. Students must choose an area of specialization (Behavior Analysis, Neuroscience & Behavior, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive & Cognitive Neuropsychology, Developmental Psychology, Sensation & Perception, or Social Psychology), and three of the seven electives must be in this area.

In addition to the 12 upper-division courses, all B.S. Degree students must complete two Research Experience courses in the chosen area. Research Experience courses will be comprised of a combination of laboratory courses and, upon petition, Psychology 199 course (Independent Study) culminating in a research paper approved by the advisor.

Guidelines for the 199-Research Paper

The paper has to be written in APA style and should include reference section and constitute a review of the research the student is working on. If possible, it should include a combined introduction and discussion section of a typical journal article. It should demonstrate that the student understands the logic of research methods in psychology, and it should include a method-section-like description of the part that the student plays in the research, e.g., procedure used in running of subjects, method of data analyses, etc. The length of the paper should be determined by the advisor.

Preparation for the M.A. Program

For Non-Honors Students: Psychology 196ABC - Research Seminar. Please note that 111 A,B have to be taken in the junior year.

For Honors Students: Since Psychology 194ABC - Honors Thesis will fulfill the research prerequisite for entering the M.A. Program, three additional courses will be required to make up for at least 12 upper division Psychology courses.

Of the required courses in the area of specialization, (three regular upper division courses and two research experiences), no more than two may be taken outside the department. We recommend consulting the department before enrolling in courses offered by other departments.

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses by Concentration

Areas of concentration and their associated courses are listed in alphabetical order below.(Subject to change -- for additional qualifying courses see the department's Student Affairs Office, 1533 Mandler Hall).

Concentration in Behavior Analysis

Behavior Analysis based on the principles of Pavlovian and operant conditioning, and other aspects of contemporary associative learning theory. Also includes the application of reinforcement principles and other behavior modification techniques in applied settings (applied behavior analysis).

Concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior

The study of how the nervous system mediates behavioral effects in the realms of motivation, perception, learning and memory, and attention. Also includes human neurophysiology and aphasia.

Concentration in Clinical Psychology

The study of the psychological and physiological causes of and treatments for mental illness in children and adults.

Concentration in Cognitive Psychology & Cognitive Neuropsychology

Cognitive Psychology is the study of the areas of reasoning, thinking language, judgment and decision making in adults and children (including attention, memory, and visual and auditory information processing).

Cognitive Neuropsychology is the study of cognitive processes and their implementation in the brain. Cognitive neuroscientists use methods drawn from brain damage, neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, functional neuro-imaging, and computer modeling.

Concentration in Developmental Psychology

The study of all aspects of human with emphasis on social and personality development, perceptual development, and language acquisition. Also includes the study of developmental psychopathology.

Concentration in Sensation and Perception

The study of how our sense organs and brain make it possible for us to construct our consciously experienced representation of the environment. Experiments using stimuli and computer control can be used to test models of sensory or perceptual processes. Processes of particular interest include color vision, motion perception, and auditory illusions and paradox.

Concentration in Social Psychology

The study of human behavior in social situations, with specialization in such topics as emotion, aggression, social cognition, and aesthetics. It also encompasses applied social psychology, including psychology and the law and behavioral medicine.