2013–2014 The Bulletin - USS at Tufts - Tufts University

Psychology >
Psychology concerns processes and principles of
behavior. Increased understanding of oneself and
others through the study of psychology is useful in
almost any endeavor. The Psychology curriculum is
diverse in order to reflect the breadth of the field,
from the biological bases to the social determinants
of behavior. Students gain general familiarity with
psychology, and have the option to emphasize
specific areas in the field. Courses are geared toward
the development of evaluative and analytic skills,
which are indispensable to advanced study in
experimental, clinical, and applied psychology.
These skills, together with knowledge of the factors
influencing individual and group behavior, are
highly valuable for careers in such fields as public
health, engineering, medicine, business, administration,
law, and education.
PSYCHOLOGY courSES AS DISTRIBUTION
REQUIREMENTS
Because Psychology courses span all five distribution
areas, students are urged to check official Registrar
lists for the most up-to-date information by distribution
area. Most departmental courses count
toward either the social sciences or natural sciences
distributions.
UNDERGRADUATE concentrATION
REQUIREMENTS
The Psychology Department offers undergraduate
majors in Psychology, Biopsychology, Clinical
Psychology, Cognitive & Brain Science, and
Engineering Psychology. Psychology, Biopsychology,
Clinical Psychology, Cognitive & Brain Science,
and Engineering Psychology majors may not
double major in any of the other majors offered by
the Psychology Department.
Major in Psychology
This major is intended for students interested in
exploring a variety of topics in psychology, or
whose area of specific interest is not represented by
one of the other majors offered by the department.
Eleven courses distributed as follows: Psychology 1;
one course from among Psychology 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, and 17; one course from among Psychology 22,
25, 26, 27, 28, and 29; Psychology 31; Psychology
32; one advanced lab course from among Psychology
36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, and 49; two Psychology
courses numbered above 100; one other depart-
mental course (i.e., an “elective”); two approved
advanced courses in related fields.
Courses taken to fulfill the psychology major
(including related-field requirements) normally may
not be taken pass-fail. No more than two independent
study courses (Psychology 91, 92, 97, 99, 191,
192, 197, 198, 199) may be counted toward the
concentration requirement. Successful completion
of a Senior Honors Thesis chaired by a member of
the department (PSY 199) may substitute for the
advanced lab requirement. No more than one course
taken to fulfill the 100-level requirement may be an
independent study course.
Students with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP in
psychology place out of Psychology 1. An AP score
of 5 completely substitutes for this requirement
within the major, meaning that a student needs only
10 courses to complete the major. An AP score of 4
places a student into two-digit psychology courses
but the student needs to take an additional psychology
course for the major in lieu of Psychology 1.
Successful completion of Child Development 1 is
treated in the same manner as an AP score of 4:
students may substitute CD 1 for PSY 1 for prerequisite
purposes, but they must take an additional
psychology course in order to reach the 11 courses
required for the major.
Psychology 32 and the advanced lab must be
completed at Tufts. Double majors in Psychology
and Mathematics can use Math 162 as a substitute
for Psychology 31. Students who are double
majoring in Psychology and Economics can use
Econ 13 as a substitute for Psychology 31.
In recommending students for honors, in addition
to the general college requirements, the
department does not normally recommend students
for highest honors unless they have done empirical
research. Students graduating with a major in
Psychology may choose either a B.A. or B.S.
Major in Clinical Psychology
This major is intended for students interested in
entering graduate or professional schools in mental
health or human services and/or working with
psychiatric patients. Required courses are Psychology
1, 12, 31, 38, 71, 106, 181, and 182; two
electives in psychology, one of which must be at the
100-level; and two approved advanced courses in
related fields. Students graduating with a major in
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