Psychology, BA
Studies in psychology introduce students to contemporary understandings of how organisms perceive, learn, think and interact with one another, how they develop, how they are motivated and how, individually and as members of species, they may be compared with one another. Psychology at Penn is a diverse discipline, with topics ranging from neuroscience to psychopathology.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.
A mininum GPA of 2.0 is required.
6 course units of Psychology courses must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania.
For more information: https://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/penn-undergraduate-psychology
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| PSYC 0001 | Introduction to Experimental Psychology (or Replacement PSYC course) 2 | 1 |
| Distribution | ||
| Biological Basis of Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Brain and Behavior | ||
| Physiology of Motivated Behavior | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Memory | ||
| Select 1 course unit of Lecture | 1 | |
| Cognitive Basis of Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Perception | ||
| Language and Thought | ||
| Memory | ||
| Introduction to Developmental Psychology | ||
| Select 1 course unit of Lecture | 1 | |
| Social Science Bases of Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Developmental Psychology | ||
| Select 1 course unit of Lecture | 1 | |
| Research Experience | ||
| PSYC 4998 | Mentored Research | 1-2 |
| Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following approved courses: | 1 | |
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Statistics (day or summer only) | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Statistical Inference | ||
| Statistics for Biologists | ||
| Statistics for Economists | ||
| Social Statistics | ||
| Statistics for Research and Measurement | ||
| Quantitative Analysis of Anthropological Data | ||
| Elective Psychology Courses | ||
| Select 2 course units in Psychology | 2 | |
| Select 2 course units in Psychology or Approved Psychology Cognate Electives | 2 | |
Approved Psychology Cognate Electives: | ||
| Sex and Human Nature | ||
| Psychology of Asian Americans | ||
| Neuroethology | ||
| Chronobiology and Sleep | ||
| Functional Neuroanatomy | ||
| Developmental Neurobiology | ||
| Functional Imaging of the Human Brain | ||
| The Cognitive Neuroscience of Autism | ||
| Stress Neuroscience | ||
| Animal Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders | ||
| Biological Basis of Psychiatric Disorders | ||
| Clinical Psychopharmacology | ||
| Biopsychosocial Criminology | ||
| Strategic Reasoning | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Educational Psychology | ||
| SNF Paideia Course: Mindfulness and Human Development | ||
| Psychology of Personal Growth | ||
| Language Acquisition | ||
| Philosophy and Visual Perception | ||
| Philosophy of Psychology | ||
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Total Course Units | 33-34 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
Replacement PSYC course if PSYC 0001 Introduction to Experimental Psychology waived by an AP score of 5.
Honors
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select 1 course unit of Second Statistics | 1 | |
| PSYC 4997 | 0.5 | |
| PSYC 4997 | Senior Honors Seminar in Psychology | 0.5 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.