BA in Psychological & Brain Sciences
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychological & Brain Sciences offers rigorous training in research design, statistical methods and psychological theory. Students are immersed in the study of abnormal, developmental and social psychology, as well as cognitive neuroscience. And they have the flexibility to choose electives and independent study to suit their interests.
More broadly, students learn how to approach and solve issues within communities and societies, making psychology a widely applicable degree to pursue a variety of career paths.
Cognitive Neuroscience Concentration
Psychological & Brain Sciences majors may choose an optional concentration in cognitive neuroscience. Students may pursue honors while fulfilling the requirements for a concentration. Students in the concentration study neuropsychology, memory and cognition, and have the option to join special graduate seminars. Students also complete an internship or an independent research project with a faculty member.
Concentration Requirements:
- Complete four of the following: PSYC 3118, 3121, 3122, 3124, 4106W, 4107W, 8250*, 8289*
- Complete PSYC 3591 or 4591 with a member of the faculty of the Cognitive Neuroscience area.
- Regularly attend meetings of the Cognitive Neuroscience Vision Seminar and Brownbag series.
- Graduate with a 3.3 average in Psychological & Brain Sciences (PSYC) courses.
In addition, Psychological & Brain Sciences majors concentrating in Cognitive Neuroscience with the intention of pursuing graduate training are encouraged to complete 4-8 credits of biology and a higher-level course in statistics and to acquire some skill in computer programming.
Applications for the concentration can be found and submitted in the Psychological & Brain Sciences Department office or by emailing [email protected].
*Graduate course. Open to students with consent of instructor.
Declaring a Major
- The Bare Minimum
-
- Get the major declaration form, available at https://advising.columbian.gwu.edu/forms
- Fill out the major declaration form with the courses that you have taken and will take toward the major. The list of courses should add up to a major in Psychological and Brain Sciences: http://bulletin.gwu.edu/arts-sciences/psychological-and-brain-sciences/…
- Send the form to Dr. Dopkins ([email protected])
- When the form is returned to you, send it to: https://advising.columbian.gwu.edu/forms
- Dr. Dopkins will be your advisor.
- The Enhanced Version
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If you have plans to study for a doctorate in Psychological and Brain Sciences, you should have an advisor in your area of interest. To be assigned such an advisor, or if you want more attentive treatment for any reason:
- Get the major declaration form, available at https://advising.columbian.gwu.edu/forms
- Fill out the major declaration form with the courses that you have taken and will take toward the major. The list of courses should add up to a major in Psychological and Brain Sciences: http://bulletin.gwu.edu/arts-sciences/psychological-and-brain-sciences/ba/
- Make an appointment at: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/selfsched?sstoken=UU41VUJMMndtMkdLfGRlZmF1bHR8Y2ZiOGM1NTYyYWRiNTVhNGZkOWViNDQwN2MyMWQwNzE
Course Requirements
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required | ||
PSYC 1001 | General Psychology | |
PSYC 2101 | Research Methods in Psychology | |
STAT 1053 | Introduction to Statistics in Social Science (or equivalent) | |
Two survey courses (6 credits) selected from the following: | ||
PSYC 2011 | Abnormal Psychology | |
or PSYC 2011W | Abnormal Psychology | |
PSYC 2012 | Social Psychology | |
PSYC 2013 | Developmental Psychology | |
One survey course (3 credits) selected from the following: | ||
PSYC 2014 | Cognitive Psychology | |
PSYC 2015 | Biological Psychology | |
One course (3 credits) selected from the following: | ||
PSYC 3112 | Psychology of Adolescence | |
PSYC 3115 | Developmental Psychopathology | |
PSYC 3125 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | |
PSYC 3126 | Multicultural Psychology | |
or PSYC 3126W | Multicultural Psychology | |
PSYC 3128 | Health Psychology | |
PSYC 3132 | Social and Personality Development | |
PSYC 3170 | Clinical Psychology | |
PSYC 3173 | Community Psychology | |
One course (3 credits) selected from the following: | ||
PSYC 3118 | Neuropsychology | |
PSYC 3119 | Cognitive Science in the District | |
PSYC 3120 | Neuroscience of Consciousness | |
PSYC 3121 | Memory and Cognition | |
PSYC 3122 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
PSYC 3124 | Visual Perception | |
One advanced research lab course (4 credits) selected from the following: | ||
PSYC 4106W | Research Lab in Sensation and Perception | |
or PSYC 4107W | Research Lab in Cognitive Neuroscience | |
PSYC 4201W | Research Lab in Clinical/Community Psychology | |
or PSYC 4202W | Research Lab in Applied Social Psychology | |
or PSYC 4203W | Research Lab in Developmental Psychology | |
Electives | ||
Four additional psychology (PSYC) courses (12 credits) numbered 2000 or above. Only 3 credits in PSYC 3591 or PSYC 4591 may be applied toward the major. |