BS in Psychology

At the Bachelor's Level, graduates can pursue a career in marketing, human resources, university admissions offices, social service worker, mental health assistant. Any career that involves understanding human behavior and the ability to analyze data.

Marketable Skills

Students will develop the following marketable skills:

Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions
- In particular, the ability to distinguish scientific vs non-scientific claims
Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Be able to develop a research design and statistically analyze data
Social responsibility: Act ethically and responsibly for the benefit of society and the public good
- Development of Professional Ethics
Writing: Be able to write in a clear and comprehensible manner to the reader
- Learn technical writing--- specifically, APA Style

Additionally, students will learn the ability to apply psychological knowledge to real-world problems. Should be able to formulate a career plan: including a plan for further education (given how many careers depend upon advanced degrees).

The BS degree in all science disciplines requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit including a minimum of 37 upper-division (junior and senior) semester hours.

The BS degree is recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate work in Psychology because the BS requires a more extensive mastery of mathematics and laboratory science than does the BA. Training in science and mathematics is advantageous for students who elect to continue in Psychology beyond the baccalaureate. The BS in Psychology degree requires a minor in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for both the major and the minor.

Degree Plan

Required Credits: 120

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Minor Required		18
This program requires the selection of a minor in Chemistry, Biological Science, Mathematics, or Physics.
Designated Core (Courses require a grade of C or better.) ¹
Select one of the following:		4
MATH 1411	Calculus I
University Core Curriculum
Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements.		42
Psychology Major
Required Courses:
PSYC 1301	Introduction to Psychology ^C	3
PSYC 1303	Statistical Methods ^C	3
PSYC 3101	Lab for Gen Exper Psyc ^C	1
PSYC 3102	Professional Development	1
PSYC 3201	Gen Experimental Psychology ^C	2
PSYC 4317	Advanced Statistics	3
Major Electives
Select three courses from:
PSYC 3320	Learning & Memory
PSYC 3330	Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3331	Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 3346	Drugs of Abuse and Behavior
PSYC 3347	Behavior Modification
PSYC 3348	Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3350	Health Psychology
PSYC 4301	Psychological Testing
PSYC 4310	Adolescent Development
PSYC 4311	Advanced Topics Dev Psyc
PSYC 4312	Advanced Psychopathology
PSYC 4313	Physical & Cognitive Aging
PSYC 4315	Psych of Criminal Behavior
PSYC 4321	Judgment and Decision Making
PSYC 4324	Psychobiology
PSYC 4341	Motivation & Emotion
PSYC 4345	Seminar in Psychology
Select six hours of upper division PSYC:		6
PSYC 3315	Psychology and the Law
PSYC 3320	Learning & Memory
PSYC 3330	Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3331	Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 3346	Drugs of Abuse and Behavior
PSYC 3347	Behavior Modification
PSYC 3348	Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3350	Health Psychology
PSYC 4301	Psychological Testing
PSYC 4309	History & Systems Psychology
PSYC 4310	Adolescent Development
PSYC 4311	Advanced Topics Dev Psyc
PSYC 4312	Advanced Psychopathology
PSYC 4313	Physical & Cognitive Aging
PSYC 4315	Psych of Criminal Behavior
PSYC 4321	Judgment and Decision Making
PSYC 4324	Psychobiology
PSYC 4341	Motivation & Emotion
PSYC 4343	Seminar in Meta-Analysis
PSYC 4345	Seminar in Psychology
PSYC 4352	Independent Research
PSYC 4353	Honors Thesis
Select nine additional hours of PSYC at any level:		9
PSYC 2302	Social Psychology
PSYC 2305	Psychology of Human Sexuality
PSYC 2306	Psychology of Personality
PSYC 2310	Life Cycle Development
PSYC 2312	Intro to Psychopathology
PSYC 2324	Introductory Neuroscience
PSYC 3315	Psychology and the Law
PSYC 3320	Learning & Memory
PSYC 3330	Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3331	Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 3346	Drugs of Abuse and Behavior
PSYC 3347	Behavior Modification
PSYC 3348	Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3350	Health Psychology
PSYC 4301	Psychological Testing
PSYC 4309	History & Systems Psychology
PSYC 4311	Advanced Topics Dev Psyc
PSYC 4312	Advanced Psychopathology
PSYC 4316	Language and Cognition
PSYC 4321	Judgment and Decision Making
PSYC 4324	Psychobiology
PSYC 4341	Motivation & Emotion
PSYC 4343	Seminar in Meta-Analysis
PSYC 4345	Seminar in Psychology
PSYC 4352	Independent Research
PSYC 4353	Honors Thesis
Open Electives
Select additional hours to complete a total of 120 total hours, 37 must be upper division
Total Hours		120

¹: Although the UTEP choice is larger, these choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major.
C: Course requires a grade of C or better

University Core Curriculum (A program may recommend specific courses. All courses require a C or better.)

I. Communication (six hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility.
Select six hours of the following:		6
For students whose secondary education was in English:
COMM 1611	Written and Oral Communication
ENGL 1313	Writing About Literature
RWS 1301	Rhetoric & Composition I
RWS 1302	Rhetoric & Composition 2
RWS 1601	Rhetoric, Composition & Comm
For students whose secondary education was not in English:
ESOL 1311	Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl
ESOL 1312	Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl
TOTAL HOURS		6

II. American History (six hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.
HIST 1301	History of U.S. to 1865	3
HIST 1302	History of U.S. Since 1865	3
TOTAL HOURS		6

III. Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs, and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.
Select one of the following:		3
AFST 2300	Intro-African Amer Studies
CHIC 2302	Latina/o Presence in the U.S.
ENGL 2311	English Literature
ENGL 2312	English Literature
ENGL 2313	Intro to American Fiction
ENGL 2314	Intro to American Drama
ENGL 2318	Intro to American Poetry
FREN 2322	Making of the "Other" Americas
HIST 2301	World History to 1500
HIST 2302	World History Since 1500
PHIL 1301	Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2306	Ethics
RS 1301	Introduct to Religious Studies
SPAN 2340	Seeing & Naming: Conversations
WS 2300	Introduction to Womens Studies
WS 2350	Global Feminisms
TOTAL HOURS		3

IV. Mathematics (three hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns, and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and Empirical & Quantitative Skills.
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 1309	College Algebra
MATH 1310	Trigonometry and Conics
MATH 1319	Math in the Modern World
MATH 1320	Math for Social Sciences I
MATH 1411	Calculus I
MATH 1508	Precalculus
MATH 2301	Math for Social Sciences II
STAT 1380	Statistical Literacy
STAT 2480	Elementary Statistical Methods
TOTAL HOURS		3

V. Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on experiences. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork.
Select one of the following:
ASTR 1107	Astronomy Lab I
ASTR 1307	Elem Astronomy-Solar System
ASTR 1308	Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies
BIOL 1103	Introductory Biology Lab
BIOL 1104	Human Biology Laboratory
BIOL 1107	Topics in Study of Life I
BIOL 1108	Organismal Biology Laboratory
BIOL 1203	Introductory Biology
BIOL 1304	Human Biology
BIOL 1305	General Biology
BIOL 1306	Organismal Biology
BIOL 2111	Human Anat/Physio Lab I
BIOL 2113	Human Anat/Physio Lab II
BIOL 2311	Human Anat/Physiology I
BIOL 2313	Human Anat/Physiology II
CHEM 1105	Laboratory for CHEM 1305
CHEM 1106	Laboratory for CHEM 1306
CHEM 1107	Intro General Chemistry Lab
CHEM 1108	Intro Organic & Biochem Lab
CHEM 1305	General Chemistry
CHEM 1306	General Chemistry
CHEM 1307	Intro to General Chemistry
CHEM 1308	Intro Organic & Biochemistry
ESCI 1101	Environmental Sci. Lab
ESCI 1102	Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301
ESCI 1301	Intro to Environmental Sci
GEOG 1106	Laboratory for GEOG 1306
GEOG 1306	Physical Geography
GEOL 1103	Lab for GEOL 1313
GEOL 1104	Lab for GEOL 1314
GEOL 1111	Principles of Earth Sci - Lab
GEOL 1112	Laboratory for Geology 1212
GEOL 1211	Principles of Earth Sciences
GEOL 1212	Principles of Earth Science
GEOL 1230	The Blue Planet
GEOL 1231	Natural Hazards
GEOL 1313	Intro to Physical Geology
GEOL 1314	Intro to Historical Geol
HSCI 2302	Fundamentals of Nutrition
HSCI 2303	Wellness Dynamics
MICR 2330	Microorganisms and Disease
PHYS 1403	General Physics I
PHYS 1404	General Physics II
PHYS 2120	Laboratory for PHYS 2320
PHYS 2121	Laboratory for PHYS 2321
PHYS 2320	Introductory Mechanics
PHYS 2321	Introductory Electromagnetism
TOTAL HOURS		6

VI. Political Science (six hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility and Personal Responsibility.
Required Courses:
POLS 2310	Introduction to Politics	3
POLS 2311	American Gover & Politics	3
TOTAL HOURS		6

VII. Social & Behavioral Sciences (three hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Social Responsibility.
Select one of the following:		3
ANTH 1301	Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog
ANTH 1302	Intro-Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 1310	Cultural Geography
ANTH 2320	Intro to Linguistics
ASIA 2300	Asian American Studies
CE 2326	Econ for Engrs & Scientists
CHIC 2311	Intro to Chicano Studies
COMM 2350	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 2372	Mass Media and Society
ECON 2303	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2304	Principles of Microeconomics
EDPC 1301	Introduction to Ed Psychology
EDU 1342	Action Research in Classrooms
ENGL 2320	Introduction to Linguistics
GEOG 1310	Cultural Geography
LEAD 2300	Leadership in Action
LING 2320	Introduction to Linguistics
LING 2340	Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics
PSYC 1301	Introduction to Psychology
SOCI 1301	Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 1310	Cultural Geography
TOTAL HOURS		3

VIII. Creative Arts

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility.
Select one of the following:		3
ART 1300	Art Appreciation
ARTH 1305	History of Art I
ARTH 1306	History of Art II
CHIC 1311	Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat
DANC 1304	Introduction to Dance
FILM 1390	Intro-Art of Motion Pict.
MUSL 1324	Music Appreciation
MUSL 1327	Jazz to Rock
MUSL 2321	Music, Culture, and Society
THEA 1313	Introduction to Theatre
TOTAL HOURS		3

IX. Component Area Option (six hours)

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
a. A minimum of 3 SCH must meet the definition and corresponding Core Objectives specified in one of the foundational component areas. b. As an option for up to 3 semester credit hours of the Component Area Option, an institution may select course(s) that: (i) Meet(s) the definition specified for one or more of the foundational component areas; and (ii) Include(s) a minimum of three Core Objectives, including Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and one of the remaining Core Objectives of the institution's choice.
BUSN 1301	Intro to Global Business
COMM 1301	Public Speaking	3
COMM 1302	Business/Profession Comm
CS 1310	Intro-Computational Thinking
CS 1320	Computer Programming Sci/Engr
EL 1301	Eng Innovation and Leadership
ENGR 1302	Engineering Design Experience
ENGR 1303	Applied Engineering Analysis
LEAD 1300	Introduction to Leadership
SCI 1301	Inquiry in Math & Science
SPLP 1312	Comm. Var. Across the Lifespan
UNIV 1301	Seminar/Critical Inquiry
TOTAL HOURS		6

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
BS in PSYCHOLOGY
FRESHMAN
Fall
PSYC 1301	Introduction to Psychology	3
MATH 1508	Precalculus	5
Communication		3
Component Area		3
Component Area		3
Spring
PSYC 1303	Statistical Methods	3
HIST 1301	History of U.S. to 1865	3
POLS 2310	Introduction to Politics	3
MATH 1411	Calculus I	4
Communication		3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
Life/Phys. Science + Lab		3
HIST 1302	History of U.S. Since 1865	3
POLS 2311	American Gover & Politics	3
PSYC 3102	Professional Development	1
PSYC 3201 & PSYC 3101	Gen Experimental Psychology and Lab for Gen Exper Psyc	3
Minor Course		3
Spring
Social and Behavioral Science		3
Mathematics		3
Life/Phys. Sc.		3
Major Elective		3
Minor Course		3
JUNIOR
Fall
Major Elective		3
Creative Arts Elective		3
Other Psyc Elective		3
Minor Course		3
Spring
PSYC 4317	Advanced Statistics	3
Major Elective		3
Language, Philosophy and Culture		3
Minor Course		3
Other PSYC Elective		3
SENIOR
Fall
Open Elective		3
Open Elective		3
Upper-Division Psychology Elective		3
Other PSYC Elective		3
Minor Course		3
Spring
Upper-Division Psychology Elective		3
Open Elective		3
Open Elective		3
Open Elective		3
Minor Course		3
Total Hours		121

Academic Catalog