- Program Length4 Years
- CredentialBachelor Degree
- Location OfferedNanaimo
The Psychology (BSc) Program
The Bachelor of Science Major/Minor in Psychology places an increased emphasis on the role of biological factors in psychological phenomena. In particular, core courses/subject areas have been selected to develop a broad understanding of nervous system structure and function and its relation to normal behaviour in humans and nonhuman animals as well as its involvement in disease processes. The program should be of particular interest and value to students interested in health-related professional programs (e.g., medicine, chiropractic, optometry, physiotherapy, etc.) or graduate studies in psychology, neuroscience, or other areas of the life sciences. Small class sizes in the program enhance student opportunities for interactions with faculty and participation in laboratory research or other applied activities.
There is strong faculty expertise/interest in sleep and biological rhythms, learning and memory, sensory physiology, evolutionary psychology, neuropsychology and psychopharmacology, with associated active laboratories using techniques including electroencephalography, immunohistochemistry, and video behavioral analysis. The Psychology Department stresses hands-on learning and encourages student involvement in research and other applied activities either through course work or individual faculty supervision.
For additional information on the program, faculty, and undergraduate research please visit the VIU Psychology website.
All B.Sc. students interested in the Psychology Major or Minor should contact?Dr. Elliott Marchant?of the Psychology Department.
Program Outline
Requirements for a Major
Students must fulfill all?Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including?Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
Core Courses
The Core component of the degree, combined with appropriate electives, gives students sufficient knowledge and experience in their field to facilitate entry into graduate or professional schools, or into employment in their field.?Students must complete PSYC 204 with a minimum (“C+”) grade; and all first year core courses before registering for any upper-level Psychology courses unless permission is obtained from the instructor.
|
Year 1 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
BIOL 121?- (Introductory Zoology) or, |
4 |
|
Select?one?of the following pairs:? |
8 |
|
MATH 121?- (Calculus I)?and,? |
6 |
|
PSYC 111?- (Contemporary Psychology I)?and, |
6 |
|
6 |
* Effective September 2011:?CHEM 140?will replace?CHEM 122,?CHEM 141?will replace?CHEM 111, and CHEM 142?will replace?CHEM 121.?Students who have already completed the old Chemistry courses can still use those courses to meet the?1st-year?chemistry requirements.
|
Year 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
BIOL 200?- (Principles of Cell Biology) |
3 |
|
BIOL 201?- (Principles of Biochemistry) |
3 |
|
CHEM 231?- (Organic Chemistry I)?and,? |
6 |
|
PHYS 111?- (Physics for the Life Sciences I)?or,? |
4 |
|
PSYC 204?- (Research Methods) |
3 |
|
PSYC 205?- (Introduction to Biopsychology I) |
3 |
Note:?PSYC 210?- (History and Systems of Psychology) is recommended as an elective.
|
Years 3 and 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
BIOL 212?- (Genetics) |
3 |
|
PSYC 300A* - (Statistical Methods in Psychology I) |
3 |
|
PSYC 300B** - (Statistical Methods in Psychology II) |
3 |
|
PSYC 305?- (Introduction to Biopsychology II) |
3 |
|
PSYC 315?- (Introduction to Neuropsychology I) |
3 |
|
PSYC 323?- (Experimental Neuroscience) |
3 |
|
PSYC 345?- (Drugs and Behaviour - Basic Principles) or, |
3 |
|
Select?four?of the following electives: |
12 |
*?Students with credit for?MATH 211?may seek a waiver for PSYC 300A.
**?Students with credit for?MATH 203?may seek a waiver for PSYC 300B.
***?At least one of?PSYC 345?or?PSYC 445?is required.
Note:?It is recommended that students wishing to enter a graduate program complete a Senior Research Project?PSYC 490?and?PSYC 491.
Note:?For students pursuing Graduate School in Psychology, electives from each of the core groupings in Psychology are recommended.
Undergraduate Research Project
Directed studies courses (PSYC 301/302;?390/391) are in place to encourage students to participate in a research program by carrying out a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member. It is recommended that at least one of the above courses be taken prior to the student's senior research project (PSYC 490/491). Students interested in research in general should consult a faculty member as early as possible in their academic career.
Students planning to take Psychology 490/491 in the Fall semester must have a Research Supervisor identified prior to registration. Details of the special registration process required for Psychology 490/491 may be obtained from the?Psychology Chair?or the?Psychology B.Sc. Advisor.
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all?Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including?Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
|
Years 1 and 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Minimum"C-" in each of the following courses:? |
12 |
|
Years 3 and 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Minimum"C-" in each of at least?eighteen?credits of upper–level Psychology courses numbered?300?and above, with at least?nine?credits selected from the B.Sc. Psychology core courses as follows: |
18 |
Admission Requirements
Notes on Admission
- Courses in first year have different prerequisites. To satisfy?all?first year course prerequisites, students must complete all of the following B.C. Secondary School course requirements:
- A minimum grade of “C” in English 12;
- A minimum grade of “C+” in each of Biology 11 or 12, Chemistry 11 and 12 and Physics 11 (Principles of Physics 11); and,
- A minimum grade of “B” in Mathematics 12 (Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12).
- Some seats are available for students who have only completed Chemistry 11 with a minimum “C+”.
- Students who do not satisfy all of the first year course prerequisites will not likely be able to complete the full degree program in four years. Students who are lacking any or all of the first year course prerequisites should speak with a?VIU Advisor?about upgrading courses.
- Students with a two-year diploma in a field related to the Biological Sciences may receive advanced standing, depending upon their program.
- Transcripts from other institutions for courses used towards the B.Sc., Major in Psychology degree must be received by VIU’s Records office by August 15 for the Fall semester, and November 30 for the Spring semester.
Domestic Fees | International Fees
Domestic Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for One Year |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (30 credits x $153.73 per credit) |
4,611.90 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) |
184.48 |
|
Student Services fee (30 credits x $6.79 per credit) |
203.70 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month) |
165.84 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
|
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) |
1,500.00 |
|
Total |
6,940.92 |
*? The above table is based on?ten 3-credit?courses taken over two semesters. For programs that require 4-credit courses, students should adjust the fee totals accordingly.
The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus.
Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $22.08 per course.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
International Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for One Year |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (2 semesters x $8340 per semester) |
16,680.00 |
|
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $381.6 per semester) |
763.20 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month) |
165.84 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
|
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) |
1,500.00 |
|
Total |
19,384.04 |
The above table is based on 15 credits or less per semester. Additional fees of $695.00 per credit will be applied if taking more than 15 credits per semester.
The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus.
Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $22.08 per course.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Updated| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2021 |
Oct 1, 2020 to Mar 31, 2021
|
Nanaimo
|
|||||||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant
Name: Amelia Maher-Ahmed Comments
|
|||||||||
| Sep 7, 2021 |
Oct 1, 2020 to Mar 31, 2021
|
Cowichan
|
|||||||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant
Name: Amelia Maher-Ahmed |
|||||||||
Please consult the Vancouver Island University Calendar or contact Student Services/Advising at 250-740-6410 or email advising.@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.