Psychology BSc Major or Minor

  • Program Length
    4 Years
  • Credential
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options
    Honours, Major, Minor
  • Location Offered
    Nanaimo

Program Overview

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.

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.

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 1Credits

Select one of the following:

  • BIOL 121 - (Introductory Zoology)
  • BIOL 123 - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology)
  • Complete both of:
  • Complete both of:
    • BIOL 123A - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology Theory)
    • BIOL123L - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory)
4

Select one of the following:

  • CHEM 140 - (Chemistry Fundamentals I) 
  • Complete both of:
4

Select one of the following:

  • CHEM 141* - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)
  • CHEM 142* - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)
  • Complete both of:
    • CHEM 141A* - (Chemical Fundamentals II Theory)
    • CHEM 142L - (Chemical Fundamentals II Laboratory)
  • Complete both of:
    • CHEM 142A* - (Chemical Fundamentals II Theory
    • CHEM 142L - (Chemical Fundamentals II Laboratory)
4

Select one of the following:

  • Complete both of:
  • Complete both of:
    • MATH 100 - (Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences I) 
    • MATH 101 - (Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences II)
6
PSYC 111 - (Contemporary Psychology I) and,
PSYC 112 - (Contemporary Psychology II)		6
Degree English Requirements6

* CHEM 142A/142 is for students who have taken Chemistry 12 and scored at least a C+.  CHEM 141A/141 is for students who do not meet this Chemistry 12 requirement.   Both courses share the same laboratory material, and final examination.

Year 2Credits
BIOL 200 - (Principles of Cell Biology)3
BIOL 201 - (Principles of Biochemistry)3
CHEM 231 - (Organic Chemistry I) and, 
CHEM 232 - (Organic Chemistry II)		8
PHYS 111 - (Physics for the Life Sciences I) or, 
PHYS 121 - (Physics for the Physical Sciences I) or, 
CSCI 159 - (Computer Science I)		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 4Credits
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 345 - (Drugs and Behaviour - Basic Principles) or,
PSYC 445 - (Clinical Neuropharmacology and Therapeutics)		3
Select five of the following electives:
PSYC 307 - (Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology) 
PSYC 313 - (Cognitive Psychology) 
PSYC 318 - (Sensation and Perception) 
PSYC 323 - (Experimental Neuroscience)
PSYC 324 - (Experimental Neuroscience II) 
PSYC 326 - (Learning Theory and Behaviour Change) 
PSYC 345*** - (Drugs and Behaviour - Basic Principles) 
PSYC 365 - (Sleep and Biological Rhythms) 
PSYC 400 - (Applied Methods in Psychology) 
PSYC 415 - (Introduction to Human Neuropsychology II) 
PSYC 419 - (Cognitive Neuroscience) 
PSYC 445*** - (Clinical Neuropharmachology and Therapeutics) 
PSYC 498A - (Selected Topics in Psychology: Human Brain Disorders)		15

* 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 2Credits
Minimum"C-" in each of the following courses: 
PSYC 111 - (Contemporary Psychology I),
PSYC 112 - (Contemporary Psychology II), 
PSYC 204 - (Research Methods), 
PSYC 205 - (Intro to Biological Psychology)		12
Years 3 and 4Credits
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:
PSYC 305 - (Introduction to Biopsychology II),
PSYC 307 - (Introduction of Evolutionary Psychology),
PSYC 313 - (Cognitive Psychology),
PSYC 315 - (Introduction to Neuropsychology I),
PSYC 318 - (Sensation and Perception), 
PSYC 323 - (Experimental Neuroscience),
PSYC 324 - (Experimental Neuroscience II),
PSYC 326 - (Learning Theory and Behaviour Change),
PSYC 345 - (Drugs and Behaviour - Basic Principles), 
PSYC 365 - (Sleep and Biological Rhythms), 
PSYC 400 - (Applied Methods in Psychology),
PSYC 415 - (Introduction to Human Neuropsychology II),
PSYC 419 - (Cognitive Neuroscience),
PSYC 445 - (Clinical Neuropharmacology and Therapeutics),
PSYC 498A - (Selected Topics in Psychology: Human Brain Disorders)

18

 

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student 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 $166.40 per credit) 4,992.00
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
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 7,333.96
Notes

*  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 VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.90 per course.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student 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 $799.77 per credit) 23,993.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
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 26,335.06
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.90 per course.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus