The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is designed to meet the needs of students who want an emphasis on either psychological or natural sciences as well as greater flexibility in electives. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology will understand the major theoretical approaches to human behavior and cognition; develop abilities to gather, analyze, synthesize, and apply psychology information; develop a healthy skepticism about conclusions presented without supporting data; and effectively communicate orally and in writing. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology has a strong scientific focus, giving students the opportunity to develop skills in scientific inquiry and interpretation.

The Psychological Science track emphasizes scientific inquiry in psychology, and is most suitable for students who wish to pursue graduate work in psychology. The program is also appropriate for those who would like to pursue careers that emphasize scientific training and quantitative skills.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Psychological Science track:

1. General Education:  Students are required to complete the IU Kokomo General Education program (described here)
2. Students are required to take ENG-W221 Sophomore Writing Lab: Writing in the Social Sciences. We recommend that students take this course prior to PSY-P259 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry.
3. Psychology Major Requirements for B.S.: Students must complete a minimum of 43 credit hours in psychology with a grade of C- or higher in each course.  Questions about other psychology courses that might meet Cluster I, II, III, IV, or V below should be directed to the department.
4. Humanities and Social Sciences requirements for a B.S. degree.

Psychology Core Requirements: The following courses are required of all students declaring a B.S. in Psychology, Psychological Sciences track (all course descriptions can be found here):

• PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 103 General Psychology (3 cr.) - this also serves as a general education course for psychology majors
• PSY-P 259 Introduction to Psychological Inquiry (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 355 Experimental Psychology (4 cr.)
• PSY-P 459 History & Systems of Psychology (3 cr.)

Category I: Choose 1 of these 2 courses:

• PSY-P 319 Psychology of Personality (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 320 Social Psychology (3 cr.)

Category II: Choose 1 of these 2 courses:

• PSY-P 325 Psychology of Learning (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 335 Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)

Category III:  Choose 1 of these 2 courses:

• PSY-P 326 Behavioral Neuroscience (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 407 Drugs and the Nervous System (3 cr.)

Category IV:  Choose 1 of these 2 courses:

• PSY-P 303 Health Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)

Category V:  Choose 1 of these 2 courses:

• PSY-P 216 Life Span Developmental Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 316 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence (3 cr.)

       NOTE: Credit cannot be earned for both PSY-P 216 and PSY-P 316.

• PSY-P 493 (3 cr.) + PSY-P 494 (3 cr.) Supervised Research I & II (No substitutes.)

One additional psychology course from Category I, II, III or IV above.

Psychology Elective. One additional 3 credit hour psychology course at the 200-, 300- or 400-level is required.

One additional Physical and Life Sciences course (must be a lab course) (4-5 cr.):  Between the general education and the psychology major requirements in Physical and Life Sciences courses, the student must have completed at least one Biology course with a lab.