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 General Science track emphasizes the connections between the science of psychology, and various other physical and natural sciences.  Therefore, this program requires additional study in natural science, and is suitable for students who wish to pursue graduate work in professional health programs such as occupational therapy or physical therapy, medicine, or medical or geriatric social work. 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, General 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 with a grade of C- or higher. It is recommended 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, General 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.

Category VI:  Choose 1 of these 5 courses:

• PSY-B 388 Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 343 Psychology Abroad (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 348 Psychology of Hip Hop (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 364 Multicultural Issues in Counseling (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 391 Psychology of Gender and Ethnicity (3 cr.)

Supervised Skills Sequence: Students should consult with academic advisors and with the psychology faculty in deciding which 1 of these 2 sequences to complete:

• PSY-P 381 Helping Skills and Ethics (3 cr.) + PSY-B421 Practicum in Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 493 (3 cr.) + PSY-P 494 (3 cr.) Supervised Research I & II

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

Three additional Physical and Life Sciences courses (two with labs) (12-15 cr.) - Between the general education and the psychology major requirements in Physical and Life Sciences courses, the student must have completed three courses that are either Biology or Chemistry courses, and two of those must include labs.