Psychology, Bachelor of Science

Contact Information
Contact Name: 
Dr. Jane MacNeil
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean

Program Information

Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

Two Year University Transfer Program:

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

The Program

RDC offers the first two years of studies toward specialization and honors BSc Psychology.

Transfer Features

The courses offered in this program can be transferred to most universities. The courses you select must meet the program requirements of the university chosen.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

1. Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. ELA 30-1
  3. Mathematics 30-1
  4. Chemistry 30 or Physics 30
  5. Subject from Group A, B, or C (Math 31 recommended)

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. ELA 30-1
  3. Mathematics 30-1
  4. Chemistry 30 or Physics 30

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Program Content
University of Alberta

(Please note these credits are U of A credits.)

(Honours or Specialization)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM or PHYS (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 260/PSYC 261 (6 credits)
  • Two of MATH 202 (or MATH 203), MATH 204, MATH 221, CMPT 201 (6 Credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

An introduction to how the diverse organisms on this planet have been affected by their ennvironment and how the current environment is the product of the activities or organisms. The course also examines how evolution has operated over long time periods to produce major groups of organisms and how evolutionary origins are reflected in their classsification. The principles that underlie our understanding of the major lineages will be discussed using examples from bacteria; fungi; protists; animals; and plants. A description of the involvement of organisms in major ecosystem processes leads to an evaluation of the stability of those systems and of human impact on the processes. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order

CMPT 201

This course provides an overview of computing science concepts for students with little or no programming background. Topics include: representation of data; machine architecture; operating system concepts; properties of algorithms and computational; problems; syntax of a high level procedural programming language; basic data types and control structures. Student do introductory programming for a portion of the course. Intended for students with no computing experience.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 204

Differentiation and integration of trigonometric; exponential; and logarithmic functions. Indeterminate forms and improper integrals. Techniques of integration. Applications. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or equivalent. Note: You cannot have credit in both MATH 204 and MATH 213.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.

PSYC 260

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; the biological foundations of behavior; genes and evolution; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and adaptation; and memory. Note: This course is a prerequisite for most psychology courses and is normally followed by PSYC 261.

PSYC 261

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include thought; language; and intelligence; motivation and emotion; development over the lifespan; personality; psychological disorders and their treatments; stress; health; and coping; and behavior in a social context. Prerequisite: PSYC 260 Note: PSYC 260/261 is a prerequisite for many courses in the Department.

Suggested Pattern Year 2 (Honors)

  • PSYC 312 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 369 (3 credits)
  • PSYC 375 (3 credits)
  • 2 of: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 358, PSYC 383 (6 credits)
  • 2 of: ANTH, ECON, POLI &/or SOCI (6 credits)
  • 2 Science Options (6 credits)

Suggested Pattern Year 2 (Specialization)

  • 2 of: PSYC 353, PSYC 383, PSYC 341, PSYC 358 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 312 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 369, PSYC 375 (6 credits)
  • 4 Arts &/or Science Options (12 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

PSYC 312

An integrated approach to the methods; principles; and ethics of psychological research and the statistical techniques utilized for the analysis of these data. Prerequisite: Math 30 Pure or equivalent and PSYC 260. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSYC 261

PSYC 341

Individual and group behaviours as they are affected by social contexts. Topics may include the self and social perception; social cognition; prejudice; discrimination; and stereotyping; attitude formation and change; conformity and obedience; affiliation and attraction; pro- and anti-social behaviours; and applied social psychology topics (law; health). Prerequisite: PSYC 260/261 or Soci 260/261

PSYC 353

An examination of theory and research related to physical; cognitive; emotional; and social development across infancy and childhood. Prerequisites: PSYC 260 and PSYC 261

PSYC 358

A survey course in cognition. Major theoretical approaches and research in areas such as perception; attention; memory; the representation of knowledge; language; reasoning and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSYC 260/261. Note: For U of A bound students only - the additional prerequisite or corequisite of either STAT 251 or PSYC 312 is required.

PSYC 369

The psychological and physiological bases of sensory and perceptual processes; including vision; audition; taste; smell; touch; proprioception; and basic psychophysics. Prerequisite: PSYC 260/261 For U of A bound students only; the additional prerequisite or co-requisite of either STAT 251 or PSYC 312 is required.

PSYC 375

Brain function related to sensation; movement; learning; motivation; and thinking. How the brain interacts with behavioural systems. Prerequisite: Biology 30 or equivalent and PSYC 260/261 (Biology 30 prerequisite required by U of A bound students).

PSYC 383

Survey course including theory and research related to the major problems in the study of personality. Prerequisite: PSYC 260/261

University of Calgary

(Please note these credits are U of C credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 260/PSYC 261 (6 credits)
  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • PHYS 205 or MATH 221 (3 credits)
  • MATH 202 (or MATH 203) (3 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

An introduction to how the diverse organisms on this planet have been affected by their ennvironment and how the current environment is the product of the activities or organisms. The course also examines how evolution has operated over long time periods to produce major groups of organisms and how evolutionary origins are reflected in their classsification. The principles that underlie our understanding of the major lineages will be discussed using examples from bacteria; fungi; protists; animals; and plants. A description of the involvement of organisms in major ecosystem processes leads to an evaluation of the stability of those systems and of human impact on the processes. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order

CHEM 211

Stoichiometry; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases; buffers; titrations. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30

CHEM 212

Titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; entropy and Gibbs energy; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; bonding and structure. Prerequisite: CHEM 211

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics; vectors; and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Physics 30 or equivalent. Math 30 Pure.

PSYC 260

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; the biological foundations of behavior; genes and evolution; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and adaptation; and memory. Note: This course is a prerequisite for most psychology courses and is normally followed by PSYC 261.

PSYC 261

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include thought; language; and intelligence; motivation and emotion; development over the lifespan; personality; psychological disorders and their treatments; stress; health; and coping; and behavior in a social context. Prerequisite: PSYC 260 Note: PSYC 260/261 is a prerequisite for many courses in the Department.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • PSYC 312 (6 credits)
  • 4 Senior Psychology courses (12 credits)
  • 4 Breadth Requirements (12 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

PSYC 312

An integrated approach to the methods; principles; and ethics of psychological research and the statistical techniques utilized for the analysis of these data. Prerequisite: Math 30 Pure or equivalent and PSYC 260. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSYC 261

University of Lethbridge

(Please note these credits are U of L credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • PSYC 260/PSYC 261 (6 credits)
  • 3 Electives (Sciences recommended) (9 credits)
  • 2 Fine Arts or Humanities Requirements (6 credits)
  • 3 Social Science Requirements (9 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

PSYC 260

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; the biological foundations of behavior; genes and evolution; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and adaptation; and memory. Note: This course is a prerequisite for most psychology courses and is normally followed by PSYC 261.

PSYC 261

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include thought; language; and intelligence; motivation and emotion; development over the lifespan; personality; psychological disorders and their treatments; stress; health; and coping; and behavior in a social context. Prerequisite: PSYC 260 Note: PSYC 260/261 is a prerequisite for many courses in the Department.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • PSYC 312 (6 credits)
  • PSYC 375/PSYC 341 (6 credits)
  • 4 Electives (Sciences recommended) (12 credits)
  • 2 Fine Arts or Humanities Requirements (6 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

PSYC 312

An integrated approach to the methods; principles; and ethics of psychological research and the statistical techniques utilized for the analysis of these data. Prerequisite: Math 30 Pure or equivalent and PSYC 260. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSYC 261

PSYC 341

Individual and group behaviours as they are affected by social contexts. Topics may include the self and social perception; social cognition; prejudice; discrimination; and stereotyping; attitude formation and change; conformity and obedience; affiliation and attraction; pro- and anti-social behaviours; and applied social psychology topics (law; health). Prerequisite: PSYC 260/261 or Soci 260/261

PSYC 375

Brain function related to sensation; movement; learning; motivation; and thinking. How the brain interacts with behavioural systems. Prerequisite: Biology 30 or equivalent and PSYC 260/261 (Biology 30 prerequisite required by U of A bound students).