Psychology, Bachelor of Science

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 
2 years at RDC - 2 years at most universities
Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
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.

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Through graduate studies in Psychology, students may become chartered psychologists, working in clinical settings with clients who have emotional problems or mental illness. They may also study to become research psychologists in one of the many areas of psychology. Graduates may also go on to professional studies in fields such as medicine, law, or business.

Psychology graduates generally have superior skills in problem solving, critical thinking, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data, writing and communicating.

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.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

Program Content
University of Alberta

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

Suggested Pattern Year 1 (Honours)

  • PSYC 260/261 (6 credits)
  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • One of: MATH 202, 203, or 221 (3 credits)
  • One ANTH, ECON, POLI, SOCI option (3 credits)
  • 2 options (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

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification; the history of life; and the key adaptations of prokaryotes; protists; fungi; plants; and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function; and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

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 30-1 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 algegra; determinants; vectors; lines and planes; subspaces of n-space; and applications. Introduction to linear transformations; eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

PSYC 260

Fundamental terminology; procedures; findings; and theories related to basic psychological processes. Topics may include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; biological foundations of behaviour; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning; memory; language and thought.

PSYC 261

Fundamental terminology; procedures; findings; and theories related to individual; social; and abnormal behaviour. Topics may include intelligence; problem solving; creativity; motivation and emotion; lifespan development; personality; psychological disorders and treatments; health; stress and coping; and social behaviour. Prerequisite: PSYC 260

Suggested Pattern Year 2 (Specialization)

  • PSYC 260/261 (6 credits)
  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • Junior Math or Computing Science Requirement (6 credits)
  • Junior Chemistry or Physics Requirement (6 credits)

Suggested Pattern Year 2 (Honours or Specialization)

Please refer to the Academic Planning Guides, or, speak with the Arts & Sciences Advising & Recruiting team at artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca for more information.

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: Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2 (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 260/261

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

  • PSYC 260/PSYC 261 (6 credits)
  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 (or MATH 203) and MATH 221 (6 credits)
  • 2 Arts Options (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

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification; the history of life; and the key adaptations of prokaryotes; protists; fungi; plants; and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function; and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry; reactions and titrations; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; chemical equilibrium; and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers; titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; thermodynamics and thermochemistry; chemical kinetics; and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

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 30-1 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 algegra; determinants; vectors; lines and planes; subspaces of n-space; and applications. Introduction to linear transformations; eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

PSYC 260

Fundamental terminology; procedures; findings; and theories related to basic psychological processes. Topics may include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; biological foundations of behaviour; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning; memory; language and thought.

PSYC 261

Fundamental terminology; procedures; findings; and theories related to individual; social; and abnormal behaviour. Topics may include intelligence; problem solving; creativity; motivation and emotion; lifespan development; personality; psychological disorders and treatments; health; stress and coping; and social behaviour. Prerequisite: PSYC 260

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: Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2 (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

Fundamental terminology; procedures; findings; and theories related to basic psychological processes. Topics may include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; biological foundations of behaviour; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning; memory; language and thought.

PSYC 261

Fundamental terminology; procedures; findings; and theories related to individual; social; and abnormal behaviour. Topics may include intelligence; problem solving; creativity; motivation and emotion; lifespan development; personality; psychological disorders and treatments; health; stress and coping; and social behaviour. Prerequisite: PSYC 260

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • PSYC 312 (6 credits)
  • PSYC Electives (12 credits)
  • 2 Fine Arts of Humanities Requirements (6 credits)
  • 2 Electives (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: Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2 (or equivalent) and Psyc 260 Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSYC 261