Prerequisites: none
Description: An introduction to psychology as an experimental science. Emphasizes topics in cognitive (including learning, memory, sensation, perception), comparative, and physiological psychology. Developmental: PSYC 284 Social/Personality: PSYC 285 Neuroscience: PSYC 251 or PSYC 263 or PSYC 287 or PSYC 289 Progress in the program is formally evaluated in June of each year and informally on a continuing basis by noting participation in class and in research. All students in the graduate program are held to these requirements whether or not they have taken graduate work at, or hold an M.A. from, another institution. The only exception may be for previously-taken graduate-level course work which is thought to be equivalent to one or more of PSYC 211, PSYC 212, or PSYC 213. If a grade of “B” or better was received, and with the approval of the advisor, the student may be tested by a departmental instructor of the course(s) in question. On the basis of the results of the test, the instructor decides if the course can be waived. Professional Development Requirement The Professional Development course (PSYC 309B) curriculum satisfies the Professional Development requirement. Topics discussed typically include: interviewing, writing, and oral presentation skills; the academic job market and the job application process; and nonacademic careers Master’s Degree Although there is not a separate terminal master’s program, students may apply for the master’s degree at the beginning of the quarter in which they expect to complete the statistical sequence, the appropriate area core, two of the five further study courses, PSYC 301 (see 1, 2, 3, and 4 above), and a minimum of 36 units in graduate status (of which at least 18 must be in graduate course work) and pass an oral comprehensive examination administered by the Psychology Department. Teaching Experience Each student must gain experience in a teaching capacity for the equivalent of at least three full quarters. Teaching assistants assist a faculty member in an undergraduate course by preparing and grading examinations, reading papers, lecturing, and conducting discussion and laboratory sections. Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations The qualifying examination should be taken during the third year of full-time graduate study. It consists of a written component and an oral examination, and focuses on the subject matter in the student’s chosen area of concentration. A qualifying committee should be nominated early in the third year, and all core and breadth requirements must be completed no later than the quarter in which the qualifying examination is taken. On the basis of this examination (and completion of the core and breadth requirements), the student may pass and be advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D.; fail, and be permitted one retake; be awarded the M.A. (if not previously awarded) but not be advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D.; or not be awarded Admission Students are normally expected to have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Psychology at the UC, with background preparation in basic science and mathematics. Applicants for graduate status must provide scores for the GRE General Test (verbal and quantitative) prior to admission. The Ph.D. degree is a research degree. Students must demonstrate the ability to complete rigorous empirical research and must be active in research throughout their graduate career. The course requirements in the Ph.D. program are directed toward establishing a foundation for critical evaluation of research literature and designing conceptually important empirical research.