Psychology BA and Minor Program Specifics

Here we provide information on course requirements, course descriptions and an Academic Rhode Map for each program, a semester-by-semester plan to help you toward graduation in four years.

Course Requirements

Course Descriptions

Academic Rhode Map

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• explain major content areas of psychology, including the scientific method, brain and cognitive sciences, human development, social/personality, and health/well-being
• identify basic research methods necessary to read, understand, critique, and conduct research in the field of psychology
• select, analyze, and interpret basic statistical techniques in the behavioral sciences
• communicate orally and in writing about research and applications in psychology

Why or in what ways is writing important to your discipline/field/profession?

Writing is an essential activity to the disciplines of psychology and chemical dependency and addiction studies. Scholars in these disciplines need to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between psychological theory, research design and the appropriate interpretation of data. Writing is also an essential means of communicating psychological information to other scholars and the public. 

Which courses are designated as satisfying the (Writing in the Discipline) WID requirement by your department? Why these courses?

There are two courses students in the psychology and chemical dependency/addiction studies programs must take to satisfy the WID requirement:

• PSYC 221: Research Methods I
• PSYC 473-477: Research Methods III

Research Methods I and III were selected as they bookend a student’s research trajectory within the major. In Research Methods I, students learn the foundation of research design and the basics of APA formatting style. In Research Methods III, students build on the skills learned in Research Methods I and II and apply their research methods and analysis skills to larger projects. Research Methods III provides a capstone experience and is where students demonstrate skills learned across the major.

What forms or genres of writing will students learn and practice in your department’s WID courses? Why these genres?

Students will engage in research writing consistent with psychological research, which involves research questions and hypotheses, data and methods, analyzing quantitative and/or qualitative data, and making scientific conclusions based on theory and data. These genres are consistent with psychological science and will prepare students to participate in the discipline as both producers and consumers of research.

What kinds of teaching practices will students encounter in your department’s WID courses?

Students will engage in multiple writing assignments across each course, receiving instructor feedback and opportunities to apply the feedback along the way. Assignments in Research Methods I may include summarizing and critiquing journal articles, describing results of literature searches or learning how to write hypotheses. In Research Methods III, students are required to plan a study, analyze data and write a report using APA style. Instructors may utilize many teaching techniques including lecture, discussions, small-group work, peer-review of writing and scaffolded assignments.

When they’ve satisfied your department’s WID requirement, what should students know and be able to do with writing?

Students should know that writing is an iterative process – we get better at writing the more we do it; feedback and revision matter, and our writing improves as our reading increases. They should also know that participating in the discipline as producers, readers and teachers of psychology involves a familiarity with psychological writing, the ability to communicate psychology in written form and a familiarity with psychological research design.​​

Declaring a minor allows you to explore other areas of interest and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at RIC complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, you can set yourself apart as a candidate for job, internship and volunteer opportunities.

Minor in Psychology

Behavioral Neuroscience Minor

Neuroscience is an inherently interdisciplinary enterprise spanning from molecular to behavioral science. In an increasingly complex and competitive world the undergraduate study of behavioral neuroscience emphasizes the interdependent nature of science and allows students to draw knowledge from diverse fields in order to better understand and address our greatest social, biological and ethical challenges. The behavioral neuroscience minor seeks to prepare students for diverse careers or graduate study in fields related to behavior and brain function. Students graduating with a minor in behavioral neuroscience in combination with degrees in psychology, biology, chemistry, computer science or others may choose to pursue careers in biotechnology, consulting, medicine, pharmaceutical and/or medical industry, public health, research or teaching.

Program Goals

• Promote a culture of academic excellence in the study of brain and behavioral science.
• Demonstrate the interdependent nature of science.
• Promote critical and integrative thinking.
• Facilitate an understanding of the scientific enterprise in the context of social, biomedical and ethical challenges.
• Prepare students for graduate or professional careers in neuroscience related fields.

Course Requirements for Behavioral Neuroscience Minor