Psychology (BSc)

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Core Courses

The Core component of the degree, combined with appropriate electives, gives students sufficient knowledge and experience in their field to facilitate entry into graduate or professional schools, or into employment in their field. Students must complete PSYC 204 with a minimum (“C+”) grade; and all first year core courses before registering for any upper-level Psychology courses unless permission is obtained from the instructor.

* Effective September 2011: CHEM 140 will replace CHEM 122, CHEM 141 will replace CHEM 111, and CHEM 142 will replace CHEM 121. Students who have already completed the old Chemistry courses can still use those courses to meet the 1st-year chemistry requirements.

Note: PSYC 210 - (History and Systems of Psychology) is recommended as an elective.

* Students with credit for MATH 211 may seek a waiver for PSYC 300A.
** Students with credit for MATH 203 may seek a waiver for PSYC 300B.
*** At least one of PSYC 345 or PSYC 445 is required.

Note: It is recommended that students wishing to enter a graduate program complete a Senior Research Project PSYC 490 and PSYC 491.

Note: For students pursuing Graduate School in Psychology, electives from each of the core groupings in Psychology are recommended.

Undergraduate Research Project

Directed studies courses (PSYC 301/302; 390/391) are in place to encourage students to participate in a research program by carrying out a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member. It is recommended that at least one of the above courses be taken prior to the student's senior research project (PSYC 490/491). Students interested in research in general should consult a faculty member as early as possible in their academic career.

Students planning to take Psychology 490/491 in the Fall semester must have a Research Supervisor identified prior to registration. Details of the special registration process required for Psychology 490/491 may be obtained from the Psychology Chair or the Psychology B.Sc. Advisor.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

• General admission requirements apply.
• A minimum "B" grade in either Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12. 

Notes on Admission

• Courses in first year have different prerequisites. To satisfy all first year course prerequisites, students must complete all of the following B.C. Secondary School course requirements:
  • A minimum grade of “C” in English 12;
  • A minimum grade of “C+” in each of Biology 11 or 12, Chemistry 11 and 12 and Physics 11 (Principles of Physics 11); and,
  • A minimum grade of “B” in Mathematics 12 (Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12).
  • Some seats are available for students who have only completed Chemistry 11 with a minimum “C+”.
• Students who do not satisfy all of the first year course prerequisites will not likely be able to complete the full degree program in four years. Students who are lacking any or all of the first year course prerequisites should speak with a VIU Advisor about upgrading courses.
• Students with a two-year diploma in a field related to the Biological Sciences may receive advanced standing, depending upon their program.
• Transcripts from other institutions for courses used towards the B.Sc., Major in Psychology degree must be received by VIU’s Records office by August 15 for the Fall semester, and November 30 for the Spring semester.

Domestic (Canadian)

International