Psychology | University of Lethbridge

Faculty of Arts & Science

Psychology

Delve into the mind and behaviour Are you interested in why people act the way they act and why they think the way they think? What about animals? What do they think?

How do they communicate?

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Psychology at ULethbridge Psychology delves into what makes people tick. Psychologists study the relationship between mind and behaviour by investigating the nature of thought processes and behaviours in humans and other animals.

Psychologists also study the evolutionary, social and cultural factors affecting the development of our thoughts and behaviours, focusing on topics that have a direct bearing on our day-to-day experience.

A major in psychology will help you develop skills in analyzing and interpreting complex material, particularly as it relates to behaviour. You will learn theories of how people interpret the world and act in it, as well as theories of human behaviour.

As a psychology student, you will learn from those at the forefront of psychological research.

Our faculty members are regularly published in the top journals and make an ongoing contribution to an ever-advancing field.

Some psychologists have gone so far as to call psychology “The Propaedeutic Science” — meaning that everyone should study psychology to understand their “built-in” perceptual and cognitive tools in preparation for any other type of scientific or social inquiry. While this may represent an extreme view, it does emphasize the focus on developing a deep understanding of how people and other animals “work.”

Whatever your view on the topic, you will inevitably become a more savvy and critical consumer of evidence-based information related to people’s behaviour such as self-help, psychological and medical advice.

Psychology Degrees. The Department of Psychology offers a major in psychology for the four-year, 40-course Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree programs. You can also opt for a general major in the social sciences or sciences and select psychology as one of the three streams. Alternatively, you can declare psychology as the BA or BSc major for the Combined BA/BMgt or BSc/BMgt programs.

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Bachelor of Arts: If you wish to complement your psychology studies with subjects such as philosophy, anthropology, sociology, linguistics, economics or Indigenous studies, a BA is the best degree to pursue.

Bachelor of Science: If you wish to complement your psychology studies with subjects such as biology, chemistry, neuroscience, computer science or mathematics, a BSc is your best degree choice.

Minors. Adding a minor to your degree is a great way to explore academic interests beyond your major. A minor is a set of courses comprising a secondary focus of interest. It is generally not related to your major. A minor may be required or optional. Minors are not available in all programs.

Learn more at ulethbridge.ca/artsci/minors.

Psychology Courses. Course selections for the program will vary depending on your degree, but may include: • Cognition & Perception • Cognitive Evolution • Sensation & Perception • Abnormal Psychology • Brain & Behaviour • Comparative Sexuality • Animal & Human Minds • Issues in Sexuality • Behaviour & Evolution • Psychology of Aging • Hormones & Behaviour • Human Neuropsychology • Social Psychology • Developmental Psychopathology • Drugs & Behaviour • Evolution of Brain & Behaviour • Methods & Statistics • Organizational Psychology • Learning & Cognition • Psychology of Language • Child Development • Social Cognition • Culture, Evolution & Human Minds • Animal Communication Honours Thesis. If your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an undergraduate thesis course. This is an excellent opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the psychological research process and to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.

Learn more about psychology at ULethbridge, visit ulethbridge.ca/psychology

Our Faculty & Their Research Faculty members are happy to involve undergraduate students in their research projects, using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, often collaborating with other departments, community members and employers on research projects. That gives you the opportunity to get additional hands-on experience.

Senior undergraduate students may have the unique opportunity to work with faculty and graduate students in research labs to get an up-close and personal view of psychology in action. In addition to on-campus research facilities, psychology researchers have carried out studies in South Africa, Japan, Samoa, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, Mexico and China, often with the help of student assistants.

Current Research & Areas of Interest: • Cognition & Memory • Implicit Learning • Sexuality & Gender Issues • Animal Social Networks • Childhood Development • Neural Network Modelling • Social & Ecological Intelligence

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Social & Sexual Behaviour Language & Communication Cross-cultural Psychology Robotics Evolution of Culture Language Development

Your Future Prospects Skills Acquired. In addition to developing exceptional communication skills, you will develop critical and analytical problem-solving skills, research and information management skills and improve your attention to detail. You will leave the program with a strong ability to summarize research findings and to critically analyze evidence-based claims such as those found in clinical arenas like psychology, medicine, alternative medicine or nutrition and in other contexts such as education, advertising or politics.

Related Fields. Here are just a few of the directions open to you once you’ve earned your degree: • Social Services • Research Scientist • Crisis Intervention Worker • Human Resources Officer • Vocational Rehabilitation Worker • Occupational Health & Safety

“My experience in psychology at the University of Lethbridge has taught me that we are the architects of our futures. So take it seriously, but try to enjoy the building process. Over the years, studying in psychology has been challenging, difficult, and most times, it is stressful. But it has also been interesting, exciting, insightful, and most importantly, rewarding.”

- Brayden, Psychology

Graduate Studies. The University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies offers graduate programs at the Master and Doctoral levels, spanning over 60 disciplines — so why not consider pursuing grad school right here in Lethbridge! Whether you choose to do your advanced studies at ULethbridge or another institution, know that your undergraduate degree has set you on the path to post-graduate success.

Professional Disciplines. Your undergraduate degree in psychology provides an excellent foundation for medicine, education and law.

Delve into the mind and behaviour — study Psychology.

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University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 403-329-2235 psychology@uleth.ca ulethbridge.ca/psychology

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Put Your Knowledge to Work Whether you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience by assisting with research projects or by testing your knowledge in a real-life setting, we can help. Combined with your required coursework, the opportunities outlined below will provide you with a solid foundation for further studies and an excellent framework for a challenging and rewarding career — whatever direction you decide to go.

Applied Studies

Earn course credit for career-related paid, volunteer or community service work experience. This program is specially designed to allow you to integrate principles learned in the classroom in a practical work setting.

For more information, visit: ulethbridge.ca/appliedstudies

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

ULethbridge is proud to offer you the chance to participate in co-op. Co-op allows you to gain work experience directly related to your studies and make invaluable contacts in the workforce, all while earning a competitive salary.

Completion of the program allows you to receive a co-op designation on your degree and, most importantly, a kickstart to your career the minute you graduate.

For more information, visit: ulethbridge.ca/coop

Participate in Research

In addition to your regular courses, you can contribute to departmental research activities. For example, you can complete an independent study course or gain employment as a research assistant. If your GPA is high enough, you can also enrol in undergraduate thesis-based courses where research is a component of your studies.

Contact your department to learn more!

Academic Advising Your decision to explore a university education is the first step toward a great future — now let us help you navigate your degree options at ULethbridge and set you on the road to success. Do you have questions about what field of study best suits you? Would you like help with program and registration planning and just can’t find the answers? If so, you should speak to an academic advisor today — advisors have the answers to these questions and many more.

To learn more about the support services available to you through our academic advisors, visit: ulethbridge.ca/artsci/advising

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*This brochure should be used in conjunction with the University of Lethbridge calendar, which is the final authority regarding program requirements and academic regulations.