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.

* CHEM 142A/142 is for students who have taken Chemistry 12 and scored at least a C+.  CHEM 141A/141 is for students who do not meet this Chemistry 12 requirement.   Both courses share the same laboratory material, and final examination.

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.

The Psychology Honours (BSc) Program

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. The goal of the program is to cultivate a broad and multidisciplinary perspective on human behaviour spanning levels of analysis from the molecular and cellular to broad external factors, including the social and natural environment, as well as growth in general intellectual skills including communication, numeracy, critical thinking, and learning ability. The program prepares students well for graduate studies in psychology, professional programs in health-related disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, etc., and a wide range of potential careers that benefit from an improved understanding of human behaviour (e.g., human services, counseling, banking, retail, law, business, education, management, etc.).

Students will attend an “Honours seminar” which takes place weekly in the fall semester. In the spring semester, the group typically meets for the first few weeks and then disband until ready to practice their presentations.

Program Outline

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.

*CHEM 142A/142 is for students who have taken Chemistry 12 and scored at least a C+.  CHEM 141A/141 is for students who do not meet this Chemistry 12 requirement.  Both courses share the same laboratory material, and final examination.

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.

Completion Requirements

Honours students need an average GPA of 3.33 (B+) in all 3rd and 4th year courses taken within the psychology discipline in order to graduate from an Honours program. Further, a minimum grade of B- must be obtained in PSYC 490 and PSYC 491 to fulfill requirements for completion of the Honours program in psychology.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum "B+" average on the most recent 30 credits attempted and completed.
• A minimum combined average of a 3.33 ("B+") in the following courses: PSYC 204, PSYC 300A, and PSYC 300B. 

Notes on Admission

• To apply to the Psychology Honours program, an application form is submitted to the Psychology Chair on or before March 31st of the year preceding the student’s final year of study. An Honours Committee comprised of three faculty members, including the Chair, will ascertain whether the student has completed the application requirements including grade requirements.
• The Degree Advisor will be notified in the fall semester, likely the second week, when students have completed their Registration form which must be signed by the Chair. This will allow the Chair to collect the list of students who actually begin the Honours program.

Start Date and Application Deadline

Applications are to be submitted on or before March 31st of the year preceding the student’s final year of study. Late applications may be accepted on a case by case basis.

Domestic (Canadian)

International