Psychology Major, B.S.

In the undergraduate study of psychology, the emphasis is on a broad acquaintance with the behavioral sciences, not specialization. The subject matter is preparatory to a career in psychology either in basic research and teaching, or in any number of professional applications to various human problems. A psychology major may prove valuable to those planning other professional careers such as medicine, law, education, or business, as well as to those who seek a broad cultural background in the behavioral sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the psychology (B.A., B.S.) and/or neuroscience (B.S.) programs, students will attain the following:

  • Knowledge Base: Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology and/or neuroscience, including its links to other disciplines.
  • Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Skills: Apply basic research methods in psychology and/or neuroscience, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. Demonstrate scientific reasoning and problem solving. 
  • Ethics, Social Responsibility and Responsible Conduct of Research: Demonstrate use of empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, be mindful of diversity and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology and/or neuroscience as a science.
  • Communication: Demonstrate competence in writing and in oral communication skills. Ability to produce a research study or other neuroscience and/or psychology project, explain its scientific results and present information.
  • Individual and Professional Development: Develop the ability to apply psychology and/or neuroscience content, skills, project management and teamwork skills to career preparation. Apply psychological and/or neuroscience principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.

Requirements 

In addition to the program requirements, students must

  • earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
  • complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
  • take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
  • earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.

For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.

Gateway Course
PSYC 101IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Psychology (with a grade of C or better) F3
Core Requirements
PSYC 210IDEAs in Action General Education logo Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H3
PSYC 270IDEAs in Action General Education logo Research Methods in Psychology 1,23
One course below 400 from each of the following program areas:6
Behavioral Integrative Neuroscience:
Learning H
Sensation and Perception 3, H
Neuropsychopharmacology
Biopsychology H
Cognitive:
Sensation and Perception 3, H
Cognitive Psychology H
One course below 400 from two of the three following psychology program areas:6
Clinical:
Introduction to Clinical Psychology H
Psychopathology H
Development:
Child Development H
Social:
Social Psychology H
One upper-level course chosen from "Special Requirement Courses" (see list below) 43
One upper-level PSYC and/or NSCI course numbered between 395 and 699. May not include PSYC 493 or NSCI 493. 43
One additional PSYC and/or NSCI course above 101; may not include PSYC 190 or NSCI 190. 43
Additional Requirements
BIOL 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F
4
One of:4
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Descriptive Chemistry I
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F
MATH 231IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F4
One of:3-4
Fluency in Information Technology
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Programming and Data Science H
Introduction to Scientific Programming
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F
At least 3 additional three-credit hour non-Psychology and Neuroscience Department courses which must come from the Allied Science list (see below). Additionally, 1 four-credit hour non-Psychology and Neuroscience Department course from the Allied Science list (see below) or one of the following combinations: CHEM 241 + 241L, CHEM 241H + 245L, CHEM 262 + 262L or CHEM 262H + 263L or EMES 101 + EMES 101L. 513
Remaining General Education requirements and enough additional hours to accumulate 120 academic hours62
Total Hours120
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

1

Psychology and Neuroscience double majors may also use any NSCI 27* course to fulfill this requirement.

2

Psychology and Human Development Family Studies double majors may also use EDUC 408 to fulfill this requirement.

3
NSCI 225 can meet either the behavioral neuroscience or cognitive requirement, but not both.
 
4

Up to 3-credit hours of the following may be used to fulfill one core major requirement: PSYC 395/NSCI 395, PSYC 693H/NSCI 693H or PSYC 694H/NSCI 694H.

5

A 3-credit hour Allied Science course may be combined with a 1-credit hour lab with the same course number to fulfill the 4-credit hour Allied Science course requirement. 

Students planning to enter graduate programs in psychology are urged to include a research-intensive course such as PSYC 395, PSYC 530, or PSYC 693H and PSYC 694H in their program as well as a software programming/coding course.

Students interested in medical and/or health careers are strongly encouraged to connect with Pre-professional & Pre-graduate Advising and Health Professions Advising. Particularly note that medical and/or health professional schools may recommend, though not require, psychology courses. 

A student may submit a maximum of 45 credit hours from the department (this includes both PSYC and NSCI courses) towards the completion of the B.S. degree.

Details of the student’s program may be worked out in consultation with college and departmental advisors.

Special Requirements Courses

PSYC 395IDEAs in Action General Education logo Independent Research1-3
PSYC 404Clinical Psychopharmacology3
PSYC 430Human Memory3
PSYC 433Behavioral Decision Theory3
PSYC 438IDEAs in Action General Education logo Research Topics in the Psychology of Language3
PSYC 469Evolution and Development of Biobehavioral Systems3
PSYC 504Health Psychology3
PSYC 517Addiction3
PSYC 525Psychological Archival Data Science3
PSYC 528IDEAs in Action General Education logo Clinical Research: Design, Analyze, Disseminate3
PSYC 530Design and Interpretation of Psychological Research3
PSYC 531Tests and Measurement3
PSYC 532Quantitative Psychology H3
PSYC 533The General Linear Model in Psychology H3
PSYC 534Introduction to Computational Statistics3
PSYC 559Applied Machine Learning in Psychology3
PSYC 693HIDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors in Psychology I3
PSYC 694HIDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors in Psychology II3
NSCI 395 and any course between NSCI 400-699, except NSCI 415 and NSCI 493.
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

Allied Science Electives

Anthropology
ANTH 143Human Evolution and Adaptation3
ANTH 148IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Origins3
ANTH 217IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Biology in Comparative Perspective3
ANTH 298IDEAs in Action General Education logo Biological Anthropology Theory and Practice3
ANTH 315IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Genetics and Evolution3
ANTH 318IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Growth and Development3
ANTH 412Paleoanthropology3
ANTH 413IDEAs in Action General Education logo Laboratory Methods: Archaeobotany3
ANTH 414IDEAs in Action General Education logo Laboratory Methods: Human Osteology3
ANTH 415IDEAs in Action General Education logo Laboratory Methods: Zooarchaeology3
ANTH 416IDEAs in Action General Education logo Bioarchaeology3
ANTH 423Written in Bone: CSI and the Science of Death Investigation from Skeletal Remains3
ANTH 437Evolutionary Medicine3
ANTH 471Biocultural Perspectives on Maternal and Child Health3
Astronomy
ASTR ---Any course above ASTR 99 except ASTR 390
Biochemistry
BIOC 107Introduction to Biochemistry4
BIOC 108Introduction to Biochemistry4
Biology
BIOL ---Any course above BIOL 101, except BIOL 195, BIOL 290, BIOL 291, BIOL 292, BIOL 293, BIOL 294, BIOL 295, BIOL 296, BIOL 395, BIOL 410, BIOL 490, and BIOL 495
Biomedical Engineering
BMME 150Introduction to Materials Science3
BMME 207Biomedical Electronics4
BMME 301Human Physiology: Electrical Analysis4
BMME 315Biotransport3
BMME 335Biomaterials3
BMME 385Bioinstrumentation3
BMME 405Biomechanics of Movement3
BMME 420Introduction to Synthetic Biology3
BMME 435Biological Physics3
BMME 445Systems Neuroscience3
BMME 455Biofluid Mechanics3
BMME 470Analysis of Tissue Engineering Technologies 3
BMME 485Biotechnology3
BMME 505Skeletal Biomechanics3
Biostatistics
BIOS ---Any course above BIOS 500H, except BIOS 540, BIOS 543, BIOS 690, BIOS 691, BIOS 693H, BIOS 694H
Chemistry
CHEM ---Any course above CHEM 101 except CHEM 190, CHEM 291, CHEM 395, CHEM 396, CHEM 397, CHEM 410, and CHEM 692H
Computer Science
COMP ---Any course above COMP 116, except COMP 185, COMP 190, COMP 380, COMP 390, and COMP 393
Environment and Ecology
ENEC 108Our Energy and Climate Crises: Challenges and Opportunities4
ENEC 202IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to the Environmental Sciences4
ENEC 220North Carolina Estuaries: Environmental Processes and Problems3
ENEC 222Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science4
ENEC 256Mountain Biodiversity4
ENEC 304Restoration Ecology4
ENEC 324IDEAs in Action General Education logo Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems3
ENEC 352Marine Fisheries Ecology3
ENEC 403Environmental Chemistry Processes3
ENEC 406Atmospheric Processes II4
ENEC 410Earth Processes in Environmental Systems4
ENEC 411Oceanic Processes in Environmental Systems4
ENEC 415Environmental Systems Modeling3
ENEC 416Environmental Meteorology3
ENEC 431Sustainable Cities: Exploring Ways of Making Cities More Sustainable3
ENEC 450Biogeochemical Processes4
ENEC 462Ecosystem Management3
ENEC 471Human Impacts on Estuarine Ecosystems4
ENEC 479Landscape Analysis3
ENEC 489Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems4
ENEC 530Principles of Climate Modeling3
ENEC 562Statistics for Environmental Scientists4
ENEC 567Ecological Analyses and Application3
Environment Sciences
ENVR 205Engineering Tools for Environmental Problem Solving3
ENVR 403Environmental Chemistry Processes3
ENVR 411Laboratory Techniques and Field Measurements3
ENVR 412Ecological Microbiology3
ENVR 413Limnology3
ENVR 416Aerosol Physics and Chemistry4
ENVR 419Chemical Equilibria in Natural Waters3
ENVR 421Environmental Health Microbiology3
ENVR 425Introduction to Health Physics: Radiation and Radiation Protection3
ENVR 430Health Effects of Environmental Agents3
ENVR 442Biochemical Toxicology3
ENVR 451Introduction to Environmental Modeling3
ENVR 453Groundwater Hydrology3
ENVR 468Temporal GIS and Space/Time Geostatistics for the Environment and Public Health3
ENVR 470Environmental Risk Assessment3
ENVR 472Quantitative Risk Assessment in Environmental Health Microbiology3
ENVR 514Measurement of NOx, O3, and Volatile Organic Compounds3
ENVR 575Global Climate Change: Science, Impacts, Solutions3
ENVR 630Systems Biology in Environmental Health3
ENVR 661Scientific Computation I3
ENVR 662Scientific Computation II3
ENVR 666Numerical Methods3
ENVR 668Methods of Applied Mathematics I3
ENVR 669Methods of Applied Mathematics II3
ENVR 671Environmental Physics I3
ENVR 672Environmental Physics II3
ENVR 675Air Pollution, Chemistry, and Physics3
Exercise and Sport Science
EXSS 175IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Anatomy F3
EXSS 175
EXSS 275L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Anatomy
and Human Anatomy Laboratory F
4
EXSS 276Human Physiology3
EXSS 376Physiological Basis of Human Performance4
EXSS 380Neuromuscular Control and Learning3
EXSS 385Biomechanics of Sport3
EXSS 475Functional Anatomy3
EXSS 576Exercise Endocrinology3
EXSS 580Neuromechanics of Human Movement3
Geography
GEOG 110IDEAs in Action General Education logo The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth's Environmental Systems H3
GEOG 111IDEAs in Action General Education logo Weather and Climate3
GEOG 212IDEAs in Action General Education logo Environmental Conservation and Global Change3
GEOG 253Introduction to Atmospheric Processes4
GEOG 391Quantitative Methods in Geography3
GEOG 412Synoptic Meteorology3
GEOG 414IDEAs in Action General Education logo Climate Change3
GEOG 416IDEAs in Action General Education logo Applied Climatology: The Impacts of Climate and Weather on Environmental and Social Systems3
GEOG 440Earth Surface Processes3
GEOG 441Introduction to Watershed Systems3
GEOG 442Limnology and Freshwater Ecology3
Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences
GEOL ---Any course above GEOL 100, except GEOL 190, GEOL 390, GEOL 395, GEOL 396, GEOL 412, GEOL 480, GEOL 590, GEOL 601, GEOL 602, GEOL 691H, GEOL 692H, and GEOL 695
MASC ---Any course above MASC 100, except MASC 190, MASC 390, MASC 395, MASC 396, and MASC 490
EMES ---Any course above EMES 100, except EMES 190, EMES 220, EMES 390, EMES 395, EMES 396, EMES 412, EMES 490, EMES 590, EMES 691H, and EMES 692H
Mathematics
MATH --- Any course above MATH 230 except MATH 290, 296, 396, 410, 411, 418, 515, 691H and 692H.
Microbiology
MCRO ---Any course above MCRO 100 except MCRO 690
Nutrition
NUTR 240Introduction to Human Nutrition3
NUTR 400Introduction to Nutritional Biochemistry3
NUTR 600Human Metabolism: Macronutrients3
NUTR 620HUMAN METABOLISM: MICRONUTRIENTS3
Philosophy
PHIL 155IDEAs in Action General Education logo Truth and Proof: Introduction to Mathematical Logic H3
PHIL 455IDEAs in Action General Education logo Symbolic Logic3
Physics
PHYS ---Any course above PHYS 99 except PHYS 132, PHYS 295, PHYS 391, PHYS 395, PHYS 410, PHYS 671L, PHYS 672L, PHYS 691H, and PHYS 692H
Statistics and Operations Research
STOR ---Any course above STOR 100 except STOR 151 or STOR 155
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
First-Year Foundation Courses
IDST 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo College Thriving 1
ENGL 105
IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary)
3
First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch 3
Triple-I and Data Literacy 4
Global Language through level 3 varies
Major Courses
BIOL 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F
4
CHEM 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Descriptive Chemistry I H, F
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity
4
MATH 231 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F 4
PSYC 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Psychology F 3
Hours 26
Sophomore Year
Allied science course #1 3
Allied science course #2, with lab 4
COMP 101
Fluency in Information Technology
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Programming and Data Science
or Introduction to Scientific Programming
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II
3-4
PSYC 210 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Statistical Principles of Psychological Research H 3
PSYC 220
Biopsychology H
or Neuropsychopharmacology
or Learning
or Sensation and Perception
3
Hours 16-17
Junior Year
PSYC 270 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Research Methods in Psychology 3
Two courses chosen from the clinical, developmental, or social list 6
Allied science course #3 3
PSYC 230
Cognitive Psychology H
or Sensation and Perception
3
Hours 15
Senior Year
One PSYC and/or NSCI course chosen from the "Upper Level Courses for Special Requirement" (see course list) 3
One additional PSYC and/or NSCI course numbered between 395 and 699. May not include PSYC 493 or NSCI 493. 3
Allied science course #4 3
One additional PSYC and/or NSCI course above 101 1 3
Hours 12
Total Hours 69-70
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

1

Up to 3-credit hours of the following may be used to fulfill one core major requirement: PSYC 395/NSCI 395, PSYC 693H/NSCI 693H or PSYC 694H/NSCI 694H.

Special Opportunities in Psychology and Neuroscience

Honors in Psychology and Neuroscience

Any major in the program with an overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher and prior research experience in a faculty lab (e.g., PSYC 395 or NSCI 395) is eligible for enrollment in the departmental senior honors thesis program. Each candidate for honors participates in a two-semester course sequence (PSYC 693H and PSYC 694H or NSCI 693H and NSCI 694H) and carries out independent research in an area of the student’s choice under the guidance of a psychology and neuroscience faculty member. Please see the department website for the application form and additional information.

Departmental Involvement

The Carolina Psychology and Neuroscience Ambassadors Program is a peer mentoring program which connects relative new or inexperienced psychology and/or neuroscience majors with more advanced and experienced students, in order to create stronger networking and provide greater access to support and resources. 

The Carolina Neuroscience Club brings together students who have an interest in the brain and nervous system. Club members meet regularly to discuss courses, research articles, and post-college neuroscience opportunities. Membership is open to anyone interested in neuroscience.

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society for psychology. UNC's chapter strives to increase awareness of career options as well as the role of psychology in the community, among exemplary psychology students.

Nu Rho Psi is the National Honor Society for neuroscience. The Nu Rho Psi chapter at Carolina aims to build connections among neuroscience students on campus, celebrate brain awareness week in our community, provide mentorship to underclassmen interested in the field, and much more.

Helping Give Away Psychological Science is a student-based nonprofit organization to improve information about psychology on Wikipedia, on other online sites, and in the community. 

High-Impact/Experiential Education

Several opportunities for experiential education are available. The Karen M. Gil Internship Program offers both course credit and a monthly stipend to selected psychology and neuroscience majors who are placed in approved internship sites in the community. Interns are selected through a competitive process (minimum grade point average is 3.4). Other experiential education opportunities include PSYC 395; NSCI 395; PSYC 693H; PSYC 694H; NSCI 693H; NSCI 694H; upper-level courses which are coursed-based research courses; or courses where service learning is a central focus, such as a psychology or neuroscience course which has an APPLES program component.

Undergraduate Awards

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience administers several undergraduate awards: the Dashiell-Thurstone Prize; the David Bray Peele Undergraduate Award; the Donald T. Lysle Service Award; the Lindquist Undergraduate Research Award; the J. Steven Reznick Award for Diversity Enhancement in Psychological Research; the J. Steven Reznick Diversity and Psychological Research Grant; and the Susan M. McHale Award for Outstanding Psychological Research by a Student Who Enhances Diversity, as well as several fellowships and grants administered through the UNC Office for Undergraduate Research or the UNC Honors Carolina Office. Additional honors include election to Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology undergraduates, and/or election to Nu Rho Psi, the national honor society for neuroscience undergraduates. Each year, the Lindquist Undergraduate Research Award is given to several undergraduate students to support their research; the Dashiell-Thurstone Prize is awarded to one student for the best undergraduate research project; the David Bray Peel Undergraduate Award is given for the best honors project; and the Donald T. Lysle Service Award is given to a psychology or neuroscience major who has made exemplary service contributions. The Donald T. Lysle Service Award is presented at the Chancellor's Award Ceremony, the only campus-wide recognition at Carolina. The department also supports awards that support diversity. The J. Steven Reznick Award for Outstanding Research That Enhances Diversity is for a graduating senior who has conducted excellent research that contributes to psychological knowledge about diversity and the J. Steven Reznick Diversity and Psychological Research Grant as well as the Susan M. McHale Award for Outstanding Research by a Student Who Enhances Diversity are awarded to student researchers who identify as being from an underrepresented population. For each of these awards, diversity is broadly defined, including but not limited to diversity based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status. For additional details on these awards, please visit the Psychology and Neuroscience page on undergraduate awards.

Undergraduate Research

Qualified students interested in doing independent research under the direction of a faculty member may enroll for independent research credit (PSYC 395 or NSCI 395). Students interested in this option should speak directly with psychology faculty members regarding opportunities in their laboratories. Additional information is available on the department's website. Many other psychology courses also include heavy research components. See the research methods, research intensive, and research exposure courses at the Office for Undergraduate Research.

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience

Visit Program Website

Davie Hall, CB# 3270

(919) 843-0174

Chair

Regina M. Carelli

rcarelli@email.unc.edu

Associate Chair

Karen Gil

kgil@email.unc.edu

Associate Chair

Deborah Jones

djjones@email.unc.edu

Associate Chair

Chase Debnam

chase@unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Jeannie Loeb

loeb@unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Psychology Advising

Desiree Griffin

dgriffin@unc.edu

Director of Neuroscience Curricula

Sabrina Robertson

sabrinae@email.unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Neuroscience Advising

Rachel Penton

pentonre@email.unc.edu

Undergraduate Instructional Program Coordinator

Christopher Coffey

ctcoffey@email.unc.edu