Bachelor of Science – Psychology Red Deer College – School of Arts & Sciences Updated April 2020

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE – PSYCHOLOGY RED DEER COLLEGE – SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES UPDATED APRIL 2020

Table of Contents Page 1 Frequently Asked Questions (read first) Page 3 University of Alberta Page 5 University of Calgary Page 7 Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions Please read this section first as it will help you understand the common phrases and terms used in postsecondary that will aid you in course registration.

What is an Academic Planning Guide? This Academic Planning Guide is prepared by the School of Arts & Sciences in order to help you register for courses. Guides are prepared using information gathered from RDC, transfer University Calendars, and other resources. Guides only highlight major points related to transfer and we strongly advise that you read the Academic Calendar of your destination institution for full information.

What is an Academic Calendar? Think of these as “terms and agreements”. Each university publishes an Academic Calendar each year that details university entrance requirements, degree and graduation requirements, academic rules and many other details.

What are terms, and how many of them are there? Terms are the period of time in which your studies take place. At RDC, we offer four terms.  Fall term (September through December)  Winter Term (January through April)  Spring Term (May through June): Spring term is a condensed 7 week term. We recommend only a maximum of two courses in the Spring. Course offerings are reduced in this term as well.  Summer Term (July through August): Only select upgrading courses are currently available.

My major/transfer university is not listed. What should I do? There are many institutions all offering a diverse range of majors and routes related to Psychology, and we simply cannot capture all possible routes. At RDC, most students transfer to the University of Alberta (UAlberta) or the University of Calgary (UCalgary), so we have highlighted these universities and the pathways that best suit the coursework RDC offers.

If there is a different major at the UAlberta/UCalgary that you are interested in, or you are interested in transferring to a different institution, please contact us at [email protected].

How many courses should I take a term? A maximum and common course load for students is to take 5 courses per term (10 per year), 5 in Fall and 5 in Winter. However, you may have flexibility depending on your Destination University and degree. Some students will complete 10 courses in a year by taking 4 in Fall, 4 in Winter, and 2 in Spring, or some other combination. Other students may take 3-4 courses per term (6-8 per year) and take 5-6 years to complete their degree.

If you are working towards an “Honors” or “Specialization” program, it is strongly recommended that you maintain a minimum course load of 24 credits (8 courses) during the Fall/Winter terms.

In the end, we encourage you to take a course load that best suits you. In most cases, to be considered full- time for student funding you must take at least 3 courses and 9 academic credits in the Fall and Winter term. Please check the course load requirements if you are receiving funding.

What happens if I take less than 10 courses per year? You may need an extra term or year to complete your degree.

What is a credit? A credit is what you earn for completing courses. To earn the Bachelor of Science, Psychology degree from UAlberta/ UCalgary, you will need to earn 120 credits total. Most courses that you will complete are 3 credits each. There are some courses that span a full year (Fall to Winter) that are 6 credits. As such, 120 credits is generally 40 courses.

Why can I only take two years at RDC? Every 30 credits (10 courses) a student completes is equivalent to one academic year. If a student completes 10 courses per year for four straight years, they will graduate with their degree in four years. This is why you see 10 courses recommended for each year.

Universities have what is called a residency requirement. This means that universities require you to complete a specific number of credits as their student in order to grant you the degree. For the UAlberta/UCalgary, and most other universities, the residency requirement is 60 credits. Therefore you are only allowed to transfer a maximum of 60 credits to a University.

You can absolutely transfer with less than 60 credits, but if you transfer with more than 60, the University will still require you to complete 60 credits as their student. This is why we recommend that you apply to transfer as you are completing your second academic year or are nearing 60 transfer credits.

How do I know what courses to take?  Use this guide and the advice provided.  Make sure the courses you take are transferable using Transfer Alberta.  You should be taking university level and university transferable courses o “200” Level courses are Year 1 courses at RDC o “300” Level courses are Year 2 courses at RDC o Each institution will use different numbering conventions for their years

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

The University of Alberta offers three different ways to earn a BSc Psychology degree: For many programs offered by the Faculty of Science at UAlberta, there are three ways to complete a degree. In most cases, the differences in these routes start to become noticeable at year 3.  General – General students complete both a Major and a Minor. Students will explore courses in a more broad range of disciplines compared to an Honors/Specialization program.  Specialization – Specialization requires students to maintain a specific course load and GPA to be eligible. Students primarily focus in their major during all years of study, but not engage in a Directed Research Project.  Honors – Honors requires students to maintain a specific course load and GPA to be eligible. Students primarily focus in their major during all years of study, and engage in a Directed Research Project.

For more information on these routes, please visit the UAlberta Department of Psychology website.

SPECIALIZATION | GENERAL STREAM

YEAR 1 FALL TERM WINTER TERM PSYC 260 PSYC 261 BIOL 217 (can be taken either term) BIOL 218 (can be taken either term) ENGL 219 ENGL 220 Junior Math/Computing Science Requirement Junior Math/Computing Science Requirement (see note 2 below) (see note 2 below) Junior Chemistry/Physics Requirement Junior Chemistry/Physics Requirement (see note 3 below) (see note 3 below)

YEAR TWO FALL TERM WINTER TERM Choose one of: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 389 Choose one of: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 389 (see note 4 below) (see note 4 below) PSYC 375 or PSYC 358 PSYC 375 or PSYC 358 STAT 251 300 Level PSYC course or Art/Science Elective Art or Science Elective (see note 1 below) Art or Science Elective (see note 1 below) Science Elective (see note 1 below) Science Elective (see note 1 below)

NOTES (SPECIALIZED | GENREAL STREAM)

1. Examples of 2020-21 Arts and Science Electives: https://rdc.ab.ca/node/80375/attachment.  Remember to visit Transfer Alberta to check for course transferability, or check with an advisor.  Note: Science options can differ between Universities. E.g. Some PSYC courses are considered science at UAlberta, while all PSYC courses are considered Arts courses at UCalgary. Use the above options link and consult with your School Advising Office for more assistance.

2. Jr Computing/Math requirement: Choose two from: MATH 202 or 203 (calculus), MATH 204 (calculus part 2), MATH 221 (algebra), CMPT 201 (intro to programming)  Students pursuing the BSc General Psychology degree may also use STAT 251.  Specialization students will need 2 courses in Math or Computing in addition to STAT 251

3. Jr Chemistry/Physics requirement: Choose two from: CHEM 211, CHEM 212, PHYS 205, and PHYS 226.

4. Students will complete 2 courses from the following three: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 389.

HONORS STREAM

The Honors program is intended for those who wish to further explore and engage in psychological research. If you are interested in Psychology, but do not have as high an interest in Psychological Research, the Specialization/General program may be a better fit. Talk to the Arts & Sciences Advising Office for more information about what stream may be the best fit for you.

YEAR ONE FALL TERM WINTER TERM PSYC 260 PSYC 261 BIOL 217 (can be taken either term) BIOL 218 (can be taken either term) ENGL 219 ENGL 220 One of: CMPT 201, MATH 202, 203, or 221 Science Elective (see note 2 below) (see note 3 below) Social Science Requirement (see note 1 below) Science Elective (see note 3 below)

YEAR TWO FALL TERM WINTER TERM Elective or Science Elective (see note 3 below) STAT 251 (see note 4 below) Choose one of: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 389 Choose one of: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 389 (see note 5 below) (see note 5 below) PSYC 375 or PSYC 358 PSYC 375 or PSYC 358 Science Elective (see note 2 below) Science Elective (see note 2 below) Social Science Requirement (see note 1 below) Social Science Requirement (see note 1 below)

NOTES (HONORS STREAM)

1. Social Science Requirement: Students studying the Honors stream are required to complete 6 credits (2 courses) from courses offered by the Departments of Anthropology, Economics, Linguistics, Political Science, and/or Sociology. At RDC, choose from the areas of ANTH, ECON, POLI and SOCI. Remember to check pre-requisites required for courses and to check for transferability.

2. Science Electives: Honors students must take at least 6 credits in BIOL (in addition to BIOL 217/218), CHEM, or PHYS courses, as well as up to 9 other Science Elective courses.  Examples of 2020-21 Arts and Science Electives: https://rdc.ab.ca/node/80375/attachment.  Remember to visit Transfer Alberta to check for course transferability, or check with an advisor.  Note: Science options can differ between Universities. E.g. Some PSYC courses are considered science at UAlberta, while all PSYC courses are considered Arts courses at UCalgary. Use the above options link and consult with your School Advising Office for more assistance.  Honors students will need an additional 12 credits (4 courses) in disciplines other than Psychology (not including courses required to meet other requirements) to meet graduation requirements, though you do not need to have them all completed to transfer.

3. Honors students require 3 credits in Math or Computing Science. If you choose to take Calculus and you achieved 70% or higher in Math 31 you can take MATH 203 instead of MATH 202. This course can be completed either term.

4. Students studying Psychology at RDC will take a statistics course. If students choose to take RDC’s STAT 251, they will want to take the UofA’s PSYCO 212 + STAT 252 in the Fall term of their first year at the UofA.

5. Students will complete two courses from the following three: PSYC 341, PSYC 353, PSYC 389

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

The University of Calgary offers both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Science Honors Psychology program, however the courses you take during your first two years are the same.

YEAR ONE FALL TERM WINTER TERM PSYC 260 PSYC 261 BIOL 217 (see note 1 below) BIOL 218 (see note 1 below) CHEM 211 (see note 1 below) CHEM 212 (see note 1 below) MATH 202 or 203 (see notes 1 below) MATH 221 (see note 1 below) Arts Elective (see note 2 below) Arts Elective (see note 2 below)

YEAR TWO FALL TERM WINTER TERM PSYC 313 PSYC 314 300 Level PSYC or PSYC Foundation Course 300 Level PSYC or PSYC Foundation Course (see note 4 below) (see note 4 below) 300 level PSYC or Elective Course 300 Level PSYC or Elective Course PHYS 205 or Elective Elective (see note 2 below) Elective (see note 2 below) Elective (see note 2 below)

NOTES (UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY – BSC PSYCHOLOGY)

1. Student’s pursuing a BSc Psychology from the UCalgary will need to complete specific science courses in order to graduate. These courses are not required to transfer, but are recommended to complete in your first 2 years. If you do not wish to take these courses in your first year replace them with an elective course.

The equivalent science courses RDC offers towards this degree are:  Biology: BIOL 217 & BIOL 218 (can be completed in any order/term)  Chemistry: CHEM 211 & CHEM 212  Mathematics: MATH 202 or 203 & MATH 221 (can be completed in any order/term) o If you achieved 70% or higher in Math 31 you can take MATH 203 instead of MATH 202.  Physics: PHYS 205 (this course does not have a PHYS 30 pre-requisite, although it is recommended)

2. Examples of 2020-21 Arts and Science Electives: https://rdc.ab.ca/node/80375/attachment.  Remember to visit Transfer Alberta to check for course transferability, or check with an advisor.  Note: Science options can differ between Universities. E.g. Some PSYC courses are considered science at UAlberta, while all PSYC courses are considered Arts courses at UCalgary. Use the above options link and consult with your School Advising Office for more assistance.

3. U of C Psychology students are required to complete 15 credits in specific Psychology courses before graduation. You will not be able to complete all of these requirements as an RDC student, nor are they required to complete prior to transfer. Below are the courses students will be required to complete in their degree.  PSYC 341  PSYC 375  Choose 9 credits (3 courses) from: PSYC 353*, PSYC 357*, PSYC 358, PSYC 369, PSYC 383, PSYC 389 (Note: *A maximum of 3 credits from PSYC 353 or PSYC 357 can be used to fulfill this requirement)

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW University of Alberta University of Calgary Transfer Credit  Transfer up to 60 credits  Transfer up to 60 credits  Recommended max of 18 credits in Arts electives

Applying for  Deadline typically March 1. Consult  Deadline typically March 1. Consult Transfer UAlberta timelines. UCalgary timelines.  Apply to UAlberta here.  Apply to UCalgary here.

Honors and It is recommended students complete a Honors, Specialization and General Specialization GPA course load of at least 24 credits over Fall programs are UAlberta programs. You can and Winter terms. see projected GPA for UCalgary programs here. For GPA requirements, please click here. Possession of the minimum GPA does not Students can apply to “Natural Sciences” as guarantee entry. a second choice for UCalgary. This is UCalgary’s “general science” program. How Admission Calculated on all university transferable Will be calculated using the most recent Grade Point coursework completed in the most recent course work to a maximum of 30 units, Average (AGPA) is two terms of study if they contain a minimum unless otherwise specified by the faculty. calculated of 24 credits. If those two terms contain less than 24 credits, all work in the next most All courses attempted within a term will be recent term(s) is included in the calculation included except where the number of until the minimum total of 24 credits is courses taken within a term results in the reached. Fall/Winter courses are considered overall number of units exceeding 30 units. Winter courses in these calculations. Should this occur, the highest grades from the oldest term being considered will be For applicants who have attempted less than used to calculate the GPA. In some faculties 24 credits of transferable postsecondary prerequisite courses will be included first. work, the AGPA is based on all university or Grades in high school equivalent courses university transfer credits attempted. offered by post-secondary institutions will not be used in determining the transfer Note: Where the applicant has more than admission GPA. one passing grade for the same course at any institution, only the first passing grade is For more information on transfer, please used in calculating the grade point consult the University of Calgary Calendar. average(s) for admission purposes.

For more information on transfer, please consult the University of Alberta Calendar.

Minimum A minimum grade of C- must be achieved A minimum grade of C- is recommended Transferable Grade in order for course credit to be transferable. to maximize transferability (“D” grades may While courses with grades of D or F will not transfer, depending on the circumstance). transfer, they remain on your transcript and will be used in calculation of your GPA. Please talk to an Academic Advisor as soon as possible if you feel you may be at risk of Please talk to an Academic Advisor as soon not getting a C- in a course. as possible if you feel you may be at risk of not getting a C- in a course.

CONTACT INFORMATION School of Arts & Sciences Room 2203 Red Deer College [email protected] 403.342.3585 (select 1) Transfer Alberta Guide http://transferalberta.alberta.ca

University of Alberta Faculty of Science www.ualberta.ca/science [email protected] 780.492.4758 Department of Psychology www.ualberta.ca/psychology UAlberta Academic Calendar www.calendar.ualberta.ca/ University of Calgary Faculty of Arts www.arts.ucalgary.ca [email protected] 403.220.3580 Student Success Advisors [email protected] 403.220.5881 [email protected] UCalgary Academic Calendar www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/arts

PLEASE NOTE:

This document is designed to provide recommendations and general information related to transfer pathways that best suit Red Deer College (RDC) course offerings. There are many ways to create a schedule and complete your studies, and we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the details of the program and the university that you want to transfer to. We are here to assist you in navigating your studies and can connect you with resources as needed, but you are responsible for your course registration, class schedule, applications to transfer and other related matters. Students in university transfer programs are strongly advised to refer to the calendar of the university that they wish to attend, and should contact appropriate university departments as required.

Please note that institutions can make changes to their program and/or transfer requirements without consulting RDC. As such, it is recommended you consult with the appropriate institutional information (i.e. university calendars, websites, advisors) to gain the most up to date information as you progress through your studies.

You are cautioned that any changes to your courses, your major, or your transfer destination may adversely affect your transferable credit or admission requirements for future programs. Consult with the School of Arts & Sciences if you have any questions.