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Undergraduate Courses

Psychology at UC San Diego is a laboratory science. We are concerned with the scientific development of knowledge about human and animal behavior and thought. Accordingly, experience with experimental procedures plays an important role in the undergraduate and graduate training of students. All Psychology majors must learn experimental methods, including basic statistical techniques. 

Psych Department Approval, Restrictions, or Prerequisites

Adding a Course that Requires Approval

Some of our courses require special approval due to enforced prerequisites, instructor approval, and/or department approval to enroll. To identify special approval courses, look for a "D" or "O" next to the course number on TritonLink.

  • "D" =  Department Approval: Students must obtain clearance from the department using the EASy system.
  • "O" = Major students only: The course is restricted to Major students only.

 

EASy System

Please allow 7 business days to process EASy requests. We do not rush EASy processing due to a student's enrollment appointment. Our office processes EASy requests as they are received in the system.

The following courses have additional steps to enroll in:

  • PSYC 111A/BThese courses permit those students who have applied and been accepted into the Psychology Honors Program priority to enroll. Students who are accepted into the program will be given authorization to enroll in the course the first week of the WI23 quarter by the Psychology Honors Staff Advisor. EASy requests will not be approved. Students who are not part of the Psychology Honors Program but are interested in PSYC 111A will need to email the instructor (and Cc: ug-advisor-psyc-g@ucsd.edu) on the first day of WI23 classes detailing their Statistics background and reason for wanting to take the class. All individual EASy requests prior to the first day of WI23 classes will be denied.
  • PSYC 116A/B/C: Students will need to obtain clearance from the instructor after an application and interview process. The 2023-2024 PSYC 116 A/B/C Cohort application has closed. If you submitted an application and have any questions about the application process and timeline, please reach out to Dr. Ariel Lang at ajlang@ucsd.edu.
  • PSYC 117: Students will need to obtain clearance from the instructor after an application and interview process. Please visit the PSYC 117 course website for more information. Note: It is common for students not to get authorized for this class until the first week of classes.
  • PSYC 118: Students will need to obtain clearance from the department using the EASy system. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing, at least C in PSYC 60 (or equivalent).
  • PSYC 175: This is a seminar course that requires a solid understanding of statistics and research methods. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing, PSYC 60 (or equivalent) and PSYC 70 (or equivalent). Students who earned a B or greater in Stats and Research Methods will receive priority consideration for course approval. Experience reading and evaluating scientific papers and interest in self-exploration and well-being preferred. Students interested in this course must have completed a survey by the November 20th deadline in order to obtain instructor permission to enroll. The survey is no longer accepting submissions. 
  • PSYC 193 (lecture-based): See "(Quarter) PSYC 193/193L and Other Prerequisites" drawer below. Will require an EASy request.
  • PSYC 193L (research course): See "(Quarter) PSYC 193/193L and Other Prerequisites" drawer below. Will require an EASy request.
  • PSYC 195, or AIP 197): Check the appropriate pages on our website before enrolling, and/or discuss their plans with the Advising Office first.
  • PSYC 196: Students will need to obtain clearance from a faculty research mentor and the department using the EASy system before enrolling in the course.

For students who are interested in the above courses, our office encourages students to enroll in a full load of courses (12+ units) during their 1st and 2nd pass. IF the student is authorized for one of these courses, students can change their class schedule at that time.

Spring 2024 PSYC 193 Topics and Research Labs Prerequisites

Important Information About Research Labs: 

  • PSYC 71 does not require an EASy request and students can enroll in the course as long as they meet the major code and pre-requisite. 
  • Students interested in enrolling in PSYC 193L must submit an EASy Request to obtain department approval. You must meet the major code restriction, the prerequisite (see below), and must be a Senior to be considered. Department approval is not guaranteed. 
  • Due to the limited number of seats, our office will be prioritzing graduating seniors who still need a research lab coure in order to graduate. If you are already enrolled in a second research lab course or have already completed your research requirement, your request will be denied.  
  • If you only need one additional research lab course to graduate our office will pre-authorize you for one research lab course during first pass. If you need two research lab courses to graduate our office will authorize you for a second research lab starting on February 23. 
  • We will also not be considering requests to change your pre-authorization to a different PSYC 193L section. Any additional EASy requests for changes in lab sections will automatically be denied.
  • In your PSYC 193L EASy request, you must specify which section of PSYC 193L you want to enroll in. If this information is not included, your request will be considered incomplete and will be returned to you.

How Psych Research Lab EASy requests will be processed for SP24:

  • Friday, February 9th: Graduating SP24 Seniors Psych majors' Psych Research lab EASy requests will begin being processed and continue to be through the first day of classes.
  • Monday, March 4th: Non-graduating PSYC Seniors Psych Research lab EASy requests will begin being processed and continue to be through the first day of classes.

PSYC 193 Lecture-Based Courses

PSYC 193 (B00): Belief in Weird Things (Brashier): This course explores why people believe in myths, fake news, superstitions, astrology, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine, and alien life. You will learn to use skeptical and scientific thinking to evaluate “weird” (and not so weird) claims. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing. 

PSYC 193 (C00): Neuroscience of Decision-Making (Gremel): During this course, we examine how modern behavioral neuroscience theories and techniques are used to probe how the brain does decision-making. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing, PSYC 106 or instructor approval.

Research Lab Courses

PSYC 71 (A00 Daniel & B00 Geller): Laboratory in Psychological Research Methods: This course provides hands-on research experience. Lecture topics will include experimental and nonexperimental designs, research ethics, data analysis, and causal inference. Students will design original research projects, collect and analyze data, and write a full APA-style report, including a brief literature review relevant to their design. This course builds on PSYC 70 by applying design principles to students’ own research questions and ideas. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing, COGS 14B or PSYC 60, and PSYC 70 or COGS 14A. Open to the following Psychology majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32.

PSYC 193L (A01): Health Sciences Research (Brown): The goal of this course is to give you a useful, structured research experience in a field of health sciences research of your choice. You will develop an understanding of major models of study common in mental health research and have direct experience in research laboratories. In small group discussions with classmates, you will learn how team science produces new knowledge and has impact. As part of your research experience, you will learn how to review relevant scientific literature, and the design and methods within a specific research setting. Students with satisfactory performance will have the opportunity to continue their research with health sciences faculty for additional terms and are prioritized if they are able to do so. PREREQUISITES: This course requires enrollment in a 199 with select health sciences faculty through the Spring 2024 Psychology Common Application. This opportunity will be posted in the near future for interested students to utilize to submit an application. Please do not request an EASy request to enroll as approved students will be authorized by the department. Open to the following Department of Psychology majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. 

PSYC 193L (B01): Culture and Psychology (Holden): This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic interplay between culture and psychology, focusing on the ways in which human behavior is shaped by and influences the environment. Students will become acquainted with research methodologies and prominent theories in the field, equipping them with the necessary foundation to develop their own research topics. Using an established dataset, students will develop an individual research proposal which they will then conduct and analyze the results. The final project will result in an APA research paper and poster. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing and at least one Stats/Research Methods course. Open to the following Department of Psychology majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. An EASy request is required.

PSYC 193L (C01):  Video Education in Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry (Van Alstyne): In this lab, students will prepare short-form educational videos on important contemporary topics in psychopharmacology and psychiatry for which substantial gaps exist in public knowledge (e.g., Fentanyl in the opioid crisis; MDMA as a therapeutic for PTSD;  Pharmacotherapy for Autism). They will then test the effectiveness of these short-form videos as a means of delivering scientific knowledge and write an APA-style research paper on their findings. Videos may be shared on a YouTube channel to form a public repository. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing and at least one Stats/Research Methods course. Previous completion of one of the following is recommended: PSYC 179, PSYC 181, COGS 174, BIMM 118, or CHEM 118; or the student should have a very strong interest in drugs or drug policy. Open to the following Department of Psychology majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. An EASy request is required.

PSYC 193L (D01): Moral Psychology in Everyday Life (Waltzer): You can find moral psychology in many corners of everyday life: Consider questions about the expanding moral circle (do machines or non-human animals deserve the same rights as humans?), social issues such as wealth inequality, prejudice, and climate change, and interpersonal acts like bullying or altruism. The goal of this class is for you to gain an understanding of moral psychology as it applies to our lives, and to develop skills in conducting field research in this area. The class will cover foundational topics such as definitions of morality, moral development, emotions and reasoning, moral decision-making, and ecologically valid methods. You will take reading quizzes, actively participate in discussions, and work on a collaborative research project throughout the course. PREREQUISITES: Upper-division standing and PSYC 60 or instructor approval. Open to the following Department of Psychology majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. An EASy request is required.

PSYC 193L (E01): Social Movements & Organizing (Aron): Societal change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, economic inequality, and racial division relies on good policy and legislation, but this is seldom won without social movements of activists and advocates pushing from below. Yet such social movements, especially on the climate crisis, are still much too small to have the strong and urgent impact that is needed. This class asks how the field of psychology can inform our understanding of social movements. We examine the psychology of local collective action, methodological limitations in the existing psychology research, the challenges of conducting field studies, and the prospects for a wider social science, especially for achieving a stronger social mobilization to win climate policy action. Case studies will focus on social movements and policy in the San Diego region. The lab component will involve original research conducted by students under IRB approval - for example interviewing social movement participants use psychological survey instruments. Assessment in this small class will be through student class presentations, group discussions, regular writing, and the lab research. PREREQUISITES: upper-division standing, GPA of 3.0, willingness to attend in-person and to participate in discussion and to make presentations, motivation to do substantial writing, and to conduct psychological research on social movements. Open to the following Department of Psychology majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. A survey is no longer required. Interested students should submit an EASy request with our office if they meet all the listed prerequisites. 

PSYC 117. Laboratory in Educational Research and Outreach: This course provides experience conducting educational research and outreach for children in greater San Diego County. May be taken for credit three times. Open to the following majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. Prerequisites: upper-division standing, PSYC 60 or COGS 14B and PSYC 70 or COGS 14A. Students interested in this course must contact the instructor to obain approval to enroll. It is common for students not to get authorized for this class until the first week of classes. Do not submit an EASy request or it will be denied. 

PSYC 118. Laboratory in Animal Behavior
This course provides an opportunity to learn about the various evolutionary forces that shape a species’ natural behavioral repertoire while also conducting research related to these issues. Classroom lectures on topics related to ethology will be complemented by a research project in which students collect observational data on animal behavior. Open to the following majors only: PC26*, PC28, PC29, PC30, PC31, PC32, PC33, PC34, CG32. Prerequisites: upper-division standing, PSYC 60 or COGS 14B or MATH 11 and PSYC 70 or COGS 14A, and department approval. An EASy request is required. 

The Psychology minor also uses the PC26 code, but it is to signify the student’s minor code. Psych minor students are not eligible for Psychology research lab courses as they are for Psych majors only.

How do I receive permission to enroll in a PSYC course I do not meet the requirements to take?

Adding a Course without Listed Prerequisites

  • If you are a PSYC student and have 0-84.9 units (completed^ + work-in-progress*):
    • The department cannot clear you to enroll in ANY upper-division (UD) PSYC courses.
    • You should be enrolling in lower-division major requirements, college requirements, and university electives.
  • If you are a PSYC student, have 85-89.9 units (completed^ + work-in-progress*) and in good academic standing:
    • Please submit an EASy request after second pass (March 4th) for our office to review up to two EASy requests for PSYC Core courses (PSYC 100-108). 
    • EASy requests will be automatically denied for the following reasons:
      • If you submit a request prior to second pass.
      • If you have below 84.9 completed + work-in-progress units.
      • If you are not in good academic standing (cumulative 2.0 GPA).
      • If have already been authorized for two psychology cores. 
      • If you are requesting authorization for psychology elective courses. 
  • If you are a PSYC student who will reach upper-division standing (90 units) with your completed units^ and work-in-progress* courses:
    • You should be able to enroll in upper-division psychology courses on your own as long as you meet the course pre-requisite. Do not submit an EASy request or it will be denied.
  • If you are a PSYC Transfer student and are not able to enroll on your own due to transfer transcript delays:
    • If you are not able to enroll in a PSYC course on your own through WebReg, and you meet all the course prerequisites, submit an EASy request. Be sure to include why you are having trouble enrolling in the course and upload your unofficial transfer institution transcript.
  • If you are an Upper-Division student, but are not a Psychology/CBN Major and would like to add a course without a required major code:
    • The department cannot clear you for the course as it is closed to major students only.
  • If you are an Upper-Division student who is a Psych Minor (PC26), and would like to add a class without a required Major code (e.g., PC25, PC28, PC32, etc.):
    • The department cannot clear you for the course as it is closed to major students only. The PC26 code is for both the Psych Major and Psych Minor. If you see a notation that a PSYC course is only open to the following major codes and it lists PC26, it refers to the PC26 Psych BS major only. PC26 Psych minors are not included.
  • If you are a PSYC student and would like to add a class without a required prerequisite course (e.g., PSYC 60, etc.):
    • If you completed the prerequisite at a california community college and have not sent your official transcripts to Admissions then you will need to submit an EASy request and upload an unofficial transcript which shows you completed the course. 
    • If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite course (i.e. PSYC 60) and wish to enroll in PSYC 70 the following quarter then you may submit an EASy request. 
  • If you are a Graduate Student, requesting to enroll in undergraduate level psychology courses: 
    • Please submit an EASy request after second pass (March 4th)
    • Any requests submitted prior to second pass will automatically be denied. 

EASy System - please allow 7 business days to process EASy requests. We do not rush EASy processing due to a student's enrollment appointment. Our office processes EASy requests as they are received in the system.

^Completed units: a student's unit count from courses they have already completed (AP, transfer, UCSD) and received a final grade. 

*Work-In-Progress: a student's unit count from courses they are enrolled in from the current term at UCSD (note: Summer courses are not included in the work in-progress unit count for Fall enrollment).

Enrollment appointments, account "Holds," 1st/2nd pass limits

For general enrollment and registration information, including how to find your enrollment appointment, what is 1st & 2nd pass, account holds, how to add/drop a course, using the WebReg system, etc., visit the following university webpages.
  • Enrollment Appointment Times
  • 1st and 2nd Pass and unit enrollment limitations per pass
  • Removing a "Hold" on your account
    • The Psychology Department will not provide a seat or "jump" the waitlist for a student due to a "Hold" on their account or its late removal.
  • Enrollment and Registration Calendars
  • Enrollment Help

Do you "save" seats for students who need a course to graduate?

Our office does not hold or guarantee seats to students nor do we "jump" students higher on a course waitlist. The seat/waitlist # students obtain during their registration appointment is what they have, regardless of class standing or graduation term. This also includes if a student accidentally drops themselves from a Psych course/waitlist or is dropped by the University for non-payment (or other reasons). Students will need to re-add themselves to the bottom of the Psych course waitlist (our office will not place you in the course or further up on the waitlist). 

There is no need to send a VAC message or come to drop-in Psychology Advising to ask if we will let you into a course or move you up the waitlist, as we will not.

If you need a specific PSYC course and/or a Psych Research lab, our office highly recommends using your 1st pass to enroll in the course. If there is not an open seat, you should consider adding yourself to the waitlist (TritonLink waitlist information).

I have questions about the waitlist process

Frequently asked questions about the waitlist process:
  • Students are not able to add themselves to a course waitlist until 2nd pass.
  • Waitlists are automatically managed by the Registrar's office, and the department does not have the ability to override the list for any reason.
  • As of the second pass you can be enrolled in and waitlisted for a total of 19.5 units.
  • If adding a student to a class would increase the student's number of units to 22 or more, the automatic waitlist will bypass the student.
  • Students may only waitlist for a single section of any course at one time.
  • Students who drop or are administratively dropped from full classes must add themselves to the end of the waitlist. 
  • Students who are on the waitlist for a course are encouraged to attend the course from the first day in case a spot in the course becomes available. In this case, the student should be as prepared as the students who are enrolled in the course.
  • If you've been added to a course from the waitlist, allow 24 hours to be added to the course's Canvas page. If, after 24 hours you still do not have access, let the instructor know to ask ACMS to give you access to the course.

After the waitlists have stopped running automatically, students may be added to the class as space becomes available on a first come-first served basis using the EASy system Late Add request. TritonLink will not continue to update after Thursday night of the second week, so course waitlists may be inaccurate. 

What if I want to add a course after week 2?

To add a course after Friday of week 2, the course needs to have an open seat and you must have the instructor's permission. Students will use the EASy system to request a Late Add, instructor permission must be uploaded to the justification section. If a seat becomes available, our office approves enrollment on a first come-first served basis.

Prior to enrolling in a course late, please speak with the course instructor about whether you have missed too much course work. It is the student's responsibility to catch up on missed course material on their own; instructors are under no obligation to help students learn what they have missed. In addition, instructors are not obligated to allow students to submit homework nor take quizzes/exams that have already been due.

Concurrent Enrollment Students

How do I obtain approval for psychology courses as a Concurrent Enrollment or University & Professional Studies student? Please see our webpage with detailed information on our process.

Can I "Audit" a psych course?

Please note, many instructors do not allow students to audit their courses.

The instructor must give permission for a student to audit a course. If permission is given, there must be an open seat in the course (course may not be full or have a waitlist). The instructor is not obligated or expected to provide any assistance, resources, or time outside the classroom to a student auditing a course. This includes but not limited to office hours (both instructor and TA), grading, or providing feedback on assignments. Students auditing a course are not allowed to be present on quiz or exam days to ensure the security and academic integrity of the quiz or exam. University policy on auditing a course.

How do I approve a course from another institution?

Students may be able to petition courses taken elsewhere for Psychology major/minor credit. Please see our Petitions webpage for more information. This includes courses from other 4-year American and Study Abroad institutions. 

If this is in regard to a California Community College course, please review Assist.org first, as you may not need to submit a petition if the course has already been evaluated for transfer articulation.

What if I have been accused of Academic Misconduct?

If you were accused of academic misconduct, please visit the Academic Integrity website for detailed information on the process and support you can receive as a student.

A student acting in the capacity of an instructional assistant (IA), including but not limited to teaching assistants (UGIA/TA), readers, and tutors, has a special responsibility to safeguard the integrity of scholarship. In these roles, the student functions as an apprentice instructor, under the tutelage of the responsible instructor. An IA shall equitably grade student work in the manner agreed upon with the course instructor. An IA shall not make any unauthorized material related to tests, exams, homework, etc. available to any student.

Note: Psychology course offerings are subject to change.