Psychology Minor
Declaration Requirements
To be declared to this program, students complete
PSYC 100
-
Introduction to Psychology I
(3)
Acquaints the student with the major issues in contemporary psychology and considers the historical antecedents. Special attention is given to questions of methodology and research design in psychology. Topics in physiological psychology, perception, learning and motivation are considered. Breadth-Social Sciences.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Peter Leavitt
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
PSYC 102
-
Introduction to Psychology II
(3)
Acquaints the student with major issues in contemporary psychology and considers their historical antecedents. Topics in learning, cognition, social psychology and abnormal psychology are considered. Prerequisite: Recommended: PSYC 100. Breadth-Social Sciences.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Richard Hohn
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
and must obtain a final course grade of C (2.0) or better in
PSYC 201W
-
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
(4)
An introduction to the procedures used in psychological research, and to the logic underlying them. Topics include the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research, the formulation of testable questions, the control of extraneous influences, the measurement of effects, and the drawing of valid conclusions from empirical evidence. Provides a background for senior psychology courses since it offers a basis for the critical evaluation and conduct of research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 102. Students with credit for PSYC 201 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Diana Lim
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D101
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D102
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D103
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D104
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D105
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D106
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D107
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D108
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D109
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D110
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby
|
Show lab/tutorial sections
Course Selection
Students should complete PSYC 100, 102 and 201 as soon as possible to gain better access to upper division PSYC courses.
The department strongly recommends that students do not leave any of these required courses to the end of their degree. If a student is unable to obtain the required grades in PSYC 201, he or she will not be able to graduate with a minor in psychology.
To enroll in psychology courses, students are required to meet the prerequisites or special instructions that may be stipulated for each. The listed prerequisites indicate the minimal background expected by instructors. See PSYC courses for details.
The department reserves one hundred per cent of all 300 and 400 division PSYC courses for approved psychology major, minor or honours students. Those who are not approved cannot enroll in these upper division courses until the open enrollment date.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
PSYC 100
-
Introduction to Psychology I
(3)
Acquaints the student with the major issues in contemporary psychology and considers the historical antecedents. Special attention is given to questions of methodology and research design in psychology. Topics in physiological psychology, perception, learning and motivation are considered. Breadth-Social Sciences.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Peter Leavitt
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
PSYC 102
-
Introduction to Psychology II
(3)
Acquaints the student with major issues in contemporary psychology and considers their historical antecedents. Topics in learning, cognition, social psychology and abnormal psychology are considered. Prerequisite: Recommended: PSYC 100. Breadth-Social Sciences.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Richard Hohn
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
PSYC 201W
-
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
(4)
*
An introduction to the procedures used in psychological research, and to the logic underlying them. Topics include the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research, the formulation of testable questions, the control of extraneous influences, the measurement of effects, and the drawing of valid conclusions from empirical evidence. Provides a background for senior psychology courses since it offers a basis for the critical evaluation and conduct of research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 102. Students with credit for PSYC 201 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Diana Lim
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D101
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D102
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D103
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D104
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D105
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D106
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D107
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D108
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D109
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
|
D110
|
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby
|
Show lab/tutorial sections
and a minimum of two courses from
PSYC 221
-
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
(3)
Introduction to the study of cognitive and perceptual processes. Topics include memory, perception, attention, language, mental imagery, creativity, judgment and decision-making, and an introduction to cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, dyslexia, aphasia and attention-deficit disorder. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
PSYC 241
-
Introduction to Psychological Disorders and Neurodiversity
(3)
Introduces students to the area of abnormal psychology. Topics include the definition and classification of pathological behaviour, factors involved in the development of pathology, and evaluation of therapy outcome. Prerequisite: PSYC 102.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
B100
|
Lynnaea Owens
|
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
PSYC 260
-
Introduction to Social Psychology
(3)
Examines methodology and content in social psychology. Topics include: attitudes and values; social perception and cognition; group behaviour; social includence; prejudice, discrimination, and sexism; aggression; altruism, interpersonal attraction and interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 102. Breadth-Social Sciences.
PSYC 268
-
Introduction to Law and Psychology
(3)
An introduction to the area of law and psychology. The role and influence of psychology in the legal system will be discussed. Topics include: social psychology and law, developmental psychology and law, juvenile justice, experimental psychology and law, mental disability and law. Prerequisite: PSYC 102.
PSYC 280
-
Introduction to Biological Psychology
(3)
Surveys the major areas in biological psychology. Topics include the basics of neuroanatomy and nerve cell function, the behavioural and physiological effects of drugs and hormones in the nervous system, evolutionary perspectives on the brain and behaviour, and the biopsychology of vision, the chemical senses, hearing, movement, biological rhythms, sex, and cognitive processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Recommended: BISC 101.
Breadth-Science.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
Neil Watson
|
May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby
|
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 15 upper division PSYC units with a minimum psychology cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and psychology upper division CGPA of 2.0 (calculated over Simon Fraser University PSYC courses only).
No more than three Research Engagement or Directed Studies units may be applied to this program. No more than three PSYC Field School units may be applied to this program. A minimum of eight upper division psychology units must be completed at Simon Fraser University.
Research Engagement Course
PSYC 393
-
Research Engagement
(0)
Students will engage in research activities to advance their understanding of the Psychology research process. The student will find a research supervisor and will meet at least bi-weekly with the supervisor. Workload will be equal to or greater than that of a regular course, with each credit corresponding to 3 hours of work in the lab; research activities will be determined by the supervisor. Students may repeat this course for further credit. Variable units: 1, 2, 3. Graded on a pass/fail. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 60 units, a UDGPA of at least 2.5, and permission of the department. Tri-council ethics certificate.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
D200
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
D300
|
Shannon Zaitsoff
|
|
TBD
|
Enrollment enables an individual to work with psychological research in consultation with the supervising instructor.
The minimum requirement is completion of the Tri-council ethics certificate, PSYC 201, 60 units, an upper division GPA of at least 2.5, and departmental permission. Research Engagement students complete an application form from the SFU Psychology website with the intended instructor. This course can be repeated for additional credit with the same or different instructor.
Directed Studies Courses
PSYC 493
-
Directed Studies
(3)
Independent reading or research in topics selected in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 201, 210, 60 units, a UDGPA of at least 3.0, and permission of the department.
| Section |
Instructor |
Day/Time |
Location |
|
D100
|
|
|
TBD
|
Enrollment enables an individual or small group to work with a faculty member on a reading or research project of mutual interest.
The minimum requirement is an upper division GPA of at least 3.00, at least 60 units and department permission. Directed studies students complete an application form from the SFU Psychology website with the intended instructor.
Letters of Permission
See Courses at Other Institutions/Letters of Permission for information. The department does not normally approve letters of permission for enrolled Simon Fraser University students to complete PSYC 201, 210 and 301 at a different institution. Such permission may be granted for other courses. Enquire of the psychology undergraduate advisor.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at Simon Fraser University
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at Simon Fraser University
- at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division overall CGPA of at least 2.0, and program CGPA and upper division program CGPA of at least 2.0 on the course work used to satisfy the minimum program requirements. FASS departments may define additional GPA requirements for their respective programs.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units
|
Notes |
| W - Writing |
6
|
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6
|
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) |
| B - Breadth |
18
|
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:
Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci
|
|
6
|
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).
Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.
|