Description

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology is ideal for students interested in pursuing a health sciences career. This is also the Psychology degree program most suited for students who have an interest in neuroscience, particularly at the graduate level. The BSc is the most interdisciplinary of our psychology degrees, exposing students to biology, chemistry, math, and physics in addition to a broad array of psychology courses. This degree is also very “hands-on” with students being exposed to lab and research experiences as well as developing technical writing skills and workplace expertise.

The degree was developed in close connection with employers in the field and community partners, and has an applied focus that prepares students for employment upon graduation, for research-focused graduate studies, or for entry into professional programs of study. Many courses within this program have a lab component. The program takes a systems/ecological approach, recognizing the interrelationships between humans and their environments.

As part of their upper-level coursework, students will take courses across three main topical areas within Psychology:

1. research skills;
2. biological psychology; and
3. health psychology.

The degree will be embedded throughout with psychological application, including hands-on lab experience and courses focusing on human interaction with modern technology, professional business practices, and technical writing. Students also participate in a workplace practicum coordinated by KPU and co-supervised by faculty and employers in relevant fields of employment. This practicum placement will assist students in gaining workplace experience and in meeting potential future employers.

Students interested in applying to graduate school or who prefer a more extensive research experience are encouraged to apply to the Honours program. The Honours program affords students an opportunity to develop and report on a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member within the Psychology Department. BSc. in Applied Psychology students can complete the Honours program within the 40 courses required for the degree.

Career Opportunities

A student who successfully completes the BSc in Applied Psychology, will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Critically examine the research literature
• Contribute effectively to a seminar discussion
• Deliver a presentation based on primary source research
• Communicate ideas effectively in written and oral forms
• Critically evaluate primary and secondary source material
• Develop a research program
• Apply skills in a relevant work setting
• Demonstrate solid ethical decision making both in research and practice
• Work within an interdisciplinary framework
• Demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of statistical and methodological approaches to scientific inquiry
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of various scientific technologies and techniques

The degree was developed in close collaboration with industry/employers to ensure positive outcomes and maximum opportunities. Graduates of this degree could therefore find employment in areas such as health sciences, vocational rehabilitation mental health services, disability services, software usability research, program evaluation, research and design, and pharmaceutics, among other opportunities. They would also be well prepared for post-graduate programs in a variety of health professions. Students who complete the Honours option would be well prepared for research-focused graduate studies in neuroscience, psychology, counselling, public policy, and other areas.

Faculty's website: kpu.ca/arts

Department's website: kpu.ca/arts/psychology

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• In good academic standing with the University
• Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
  • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
  • PSYC 1100 with a minimum grade of “C”
  • PSYC 1200 with a minimum grade of “C”
  • BIOL 1110
  • CHEM 1110
  • MATH 1120 or MATH 1130
  • PHYS 1101 or PHYS 1120

Curricular Requirements

Applied Psychology Degree

All students must meet the following minimum requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology:

• 127 credits of undergraduate coursework
• 36 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including the following:
  • 9 credits at the 4000 level
  • 33 credits in PSYC
  • 3 credits in a subject area other than PSYC
• 6 credits in MATH
• 30 credits in BIOL, CHEM or PHYS
• A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• 32 credits overall, including a minimum of 16 credits in 3000- or 4000-level PSYC courses, completed through courses taken at KPU.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
1000 Level Requirements
BIOL 1110	Introductory Biology I	4
BIOL 1210	Introductory Biology II	4
CHEM 1110	The Structure of Matter	4
CHEM 1210	Chemical Energetics and Dynamics	4
ENGL 1100	Introduction to University Writing	3
3 credits of ENGL designated as Writing Intensive		3
PSYC 1100	Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes	3
PSYC 1200	Introduction to Psychology: Areas and Applications	3
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 1120	Differential Calculus
MATH 1130	Calculus for Life Sciences I (recommended)
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 1220	Integral Calculus
MATH 1230	Calculus for Life Sciences II (recommended)
PHYS 1101	Physics for Life Sciences I	4
or PHYS 1120	Physics for Physical and Applied Sciences I
2000 Level Requirements
BIOL 2321	Cell Biology	4
CHEM 2320	Organic Chemistry I	4
PSYC 2300	Applied Statistics	3
PSYC 2315	Brain and Behaviour	3
PSYC 2330	Social Psychology	3
PSYC 2385	Cognition	3
PSYC 2400	Research Methods in Psychology I	3
BIOL 2320	Genetics	3-4
or BIOL 2421	Cellular Biochemistry
3000 and 4000 level Requirements
CMNS 3100	Technical Report Writing	3
PSYC 4010	Practicum in Psychology	6
PSYC 4700	Culture and Psychology	3
Select at least two of the following Statistics and Research Methodology courses. Note: PSYC 3300 and PSYC 3400 are prerequisites for the Honours program. Students pursuing the Honours program should select PSYC 3300 and PSYC 3400 to fulfill this cluster requirement.		6
PSYC 3300	Applied Statistics II
PSYC 3400	Quantitative Methods II
PSYC 3960	Program Evaluation
PSYC 4100	Tests and Measurement
PSYC 4400	Research Methods II: Qualitative Methodologies
Select at least two of the following Biological Psychology courses:		6
PSYC 3320	Drugs and Behaviour
PSYC 3375	Sensation & Perception
PSYC 3910	Brain Dysfunction and Recovery
PSYC 4315	Neuroscience
Select at least two of the following Clinical and Health Psychology courses:		6
PSYC 3350	Advanced Topics in Psychopathology
PSYC 3450	Clinical Psychology
PSYC 3600	Health Psychology
PSYC 4350	Developmental Psychopathology
PSYC 4910	Rehabilitation
Select at least two of the following Applied Psychology courses:		6
PSYC 3200	Industrial and Organizational Psychology
PSYC 3220	Group Dynamics
PSYC 3930	Consumer Psychology Research & Applications
PSYC 3950	Cognitive Ergonomics
PSYC 4200	Human Factors
PSYC 4500	Interpersonal Relations
Electives
Select 27 additional credits chosen from any subject area and at any level provided all core requirements are met		27
Total Credits		127-128

Honours

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology Honours degree must complete the following 12 credits, and can do so in lieu of elective credits, and within the 127 credits required for degree completion:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PSYC 4990	Honours Thesis I	6
PSYC 4995	Honours Thesis II	6
Total Credits		12

Note: Enrolment is competitive and requires the permission of the Psychology Honours Committee. In order to be considered, students are expected to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3, and a minimum grade of 'B+' in PSYC 3300 and PSYC 3400. Students must also obtain endorsement from a faculty member who will serve as their thesis advisor.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of the honours program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Psychology.