Psychology BS

• UB’s modern, vibrant Department of Psychology has cutting-edge research facilities, highly productive faculty, and effective undergraduate classroom and laboratory education that reflect the latest in psychological science
• The BS degree in Psychology provides students with an undergraduate major that emphasizes the scientific foundation of psychology along with a strong basic science background
• The BS degree program is specifically aimed at helping to prepare students for graduate study in the sciences and science-based professions (e.g., cognitive science, neuroscience, medicine, and other related disciplines).
• Even if students do not continue their education at the graduate level, the background in science and mathematics that is part of the BS program provides knowledge and skills that are sought after in a wide variety of careers

The Psychology BS is designed to address the standards established by the American Psychological Association for an undergraduate psychology major. Five goals and learning outcomes represent departmental expectations for the undergraduate psychology major.

1. Knowledge Base in Psychology: Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.
3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World:The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
4. Communication: Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
5. Professional Development: The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills and career preparation.

• Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101) showcases the diversity of the science of psychology in a large lecture format (~400 students) and incorporates experience with research
• 200-level courses (200-300 students) build skills in psychology
• 300-level courses (100-200 students) increase knowledge in specific areas of psychology (e.g., abnormal, social, cognitive, biopsychology)
• Smaller 400-level courses (maximum 42 students) focus on specialty topics (e.g., mood disorders, adolescent development, biological clocks) and are reserved for majors
• Students gain experience in writing skills through PSY 295, PSY 450, and 400-level courses
• One-on-one instruction is available by participating in research or independent study
• The Psychology Honors Program enables students to complete an independent research project, an experience that closely resembles graduate-level work in psychology
• Cutting-edge research talks are available through departmental colloquia and the cognitive science speaker series

• Fully equipped psychological research labs (most located in Park Hall and Hochstetter Hall) allow faculty and students to conduct a wide variety of experiments utilizing cognitive, affective, behavioral, neurological, and psychophysiological measurements
• Shared research space is available for research using specialized measures such as electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and eye-movements
• Research facilities downtown include the Research for Institute on Additions, and the Center for Translational Research, which has facilities for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
• Conference rooms in Park Hall are used for small group meetings and seminars
• A computer lab on the 4th floor of Park Hall offers specialized statistical software
• The James R. Sawusch PhD Psychology Undergraduate Resource Center, in Park Hall 282, is a meeting place and general study area for all students in psychology

• The department has 26 tenure-track/tenured and 4 full-time teaching faculty members, all of whom teach undergraduate psychology courses
• Faculty specializations include the study of:
• clinical disorders (e.g., depression, addiction)
• developmental challenges (e.g., bullying, social withdrawal)
• the self-concept and self-esteem
• the formation and maintenance of close relationships
• responses to stressful situations and resilience
• infant language acquisition
• auditory perception in humans and non-human animals
• neural systems for learning and motivation
• ingestive behaviors, taste, and feeding
• Faculty conduct research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Faculty members serve as editors for leading journals and as officers in professional organizations
• Core faculty teach the majority of undergraduate courses. Approximately one-third of undergraduate courses are taught by highly qualified adjunct faculty or graduate instructors

Please visit our department website for additional information about our faculty.

• Psychology majors develop a highly desirable skill set that includes an understanding of the scientific method and psychological principles, critical analysis, problem solving, evaluation of evidence, statistical analysis, and scientific writing
• Career possibilities include: 
• Directly related clinical practice in psychology (with PhD in psychology) or psychiatry (with MD and residency)
• Directly related work in mental health as a counselor (e.g., vocational, rehabilitation, probation, alcohol and drug), school psychologist, or social worker (with further education at the master’s level)
• Directly related work in psychology research and teaching (with further education at the master’s or PhD level)
• Allied fields involving the analysis of human behavior (e.g., market research, government programs and agencies, personnel manager, human resources, management analyst, human factors specialist, public relations specialist, research/research technician, administrative services, community service, sales)
• Allied fields involving public health (e.g., behavior modification management, caseworker, occupational therapist, administration of hospitals and mental health facilities, medical technician)
• Allied fields involving education (e.g., teacher, vocational rehabilitation counselor and youth worker, guidance counselor, youth worker)
• Work in criminal justice, probation officer
• Work involving behavioral statistics and computer applications used in psychological research, including computer programming
  
• Salary Information
• According to the 2016 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates in psychology, the average salary was $44,851, with salaries ranging from $40,000 to $49,500

Students’ connection to advisors is a top priority.

• College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Advisement and Services provides educational planning and advisement on the adjustment to university life.
• The Department of Psychology provides individual consultations, faculty-led presentations, and student workshops on educational opportunities, career planning, applying to graduate school, professional programs, and resources for the psychology major.
• Senior Academic Advisor for Psychology available in person Monday through Friday (no appointment needed) and by email.
• Meeting with an academic advisor at least once per semester is recommended.

CAS Student Advisement and Services
275 Park Hall, University at Buffalo, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716-645-6883
Email: cas-advisor@buffalo.edu
Web: casadvising.buffalo.edu

Senior Academic Advisor for Psychology/Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies
Christa M. Greenberg
283 Park Hall, University at Buffalo, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716-645-0205
Email: cmgreen@buffalo.edu
Web: psychology.buffalo.edu/undergraduate/

Psychology undergraduates qualify for scholarships and financial support from a number of sources:

• UB Financial Aid, including Scholarships
• Nationally Competitive Fellowships and Scholarships
• UB College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships and Awards
• Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology, Awards and Grants