Psychology Program Expectations

Although students' academic experiences within the Psychology Department can vary considerably, depending upon their areas of interest and specific program, some core knowledge and skills are expected to be acquired by all as students progress through the program. The following is provided as a simplified guide to course parameters and to the knowledge and skill base students are expected to acquire and retain.

Course Catalogue

Year One

The introductory courses (PSYC 1113/1123 with lab sections PSYC 1110L/1120L) cover material from a wide range of psychological research. The course follows a lecture format (3 hrs/wk). This will be your largest Psychology course at Acadia with classes of over 100 students.  Students should note that MATH 1253 and MATH 2253 are prerequisites or co-requisites to PSYC 2013, which is a required course for all psychology majors. It is highly recommended that you take these statistics courses in your first year as well.

Student learning objectives:  

  • working familiarity with the vocabulary used to describe and discuss psychological research and theory
  • basic knowledge of the theories that guide psychological research and the scientific understanding of human thought, feeling, and behaviour
  • knowledge of how research methods are applied to advance psychological knowledge


Year Two

The second-year curriculum includes Research Methods courses (2013/2023) with lectures (3 hrs/wk) and a laboratory (1.5 hrs/wk) and basic content courses (Abnormal Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Social Psychology, Introduction to Cognition, Developmental Psychology, Human Sexuality, Sensory Processes, and Psychology of Gender), many of which are prerequisite to upper-year courses. Our second year courses typically have a maximum enrolment of 75. Students who did not complete the statistics courses in their first year must complete them in their second year. Students are cautioned to plan their 2000-level courses carefully to ensure that they acquire the prerequisites for upper-year courses that they may wish to take. 3000-level courses are open to students after taking PSYC 2013 and any additional prerequisites required, so that students may take some upper-year courses in the winter term of their second year.

Student learning objectives:  

  • the ability to read, understand, and gather information from primary, journal sources
  • the ability to locate and critically evaluate aspects of scientific research and to apply information from research sources to answer psychological questions
  • knowledge of basic research designs and the logic and appropriate application of statistical analyses
  • an understanding of the Canadian ethical guidelines pertaining to research with human participants
  • the ability to perform basic analyses using at least one statistical analysis software package
  • a firm grasp of APA format
  • basic skills in scientific writing
  • more in-depth knowledge of some of the content areas of psychology

It is important that students recognize that much of the skills and knowledge base in psychology is cumulative. Skills and knowledge acquired during this year are essential for upper-year courses. Students are required, for example, to conform to APA format in their writing in advanced courses. They are also expected to understand the research design and statistical issues and applications introduced during the Research Design and Analyses courses (2013 & 2023). The knowledge base acquired in basic content courses is needed for understanding of concepts and research in advanced courses. (Moral: Study not just for the exam but for learning - and don't recycle your basic texts and reference manuals.)

Year Three

In their third year, students take courses in specific areas, which build upon the basic content of second-year courses. These more advanced courses have enrolments capped at 40. Students considering application to the Honours Program (see Honours Program page) apply to the program in January of the penultimate year of their program. Advanced Research Methods (PSYC 3243), Honours Seminar (PSYC 3023), and Advanced Seminar in History and Systems in Psychology (Psyc 4183) are required to complete the Honours Program, in addition to the Honours Thesis (Psyc 4996).

PSYC 3013, Readings in Psychology, provides strong students with the opportunity to pursue individualized programs of study under the tutelage of a faculty member. This option is pursued at the initiative of the student, who make application to a particular faculty member to pursue a line of inquiry. Faculty resources for readings courses are very limited so that not all interested students may be accommodated.

There is more written work and oral presentations expected of students in upper-level courses. Written assignments may comprise a significant portion of the final grade in these courses. Students need to be proficient in the basics of written communication, including correct grammar, punctuation and the coherent presentation of ideas. The Department does not offer remedial assistance with writing skills, however, so that students with deficiencies in these areas need to find appropriate ways of addressing them such as by making use of the tutors available through the English Department to any students registered at the university.

Students who are having difficulty in any area of their academic work (or personal life) are encouraged to contact the Student Counselling Centre, whose services are available free of charge (ext. 1246, Godfrey House).

Student learning objectives:

  • a solid knowledge base of research methods and data analysis strategies
  • competence in use of at least one word processing program and its use in preparing written assignments
  • the ability to formulate appropriate approaches to analyze sets of basic data
  • the ability to carry out statistical analyses using computer software packages
  • basic skills in oral presentation of scholarly material
  • competence in the foundations of scientific writing, including principles of composition and scientific style
  • the ability to think critically about one's own and others' scholarly work and to present critical arguments both orally and in writing
  • more advanced understanding of some areas of psychological research
  • Prospective honours students should develop a basic familiarity with the area of research that they wish to pursue in their final year.


Year Four

In the fourth year - typically the Honours Program (see Honours Program page) students pursue advanced study in several areas and should develop strong communication and critical thinking skills. 4000-level courses are usually limited to 20 students so that more interaction is expected among students and between students and instructor. More emphasis is placed on written and oral presentations in courses and these elements may comprise major portions of students' final grades.

Student learning objectives:

  • a solid knowledge base of current theory, research methods, and empirical findings in several areas of psychology
  • strong scholarly communication skills
  • strong critical analysis skills