91社区

• Stewart Biology Building, Room W8/1
• 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue
• Montreal, Quebec H3A 1B1

• Telephone: 514-398-6100
• Fax: 514-398-4896
• Email: info [at] psych.mcgill.ca
• Website:

The Department of Psychology offers programs in both Arts and Science. All B.A. programs in Psychology can be found under Faculty of Arts > Psychology (PSYC).

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It is both a social and a biological science. As a social science, psychology studies social interactions. As a biological science, it regards humans as the product of evolution and so studies them in biological perspective, comparing and contrasting human behaviour with that of other species.

The data of psychology are collected within the psychological laboratory by the use of experimental methods in the study of behaviour, and outside the laboratory by systematic observation of the behaviour of humans and animals. The aim is to formulate general principles of perception, learning, motivation, cognition, and social psychology that are relevant to different aspects of human life. Experimentation, laboratory techniques, observational procedures, measurement, and statistical methods are important tools of the psychologist.

Psychology has many interdisciplinary aspects. The study of psychological problems often involves knowledge drawn from other disciplines such as biology, physiology, linguistics, sociology, philosophy, and mathematics. For this reason, a student with varied interests can frequently find a place for these in psychology.

Psychology is a young science so that explanations of the processes underlying observed phenomena are often theoretical and speculative. The major objectives of psychological study are to reduce the discrepancy between theory and fact and to provide better answers about why humans think and behave as they do.

Although a number of undergraduate courses in Psychology have applied implications, applied training is not the purpose of the undergraduate curriculum. Its purpose is to introduce the student to an understanding of the basic core of psychological knowledge, theory, and method, regardless of questions of practical application.

The B.Sc. or B.A. with a Major or Honours degree in Psychology is not a professional qualification. It does not qualify the individual to carry on professional work in psychology. In the province of Quebec the minimum requirement for membership in the Order of Psychologists, the professional association governing the work of psychologists in the province, is a doctoral degree. All students planning to practice in the province of Quebec will be examined on their proficiency in French before being admitted to the professional association. Undergraduate courses in Psychology may prove of considerable value to students planning careers in professional fields other than psychology. These include but are not restricted to medicine, education, social work, human communication sciences, or business and industry.

Students who are interested in psychology as a career must pursue graduate studies. Persons who hold graduate degrees in Psychology, usually the Ph.D., may find employment in universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, government departments, large corporations, or may act as self-employed consultants. At the graduate level, psychology has many specialized branches including social psychology, physiological psychology, experimental psychology, clinical psychology, child psychology, industrial psychology, community psychology, educational psychology, and others.

Requirements for admission to graduate studies in Psychology vary from one university to another and from one country to another. Nonetheless, both the Honours and Major degrees in Psychology may qualify the student for admission to many graduate schools, provided that sufficiently high grades are obtained and, in some cases, that research experience has been obtained. During the U2 year, undergraduate students are strongly advised to verify the admission requirements of various graduate programs. This is to ensure that sufficient time is available for students to complete all necessary requirements for admission to their preferred graduate programs.

The essential differences between the Honours and the Major program are an emphasis on research methodology courses and practice in the Honours program, and that higher academic standards are required of Honours students. Honours students also have an opportunity to work in small groups closely with staff members.

All new students entering the Psychology undergraduate program are required to attend an information meeting prior to registration. Students who have been accepted into a Bachelor of Science program in Psychology must attend one of these meetings. Newly admitted students from CEGEPs should attend the information session on Wednesday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m. in room N2/2 in the Stewart Biology Building. There will be an identical information session on Tuesday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. in room N2/2 in the Stewart Biology Building for all other students and for any CEGEP students who could not attend the earlier meeting. Students accepted into a Bachelor of Arts program must attend a different information meeting. (For details, see Faculty of Arts > Psychology (PSYC).) At this meeting, Paola Carvajal, the Academic Adviser, will explain the requirements of the Department's programs. Incoming students will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive advice on how to plan their courses. After this meeting, students will make appointments for individual advising sessions and fill out their Study Plan form for registration.

Entering students must bring their letter of acceptance and a copy of their collegial transcript(s). They will also need access to this publication and a preliminary Class Schedule before their individual advising session. Students will also find the Psychology Department Handbook helpful. It contains more detailed descriptions of Psychology courses and provides guidelines for how students might pursue particular areas of interest. The handbook is available on the Department website: .

Students entering the Psychology program in January are strongly encouraged to visit the Academic Adviser, Paola Carvajal, in early December to clarify their course selections.