Program Planning Tips
for Psychology Majors,
Neuroscience and Behavior Majors,
and prospective majors
(1) Review Major Requirements. The requirements for your program
are described in About the Psychology Curriculum, available via the Undergrad InfoPack for Current Students at www.columbia.edu/cu/psychology/dept/ugrad/infopack.html
(2) Use Major Requirement Checklists. Go to Major Requirement Checklists via the InfoPack and fill out the appropriate
checklist for your program to see what courses you still need to take.
Always bring a completed Checklist with you when you visit an advisor.
Send a copy to the Undergraduate Curriculum Assistant, in 406 Schermerhorn, prior to your final semester.
(3) Study Psychology Course Offerings. The Index to Courses is your starting point in learning about psychology course offerings.
The Week-at-a-Glance schedules for Spring 2010 will help you find courses that fit your schedule. Year-at-a-Glance
tables provide an overview of courses being offered this year, and a sneak peek at preliminary plans for 2010-11.
A more detailed Table of All
Courses lists all courses in the psychology curriculum, and the requirements they meet. Clicking on a course number will bring up a description
of the course, and a link to the course syllabus.
(4) Use the Online Pencil Book. The online Directory
of Classes is updated daily and provides links to faculty web pages,
course descriptions, and syllabi.
(5) Note Prerequisites and Permissions. Read course descriptions carefully, noting
prerequisites and permissions required. Most psychology seminars require instructor permission prior to registration; do NOT register until you have received the required permission.
Faculty contact information and office hours are available from the Psychology home page.
(6) Specific Recommendations:
- Read online syllabi before selecting your courses.
- Register at your first opportunity; some courses will close out
early.
- Complete stats (PSYC 1610) and lab (PSYC 14xx) requirements
by Fall of junior year.
- Participate in research by Fall of senior year.
- Apply for Honors Program in Spring of sophomore year. Deadline will be May 6, 2010.
- Plan to take at least two small courses or seminars by your senior
year. Be sure to take the prerequisites and obtain instructor permission.
(7) Consult a Faculty or Peer Advisor. Your Faculty
Advisor will serve as an important contact for psychology-related
questions, including class choices, research opportunities, fields of study, and post-graduation
plans. Your Peer
Advisors are also available to help with class choices, major requirements,
and schedule planning. They have good ideas about things like getting
involved in a research lab. You may set up an appointment with one of
them by email, or meet them at our various Open Houses, Majors Fairs,
and Forums.
(8) Consult a Program Advisor. For approval of transfer credit and for definitive answers to questions
about major requirements or other administrative aspects of the degree
see your Program Advisor or the Undergraduate Curriculum Assistant (in 406). If you completed a psychology course at another institution
but have not yet received SIGNED departmental approval for transfer credit
toward the major, you should apply for it at your earliest convenience (Please see special rules regarding transfer credits if you are a GS student).
Follow the transfer credit instructions on the web, show your collected materials to
the Undergraduate Curriculum Assistant (in 406), and then meet with your Program
Advisor.
(9) Don't miss our Special Events! Dates will be posted on the InfoPack page
and email announcements will be sent to all our majors. Events in 2009-2010
will include:
(10) Visit Psychology Major Q & A: See the Advising Q & A page for more information about the major.
About the Program Planning Tips Web Page: Are you looking at a printed page? The online version of this page is
available via the InfoPack for Current Students or at www.columbia.edu/cu/psychology/dept/ugrad/planning.html
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