Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology - Life Science

Virginia Commonwealth University

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology curriculum reflects the discipline’s major functions - scientific research, teaching, acting as a healing profession and raising philosophical questions about the assumptions, values and ideals of human beings and their societies, which reflects psychology’s origin in philosophy. Through a core set of requirements the student systematically develops understanding and skill in scientific methods of inquiry, focusing on the human mind and behavior. To fulfill the degree requirements, students may pursue the standard curriculum by selecting courses from four content areas that introduce students to the healing and philosophical sides of psychology and provide a broad understanding of the field as a whole or the student may apply to one of several more focused concentrations that draw upon the special strengths of the VCU Department of Psychology. Concentration-specific learning outcomes Upon completing this concentration, students will know and know how to do the following: Synthesize biological data with psychological theory to explain how psychological stress impacts long-term physical health outcomes. Appraise the reciprocal relationship between neurobiological mechanisms and psychological processes. Design protocols that synthesize the varying research techniques across biology and psychology.

College of Humanities and Sciences