A Note about New Course Numbers: Duke has instituted a new course numbering system. Visit the Office of Curriculum and Course Development for further information about the course renumbering process and how it will affect students transcripts. A brief description of the new numbers is listed below:
0 - 99 Advanced Placement credit; House Courses;
First-Year Seminars; First-Year Writing;
Registrar / Department special purpose
100 -199 Introductory-level undergraduate courses; basic skills / activity
courses; foundation courses; Focus program courses
200 -399 Undergraduate courses above introductory level
400 -499 Advanced undergraduate, senior seminars, capstone courses,
honors thesis courses
500 -699 Graduate courses open to advanced undergraduates
700 -999 Graduate only courses (not open to undergraduates)
This page lists the requirements for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2009 only. Students matriculating in Fall 2009 or later should see this page for current A.B. requirements.
1.The Breadth Requirement - the student is required to take at least two survey courses that cover major areas of the field. One of these survey courses must be Biological Bases of Behavior (106) or Cognitive Psychology (102), and one must be Abnormal Psychology (105), Developmental Psychology (103), or Social Psychology (104). Students seeking additional breadth may count up to four of these survey courses towards the major. Introductory Psychology (101) is strongly recommended as the first course taken in the major as it provides a foundation for all other courses; the survey courses should be taken next as they provide a foundation for additional courses in each area.
2.The Depth Requirement - the student is required to complete at least 2 courses in one of the areas where a survey course was completed.
3.The Seminar Requirement - the student is to take at least one seminar. It is recommended that the seminar be taken in an area where a survey course was completed. [*For a listing of courses that fit into each of these areas, click here.]
4.The Research Methods Requirement - each student will take Research Methods in Psychological Science (301), or one of the specialized research methods in the 301-315 series. Students are advised against enrolling in research methods prior to statistics.
5.The Stats Requirement - the required course is Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology (201). The course completed to satisfy this requirement will also count as one of the eleven courses required for the major. The following courses are also acceptable: Mathematics 342, Statistical Science 101, 102, 111, or 250. Other courses may be substituted only with advance permission of the director of undergraduate studies. Students who plan on taking courses in the Department of Statistics/Decision Sciences should consult with the director of undergraduate studies in Psychology & Neuroscience prior to enrolling in their initial statistics class. Please note that students may not use multiple introductory-level statistics classes to satisfy elective requirements.
6. Ten-course requirement. You must take a total of at least ten courses in psychology. PSY 201 (statistics) or equivalent (see list in Statistics above) counts as one of the ten. However no other course numbered <100 will count (e.g. 89S) since only two lower level courses are allowed toward the major, and these are accounted for by the two required Introduction and Survey courses. In addition, courses cross-listed with other departments (e.g., BIO 224 count, as long as you do not also use them to satisfy an extra departmental requirement (i.e., as a natural science course toward the B.S.)
1. Completion of the Requirements of the A.B. Degree, described above.
2. Additional Co-Requirements in the Natural Sciences: In addition to the requirements above, students must complete:
(a) Calculus – the equivalent of Math 112. [Math 122(or higher) or AP credit for Math 112 counts.]
(b) Six (6) courses in natural science departments from at least two of the following departments: Biology, Evolutionary Anthropology Courses classified as NS, Chemistry, Computer Science*, Mathematics*, Physics. [*Courses in these departments must be 100 level or above.] At least three of the six mathematics/natural science courses must be 100 level or above. Natural science classes in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience that are being used to satisfy other major requirements do not count towards these 6.
** At least one of these courses must involve extensive laboratory or field work (for example, BIO 101L or CHM 101L, experimental methods or independent research).
