Students who are considering future study in an applied psychology program (such as school psychology, counselling psychology, or clinical psychology) with the aim of becoming a psychologist should ensure that their academic program includes courses beyond the introductory level that meet the foundational knowledge domains required for professional registration.

These foundational knowledge domains are organized into four categories: Biological bases of behaviour, Cognitive-Affective bases of behaviour, Social bases of behaviour, and Psychology of the individual.

Below are general descriptions of each knowledge domain, including some courses that we offer that cover relevant topics.

For specific details about registering as a psychologist, including jurisdiction-specific information, please visit the Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organizations (ACPRO) website at https://acpro-aocrp.ca/.

Biological bases of behaviour

Understanding the physiological aspects of behaviour, which could include topics such as physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neurophysiology, sensation and perception, and psychopharmacology.

Example courses include:

  • PSYC 2206 – Drugs and Behaviour
  • PSYC 2216 – Sensation and Perception
  • BIOL/PSYC 2217 – Brain and Behaviour
  • BIOL/PSYC 2260 – Foundations of Neurophysiology
  • BIOL/PSYC 3332 – Human Neuropsychology
  • PSYC 4417 – Developmental Neuroscience
  • PSYC 4432 – Advanced Seminar in Biological Psychology

Cognitive-Affective bases of behaviour

Exploring how cognition, learning, motivation, and emotion shape human behaviour, with courses potentially covering areas like learning theory, cognition, motivation, and emotion.

Example courses include:

  • PSYC 2213 – Emotion & Motivation
  • PSYC 2214 – Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
  • PSYC 2215 – Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYC 3302 – Psychology of Learning and Behaviour Modification
  • PSYC 3310 – Cognitive Development

Social bases of behaviour

Investigating the impact of social factors on behaviour, which may involve subjects such as social psychology, group processes, community psychology, environmental psychology, organizational and systems theory, and cultural issues.

Example courses include:

  • PSYC 2208 – Social Psychology
  • PSYC/WOMS 2265 – Psychology of Gender
  • PSYC 3309 – Community Psychology
  • PSYC/WOMS 3365 – Psychology of Women

Psychology of the individual

Focus on understanding individual differences and psychological development, with courses covering personality theory, human development, psychopathology, and individual differences.

Example courses include:

  • PSYC 2205 – Abnormal Psychology
  • FSGN/PSYC 2220 – Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
  • PSYC 2221 – Developmental Psychology I
  • PSYC 2222 – Developmental Psychology II
  • PSYC 3313 – Social Development
  • PSYC 3315 – Personality
  • PSYC 3319 – Adolescent Development
  • PSYC 4407 – Issues in Clinical Psychology
  • PSYC 4410 – Childhood Psychopathology