Download PDF

Psychology - Associate in Science (855)

Associate in Science (855)

Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behavior and the biological and mental processes that underlie behavior. Freshmen and sophomores who plan to major in Psychology are encouraged to complete additional foundation courses in science and math beyond those required in the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum (IAI GECC) and to minimize the number of psychology courses taken.

Effective Fall of 2016, the associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM related majors.  As a result, the A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum.  Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Students pursuing education in social science should meet with an academic advisor. Individualized articulation sheets from some universities are available in the advising office.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815/835-6354
Dr. Amy Jakobsen, Professor of Psychology, 815/835-6324

Psychology-IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculumn

Follow this link for career information.

Total Hours Required - 64-69 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 16 Hours

• ***Electives 3 Semester Hour(s)
• Personal Development 3 Semester hour(s)

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A basic course in essay writing with emphasis on exposition, ENG 101 stresses knowledge and application of the rhetorical modes. ENG 101 presupposes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 22 or above; required scores on the current English placement test, or grade of C or higher in ELA 099. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to facilitate the self-development of the student, and introduce students to the expectations of the college community. This course reviews the academic skills that promote success during their college career. Topics will include, but not limited to, identifying campus/community resources, test-taking strategies, career exploration/decision making, problem solving, literacy, and critical thinking. Students will also learn strategies for taking personal responsibility for their academic and career choices. (Students in good standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher), who have accumulated 16 semester hours or more prior to enrolling as a degree seeking student at Sauk are not required to take this class). Semester hour(s): 1 Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

• MAT240 - Elementary Statistics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to basic concepts in statistical methods including measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, probability, theoretical and empirical distribution, estimation, tests of hypotheses, linear regression and correlation. Prerequisite: MAT 081 with a grade of ""C"" or higher or two years of high school algebra with grades of C or higher, Math 3 with a C or higher, or appropriate placement scores. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 902 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY103 - Introduction to Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts, theories, principles, and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological, behavioral, cognitive, personality, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Second Semester - 17-18 Hours

• *Mathematics 3-4 Semester hour(s)

• BIO105 - Principles of Biology ( 5 Semester Hours)

  A survey of the basic principles of biology including nature of science, cells, structure and function of organisms, genetics, evolution and ecology. This course is designed to satisfy the biology requirement for general education and vocation-occupational curriculum majors. It provides a basis for understanding principles common to all major fields of biology for the science or professional major. This course along with BIO 123 (Introduction to Botany) and BIO 131 (General Zoology) is part of the three-semester sequence that satisfies the IAI 910 Biology requirement. Students who have completed BIO 105 with a grade of "C" or better will not receive credit for BIO 103 or BIO 104. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Semester hour(s) 5 semester hours Lecture/Lab Hours 4 lec, 2 lab/week

• COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. This course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY200 - Human Growth & Development ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A study of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of the human across the lifespan. Normative and non-normative patterns of development will be examined. Several major theories of human development will be be explored. Practical application of research findings will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 103 or equivalent. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 902 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  OR

  PSY214 - Child Developmental Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Child Developmental Psychology is an exploration of human growth and development from immediately before conception through adolescence. Content and application of theory and research related to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains of child development will be reviewed. Prerequisite: PSY 103. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 903 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
   

Third Semester - 16-17 Hours

• Additional Science 4-5 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)

• PSY215 - Social Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Social Psychology is a systematic introduction to theory and research on the ways social factors influence individual and group behavior. Examines attitudes, social perception, establishment of norms, conformity, leadership, group dynamics and research methods. (IAI GECC Code S8 900). Prerequisite: PSY 103. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S8 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY217 - Abnormal Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Abnormal psychology seeks to describe abnormal behavior from a number of contemporary theoretical and therapeutic viewpoints. Major diagnostic categories are explored. The diagnosis of disorders, their symptoms, etiologies, courses, treatment, and outcomes are core to the course. Applications to daily life, allied health, criminal justice, human development, and various other clinical settings will be common. Prerequisite: PSY 103 or consent of instructor. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): PSY 905 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• SOC111 - Introduction to Sociology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will be introduced to the perspective, concepts and methods of sociology. Emphasis will be given to how the groups that make up our society function. The forces that hold groups together or cause them to change will be explored while the students examine how they learn to play roles within the family, school, religion, peer groups and in other social settings. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S7 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 15-18 Hours

• **Physical Science 3-5 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• ***Electives 9 Semester hour(s)

Footnotes

• *Suggested MAT 220, MAT 221 or MAT 203.
• **Some universities require a two-semester science sequence in biology, chemistry, or physics.
• ***Additional science courses, such as anatomy and physiology are recommended.