Psychology and Neuroscience (BSc)

Psychology involves the scientific study of behaviour and experience, including thinking, feeling and action. Neuroscience examines the structures and function of human and animal nervous systems. The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psychology and Neuroscience unites these two disciplines to understand, for example, how the brain coordinates movement; how memories are formed, maintained and retrieved; how animals learn; why some people crave drugs; or how the brain changes as we age.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll have access to in the Psychology program:

  • Take the Foundations for Community Engagement and Service course to prepare yourself for Community Service-Learning placements.
  • Apply for co-op at the end of your first year.
  • Participate in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
  • Attend the Ontario Psychology Undergraduate Thesis Conference.

Check out the Psychology Experience Guide.

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term)     OUAC code: UPS

Your Path to Medical School

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Get one step closer to your medical school dreams at Laurier!

Our pathway agreement with American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) means you’re automatically granted an admissions interview to the AUC School of Medicine if you meet all academic requirements. Upon graduation, you’ll have the opportunity to write exams to practice medicine in Canada, the UK or the United States.

Program Options and Courses

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Applied Social Research Option
  • Education Minor
  • Legal Studies Option
  • Management Option

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Practical Research Experience

In addition to researching human psychology, our researchers work with a wide variety of species (birds, fish, rats and reptiles) to explore how behaviour varies across species.

In upper years, you’ll have the opportunity to become involved in this cutting-edge research – a great way to get real-world research experience.

Sample First-Year Courses

  • Introduction to Psychology I and II
  • Biological Diversity and Evolution
  • Unifying Life Processes
  • Calculus for the Natural Sciences
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I and II
  • Introductory Calculus for the Natural Sciences
  • Mechanics for the Life Sciences
  • Thermodynamics and Waves for the Life Sciences

Sample Upper-Year Courses

Course options allow for specialization in specific areas of neuroscience, such as psychopharmacology, computational neuroscience or the biochemistry of behaviour.

  • Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Introduction to Neuropsychology
  • Behavioural Neuroscience

Similar Programs

Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"I really enjoy the science side of psychology – understanding why the brain functions the way it does and how that controls our everyday behaviours."

Emma Smith, Psychology graduate

Your Career Awaits

Laurier's Psychology and Neuroscience program is designed to provide you with the analytical skills and information useful for careers in the neurosciences, health and pharmaceutical industry, biomedical sciences, and a variety of other careers.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • medicine
  • AI and deep learning
  • behavioural genetics
  • human resources
  • neuroscience research
  • psychometrist
  • research associate
  • science teacher
  • speech-language pathology

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"I enjoyed the incorporation of Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses. These courses allowed me to work with community partners and apply what I was learning in class to a real-life setting. They were also very rewarding experiences on a personal level, and I received amazing references from them."

Emily Weatherhead, Psychology graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.