Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology)

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology) – Full-time
Developed and awarded by The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US

Studying about Psychology and Sociology
Studying the mind and behaviour of human beings is invaluable in promoting effective interaction and relationship with people. This knowledge is especially useful in attending to human needs and problems, such as in crisis intervention.

The undergraduate degree in Psychology does not make the student a psychologist or professional counsellor. However it does provide them with an excellent liberal arts background and a solid foundation for almost any type of work that focuses on people.

Students who major in Psychology are also well-prepared for graduate study in Psychology and related mental health fields, medicine, education, law, or business, and for any career that requires a good understanding of individual behaviour and interpersonal relations.

Sociology is a study of all people, for all people. It is the broadest of the social sciences and, unlike other disciplines, can give us an understanding of the social world.

The knowledge and tools make the Sociology student invaluable in a number of settings, from business to social service to government to education. As you embark on this study, keep in mind that Sociology helps us have a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

SIM is the only offshore institution in the world to offer undergraduate programmes from University at Buffalo.

Entry for students is a minimum 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes or equivalent. Advanced standing credit may be granted for applicants with ‘A’ levels or polytechnic diplomas.

More than 50% of programmes are taught by overseas visiting faculty.

The cost of studying at SIM is 60% lower than studying in the US.

Other full-time UB programmes offered at SIM:
Bachelor of Arts (Economics)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication)
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Psychology)
Bachelor of Science(Business Administration)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

Duration

The programme is offered full-time over 12 semesters (3 semesters per year) and can be completed within 4 years.

Each semester is typically 12 -15 weeks. These are three semesters per year:

• Summer semester: May to August
• Fall semester: August/September to December
• Spring semester: January to April

Click here for a copy of the tentative schedule

Candidature Period

The maximum allowed period for a student to complete a single degree program would be 6 years and a double major or double degree program would be 8 years. If a student fails to complete the course within the candidature period, they will not be entitled to any recourse or refund.

Mode of Delivery

Lectures, discussions, presentations, activities and consultations.

Minimum Number of Students Required for Class Commencement

For a class to commence, there must be minimum of 25 students. In the event that the class cannot commence due to low take up rate, the students will be informed at least one month prior to class commencement.

Acceptance Criteria (Psychology)

• Successful completion of the four Prerequisite Modules with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and at UB.

• Minimum GPA 2.0, both overall and at UB.
• SOC 101 with grade of ‘C’ or better.
• Two other Sociology modules with a grade ‘C’ or better.

• Minimum completion of 120 credits.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0, both overall and at UB.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 in Psychology modules at UB.
• Minimum grade of ‘C’ is required in SOC 293, SOC 294 and SOC 349.
• Meet major and general education requirements.

Prerequisite Modules for Psychology

• MTH 115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry (4 credits)¹
• PSY 101 Introductory Psychology (3 credits)¹
• PSY 207 Psychological Statistics (4 credits)¹
• PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology (3 credits)

Required Modules for Psychology

• PSY 321 Psychology of Personality (3 credits) or
  PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 323 Community Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 324 Clinical Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 325 Health Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 331 Social Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 332 Social Conflict and Its Resolution (3 credits) or
  PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organizations (3 credits) or
  PSY 336 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind (3 credits) or
  PSY 343 Sensory Processes and Perception (3 credits)
  PSY 351 Biopsychology (3 credits)²
• Three 400-level Psychology modules (9 credits)

Prerequisite Module for Sociology

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)¹

Required Modules for Sociology

• SOC 293 Social Research Methods (3 credits)
• SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (3 credits)¹
• SOC 349 Classical Sociological Theory (3 credits)
• Eight Sociology Electives at any level (24 credits)

General Education

• ESL 407 Written English I (3 credits)
• ESL 408 Written English II (3 credits)
• MUS 113 Music and Society (3 credits) or
  MUS 115 Understanding Music (3 credits) or
  MUS116 Theory of Music for Nonmajors (3 credits) or
  MUS 264 World Music (3 credits)
• NTR 108 Human Nutrition (3 credits)²
• NTR 109 Nutrition in Practice (3 credits)²
• NTR 110 Nutrition in Practice Lab (1 credit)²
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits) or
  PHI 107 Ethics (3 credits) or
  PHI 115 Critical Thinking (3 credits)
• UGC 111 World Civilizations I (3 credits)
• UGC 112 World Civilizations II (3 credits)
• UGC 211 American Pluralism and the Search for Equality (3 credits)

Free Electives
21 credits

Please click link below to retrieve the description of the modules.

UB Undergraduate Catalogue

Under the double major programme, students can graduate with two majors and within the minimum of 120 credits. Students who complete two majors within one degree type will be awarded one degree with two majors, not two degrees.

Candidates who have outstanding academic results may apply for direct entry into the double major programme at the point of application. Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview.

Alternatively, if you are enrolled in a single degree programme and have done well at the end of one year of study i.e. meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite modules of the first major and the minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to be considered in academic good standing, you will also be eligible to enrol for the double major programme.

Students who fail to meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite modules of the two majors or the minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to be considered in academic good standing will be required to withdraw from one of the majors.

Applicants will be assessed based on all the qualifications they have submitted. Meeting the minimum requirement does not mean automatic admission.

GCE ‘O’ level with minimum 5 credit passes (6 or better) with suitable academic preparation for the intended major.

Applicants with GCE ‘A’ level or polytechnic diplomas may be considered for admission with advanced standing credit.

Most recent 3 years of high school grade of B equivalent to IB score 4.5. IB Diploma holders may be awarded up to 30 credit transfers.

Click here for the admission criteria of international students

All applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in English with minimum score of one of the following:

• Paper-based TOEFL 550
• Internet-based TOEFL 79
• IELTS 6.5 (no subsection score below 6.0)
• SAT I Critical Reading 480
• PTE Academic 55 (with no subsection score below 50)

Only scores from tests taken within 2 years before the time of enrolment are acceptable.

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have had at least 10 years of their primary and secondary education in Singapore in an English-medium government school, and completed their GCE ‘O’ level with a grade of ‘C’ (6 or better) in English as a first language, are exempted from the English Language proficiency requirement.

Course Fee:

S$556.40 (per credit)
S$66,768.00 (minimum 120 credits)
Inclusive of 7% GST

Application Fee:

S$85.60 (Singapore citizens and PRs)
S$267.50 (international applicants)

Inclusive of 7% GST

Nil

To ensure parity in standards, rigours of the programme, integrity of the UB degree, and to comply with US accreditation requirements, more than 50% of the modules are taught by UB faculty and the remaining modules are taught by qualified local faculty who must be approved by UB.

Average teacher-student ratio = 1:16.

Lecturers and their Teaching Modules (as at January, 2012)

The normal module load for students is 12 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Students may register for modules and make changes to their class schedule. Students who choose to drop or resign from any modules, are on official leave of absence or have to repeat any failed modules, may take more than three years to complete their studies.

Continuous assessment comprises tests, quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, participations and activities which are scheduled throughout the semester.

The final examination is held during the two weeks after the semester ends. The detailed assessment schedules can be found in the individual course syllabi accessible by the students via the Students’ Portal or UBLearns once they are in the program.

Students are allowed to progress through each semester till they satisfactorily complete the conferral requirements.

SIM requires all students (both local and international) to attend all scheduled lessons and activities unless they have valid reasons supported by documents such as medical certificates.

All full-time local students are required to attain a minimum attendance rate as stipulated by the partner universities/institutions or 75%, whichever is higher.

For all international students, the minimum attendance requirement is 90% as mandated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits with a minimum overall and UB GPA of 2.0 to be awarded the degree.

Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the programme will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology) degree by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US.