UC Davis Psychology Major Requirements: 2026 Complete Degree Guide For A.B. & B.S. Tracks

This curriculum guide details the undergraduate degree requirements for the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) for the 2026 academic catalog year, covering both Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) pathways.

Choosing to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of California, Davis places students within one of the nation's premier research institutions. Housed under the College of Letters and Science, the UC Davis Department of Psychology offers distinct paths tailored to different post-graduation outcomes: the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology. The B.S. degree features two sub-emphases: Biology and Mathematics/Quantitative.

Understanding the prerequisites, upper-division core distributions, laboratory demands, and minimum GPA thresholds is critical for maintaining satisfactory academic progress and graduating on time. This guide breaks down every component of the UC Davis psychology degree requirements for the 2026 academic catalog year.

Navigating the UC Davis Psychology Tracks: A.B. vs. B.S. Overview

The UC Davis psychology major allows students to customize their academic focus based on career goals in clinical practice, cognitive neuroscience, law, medicine, data science, or organizational behavior.

+------------------------------------+ | UC Davis Psychology Major | +------------------------------------+ | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | | +------------------------------+ +------------------------------+ | Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) | | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) | +------------------------------+ +------------------------------+ | | +--------------+--------------+ +---------------+---------------+ | | | | v v v v Liberal Arts Focus Double Major Friendly Biology Emphasis Quantitative Emphasis

(Diagram illustrating the structural split between the A.B. track and the two distinct B.S. concentration tracks at UC Davis.)

• Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Psychology: Designed for students seeking a broad liberal arts education with an emphasis on human behavior, social psychology, developmental processes, and personality. It offers the maximum elective flexibility, making it an ideal choice for double majors or students preparing for law school, social work, counseling, human resources, or marketing.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology – Biology Emphasis: Engineered for students targeting careers at the intersection of mind and biological systems, such as neurobiology, medicine, psychiatry, or health sciences. This track demands foundational natural science courses in chemistry, biological sciences, physics, and calculus alongside core psychology work.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology – Quantitative/Mathematics Emphasis: Formulated for students focused on psychometrics, data analytics, computational cognitive modeling, or quantitative behavioral research. This track replaces advanced natural science electives with rigorous mathematics, computer science, and statistics requirements.

Lower-Division Prerequisites and Preparatory Coursework

All prospective and declared psychology majors must establish a firm foundation in introductory psychological concepts, basic statistics, and empirical research design. Lower-division prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade, and students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA) across all preparatory major coursework.

Core Psychology and Quantitative Methods

Regardless of whether a student selects the A.B. or B.S. degree path, two foundational courses serve as prerequisites for upper-division standing in the major:

1. PSC 001 – General Psychology (4 units): A comprehensive broad-spectrum introduction to the fundamental concepts, theories, and empirical paradigms of contemporary psychological science.
2. STA 013 – Elementary Statistics (4 units) OR STA 100 – Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences (4 units): Fundamental instruction in probability, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. Note: STA 100 is typically preferred for B.S. Biology Emphasis majors.
3. PSC 041 – Research Methods in Psychology (4 units): Essential preparation in scientific investigation, observational techniques, experimental designs, and data collection standards specific to psychological science.

B.S. Natural Science and Mathematics Sequences

Students who opt for the Bachelor of Science tracks must complete additional lower-division foundation courses outside the psychology department prior to advancing into specialized upper-division coursework.

Biological Emphasis Prerequisites: Students pursuing the Biology Track must complete Calculus (MAT 017A, 017B, and 017C or MAT 016A, 016B, and 016C or MAT 021A, 021B, and 021C), General Biology (BIS 002A, 002B, and 002C), General Chemistry (CHE 002A, 002B, and 002C), and Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences (CHE 008A and 008B) or Physics (PHY 007A, 007B, and 007C).

Quantitative Emphasis Prerequisites: Students pursuing the Quantitative Track must complete Calculus for Biological and Social Sciences (MAT 017A, 017B, and 017C or MAT 021A, 021B, and 021C), Linear Algebra (MAT 022A or MAT 067), and Computer Science/Programming Fundamentals (ECS 032A or ECS 036A).

Upper-Division Major Requirements and Area Distribution

Upper-division coursework (courses numbered 100 through 199) forms the structural core of the UC Davis psychology degree. The curriculum requires balanced breadth across distinct sub-disciplines alongside depth in statistical analysis and advanced research methodology.

+------------------------------------+ | Upper-Division Core Requirements | +------------------------------------+ | +------------------------------+------------------------------+ | | +------------------------------+ +------------------------------+ | Core Research Methods | | Group Breadth Distribution | | (PSC 103A & PSC 103B/Lab) | | (Groups A, B, and C Electives) | +------------------------------+ +------------------------------+

Mandatory Upper-Division Core and Research Methods

All psychology majors must complete upper-division quantitative methods to ensure fluency in experimental design and critical evaluation of peer-reviewed literature:

• PSC 103A – Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data (5 units): Intermediate parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression models applied to psychological data.
• PSC 103B – Research Methods in Psychology (5 units): Advanced laboratory instruction focusing on primary literature review, hypothesis generation, scientific writing (APA style), data analysis execution, and formal research reports.

Sub-Discipline Area Breadth (Groups A, B, and C)

To prevent over-specialization at the undergraduate level, the UC Davis Department of Psychology divides its upper-division offerings into three distinct academic groups. Students must select specific course distributions based on their degree track:

• Group A (Cognitive, Biological, and Physiological Processes): Focuses on the neural, physiological, and computational architecture of mind and behavior. Courses include PSC 100 (Cognitive Psychology), PSC 101 (Biological Psychology), PSC 121 (Physiological Psychology), PSC 132 (Language and Cognition), and PSC 135 (Cognitive Neuroscience).
• Group B (Social, Developmental, and Personality Processes): Focuses on human interaction, lifelong development, individual differences, and psychopathology. Courses include PSC 140 (Developmental Psychology), PSC 151 (Social Psychology), PSC 162 (Personality Theory), and PSC 168 (Abnormal Psychology).
• Group C (Quantitative, Applied, and Specialized Psychology): Focuses on empirical measurement, specialized applications, and computational methods. Courses include PSC 104 (Applied Statistical Analysis), PSC 120 (Advanced Research Methods in Quantitative Psychology), and designated advanced seminars (PSC 180 through 190 series).

Comprehensive Track Comparison: A.B. vs. B.S. Requirements

The exact distribution of lower-division science requirements and upper-division breadth requirements varies depending on the elected degree path. The following table provides a direct side-by-side comparison under the 2026 UC Davis General Catalog guidelines:

Step-by-Step Degree Planning and Academic Performance Standards

To complete a degree in psychology at UC Davis within four academic years (12 quarter terms), students must carefully manage course prerequisites, credit unit caps, and academic standing rules enforced by the College of Letters and Science.

Step 1: Complete Lower-Division Foundations Early

During the freshman and sophomore years (Units 0–89), prioritize completing PSC 001, STA 013/100, and PSC 041. For B.S. majors, the General Chemistry (CHE 002 series) and Introductory Biology (BIS 002 series) or Calculus (MAT 017 series) sequences should be initiated during the freshman year due to multi-quarter prerequisite chains.

Step 2: Declare the Major Concentration

Students typically declare their specific psychology track upon reaching sophomore status or completing 30 quarter units. Changing tracks between A.B. and B.S. requires submitting a Change of Major petition via the UC Davis OASIS academic portal, subject to departmental approval.

Step 3: Satisfy Upper-Division Core and Breadth Requirements

During the junior year (Units 90–134), prioritize PSC 103A and PSC 103B. Completing these core methods courses early unlocks enrollment access to specialized upper-division research seminars and laboratory units. Distribute Group A, Group B, and Group C requirements evenly across junior and senior terms.

Step 4: Integrate Undergraduate Research and Internships

UC Davis emphasizes hands-on research experience. Up to 6 units of PSC 199 (Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates) or PSC 198 (Directed Group Study) may apply toward upper-division major electives with departmental consent. Students planning for doctoral programs should apply for research assistantships in departmental laboratories starting in their junior year.

Academic Regulations and Letter Grade Mandates

• Pass/No Pass Restrictions: All courses used to satisfy specific lower-division preparatory requirements and upper-division major requirements MUST be taken for a letter grade. Courses passed under P/NP status will not fulfill major degree criteria.
• Minimum Grade Thresholds: A grade of C- or higher is strictly required in specific prerequisite courses before advancing to sequential courses (e.g., earning at least a C- in PSC 103A prior to enrolling in PSC 103B).
• Major GPA Calculation: To qualify for graduation, students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.000 in all major coursework completed at UC Davis.
• Senior Residence Requirement: College of Letters and Science rules dictate that 35 of the final 45 units completed for the degree must be taken in residence on the UC Davis campus.

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Davis Psychology Requirements

What is the primary difference between an A.B. and a B.S. in Psychology at UC Davis?

The A.B. in Psychology focuses on general human behavior, developmental processes, and social psychology within a flexible liberal arts structure, making it ideal for double majors or broad graduate career paths. The B.S. degree requires intensive natural science coursework—such as calculus, biology, chemistry, or advanced computer science and statistics—tailored for careers in biological psychiatry, cognitive neuroscience, medicine, or quantitative data analysis.

Can I complete a double major at UC Davis with Psychology?

Yes, double majoring with Psychology is allowed and common among A.B. students. Popular pairings include Communication, Sociology, Human Development, Philosophy, and Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB). However, university rules prohibit more than a 20-percent overlap of upper-division coursework between two majors, requiring approval from both academic departments.

Is Calculus required for all UC Davis Psychology majors?

No, calculus is not required for the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Psychology, which requires only Elementary Statistics (STA 013 or STA 100). However, Calculus (MAT 016, MAT 017, or MAT 021 series) is mandatory for both the Biology Emphasis and Quantitative Emphasis tracks under the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Can upper-division research units (PSC 199) count toward major requirements?

Yes, students may apply up to 6 units of PSC 199 (Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates) or PSC 198 (Directed Group Study) toward their upper-division psychology elective requirements. These units allow undergraduates to earn academic credit while working directly inside research laboratories alongside faculty members.

What minimum GPA is required to remain in good standing as a Psychology major?

UC Davis requires students to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 across all courses required for the Psychology major. Falling below a 2.000 major GPA places a student on academic probation within the department and may lead to administrative disqualification from the major if not corrected within specified quarterly terms.

Next Steps for Degree Planning and Academic Advising

Whether preparing for clinical practice, cognitive neuroscience research, health administration, or quantitative data analytics, selecting the appropriate track within the UC Davis Psychology Department ensures your academic schedule aligns directly with your long-term professional objectives.

Students seeking personalized schedule planning, transfer credit evaluations, or course substitution petitions should consult directly with the UC Davis Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office located in Young Hall or submit an academic inquiry through the UC Davis OASIS portal.