Undergraduate Programmes
General Office (Tel: 3917 5867, E-mail: ugpsyc@hku.hk )
The Department of Psychology offers 3 major programmes and 4 minor programmes to undergraduate students.
1. Major/ Minor Programmes Available
Programme | 1st Major (For BPsych students only) | 2nd Major | Minor |
---|---|---|---|
Psychology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Cognitive Science | ✔ | ✔ | |
Neuroscience | ✔ | ✔ | |
Human Resource Management - FSS | ✔ |
2. Regulations, Syllabus & Structure and List of Courses
Intake | Regulations & Syllabus | Programme Structure | List of Courses & Descriptions |
---|---|---|---|
2024-2025 | BPsych / BSocSc | Link | Link |
2023-2024 | BPsych / BSocSc | Link | Link |
2022-2023 | BPsych / BSocSc | Link | Link |
2021-2022 | Link | Link | Link |
2020-2021 | Link | Link | Link |
2019-2020 | Link | Link | Link |
2018-2019 | Link | Link | Link |
2017-2018 | Link | Link | Link |
2016-2017 | Link | Link | Link |
3. Recommended Study Pathway
Intake | Recommended Study Pathway |
---|---|
2023-2024 | Link |
2022-2023 | Link |
2019-2020 | Link |
Before 2019-2020 cohort | Link |
4. Major / Minor Declaration
5. FAQ about the Requirements for Major / Minor Fulfillment
Question 1:
What courses can I choose as disciplinary elective?
Answer 1:
Students can choose courses listed in the syllabus for respective programmes as disciplinary electives. However, core courses cannot be taken as disciplinary elective, since no courses can be double counted.
Question 2:
I am doing a first major in psychology (BPsych students admitted in 2022-23 and thereafter / students admitted before 2022-23). The course PSYC1001 appears in the syllabi of psychology, cognitive science and neuroscience. How would it be counted?
Answer 2:
No courses can be double counted. The course PSYC1001 will primarily be used to fulfill the requirement of introductory disciplinary course for the major in psychology.
Students have to take any 2 other courses from COMP1117/ LING1000/ LING2034/ PHIL1012 to fulfill requirement of introductory disciplinary course of 2nd major/minor in cognitive science.
For students who wish to do a 2nd major/minor in neuroscience, students have to take one more advanced disciplinary elective listed in the neuroscience syllabus to make-up the shortfall credits of PSYC1001.
Question 3:
I am a BPsych student. I would like to declare a 2nd major in cognitive science. How many pre-requisite courses do I have to take from the 6 units in social sciences?
Answer 3:
For double majors in psychology and cognitive science, students have to complete a total of 18 credits to fulfill the pre-requisite courses requirements (equivalent to 3 introductory courses). The introductory pre-requisite courses should be taken from two different departments within one single major. It will be fine if you take two different pre-requisite courses from the same department in two different major requirements.
Here is a doable example for reference:
Components | BPsych | 2nd Major in Cognitive Science |
Introductory disciplinary courses | PSYC1001 & PSYC1004 | PHIL1012 & LING1000 |
Pre-requisite courses | SOCI1001 | GEOG1016 & SOCI1003 |
Question 4:
How can I check the outstanding credits or requirements for my declared major/minor?
Answer 4:
Students can check the Degree Audit Report which is available at the SIS for details about requirements that have been satisfied and also those requirements that are still outstanding. Please see the User Guide here (HKU portal login required).
Question 5:
I am a student declared psychology as a second major admitted before 2022/23. To fulfill Social Innovation and Global Citizenship requirement, I am required to take 24 credits of courses listed under the Faculty of Social Sciences syllabuses, including the social sciences and non-social sciences courses. What courses can I choose to fulfill the Social Innovation and Global Citizenship requirement?
Answer 5:
All free-electives courses at advanced level can fulfill the Social Innovation and Global Citizenship requirement. Students are strongly advised to check with the course offering units about the course level (Introductory or Advanced) since the Department is not the appropriate unit to define the course level for non-psychology courses.
1. List of Courses
2. Lecture Timetable for Courses Offered by the Department
Timetable of tutorials: Please access Tutorial Sign-up application via (1) the hyperlink in My eLearning tab or (2) iOS app and Android app of mobile device.
3. Course outlines in previous years (For Reference ONLY)
Current students may use the HKU portal login to access the course outlines in previous years as below.
The course offering, class timetable and course instructor are subject to change. Students who wish to obtain an official course outline for the current academic year should go to the Moodle class after formally registered in the course. Enquiries about updated course offerings should be sent to ugpsyc@hku.hk.
Course Code | Course Title | Course Outline |
PSYC1001 | Introduction to psychology | Click here |
PSYC1004 | Introduction to quantitative methods in psychology | |
PSYC2002 | Psychological testing and measurement | |
PSYC2005 | Introduction to counseling and therapeutic psychology | |
PSYC2007 | Cognitive psychology | |
PSYC2009 | Life-span developmental psychology | |
PSYC2019 | Psychology of personality | |
PSYC2020 | Fundamentals of social psychology | |
PSYC2022 | Biological psychology | |
PSYC2035 | Introduction to educational psychology | |
PSYC2051 | Perception | |
PSYC2060 | Research and quantitative methods in psychology | |
PSYC2062 | Introduction to psychopathology | |
PSYC2065 | Health psychology | |
PSYC2066 | Foundations of cognitive science | |
PSYC2067 | Seminars in cognitive science | |
PSYC2071 | Judgments and decision making | |
PSYC2072 | Research internship in psychology I | |
PSYC2073 | Research internship in psychology II | |
PSYC2074 | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy | |
PSYC2101 | Foundations of neuroscience I | |
PSYC2102 | Seminar in neuroscience | |
PSYC2103 | Foundations of neuroscience II | |
PSYC2110 | Developmental neuroscience | |
PSYC2111 | Neurobiological basis of psychological issues | |
PSYC2112 | Research internship in neuroscience | |
PSYC2113 | Introduction to brain imaging | |
PSYC3051 | Advanced personality psychology | |
PSYC3052A | Advanced social psychology | |
PSYC3052B | Advanced social psychology | |
PSYC3052C | Advanced social psychology | |
PSYC3052D | Advanced social psychology | |
PSYC3054 | Human neuropsychology | |
PSYC3061 | Advanced issues in perception | |
PSYC3064A | Advanced developmental psychology | |
PSYC3064B | Advanced developmental psychology | |
PSYC3068 | Advanced cognitive psychology | |
PSYC4007 | Independent study in psychology (12 credits) | |
PSYC4008 | Thesis in psychology (12 credits) | |
PSYC4068 | Research project in cognitive science (for Cognitive Sciences major) | |
PSYC4101 | Thesis in neuroscience (for Neuroscience Major) | |
PSYC4102 | Capstone project in neuroscience (for Neuroscience Major) |
4. Important Notes about Course enrollment
- All courses offered by the Department have quota restriction.
- Some courses may have pre-requisite requirements. Students should obtain a passing grade in the pre-requisite course(s) before taking the subsequent courses.
- Taking advanced courses concurrently with its pre-requisite is NOT allowed.
- Course enrollment with timetable conflicts will NOT be approved.
- Double-counting is NOT allowed.
- Students should read carefully the syllabus and course descriptions at major minor overview.
1. Research Internship Course (6 Credits)
A research internship course is different from a standard course. It combines working as a student intern in a research laboratory – helping with data collection and administrative tasks, attending lab meetings – with reading and learning about the related literature, etc. The specifics are highly dependent on the specific laboratory.
For research internship opportunities offered by lecturers, please click the lecturer’s name from here and read the details under “Research Internship Opportunities”.
Major/Minor Programme | Course | Overview & Application |
---|---|---|
Psychology | PSYC2072 & PSYC2073 Research internship in psychology I & II | Link |
Neuroscience | PSYC2112 Research internship in neuroscience | Link |
2. Research Project Course (6 Credits)
Research project courses comprise an independent research study in an area of cognitive science or neuroscience of the candidates’ choice, subject to availability of supervision. Students will read within an area of study, to be agreed with their instructor, and write an extended essay or research proposal.
Major/Minor Programme | Course | Overview & Application |
---|---|---|
Cognitive Science | PSYC4068 Research project in cognitive science | Link |
Neuroscience | PSYC4102 Capstone project in neuroscience | Link |
3. Independent Study (12 credits)
Students who are interested in conducting an independent empirical investigation of a psychological problem may take Independent Study course. The project write-up should be about 8,000 to 10,000 words (exclusive of tables, bibliographies and appendices) and should follow the practice of communication in top psychology journals. Approval by Departmental Head is required for admissions into this course.
Major/Minor Programme | Course | Overview & Application |
---|---|---|
Psychology | PSYC4007 Independent study in psychology |
4. Thesis (12 credits)
Psychology major students may conduct an independent empirical investigation of a psychological problem may take Thesis course. Students will receive individual supervision by under individual supervision of an academic staff. Thesis research will be supervised individually by teaching members of the Department. The thesis should be about 8000 to 10,000 words (exclusive of tables, bibliographies and appendices) and should follow the practice of communication in top psychology journals. Eligible students will be invited by the Department to apply for admission into this course, and the admission is subject to the approval by the Department.
Major/Minor Programme | Course | Overview & Application |
---|---|---|
Psychology | PSYC4008 Thesis in psychology | (2021 intake or before) (2022 intake or after) |
Neuroscience | PSYC4101 Thesis in neuroscience | Link |
5. Past Thesis Borrowing
6. Research Ethics application
1. Consultation Hours
All teachers in the Department will hold office hours (one hour per week) to provide advice to students on taught courses and provide supervision to Thesis/Independent Study/Research internships. Students are advised to make prior appointment in advance.
2. Departmental / Faculty / University Academic Advising
Name of Unit/system | Hyperlink |
---|---|
Departmental Academic Advising (DAA) | Check it out --> DAA list |
Faculty-based Academic Advising (FAA) | http://www.socsc.hku.hk/sl/ |
Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO) | https://aas.hku.hk/ |
CEDARS: Counselling and Person Enrichment (CoPE) | https://www.cedars.hku.hk/cope |
CEDARS: Student Development | https://www.cedars.hku.hk/sd |
CEDARS: Careers & Placement | https://www.cedars.hku.hk/careers/home |
CEDARS: Campus Life | https://www.cedars.hku.hk/campuslife/aboutus |
3. Careers in Psychology Forum and Advisor-Advisee Meeting.
The Careers in Psychology Forum cum Advisor-Advisee Meeting will be held on November 21, 2024, from 3:45 p.m. – 5: 15 p.m. at Function Room, 11/F, Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus. The main purpose of this forum is to share the career prospects and discuss further education opportunities after graduation with a major in Psychology. The Department will also introduce the academic advisors to students at the tea reception after the career forum.
Programme rundown:
3:45p.m. Opening Speech
(Prof. Zhansheng Chen, Head of Department)
4:00p.m. Job Placement of Psychology Major
(Professor Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs, CEDARS)
4:20p.m. Admissions and Career of CP Programme
(Prof. Wai Sze Chan, Programme Director of MSocSc (CP) programme)
4:40p.m. Admissions and Career of EP Programme
(Prof. Kathy Shum, Programme Director of MSocSc (EP) programme)
5:00p.m. Other further study opportunities in Psychology
(Prof. Singhang Cheung, Programme Director of Bachelor of Psychology)
5:15p.m. Introduce Academic Advisors and tea reception
1. Incoming Exchange
2. Outgoing Exchange Experience
Bachelor of Social Sciences students are required to participate in an Outgoing Exchange Studies as to meet the fulfillment of the Global Citizenship.
Credit Transfer Database [For Reference ONLY]
You may refer to the Credit Transfer Database from the Faculty of Social Sciences website for more information about successful credit transfer applications in the past.
Preliminary assessment of credit transfer
If the database does not include the courses that you wish to enroll at the host institution or you would like to transfer the course and proposed with another course equivalence, you may ask for a preliminary assessment of the credit transfer with the following procedures:
Please send the application to the Department of Psychology via ugpsyc@hku.hk as instructed below.
- Please provide the following basic Information in the email:
- Student Name
- University No
- Degree and Year
- Major and/or Minor
- Semester on exchange
- Host University
- PSYC courses taken in HKU
- Please send the following course information*note as detailed as possible in PDF format, ONE file for ONE course:
- Course Code (if applicable)
- Course title
- Number of contact hours
- Number of credits
- Course objectives and learning outcomes
- Topics covered in each teaching week
- Assessment methods
*Note: To facilitate the preliminary assessment, the file(s) shall be named in format as: Course title_Host University (e.g. Introduction to Psychology_NewYorkUniversity)
- Please note that you are required to provide the course information in English. If the course information is available in other language only, a translation of the course information to English is required.
- In case of insufficient information, the course may be disapproved and you are required to resubmit the required information for further assessment.
More useful details about matters related to exchange studies from the Faculty of Social Sciences:
3. Volunteer Experience in the Community
Please click here for details.