Back to UCLA
JennaTow_OC
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Academics

Hi everyone, my student is currently a freshman Psychology major but is hoping to switch into Psychobiology. They’ve already taken two of the Psychobiology prerequisites (LS 7A and Psych 10). Does anyone know how realistic that switch is, what the process usually looks like, and what steps they should take next (counseling, forms, course planning, etc.)?

The transition from a Psychology major to Psychobiology at UCLA is a common and feasible process for freshmen, especially since your student has already completed two prerequisites: LS 7A and Psych 10.

Process for Switching

  1. Declare the Pre-Major: Your student should contact the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office via the MyUCLA Message Center to request a switch to Pre-Psychobiology.
  2. Complete Preparation Courses: They must finish all required prep courses, including the LS 7 series, Chem 14 series (or 20/30), Physics 5 series, and Math 3 series, maintaining a minimum prep GPA of 2.0.
  3. Grade Requirements: A grade of C or better is required in Psych 10, 100A, and 100B, and at least a C- in all other prep courses.
  4. Declare Full Major Standing: After completing the prep courses, they can message the advising office again to officially declare the Psychobiology major once grades are posted to their Degree Audit Report (DAR).
Counseling and Resources

For personalized guidance, your student should visit the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office in Pritzker Hall or utilize their Virtual Advising services. They can also refer to the official Psychobiology 4-Year Plan for course mapping. Most changes are handled digitally, but if needed, the Undergraduate Program Change Petition is available on the Registrar's website.

Crucial Deadline

All preparation courses must be completed by the end of the summer quarter following their 3rd year at UCLA to remain eligible for the major.

Recent questions at UCLA

Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Academics

What are some of the easiest psychology upper division required and elective courses?

For students seeking easier upper-division psychology courses at UCLA, several options stand out based on student feedback and course evaluations.

Recommended Courses

  • Psych 150 (Health Psychology): Often considered an "easy A," this course covers lifestyle and wellness topics through projects and discussions that are accessible to most students.
  • Psych 137C (Intimate Relationships): This course is highly recommended for its interesting content, with assessments that often include straightforward essay responses referencing the textbook.
  • Psych 135 (Social Psychology): Known for its engaging discussions on group behavior and social dynamics, this course avoids complex statistical analysis, making it more approachable.
  • Psych 131 (Research Methods in Developmental Psychology): While it includes group projects and research papers, the structured guidance from instructors makes it manageable.
Additional Electives
  • Psych 130 (Developmental Psychology): Focuses on developmental processes through peer and parental interactions.
  • Psych 133 series: Courses in this series are frequently highlighted as favorites for their engaging content and lighter workload.
  • Positive Psychology: Centers on happiness and well-being with minimal heavy theoretical content.
For more information on course offerings and evaluations, students can refer to resources like Bruinwalk and MyUCLA Course Evaluations.
Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Registrar

Hi May daughter missed her UC Shape training and now they put a hold on her enrollment. The SHAPE office said it's an automatic update and there is nothing they can do to expedite it. The regsitrar says there is nothing they can do either. She will miss her window of enrollment. Is there anyone else who can help?

Given the situation with your daughter's enrollment hold due to missing the UC SHAPE training, there are additional resources at UCLA that may help her navigate this issue.

Contact Key Offices Your daughter should reach out to the following offices:

  • Dean of Students Office: They advocate for students facing administrative challenges and may provide guidance or intervention.
  • Email: dean@saonet.ucla.edu
  • Phone: (310) 825-3894
  • UCLA Case Management Services: This office offers academic support and can assist with complex administrative issues.
  • Email: CRTeam@ucla.edu
  • Phone: (310) 825-7291
  • Title IX Civil Rights Office: Since the SHAPE training falls under their jurisdiction, they may help verify her completion manually if the automated system is causing the hold.
  • Email: TitleIXtraining@equity.ucla.edu
  • Phone: (310) 206-3417
Immediate Actions To expedite the process, she should:
  • Complete all three SHAPE training modules in Bruin Learn as soon as possible, as holds typically lift within 2-3 business days of completion.
  • If the hold is cleared but she misses the enrollment deadline, she may need to file a Late Study List Petition through the Registrar’s Office to enroll after the standard window.
For more information on the Late Study List, visit the UCLA Registrar's Office for guidance on the petition process.
Anonymous
•This response is community-sourced and may not reflect official school guidance.
Wellness

What is a difference between cognitive science degree and psychology degree?

Choosing between a Cognitive Science degree and a Psychology degree at UCLA involves understanding their distinct focuses and career paths.

Core Focus Cognitive Science (B.S.) examines the mind as an information processor, blending psychology with fields like computer science, linguistics, and neuroscience. In contrast, Psychology (B.A.) centers on understanding individual and group behaviors, rooted in social science and clinical observations.

Curriculum Differences

  • Cognitive Science: Requires advanced math and programming courses, focusing on computation and data modeling.
  • Psychology: Offers more flexibility with lower math requirements, emphasizing social, clinical, and developmental aspects.
Career Outcomes
  • Cognitive Science graduates often pursue roles in tech, such as UX/UI design, data science, and human factors engineering.
  • Psychology graduates typically enter fields like clinical counseling, human resources, and social work, focusing on human-centric roles.
Ultimately, choose Psychology for a social science approach to mental health, or Cognitive Science for a technical understanding of cognitive processes.
Explore all UCLA questions