The program exposes students to the diversity of approaches psychologists use to understand human experience and provides enriched learning through experimental research. Many courses also introduce students to the application of psychology.
Psychology is based in both the social and natural sciences.
Social science areas include developmental, social, and personality psychology, while natural science areas include perception, cognition, sensation, and behavioral neuroscience . Particular emphasis is placed on developing the student's understanding and appreciation of psychological research through laboratory courses and statistics and methodology courses. At the University of Calgary students can choose from over fifty courses but also have enough program flexibility to concentrate on a particular area, such as industrial-organizational psychology or behavioral neuroscience. For students contemplating careers in psychology, the program provides preparation for psychology graduate study. Psychologists work as practitioners in a variety of areas such as clinical, health, and forensic psychology.