Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo (UB), The State University of New York (SUNY) is one of the leading public universities in the northeastern US. Within the 64-campus SUNY system, UB is the flagship campus.

University at Buffalo in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management Pte Ltd – Bachelor of Arts (Psychology):

• SIM is the only offshore institution in the world to offer the accredited undergraduate programmes from University at Buffalo (UB)
• Entry with 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
• 60% lower costs than studying in the US

Objectives 

Programme Nature

The requirements for the psychology major are designed to provide students with foundational skills in statistics (PSY 207) and scientific methods (PSY 250) that are essential for subsequent coursework in psychology. The additional requirements for the psychology major are intended to introduce students to the great breadth of psychology as a scientific discipline; therefore, they are required to complete courses in four complementary areas of psychology.

Why Study Psychology?
Studying the mind and behaviour of human beings is invaluable in promoting effective interactions and relationships with people. This knowledge is also especially useful in attending to human needs and problems, such as in crisis intervention.
 

Duration

The programme is offered full-time over nine semesters and can be completed within three years.

The academic year is divided into three semesters. Each semester is typically 12 to 15 weeks in length.

• Summer semester: May to August
• Fall semester: August/September to December
• Spring semester: January to April
 
Please click here to get a copy of the tentative schedule.

Programme Structure & Curriculum

Acceptance Criteria: Successful completion of the four prerequisite modules with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Prerequisite Modules

1. MTH 115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry (4 credits) ¹

2. PSY 101 Introductory Psychology (3 credits) ¹

3. PSY 207 Psychological Statistics (4 credits) ¹

4. PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology (3 credits)


Required Modules

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. PSY 351 Biopsychology (3 credits) ²

9 – 11. 3 400-level courses (9 credits)


General Education

12. ESL 407 Advanced Written English and Reading I (3 credits)

13. ESL 408 Advanced Written English and Reading II (3 credits)

14. MUS 116 Theory of Music for Nonmajors (3 credits)

15. NTR 108 Human Nutrition (3 credits) ²

16. NTR 109 Nutrition in Practice (3 credits) ²

17. NTR 110 Nutrition in Practice Lab (1 credit) ²

18. PHI 115 Critical Thinking (3 credits)

19. UGC 111 World Civilizations I (3 credits)

20. UGC 112 World Civilizations II (3 credits)

21. UGC 211 American Pluralism and the Search for Equality (3 credits)

Free Electives

57 credits

Please click here to retrieve the module descriptions.

^1. Meets general education requirements.
^2. These are online modules. Local resource persons may conduct weekly sessions for selected modules.
 

Note:
a. One credit equals 15 contact hours of classroom study.
b. Students are subject to a foreign language requirement. Students must complete a two-semester module sequence in a foreign language, or demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to completion of a first-year, second-semester module.
c. The modules offered are subject to change.
 

Mode of Delivery

Lectures, discussions, presentations, activities and consultations.
 

Assessment

Continuous assessment comprise 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.
 

Teaching Faculty

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 will be taught by qualified local faculty who must be approved by UB.

Average teacher-student ratio = 1:95.

Lecturers & Their Teaching Modules (as at 21 May 2010)

Click for pdf 
 

Academic Progress

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.

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

Attendance Requirements

SIM requires all students (both local and international) to attend all scheduled lessons and activities unless they have valid reasons supported by document such as medical certificates. Under this policy, 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 (ICA).
 

Degree Conferral

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) degree by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US.
 

Job Prospect/Opportunity for Further Study After Graduation

The undergraduate degree in psychology does not make students a psychologist or professional counselor - it does, however, provide students with an excellent liberal arts background and is valuable for almost any type of work focused on people. Students who major in psychology are 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 behavior and interpersonal relations.

 

Admission Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on ALL the qualifications which they have submitted ie. the holistic academic experience. Meeting the minimum requirement does not mean automatic admission.

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

• GCE ‘O’ level with minimum of five 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.

Note: Students are subject to a foreign language requirement. Students must complete a two-semester module sequence in a foreign language, or demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to completion of a first-year, second-semester module.

International Students

Please click here for the admission criteria of international students.

English Language Proficiency

• All applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in English by means of TOEFL, IELTS or the SAT I with the minimum score indicated below:

• Only scores from tests taken within two years prior to the time of enrolment are acceptable.

Note: Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have had all 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.


UB programmes offered at SIM:

Bachelor of Arts (Communication) (full-time)

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (full-time)

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) (full-time)

Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) (full-time)

Double Degree in Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (full-time)

Double Major in Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Psychology) (full-time)

Executive MBA (part-time)