• What types of research labs do students have access to through the PSYC 116 cohort?
    • Students in PSYC 116A-C become research assistants in labs that conduct research with children, adolescents, and adults involving a range of mental health problems. Examples of past placements include the following: neurocognitive effects of heavy drug use in adolescence, risk factors for bipolar disorder, evaluation of smoking cessation programs, neurobiology of addiction, influence of exercise on relapse risk, treatment of hoarding disorder, psychotherapeutic treatment of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, and the effects of mindfulness meditation on memory in older adults.
  • How does PSYC 116A-C count toward my Psychology major requirements?
    • PSYC 116 progresses as an A-B-C series during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. At the completion of the course, students will have satisfied their research requirements and either three upper division electives or one Specialization class and two upper division electives.  For specific questions about how the 116 cohort classes will count toward your major, contact the Psychology Advising Office in the Virtual Advising Center.
  • Are there requirements or expectations to enroll and to continue in this course?
    • Most labs require a 3.0 minimum GPA and a minimum 3 quarter commitment. Students enrolling in PSYC 116A are expected to enroll in PSYC 116B and PSYC 116C in subsequent quarters, as well as the associated PSYC 199 sections.
    • The lab commitment is exceptionally important. It is expected that you be on time, diligent, professional, and positive while working with the lab team and its research participants. The lab PIs and Instructor will be in consistent communication throughout the quarter about your lab progress. Please recognize and value that you’re being trusted by a PI and his or her team to contribute and to be accountable.
  • Is it hard to get into the PSYC 116 cohort?
    • Acceptance to this course is highly competitive and requires an application and an interview with the instructor to learn about you and your clinical interests and also to evaluate which labs would be the best fit. The PSYC 116 A-C courses have partnerships with numerous clinical research labs at UCSD, so space to enroll in the course is contingent upon the needs of these labs. As there is limited space in this course, preference is given to those of junior or senior standing and good academic standing.
      • Applications are accepted in spring quarter for the following academic year, and have already closed for the 2019-20 academic year.
  • How do I get matched with a research lab?
    • When you apply for the PSYC 116 program, you will be provided with a list of lab openings for the upcoming academic year. You will rank your top 5 choices and be placed in a lab by the professor. We are not always able to place students in a lab they ranked but always try to match a student’s research interests with a lab.
  • How are students graded in PSYC 116?
    • Your grade in the class is based on your class participation, class projects, and lab participation. Assignments vary by quarter and instructor.
  • What if I’m not eligible for PSYC 116 but I’m still interested in doing research at UC San Diego?
    • Forquestions regarding the research requirement for Psychology majors, how to find research opportunities, or what research options are available to you, see the Psychology website.
  • I am a freshman or sophomore. Can I apply for PSYC 116?
    • Yes!  It’s amazing that you’re planning ahead and showing interest in the course in advance, but juniors and seniors will have priority for the class when space is limited. If you are not accepted for your sophomore year, you certainly may apply again.