uwloo

PSYCH 257Psychopathology

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Psychology
Cross-listed
PSYCH 257R

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course offers an introduction to understanding, assessing, and treating mental illness from a psychological perspective. Course material will focus on various categories of abnormal behaviour, including personality, anxiety, and mood disorders; schizophrenia; and substance abuse. Clinical methods of assessment, diagnosis, and intervention will also be considered.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0014343266 / 285MW 11:30–12:50

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00136670 / 350TTh 08:30–09:50
LEC 7011401226 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

93% liked it66% easy91% useful

From 285 ratings and 69 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Liked this course! You get into the DSM-5-TR a bit and learn about all sorts of psychological disorders, from personality disorders to mood disorders and even substance use. It’s not an easy 90% course because she tests on lectures, the textbook, AND guest lectures, but if you study at least a few days before each test and take comprehensive notes both in class and from the textbook, you should be able to get an easy 75% at the very least. Not a brainless easy course (class average was in the low 70s) and I did find the textbook reading really gruelling at times though thankfully you can find the textbook free online. Attending lectures was mandatory unless you want to lose marks—Dr. Seeds…

    Nov 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Study and you'll do ok

    Apr 2014 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Lectures and readings overlapped. Straight-forward, engaging material. 4 midterms worth 25% each. Be sure to enrol early/put yourself on the waiting list or risk not getting a spot!

    Jul 2013 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • One of the more interesting required courses you'll take as a Psychology major. Three multiple-choice tests (25% ish each), with Chapter Quizzes (10%) and an Assignment (10%). Easy 80+ if you keep up with lectures and readings, but there is A LOT to study. Overall, loved the professor and would take a class with her again.

    Sep 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Interesting course, learned about disorders I had heard of before but didn't really know much about (such as Schizo and panic disorders), as well as some I had never heard of (a lot of the personality disorders and conduct disorders). Was pretty chill with Rebecca Pister (maybe a bit too chill, I feel like we could have covered more given that we only went through 1/2 of the textbook)

    Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

76 posts and comments in 64 threads mention PSYCH 257, June 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Psych 253 or 256 1 point, 5 comments

“One is social psychology and the other one is psychopathology. I think they would both be interested but I can only choose one. So I’ll do whichever one is easier in terms of work load and tests. …”

u/Weekly-Friend-66: “I took psych 257 (psychopathology) last semester and am currently taking psych 253 (social) this semester. Personally I would choose psychopathology over social.”

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Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Bird HLTH courses 1 point, 1 comment

“Hi I’m wondering if anyone from faculty of health knows easy Hlth courses. Many of our courses say in person I’ve had courses that are fully assignment based and require very little course knowledge. …”

u/Soft-Presentation-95: “… Some other bird courses from my experience that aren't HLTH courses: PSYCH 257 was probably my favourite class and very easy if you're interested in mental health. …”

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Spring 2023

What's a course that you think everyone should take? 50 points, 41 comments

“Just curious about people's experiences, and why they think everyone should take it. also i'm looking for first year electives and open to any ideas lol”

u/OrchidNo795: “PSYCH 257 Psychopathology - Really changed the way about how I think about people with mental illnesses and how to interact with them, changed my feelings about drugs too and made me much more open minded.”

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Winter 2023

Fall 2022

PSYCH 257 Professors 3 points, 0 comments

u/Under-a-Rock99: “Calling PSYCH students: I'm taking PSYCH 257 next semester. There are two professors teaching the course who I've never heard of and can't find any reviews online. Do any of you know either of these professors and would you recommend taking the course with one over the other? …”

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Spring 2022

Psych course recommendations? 3 points, 6 comments

“I'm looking to fulfill a social science requirement and I think I want to go with psych. I've already taken psych 101 and I found it pretty interesting, though it was only online and just consisted …”

u/Stranger_Natural: “seconding the psych 257 recommendations, it's an extremely chill & fun course”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar