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Bachelor of Psychological Science | 2018
Testamur Title of Degree: | Bachelor of Psychological Science |
Abbreviation: | BPsycSc |
UOW Course Code: | 364 |
CRICOS Code: | 086228B |
Total Credit Points: | 144 |
Duration: | 3 years full time or part time equivalent |
Home Faculty: | Faculty of Social Sciences |
Intake Session(s): | Autumn, Spring |
Delivery Mode: | On-campus |
Delivery Campus / UAC Code: | Wollongong/ 753220 |
Overview
Students who complete this course will gain a broad and coherent scientific understanding of the field of psychology. The degree provides comprehensive training in the conceptualisation and measurement of the processes basic to human psychological functioning required for qualification as a professional psychologist. These include biological and social bases of behaviour, cognition, learning, perception, social and organisational behaviour, personality, abnormality and research and assessment tools.
Psychology can be usefully combined with a wide range of disciplines. This degree offers students the freedom to choose complementary studies from Science, Social Science, Business and, Humanities and the Arts, so that they may create their own professional pathway in the diversity of fields where psychology is applied. The first year of study allows students to engage in broad learning across the wide spectrum of topics relevant to psychology along with the basics of critical thinking, statistical analysis and professional writing. The second year subjects are more focussed in important areas such as personality theory and changes through the lifespan, whilst the third year subjects focus in some detail around essential topics such as assessment, intervention, and sub-disciplines in basic experimental and applied psychology. These subjects are taught by current subject matter experts engaged in up to date research in their respective fields.
The logic that governs the way that this three year degree fits together is one of increasing scientific complexity as the student progresses through his or her studies. This is illustrated in the way subjects are scaffolded and student expectations are extended across the three years. Initially students are provided with an introduction to the theories and practical skills characteristic of scientific psychology in a multitude of areas, with particular emphasis on research methods and basic statistics. The second year builds on this with an introduction to data analysis techniques for simple experimental designs and correlational studies which support further learning and extended assessment in other subjects specific to canonical areas of psychology that were introduced in first year. Subjects in third year are more detailed and focused on specific aspects of applied and experimental psychology, building on students’ capacities to embrace greater complexity in the phenomena explored and the theoretical explanations of these phenomena. In the third year Applied Psychology subject the three years of study are brought together though a real-world capstone experience. The ability to take academic learning and apply these principles and approaches to problems that are psychological in nature and are located in a real-world setting is seen as essential in equipping graduates in this degree to successfully transition to next destination in their chosen career path. As a result of successful completion students will have met the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) requirement to pursue an accredited fourth year of study in the area of psychology or a related field.
Students with an excellent academic record may apply to transfer to the four-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree, or apply for entry to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at the end of Year 3.
Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements
Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
CLO | Description | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology, their applications, and ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts. | ||||||
2 | Demonstrate a basic knowledge of research methods, including an evaluation of the characteristics of the science of psychology/scientific method. | ||||||
3 | Demonstrate an ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes. | ||||||
4 | Write standard research reports and orally present information in various formats. | ||||||
5 | Exhibit a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology. | ||||||
6 | Apply critical thinking skills and knowledge of the scientific method to evaluate claims regarding psychological phenomena. | ||||||
7 | Use the information in an ethical manner and apply knowledge of ethical and legislative requirements to determine appropriate ethical conduct in a range of contexts. |
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Psychological Science requires the successful completion of 144 credit points as specified in the table below, comprising:
1. 78 credit points of core Psychology subjects; and
2. At least one of either:
- an additional 24 credit points of Psychology subjects for honours eligibility; or
- minor from the recommended list; or
- major from the approved list; and
3. remaining elective credit points from the General Schedule; and
4. No more than 60 credit points will be at 100-level.
Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | |||
PSYC120 | Critical Thinking and Communication Skills in Psychology | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC121 | Foundations of Psychology A | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC122 | Foundations of Psychology B | 6 | Spring |
PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
Plus 24 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a second major, a minor, and/or elective credit. | |||
Year 2 | |||
PSYC231 | Personality | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC234 | Biological Psychology and Learning | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC250 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC236 | Cognition and Perception | 6 | Spring |
PSYC241 | Developmental and Social Psychology | 6 | Spring |
Plus 18 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a second major, a minor, Honours eligibility, and/or elective credit. | |||
Year 3 | |||
PSYC324 | Assessment and Intervention | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
Select THREE from the following, including at least ONE of PSYC327, PSYC328 or PSYC329 : | |||
PSYC325 | History and Philosophy of Psychology | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC327 | Advanced Topics in Cognition | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC330 | Social Behaviour and Individual Differences | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC357 | Forensic Psychology | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC326 | Design and Analysis | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC328 | Visual Perception | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC329 | Psychophysiology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC358 | Applied Psychology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC359 | Psychopharmacology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC360 | Research Internship in Psychology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC361 | Child Development | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
Plus a further 24 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a second major, a minor, Honours eligibility, and/or elective credit. |
For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.
Psychology Extension for Honours Eligibility
If you intend to apply for the honours year (a requirement for registration as a professional psychologist) you must complete the 100 level core, the 200 level core and the following 200 level subject, and take 300 level subjects as specified below.
Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
200-level subjects | |||
PSYC251 | Psychology of Abnormality | 6 | Spring |
300-level subjects | |||
PSYC324 | Assessment and Intervention | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC325 | History and Philosophy of Psychology | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC326 | Design and Analysis | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
And 24 credit points from the following, including at least one from PSYC327, PSYC328 or PSYC329 : | |||
PSYC327 | Advanced Topics in Cognition | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC330 | Social Behaviour and Individual Differences | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC357 | Forensic Psychology | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2019 |
PSYC328 | Visual Perception | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC329 | Psychophysiology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC358 | Applied Psychology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC359 | Psychopharmacology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC360 | Research Internship in Psychology | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
PSYC361 | Child Development | 6 | Spring First Offered 2019 |
Plus ONE 6 credit point subject that contributes to a minor or elective credit. |
Students who complete the extended requirements in psychology are eligible to apply for the one year honours program to confer the Bachelor of Psychological Science with honours.
Majors
All students in this degree complete core requirements in Psychology, specified above. The following majors are approved for inclusion in this course for students who elect to take them in addition to the Psychology requirements:
- Criminology
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Studies
- Management
- Marketing
- Social Marketing
- Philosophy
- Sociology
Students may also select language majors offered in the Bachelor of Arts.
Minors
The following minors are recommended for inclusion in this course. You may complete more than one minor, as space permits in your program:
- Criminology
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Studies
- Management
- Marketing
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Philosophy of Psychology
- Introduction to Public Health
- Public Relations
- Social Marketing
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Work Health and Safety
Other minors from the General Schedule of Minors are also available.
Neuroscience Minor
The Neuroscience minor is only available for students in the Bachelor of Psychological Science. Entry may be restricted due to resource limitations.
The Neuroscience minor provides students with an understanding of the human brain and its anatomical and physiological context, metabolism, CNS functional organisation, cranial nerves and their motor and sensory functions, and an introduction to the discipline of neuroscience.
A minor in Neuroscience requires at least 24 credit points from the following table.
Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
MEDI100 | Human Structure and Function | 6 | Autumn |
MEDI112 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II | 6 | Spring |
MEDI211 | Control Mechanisms Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
MEDI312 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience | 6 | Autumn |
Accreditation / Professional Recognition
The three year Bachelor of Psychological Science and the additional honours year are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council as a four year sequence for the purposes of provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. An additional two years of supervised practice is necessary to apply for general registration. This can be through two years supervised practice in the community or a fifth year at University plus one year of supervised practice in the community or an approved Masters degree.
Other Information
For further information email: ssc@uow.edu.au