2020 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Psychological Science | 2020

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 Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Intake Session(s):

 Autumn, Spring*

Delivery Mode:

 On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

 Wollongong/ 753220, 753225

* Not applicable for Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education).

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;

2. At least one of either:

  • an additional 24 credit points of Psychology subjects for honours eligibility; or
  • major from the approved list; or
  • minor from the recommended list; or
  • students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q364) must complete the Foundations in Teaching minor;

3. Remaining elective credit points from the General Schedule;

4. No more than 60 credit points will be at 100-level.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q364) are required to maintain a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 in each year of enrolment to qualify for admission to the Master of Teaching (Primary).

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 
Select THREE from the following, including at least ONE of PSYC327, PSYC328 or PSYC329 :
PSYC325 History and Philosophy of Psychology 6 Autumn
PSYC327 Advanced Topics in Cognition 6 Autumn
PSYC330 Social Behaviour and Individual Differences 6 Autumn
PSYC357 Forensic Psychology 6 Autumn
PSYC326 Design and Analysis 6 Spring
PSYC328 Visual Perception 6 Spring
PSYC329 Psychophysiology 6 Spring
PSYC358 Applied Psychology 6 Spring
PSYC359 Psychopharmacology 6 Spring
PSYC360 Research Internship in Psychology 6 Spring
PSYC361 Child Development 6 Spring
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
PSYC325 History and Philosophy of Psychology 6 Autumn
PSYC326 Design and Analysis 6 Spring
And 24 credit points from the following, including at least one from PSYC327, PSYC328 or PSYC329 :
PSYC327 Advanced Topics in Cognition 6 Autumn
PSYC330 Social Behaviour and Individual Differences 6 Autumn
PSYC357 Forensic Psychology 6 Autumn
PSYC328 Visual Perception 6 Spring
PSYC329 Psychophysiology 6 Spring
PSYC358 Applied Psychology 6 Spring
PSYC359 Psychopharmacology 6 Spring
PSYC360 Research Internship in Psychology 6 Spring
PSYC361 Child Development 6 Spring
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:

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.  Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q364) are required to complete the Foundations in Teaching minor as part of their degree requirement.

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

 Other minors from the General Schedule of Minors are also available.

Pathway to Primary Education

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q364) will be given preferential admission to the Master of Teaching (Primary) up to two years after completion of their degree, provided they achieve a WAM of at least 65. The three postgraduate subjects completed in the Foundations in Teaching minor (18 credit points) will be credited towards the Master of Teaching (Primary) degree, thereby reducing the study load in that degree.  In the event that quotas restrict places in the postgraduate degree, including access to Commonwealth Supported Places, priority will be based on academic merit (WAM).

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Course instance code 364) who wish to take the Pathway to Primary Education can request a course transfer prior to commencing 300-level subjects.

Students who achieve a course weighted average mark below 65 will be considered for entry to the postgraduate degree on the same basis as applicants from other courses.

Foundations in Teaching Minor

The Foundations in Teaching minor is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q364). The 900-level subjects may only be completed in the final year the degree and require a WAM of at least 65 for enrolment. Please use the Subject Addition Form to request enrolment in 900-level subjects.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
EDSO101 Education and Society 6 Spring
Year 3
EDMT906 Aboriginal Education 6 Autumn
EDMT907 Teachers and Community 6 Autumn
EDMT905 Inclusive Education in Schools 6 Spring

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: askuow@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 22 July, 2020