Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The aims of this course are to develop knowledge of the factors influencing human behaviour and experience, and to provide skills for the application of this knowledge to issues in the real world. Graduates will develop core knowledge in psychological theory and research to prepare them for possible entry into an Honours program in psychology.

The course provides comprehensive knowledge of such fields as learning, motivation, personality, emotion, development across the lifespan, social and cultural influences, biological influences, and mental health. Within this course, these core studies in psychology are linked to study in one other discipline, which provides knowledge required for a multidisciplinary understanding of human behaviour and experience. Within this second area of study, students will also be prepared for possible entry into an Honours program in that discipline. Also integral to the course is the development of critical thinking and research skills, and an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of researchers and psychology clinicians.

Learning outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (Psychology) should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

knowledge of influences on human behaviour, both normal and abnormal
an understanding of the principles and techniques of psychological research
knowledge of psychological assessment and measurement
the ability to critically analyse ideas and research
the ability to connect their theoretical knowledge and learned psychological techniques with relevant real-world problems
the integration of psychological principles with at least one other behavioural science
knowledge of ethical principles governing the conduct of research, the use of formal assessment tests and clinical practice by psychologists
discipline-based writing skills and APA-style conventions.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

The 108 units must include:

a major sequence in Psychology, as set out below
a major sequence* in accordance with the requirements for one of the majors listed below; plus
elective topics to make a total of 108 units.

Elective topics may be selected from any offered by the University, provided entry and course requirements are met.

Within the 108 units at least 27 units but no more than 45 units of year 1 topics must be included. With the permission of the Dean (Education), up to 54 units may be taken by cross-institutional study at an approved institution.

Not all topics in Psychology or the other disciplines listed in the following sections are necessarily available in a given year.

Major Sequence in Psychology

58.5 units comprising

Core - Year 1 topics

PSYC1101  Psychology 1A (4.5 units)
PSYC1102  Psychology 1B (4.5 units)
PSYC1106  Research Methods 1 (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

PSYC2018  Research Methods 2 (4.5 units)
PSYC2019  Personality and Social Psychology (4.5 units)
PSYC2020  Cognition and Learning (4.5 units)
PSYC2021  Human Development (4.5 units)
PSYC2022  Psychological Assessment and Measurement (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

PSYC3007 Research Methods 3 (4.5 units)
PSYC3235 Applications of Psychological Science (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Select at least 13.5 units of other year 3 Psychology topics from the following list:

PSYC3003  Introduction to Clinical Psychology (4.5 units)
PSYC3004  Advanced Social Psychology (4.5 units)
PSYC3008  Applied Cognitive Psychology (4.5 units)
PSYC3009  Lifespan Development in Cultural Perspective (4.5 units)
PSYC3010  Mind, Brain and Behaviour (4.5 units)
PSYC3236 Forensic Psychology: Legal and Clinical (4.5 units)

Majors

plus select one of the following major sequences

plus elective topics to make a total of 108 units.

* Students who complete more than 75 units of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and are approved to graduate with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) degree are required to complete only year 1 and 2 of the major sequence in the related discipline.