Major - Psychology - prior to 31 December 2020

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts - Enhanced Program for High Achievers
• Bachelor of Arts and Science

A student may complete an extended major of 49.5 units in Psychology by completing three Year 1 topics (13.5 units), four Year 2 topics (18 units), and four Year 3 topics (18 units) listed in the program of study detailed below.

A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Psychology by completing three Year 1 topics (13.5 units), plus two Year 2 topics (9 units) from the topics listed in the program of study detailed below.  

• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
• Honours

Course aims

The aims of this major 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.

Psychology provides a core set of studies covering such fields as learning, motivation, personality, development across the lifespan, social influences, group processes and biological influences on behaviour. 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 major in 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
• knowledge of ethical principles governing the conduct of research, the use of formal assessment tests and clinical practice by psychologists
• discipline-based writing skills, including mastery of APA-style conventions.

Program of study

The following is the program of study for an extended major sequence in Psychology and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled. Note that the Psychology Major is only available as an extended major.

Major - Psychology

Year 1 topics

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

Year 2 topics

 PSYC2018  Research Methods 2  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2020  Cognition and Learning  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2022  Psychological Assessment and Measurement  (4.5 units)

plus either

 PSYC2019  Personality and Social Psychology  (4.5 units) OR
 PSYC2021  Human Development  (4.5 units)

Year 3 topics

 PSYC3007  Research Methods 3  (4.5 units)

plus 13.5 units from the Year 3 topics listed below

 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)

Students who take PSYC2019 Personality and Social Psychology at Year 2 must take PSYC3009 Lifespan Development in Cultural Perspective at Year 3.

Students who take PSYC2021 Human Development at Year 2 must take PSYC3004 Advanced Social Psychology at Year 3.

Honours

Refer to Honours - Psychology