Major - Psychology (for Education double degrees)

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

• Bachelor of Arts, Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling), Bachelor of Arts - prior to 31 December 2016

Students in the Senior Teaching Area only may choose to complete either:

• a 36 unit major in Psychology, formally constituting the BA major, or
• a 27 unit teaching major, which meets the minimum requirements for a teaching area for Years 11 and 12 (DECS).

The major and teaching major address the substantive topic areas taught in Stage 1 and Stage 2 SACE Psychology subjects, plus the basic research methods and ethics issues that are components of the SACE curriculum.

• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study

Course aims

Students will:

• develop a depth of knowledge in a school curriculum learning area
• be familiar with the theories, factural content and research procedures in a teaching area, and
• be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and to solve problems within their teaching area.

The more specific aims of the psychology majors are to develop knowledge of the nature of and factors that influence human development, behaviour and experience, and to provide fundamental skills for understanding research, interpreting evidence, and for acquiring knowledge.  Also integral to the major is the development of critical thinking skills and an awareness of ethical standards that govern research and other activities in the field of psychology.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate:

• knowledge of social, cultural, environmental and biological influences on both normal behaviour and psychological problems
• knowledge of human development, including atypical development, and of human cognitive functioning.
• an understanding of basic principles and techniques of psychological research, and the ability to critically analyse ideas and research.

Program of study

The following is the program of study for the 36 units major sequence in Psychology and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled.

Major - Psychology

36 units comprising:

Year 1 topics

PSYC1101  Psychology 1A  (4.5 units)
PSYC1102  Psychology 1B  (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

PSYC1106  Research Methods 1  (4.5 units) 
PSYC2020  Cognition and Learning  (4.5 units)
PSYC2021  Human Development  (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

PSYC2019  Personality and Social Psychology  (4.5 units) 
PSYC2022  Psychological Assessment and Measurement  (4.5 units)

Year 3 & Year 4 topics

Select one 4.5 unit third-level psychology elective topic in each of Year 3 and Year 4 (totalling 9 units), chosen from the following:

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)

Note: the 36 unit Major comprises three Year 1 topics, three Year 2 topics and two Year 3 topics.

The following is the program of study for the 27 unit teaching major sequence in Psychology and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled. 

Teaching Major - Psychology (Senior Teaching Area)

27 units comprising:

Year 1 topics

PSYC1101  Psychology 1A  (4.5 units)
PSYC1102  Psychology 1B  (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

PSYC1106  Research Methods 1  (4.5 units) 

Plus one of the following in each of Years 2, 3 and 4  (totalling 13.5 units)

PSYC2019  Personality and Social Psychology  (4.5 units) 
PSYC2020  Cognition and Learning  (4.5 units)
PSYC2021  Human Development  (4.5 units)

Note: the 27 unit Teaching Major comprises three Year 1 topics and three Year 2 topics.