Overview

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - 4 years requires 4 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

Student guidance

Program of study overview
Program of study notes

Program of study
144 Units

Year 136 Units
Year 236 Units
Year 336 Units
Year 436 Units
Honours Program

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
English Language requirements

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. In the first three years of this course, graduates will develop core knowledge in psychological theory and research to prepare them for their final year in the Honours program in psychology. In the 4th (Honours) year, the aims are to build on earlier training to provide a broad base in contemporary psychological theory and research, to bring diverse psychology subject areas together by pointing to shared themes, issues, problems and techniques, and to enhance students' understanding of methodological and data analysis issues.

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. Also integral to the course is the development of critical thinking and research skills, and an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of researchers and psychoIogy clinicians. It also aims to better acquaint students with the actual process of research, to show how Psychology can contribute to understanding and solving real-world problems, and to promote critical or evaluative thinking (e.g., about theory, methods, applications). Finally it prepares them for further professional psychology training in post-graduates courses at the Masters or Doctoral level.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course you will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate knowledge of influences on human behaviour, both normal and abnormal
2.
Demonstrate knowledge of psychological theories in relation to a range of major areas within the discipline, such as social, developmental, cognitive, and abnormal psychology
3.
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of psychological assessment and measurement
4.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical principles governing the conduct of research, the use of formal assessment tests and clinical practice by psychologists
5.
Understand the principles and techniques of psychological research
6.
Critically evaluate theoretical claims and primary research
7.
Plan and conduct research to answer well-justified questions
8.
Connect your theoretical knowledge and learned psychological techniques to relevant real-world problems
9.
Distil key ideas from the literature and to communicate concepts and primary research in both written and oral form
10.
Demonstrate discipline-based writing skills and APA-style conventions

Student progression rules

In order to progress to the third year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) a student must normally have achieved a GPA of 5 in all Second Year Psychology topics attempted. Failure to achieve the required GPA may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

In order to progress to the fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) a student must normally have achieved a GPA of 5.5 in all Second and Third Year Psychology topics attempted. Students who do not meet the requirement to enter fourth year will be able to exit with the Bachelor of Psychological Science on completion of 108 units according to the first three years of study in the degree.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Professional accreditation

Associations

Course/Exit award association