- 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.
Psychology
(UAC Code 753122)
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and experience, the physiological, sensory and cognitive processes that underlie it, and the profession that applies this knowledge to practical problems. Psychologists help us to understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. They aim to help people function better, and to prevent ill-health and other problems developing. Psychologists' clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.
Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge
Domestic school leavers are assumed to have completed at least 2 units of English at HSC level.
International students are required to have achieved a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Alternative pathways exist for mature age domestic students.
Major Study
The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (UOW Course Code 708) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table below, which incorporates the 72 credit points of Psychology subjects required to achieve a major in Psychology.
Elective subjects to the value of 72 credit points are chosen from the Health and Behavioural Sciences, Arts, or the General Schedule. Students should refer to the Award Rules for the Bachelor of Arts (Course Code 708) for further details.
Double majors are not available in Course 708 Bachelor of Arts.
Subject Code |
Subject Name |
Session |
Credit Points |
PSYC121 |
Foundations in Psychology A |
Autumn |
6 |
PSYC122 |
Foundations in Psychology B |
Spring |
6 |
PSYC123 |
Theory, Design and Statistics in Psychology |
Spring |
6 |
PSYC234 |
Biological Psychology and Learning |
Autumn |
6 |
PSYC241 |
Developmental and Social Psychology |
Autumn |
6 |
PSYC250 |
Quantitative Methods |
Autumn |
6 |
PSYC231 |
Personality |
Spring |
6 |
PSYC236 |
Cognition and Perception |
Spring |
6 |
PSYC347 |
Assessment and Intervention |
Autumn |
8 |
And 16 credit points of electives, which must include at least one of the following: | |||
PSYC345 |
Advanced Topics in Cognition |
Autumn |
8 |
PSYC349 |
Visual Perception |
Spring |
8 |
PSYC352 |
Psychophysiology |
Spring |
8 |
And may also include: | |||
PSYC348 |
History and Metatheory of Psychology |
Autumn |
8 |
PSYC350 |
Social Behaviour and Individual Differences |
Autumn |
8 |
PSYC315 |
Psychology of Abnormality* |
Spring |
8 |
PSYC354 |
Design and Analysis |
Spring |
8 |
PSYC355 |
Forensic Psychology** |
Spring |
8 |
PSYC318 |
Change Throughout the Lifespan |
Not offered in 2011 |
8 |
Plus a further 72 credit points of elective subjects*,** which may include PSYC116. Students intending to apply for Honours should note the requirements below for particular subjects when making elective choices. |
72 |
* PSYC315 Psychology of Abnormality has been changed to PSYC251 Psychology of Abnormality and students cannot count both subjects toward their degree. Both PSYC251 and PSYC315 will be offered in 2011. From 2012 only PSYC251 will be offered. Students in the BA (Psyc) who are considering taking Psychology of Abnormality as an elective should seek advice from the School of Psychology prior to finalising their subjects for 2011.
** PSYC249 Applied Psychology has changed to PSYC355 Forensic Psychology and students cannot count both subjects toward their degree. Both PSYC249 and PSYC355 will be offered in 2011. From 2012 only PSYC355 will be offered. Students in the BA (Psyc) who are considering taking either of these subjects as an elective should seek advice from the School of Psychology prior to finalising their subjects for 2011.
Honours
Honours in Psychology is a fourth year of study accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). It is offered on a one year full-time or two year part-time basis. Psychology Honours is a route to the Postgraduate coursework or research degrees in Psychology. It is also a partial qualification for registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, a post-degree supervision period also being required. Graduates of the University of Wollongong with a major in Psychology are eligible to apply for admission to Psychology Honours provided that: they have completed an undergraduate degree curriculum with a major in psychology; they have completed PSYC249 Applied Psychology**, PSYC348 History and Metatheory of Psychology, and PSYC354 Design and Analysis; they have completed at least 76 credit points of Psychology subjects at 200- and 300- levels; they have at least a credit average for Psychology subjects at 200- and 300- levels. For the purposes of assessing eligibility for entry to the Honours program, we use the best 11 subjects from successfully completed 200- and 300- level Psychology subjects excluding PSYC216/PSYC116 Psychology of Physical Activity.
Professional Recognition
Completion of four years in Psychology is an important first step for registration as a psychologist in Australia. The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) is accredited as the first three years of study. To complete the four years students must complete an add-on Honours year or a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology to meet the academic requirement for conditional registration as a psychologist in NSW. An additional 2 years of supervised practice is necessary to apply for registration as a professional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Accreditation with the Australian Psychological Society, the national professional association, requires 6 years of approved academic study.
Contact Information
Dr Nadia Crittenden
Undergraduate Psychology Coordinator
+61 2 4221 4515
nadia_crittenden@uow.edu.au
Other Information
Other information is available at http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/