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Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Testamur Title of Degree: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
Abbreviation: | BPsyc(Hons) |
UOW Course Code: | 354 |
CRICOS Code: | 084845D |
Total Credit Points: | 192 |
Duration: | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Home Faculty: | Faculty of Social Sciences |
Intake Session(s): | Autumn |
Delivery Mode: | On-campus |
Delivery Campus / UAC Code: | Wollongong / 757652 |
Additional Information: |
Overview
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.
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is a four year undergraduate Honours degree accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The Bachelor of Psychology is a route to 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.
Entry Requirements
Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology and their applications, including knowledge of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the construction, implementation, and interpretation of widely used cognitive and personality assessments, and evidence-based psychological interventions.
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research methods, knowledge of how the science and practice of psychology is influenced by social, historical, professional and cultural contexts, and knowledge of ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts.
- Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes.
- Analyse critically, evaluate and transform information from research literature and other sources to complete a range of activities.
- Produce advanced written work that demonstrates analysis and synthesis of information, and novel problem solving to complex problems, and orally present information in various formats.
- Exhibit a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.
- Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgment, adaptability and responsibility in applying critical thinking skills and knowledge of scientific method to evaluate and investigate claims regarding psychological phenomena.
- Use information in an ethical manner and apply knowledge of ethical and legislative requirements to determine appropriate ethical conduct in a range of contexts.
- Examine scientific methods and knowledge that complement an appreciation of psychology as a scientific discipline.
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) requires the successful completion of 192 credit points of subjects in accordance with the tables below.
For students entering at the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at 100-level, continuation in the course requires an average result of at least 75% at the end of 100-level, a cumulative average of at least 75% for 100 and 200-level subjects at the end of 200-level, and a cumulative average of at least 75% for 200 and 300-level subjects at the end of 300-level in the psychology subjects approved for the degree.
Students who do not maintain this level of academic achievement will be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Science (Psychology).
100-Level to 300-Level Course Program
| Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| PSYC121 | Foundations of Psychology A | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYC122 | Foundations of Psychology B | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
| Select ONE of the following FIVE subjects: | |||
| STS 112 | The Scientific Revolution | 6 | Spring |
| SCIE101 | Modern Perspectives in Science | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL103 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG121 | Human Geography I: life in a globalising world | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG122 | Human Geography II: Living in a Material World | 6 | Spring |
| Plus 24 credit points from the Social Science or General Schedule* | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| PSYC234 | Biological Psychology and Learning | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYC250 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYC251 | Psychology of Abnormality | 6 | Autumn |
| Plus ONE 6 credit point subject selected from the Social Science or General Schedule* | 6 | Autumn | |
| PSYC231 | Personality | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC241 | Developmental and Social Psychology | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC236 | Cognition and Perception | 6 | Spring |
| Plus ONE 6 credit point subject selected from the Social Science or General Schedule* | 6 | Spring | |
| Year 3 | |||
| PSYC347 | Assessment and Intervention | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC348 | History and Metatheory of Psychology | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC354 | Design and Analysis | 8 | Spring |
| Select THREE subjects from the SIX subjects below, including at least one of PSYC345 , PSYC349 or PSYC352 : | |||
| PSYC345 | Advanced Topics in Cognition | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC349 | Visual Perception | 8 | Spring |
| PSYC352 | Psychophysiology | 8 | Spring |
| PSYC350 | Social Behaviour and Individual Differences | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC355 | Forensic Psychology | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC356 | Topics in Applied Psychology | 8 | Spring |
* Students may include PSYC101 Introduction to Behavioural Science as an elective, but no more than 60 credit points in total may be be taken at 100 level.
400-Level Course Program
To be eligible to proceed to 400 level (Year 4) and undertake the Honours program, students must have:
- Completed all 144 credit points outlined in 100-level to 300-level Course Program above; and
- Maintained a cumulative average of at least 75% for 200 and 300-level psychology subjects listed in the table above.
The Honours grade will be calculated in accordance with Method 1. For further information refer to General Course Rules Section 8.
Honours
The Honours program is made up of 48 credit points as outlined below:
| Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 4 | |||
| PSYC410 | Honours Empirical Thesis | 24 | Annual |
| PSYC407 | Theory and Methods | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC408 | Psychological Assessment: Principles and Applications | 8 | Autumn |
| PSYC409 | Psychological Intervention: Principles and Applications | 8 | Spring |
Candidates intending to complete Honours as part-time students will generally do PSYC407 , PSYC408 and PSYC409 in the first year, and PSYC410 in the second year.
Minor
- Psychology
Non-psychology students can complete a minor study in Psychology.
A minor in Psychology will consist of at least five subjects to the value of 30 credit points as outlined below:
| Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC121 | Foundations of Psychology A | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYC122 | Foundations of Psychology B | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
| Select TWO subjects from the following FIVE subjects: | |||
| PSYC234 | Biological Psychology and Learning | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYC251 | Psychology of Abnormality | 6 | Autumn |
| PSYC231 | Personality | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC236 | Cognition and Perception | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC241 | Developmental and Social Psychology | 6 | Spring |
English Language and Linguistics Elective Subjects
A number of English Language and Linguistic (ELL) subjects are offered in both Autumn and Spring sessions for both English-Speaking Background students and Non-English Speaking Background students.
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Professional Recognition/Accreditation
Completion of four years in Psychology is an important first step for registration as a psychologist in Australia. The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) meets this academic qualification requirement and allows 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. This can be through 2 years supervised practice in the community or a fifth year at University plus 1 year of supervised practice in the community.
Accreditation with the Australian Psychological Society, the national professional association, requires 6 years of approved academic study.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au