Undergraduate: Course rule and topic information

Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

(BBehavSc(Psych))

Program of study
Honours Degree | Combined degrees programs

INTRODUCTION

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time) and the honours program [Bachelor of Behavioural Science] an additional year (or two years part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Graduates are eligible to apply for entry to the honours degree in Psychology, which is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society, or to undertake an honours program in the other related discipline studied.

Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) also may be studied in combined degrees programs with Bachelor of Arts (four years full-time or the equivalent part-time), Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (five-and-a-half years full-time or equivalent) or Bachelor of Laws (five years full-time or equivalent).

COURSE AIMS

This course is designed to develop knowledge of the factors influencing human behaviour and experience, and to provide skills for the application of this knowledge to issues in work, education and community affairs.

Psychology provides the core set of studies covering such fields as learning, motivation, personality, development across the lifespan, social influences, group processes and biological influences on behaviour. These core studies are linked to study in one other discipline, which provides some of the knowledge required for a multidisciplinary understanding of human development and adjustment.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [February, 2008]

To qualify for the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

This must include:

a major sequence in Psychology, as set out below;

a major sequence* in one of 13 other disciplines:
Biological Sciences
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Disability and Community Rehabilitation
Education Studies
Health Studies
Legal Studies
Management
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Public Policy Studies
Sociology
Women's Studies

* Students who complete more than 75 units of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and are approved to graduate with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) degree are required to complete only the first two levels of the major sequence in the related discipline.

To complete the 108 units, topics may be selected from any offered by the University, provided entry and course requirements are met and that at least 27 units but no more than 45 units of First Year topics are included. With the permission of the Faculty Board, up to 54 units may be taken by cross-institutional study at an approved institution.

Not all topics in Psychology or the other disciplines listed in the following sections are necessarily available in a given year.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

MAJOR SEQUENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY

To be undertaken by all students. In special circumstances, requests for variations to the program may be approved by the Director of Studies for the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology).

55.5 units comprising:

	First Year
PSYC1101	Psychology 1A	4.5
PSYC1102	Psychology 1B	4.5
PSYC1103	Basics of Behavioural Research	4.5
	Second Year
PSYC2009	Basic Research Design and Data Analysis	6
PSYC2016	Cognition and Learning	6
PSYC2013	Personality and Social Psychology	6
PSYC2017	Human Development	6
	Third Year
PSYC3001	Research Methods	3
PSYC3045	Psychological Assessment: Basic Principles	3
PSYC3231	Skills for Behavioural Scientists	3
	and at least 9 units of Third Year psychology topics from the following list:
PSYC3031	Introduction to Abnormal Psychology	3
PSYC3033	Development During Adulthood and Ageing	3
PSYC3036	Psychophysiology of Awareness	3
PSYC3039	Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience	3
PSYC3048	Introduction to Neuropsychology	3
PSYC3049	Human Factors: Flying Planes, Virtual Reality and Human Error	3
PSYC3050	Child Development in Cultural Context	3
PSYC3136	Psychophysiology of Awareness (Practical) *	3
PSYC3226	Forensic Psychology	3
PSYC3227	Motivation, Cognition and Emotion	3
PSYC3229	Psychology of Trauma	3
PSYC3230	Psychology of Food, Eating, and Body Image	3
PSYC3232	Social Issues in the Realm of Justice and Identity	3
PSYC3233	Psychology of Work and Organisations	3
PSYC3234	The Psychology of Emotions	3

* May only be taken in conjunction with PSYC3036.

Not all elective topics are available every year.

Students must complete all First Year Psychology topics before commencing studies in the Third Year of the program.