* understand the role of empirical research and theory in progressing knowledge in the discipline of psychology;
* appreciate the contribution of biological processes in human and animal behaviour, and how they interact with environmental factors;
* have a sound understanding of the major theoretical foundations of psychology and research results on which these are based in the major sub-areas of perception, learning and cognition, motivation and emotion, personality, developmental psychology and social psychology;
* be aware of the range of applications of these theoretical foundations in education, clinical and business settings, and a detailed basic knowledge of at least one important area of professional psychology (such as clinical psychology, organisational psychology, health psychology or community psychology);
* understand the methods of research in psychology, and be able to demonstrate competence in research design and conduct of research and statistical analysis to a level that will enable them to undertake an independent research study at fourth-year level;
* have met the academic requirements for three-year sequences in psychology specified by the Australian Psychological Society and Victorian Psychologists Registration Board and be qualified to enter fourth-year courses in psychology.
Undergraduate studies
Psychology is the science of behaviour and the mind. The Psychology section is part of the Department of Psychology and the School of Applied Science in the Faculty of Science, which offers psychology courses on all campuses of the university. Psychology studies available on the Gippsland campus include an undergraduate major in psychology which may be included in either a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) or a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences, two fourth-year courses (an honours program and the Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology), as well as higher research degrees.
The psychology major offered by the Gippsland section of the Department of Psychology aims to provide a comprehensive coverage of the discipline of psychology. The Gippsland major has an emphasis on the study of human behaviour in its social context, and its applications in clinical, organisational, educational and other settings. The psychology major is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society. This means that students who complete a major in psychology will have fulfilled the first three years of the four-year academic requirement for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society and will thus be eligible for an accredited fourth-year course in psychology. Details of postgraduate courses in psychology are included in the Faculty of Science handbook.
Compulsory attendance requirements
Most psychology subjects include a component requiring on-campus attendance by distance education students. This will require one full day at first and second levels and two full days at third level. Some subjects do not require attendance, and alternatives to attendance are available for first level and some second level subjects. Details will be specified for each subject.
Requirements of the major in psychology
A major in psychology in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) must consist of at least eight subjects, including at least three subjects at third level. Subject GAS2504 is a compulsory subject in the psychology major. To complete an APS-accredited sequence and qualify for entry into fourth-year courses, completion of nine psychology subjects including four subjects at third level are required.
The major is structured into three distinct levels. The requirement of each level must be completed before students are eligible to study at the next level.
Level one
Students must complete the following subjects before being eligible to enrol in second-level subjects:
* GAS1501 Introduction to psychology A
* GAS1502 Introduction to psychology B
Level two
Students must complete
* GAS2504 Research methods in psychology I
and at least two other subjects at second level before being eligible to enrol in third-level subjects.
* GAS2101 Personality psychology
* GAS2502 Social and community psychology
* GAS2503 Developmental psychology
Note: Students completing two level-two subjects prior to 1994 may count these as meeting level two requirements.
Level three
Students must complete at least three subjects at third level. Entry to fourth-year courses requires at least four subjects at third level; GAS3505 is strongly recommended.
* GAS3501 Biological psychology
* GAS3502 Abnormal psychology
* GAS3503 Organisational psychology
* GAS3504 Cognitive psychology
* GAS3505 Research methods in psychology II
* GAS3506 Experimental social psychology
The following superseded subject will continue for 1995 only. Students completing a psychology major in 1995 may complete this subject as the compulsory subject in the psychology major instead of GAS2504.
* GAS3508 Research methods in psychology
Psychology honours
Graduates from Gippsland and elsewhere may apply for entry to the Department of Psychology honours program. This is a common program offered on the Clayton, Caulfield and Gippsland campuses. Students may specify a preferred campus in their application. Entry requirements are a BA, BBSc or BSc degree with an accredited major sequence in psychology. An average grade of at least credit level in the psychology major is normally required for entry into honours.