Course code: 1719 Gippsland campus HECS fees applicable Attendance compulsory for some units
The
Bachelor of Behavioural Science is designed as a degree for students who wish
to complete a major in psychology in conjunction with science-oriented units
and/or units available in a number of other faculties such as computing,
sociology, mass communications, management or marketing. It is especially
appropriate for science-oriented students wishing to support their psychology
studies with studies in related sciences such as biochemistry, statistics or
computing.
Psychology is described as the science of behaviour, and the psychology major
sequence offered by the Department of Psychology emphasises this scientific
orientation. Regardless of whether your career goal is in professional
psychology, such as counselling or clinical psychology, is a research career in
psychology, or is in the application of psychology to other fields, a firm
understanding of the scientific discipline of psychology is an essential
starting point.
The
major sequence in psychology is a common program offered on the Caulfield,
Clayton and Gippsland campuses by the Department of Psychology.
The APS (Australian Psychological Society)-accredited major comprises 10
six-point units: nine core units and one elective unit. Some third-year
electives may be undertaken at second-year level providing prerequisites and
corequisites are met.
The APS-accredited psychology major in the BBSc is recognised by the Australian Psychological Society and the Psychologists' Registration Board of Victoria. Students completing this degree are eligible to apply for fourth-year courses in psychology (for example, Monash University offers the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology [see entry in this book], a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology, and a fourth-year honours program). These fourth-year programs are recognised by the APS, and can lead to masters-level professional programs in psychology, or to research degrees such as a MSc or PhD.
Applicants should satisfy minimum entrance requirements as outlined in the general section on admissions in this book or alternative category entry requirements (please refer to the section on admission for details).
All applicants should be able to undertake a minimum workload of four units (24 points) a year via distance education. Distance education students should note that this represents a 50 per cent workload which would preclude eligibility for Austudy which requires students to be enrolled in a minimum 75 per cent workload in each semester.
Applicants should note the compulsory on-campus attendance requirements of psychology units.
The
course of study is normally six years by distance education. The Bachelor of
Behavioural Science requires students to complete at least 144 points of
credit including:
(a) A major sequence (first, second and third level) in psychology (60 points).
(b) A major sequence in another discipline or unit area (48 points, no more
than 12 points at first level); or two minor sequences (first and second/third
level) in two other disciplines (24 points in each discipline). The disciplines
from which the second major sequence or the two minor sequences can be chosen
are applied biology, applied statistics, applied chemistry, human physiology,
mathematics and modelling, resource and environmental management, management,
marketing, sociology, computing, information systems and mass communications.
Further details are provided below.
(c) Two science units (12 points) from the following:
(d) Additional electives to fulfil the remaining 24 points of credit required to complete the degree. Elective units can be chosen from the disciplines listed above under (b) or may be chosen from the following disciplines: history, politics, accounting, economics, business law, visual arts. The electives allow the possibility of an additional minor sequence.
The APS-accredited psychology major sequence (60 points) comprises the following units:
Core units
Elective units, at least one of
Only
the first level of each sequence is given below. For second and third-level
units consult the undergraduate handbook.
Note that some first-level sequences in science require an appropriate Year 12
background in science. These are identified by an asterisk. Alternative
sequences are listed for students without this background.
Minor or major sequences in biology can be developed in biochemistry, which would be very relevant to psychology courses emphasising the biological basis of behaviour, or microbiology (see BSc).
* MINOR OR MAJOR SEQUENCES IN ALL OF THE ABOVE UNITS CAN BE SELECTED FROM THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM.
Recommended first-level units are shown below. Additional information on the studies suggested, content and upper-level sequences can be obtained from the relevant sections of this book, the undergraduate handbook and course advisers.
The recommended first-level sequence is
Alternative sequences may be selected subject to approval.
The management major includes two streams with different vocational orientations; business and employment relations. An additional sequence can be studied in the BBSc in the latter, which would combine well with a psychology major to provide an ideal basis for a career in human resource management.
The marketing major includes studies in consumer behaviour, promotion and sales management, and would also be a suitable complement to a psychology major.
An additional sequence can be selected from the marketing major in the Bachelor of Business and Commerce.
Social sciences such as sociology provide an understanding of the social and societal context of behaviour, and as such complement the psychological perspective on individual behaviour.
An additional sequence can be selected from the sociology major in the Bachelor of Arts
Mass communications deals with the skills and technologies involved in communications via the mass media, and represents a suitable area of complementary studies for psychology graduates interested in a career in marketing, public relations or education.
An additional sequence can be selected from the mass communications major in the Bachelor of Arts.
Students
entering the degree should normally enrol in four units in the first year, two
in each semester. These should normally include two first-level sequences of
two units.
Students entering the degree are encouraged to plan the equivalent of their
first year of full-time study, which will normally be studied over two years
part-time. This should include two first-level units in psychology, and at
least two first-level sequences in units that can be used as additional
sequences. Note that the science core requirement can be met by a first-level
science sequence, giving room for a third first-level sequence. This could be
either in a third discipline that may be chosen as an additional sequence, or
in an elective discipline. The following is an example of a possible enrolment
pattern over the first two years.
Assessment is usually a combination of laboratory reports, assignments and examinations.
Students
with a previously completed degree may apply for credit up to a maximum of
one-third of the degree. Students with partially completed tertiary studies may
apply for credits up to a maximum of one-half of the degree. The onus is on the
student to provide transcripts of results, course records, details of course
content and duration, including extracts from relevant handbooks.
Credits will not be granted for studies completed more than 10 years prior to
the date of enrolment in the current course. Credit will not be granted for
upper-level psychology studies in sequences not accredited by the Australian
Psychological Society.
For more detailed information, contact the Faculty of Science Office, telephone (03) 9902 6431
Completed applications are to be forwarded to the Faculty of Science Office, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria 3842, by 22 September 2000 to be considered for a first-round offer.
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