Monash University: University Handbooks: Distance Education 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Behavioural Science


General information

Course code: 1719 Gippsland campus HECS fees applicable Attendance compulsory for some units

Aims

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.

Psychology major

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.

Professional recognition

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.

Entry requirements

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).

Special requirements

Workload

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.

Attendance

Applicants should note the compulsory on-campus attendance requirements of psychology units.

Course structure

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.

Details of sequences

Psychology

The APS-accredited psychology major sequence (60 points) comprises the following units:

Level one
Level two
Level three

Core units

Elective units, at least one of

Additional science sequences

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.

Applied biology

First-level sequences

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).

Applied chemistry

First-level sequence

Mathematics and modelling

First-level sequence

Applied statistics (minor sequence only)

Resource and environmental management

* MINOR OR MAJOR SEQUENCES IN ALL OF THE ABOVE UNITS CAN BE SELECTED FROM THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM.

Sequences from other faculties

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.

Computing

The recommended first-level sequence is

Alternative sequences may be selected subject to approval.

Management

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.

First-level sequence

Marketing

The marketing major includes studies in consumer behaviour, promotion and sales management, and would also be a suitable complement to a psychology major.

First-level sequence

An additional sequence can be selected from the marketing major in the Bachelor of Business and Commerce.

Sociology

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.

First-level sequence

An additional sequence can be selected from the sociology major in the Bachelor of Arts

Mass communications

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.

First-level sequence

An additional sequence can be selected from the mass communications major in the Bachelor of Arts.

Initial enrolment

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.

Year one

First semester
Second semester

Year two

First semester
Second semester

Assessment

Assessment is usually a combination of laboratory reports, assignments and examinations.

Credits/exemptions

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.

Further information

For more detailed information, contact the Faculty of Science Office, telephone (03) 9902 6431

Completed applications

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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