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 guide], 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 guide 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) per year via off-campus distributed learning. Off-campus distributed learning students should note that this represents a 50 per cent workload, which would preclude eligibility for Austudy (Austudy 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 off-campus distributed learning. The
Bachelor of Behavioural Science requires students to complete at least
144 points of credit including the following:
(a) A major sequence (first, second and third level) in psychology (60 points).
(b) A major sequence in another discipline 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 core units:
(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. A major or minor sequence is available in most areas listed below; consult the Bachelor of Science entry for second and third-level units.
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 guide, 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 units in a discipline that can be used as additional
sequence/s.
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.
Credit/s 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.
Please contact the Faculty of Science on (03) 9902 6431 for further information.
Please contact the Faculty of Science on (03) 9902 6431 for completed application details.
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