Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Learning Guide 2003: Units 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 for students who wish to complete a major in psychology in conjunction with units available in a number of faculties such as arts, business and economics, information technology or science. It is especially appropriate for science-oriented students wishing to support their studies in psychology with those in related sciences such as biochemistry, statistics or computing. (The course structure is currently being revised and is expected to include the option of undertaking a major in behavioural studies.)
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 students wish to pursue a career in professional psychology, such as counselling or clinical psychology, in a research career in psychology, or 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 by off-campus learning mode 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.

Entry requirements

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).

Special requirements

Workload

All applicants should be able to undertake a minimum workload of four units (24 points) per year via off-campus learning. Off-campus 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).

Attendance

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

Course structure*

* SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
The course of study is normally six years by off-campus learning. The Bachelor of Behavioural Science requires students to complete at least 144 points of credit including the following:
(a) a major (first, second and third level) in psychology (60 points), or a major in behavioural studies (48 points)
(b) an arts minor (24 points)
(c) a minimum of eight and a maximum of 10 first-level units, including three arts sequences from the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences
(d) a minimum of 36 points at third-year level including those completed in the major(s)
(e) an additional 48 - 60 points of electives (depending on which major is selected from (a)) of required credit to complete the degree, of which a maximum of 48 points can be chosen from another faculty. Elective units may be used to upgrade your arts minor to a second major, or complete a second major or two minors from other faculities. For example: applied biology, applied statistics, applied chemistry, human physiology, mathematics and modelling, resource and environmental management, accounting, business law, economics, management, marketing, computing, information systems and visual arts.

Details of sequences

Psychology

Refer to the Bachelor of Arts entry for details on the major.

Behavioural studies (subject to approval)

Refer to the Bachelor of Arts entry for details.

Arts majors and minors

* MINOR ONLY.
Details of the various arts sequences and the first-level units offered within them are included under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts.

Additional sequences

Some recommended first-level units from other faculties are shown below. Additional information on the studies suggested, content and upper-level units can be obtained from the relevant sections of this guide, the undergraduate handbook and course advisers.

Science

Recommended units to complement the science sequences:

Applied biology
First-level sequences
Applied chemistry
First-level sequence
Mathematics and modelling
First-level sequence
Applied statistics (minor sequence only)
Resource and environmental management
Computing
The first-level sequence for a major
The first-level sequence for a minor
Business
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 or behavioural studies 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 be a suitable complement to a psychology or behavioural studies major.

First-level sequence

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 units in a discipline that can be used as additional sequence/s.

Assessment

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

Advanced standing for previous study

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 credit up to a maximum of one-half of the degree. The onus is on the student to provide transcripts of results, course records and details of course content and duration, including extracts from relevant handbooks.
Credit 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 further information, contact the administrative officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, telephone (03) 5122 6339 or (03) 9902 6339, or email humcass.info@arts.monash.edu.au.

Completed applications

Completed applications are to be forwarded to the Admissions Officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria 3842, by 27 September 2002 to be considered for a first-round offer.

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