3867 - Honours Degree of Bachelor of Psychology

The honours program in psychology aims to increase student understanding of theoretical and methodological aspects of research, to develop their analytic, research and communication skills, and to provide them with advanced knowledge in specific areas of the science and practice of psychology. In this program students complete coursework components designed to expand their knowledge of statistics and the ethics of psychological research and practice, and broaden their understanding of the discipline. Students also undertake a supervised research project which aims to provide training in both discipline specific and generic research skills. The research project forms the basis of a literature review and research paper presented at the end of the program.

Applicants must possess a degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) or qualification assessed as equivalent by APAC. A distinction average for third year psychology core units is a prerequisite.

On completion of this course students will:

• be able to critically review the scientific literature in their domain of research in psychology
• be able to understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
• have gained insight into advanced univariate and multivariate statistical procedures relevant to psychology and be able to use them to analyse the outcomes of a laboratory-based and/or field-based study
• understand the legal and ethical issues involved in research and practice in psychology
• be proficient in the use of computer-based analysis, data-base, presentation, word processing and data-base/internet search engine software
• be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable format
• show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and non-specialist scientific audience
• have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of psychological disciplines; have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in psychology.

Students undertake a supervised research project (24 credit points) and four six-point units.

Full year

• PSY4100 Psychology honours research project

First semester

• PSY4270 Psychological assessment

Only one of the following units will be offered in any given year. Students will enrol in one of the following in the First semester:

• PSY4230 Contemporary issues in psychobiology
• PSY4240 Contemporary issues in cross-cultural and indigenous psychology
• PSY4250 Contemporary issues in psycholinguistics
• PSY4260 Contemporary issues in developmental psychology
• PSY4280 Contemporary issues in theoretical psychology
  

Second semester

• PSY4210 Statistics and research design for professional psychology
• PSY4220 Ethical and professional issues in psychology

The Honours Degree of Bachelor of Psychology