Undergraduate - Area of study Psychology

The School of Psychology and Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences offers an undergraduate program for students who intend to specialise in psychology by completing a 60-point major sequence which is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) within accredited degrees.

This program provides an avenue to further study in psychology with the option of proceeding to a degree with honours, or into postgraduate programs of study, and to the training required to practise as a psychologist.

The 60-point accredited major sequence may be taken in the following accredited courses:

• 0050 Bachelor of Science
• any Bachelor of Science double degree

A 48-point major in psychology may be sufficient to satisfy the requirements for a major sequence in any of the Bachelor of Science single or double degrees, and some courses in other faculties, but is not APAC-accredited and will not permit entry to fourth-year programs in psychology.

Further details of the psychology units and sequences, and the locations at which they are available, are provided in the 'psychology' entry in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences areas of study section of this Handbook.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• describe and discuss the major theories and empirical findings in core areas of the discipline of psychology at an introductory level, and some of these core areas at an advanced level, eg basic psychological processes such as perception, cognition, learning, motivation and emotion, and language, social and biological bases of behaviour, abnormal psychology, lifespan developmental psychology, individual differences in capacity and behaviour, history of psychology, testing and assessment, intercultural and indigenous psychology
• demonstrate critical understanding of a range of issues related to psychological inquiry requiring skills and knowledge about behaviour and mental processes, and can interpret and use research to inform understanding and commentary on relevant issues in the community
• recognise the importance of the relationship between knowledge of the scientific discipline of psychology and the application of this knowledge in the practice of psychology, and have gained an understanding of human diversity, and an insight into their own and others' behaviour
• demonstrate a mastery of design and analysis of scientific research studies by: identifying research problems, designing and conducting research investigations of the bases of behaviour by applying a range of appropriate methodologies, applying the appropriate univariate statistical analysis to evaluate and interpret research outcomes, and clearly communicating the findings of their psychology inquiry according to the professional requirements of the discipline
• exhibit effective interpersonal and communication skills, and can utilise modern information technologies to facilitate communication of ideas, for a range of audiences
• demonstrate a capacity to complete independent assignments and group-work effectively
• demonstrate an awareness of ethical, professional and OHS issues relating to the research and practice of psychology, and be suitable for employment, both nationally and internationally, in a range of areas requiring knowledge and skills in psychology.