Undergraduate - Course3883 - Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours)

This course is designed for students who wish to study psychology intensively with a view to pursuing a career as a researcher or professional psychologist. In the first three years of the course, students study the core areas of the scientific discipline of psychology, as well as being able to pursue their individual interests in a range of areas relating to the application of psychology. Students are also introduced to other disciplines which complement the study of psychology. In the fourth year, students undertake the honours program in psychology.

On successful completion of the course the student will be expected to able to:

• describe and discuss theories and research, and investigate and critically evaluate issues in the core discipline areas of psychology - perception, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, language, social and biological bases of behaviour, abnormal psychology, lifespan development, individual differences, history and philosophy of psychology, testing, assessment, intercultural and indigenous psychology
• contribute to discipline knowledge through research, including critical review of scientific literature, identification of research problems, design and conduct of research, application of statistical analyses to evaluate research outcomes, and clear communication of findings according to the professional requirements of the discipline
• describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and demonstrate an appreciation of the role of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession
• 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 to demonstrate this understanding across a number of applications of the discipline
• demonstrate the skills required to maintain professional competence by keeping up with recent developments and contemporary issues in the field and appreciate the importance of ongoing professional development and training and demonstrate a foundation knowledge in a selected range of related discipline areas that complement the theoretical and practical application of psychology.

Progression to fourth year (honours)

Admission to the honours (fourth) year of this course is determined solely by academic merit.

To be eligible for progression into the fourth year, students must achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70 per cent) in core psychology units at the third year level, however the honours program has limited intake, and in practice the cut-off is generally in the 75-80 per cent range.

In addition the applicant must demonstrate a suitable background in research methods.

The Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

This course consists of:

(a.) 24 units in the first three years of the course:

• nine core psychology units which form part of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accredited sequence in psychology
• seven psychology elective units
• eight units from a range of recommended non-psychology electives.

(b.) for students who meet the progression requirements, a fourth-year honours program in psychology (48 points).

First year

First semester

• PSY1011 Psychology 1A
• three non-psychology electives

Second semester

• PSY1022 Psychology 1B
• three non-psychology electives

Second year

First semester

• PSY2031 Developmental and biological psychology
• PSY2051 Research design and analysis
• one psychology elective
• one non-psychology elective

Second semester

• PSY2042 Cognitive and social psychology
• two psychology electives
• one non-psychology elective

Third year

First semester

• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
• PSY3051 Perception and personality
• PSY3260 Advances in psychology, mental health and neuroscience
• one psychology elective

Second semester

• PSY3032 Abnormal psychology
• PSY3062 Research methods and theory
• two psychology electives

Fourth year

Full year

• PSY4100 Psychology honours research project

First semester

• PSY4210 Statistics and research design for professional psychology
• PSY4270 Psychological assessment

Second semester

• PSY4220 Ethical and professional issues in psychology

Plus one of:

• PSY4110 Psychology in society
• PSY4120 Mental health and illness
• PSY4130 Developmental and clinical neuroscience

Elective units

Psychology electives

Some of these units can be taken in the second year of study, depending on the prerequisites or corequisites:

• BNS3052 Drugs, brain and altered awareness
• BNS3062 Imaging and brain disorders
• PSY3180 Human neuropsychology
• PSY3190 Addiction studies
• PSY3230 Psychological foundations of the law
• PSY3240 Psychology of music
• PSY3250 Positive psychology
• PSY3270 Neuroscience of cognition behaviour

Non-psychology electives

The 48 points of non-psychology electives must be chosen from a list of recommended electives, or students can apply to the course coordinator for approval of an elective unit not on this list. Some electives may only be offered at one location or by off-campus learning. The non-psychology electives can include units from biology, philosophy, sociology, criminal justice and health sciences.

Recommended first year elective units

• ATS1281 Understanding crime
• ATS1282 Criminal justice in action: Police, courts and corrections
• ATS1365 Introduction to sociology I
• ATS1366 Introduction to sociology II
• ATS1371 Philosophy: Introduction A (Life, death, and morality)
• ATS1835 Philosophy: Introduction B (Time, self, and mind)
• BIO1011 Biology I
• BIO1022 Biology II
• MGW1010 Managing people and organisations*
• MGW1100 Managerial communication*
• MKW1120 Marketing theory and practice*

* Some units offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics may be available to take as electives, however enrolments in these units may depend on students satisfying the Business and Economics requirements (mathematics prerequisites).

Recommended second year elective units

Non-psychology electives undertaken in second year may be a continuation of the above first-year-level elective units.

Students will be eligible to apply for entry to other fourth-year psychology programs at Monash (e.g. 2088 Graduate Diploma in Psychology) providing the required grades are achieved, or at other universities.

Students who have successfully completed the first three years of this course and do not meet the entry requirements for the fourth-year (honours) will exit with the award of Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours)