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. If successful in gaining entry into the fourth year, students will undertake the honours program in psychology.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

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) and the 60 credit point psychology major are 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 (54 points)
• seven psychology elective units (42 points)
• eight units from a range of recommended non-psychology electives (48 points)

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

• Psychology

First year

Semester one

• PSY1011 Psychology 1A
• three non-psychology electives

Semester two

• PSY1022 Psychology 1B
• three non-psychology electives

Second year

Semester one

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

Semester two

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

Third year

Semester one

• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
• PSY3051 Perception and personality
• two psychology electives

Semester two

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

Fourth year

Refer to 'Progression to further studies' for eligibility, and 'Alternative exits(s)' below.

Full year unit

• PSY4100 Psychology honours research project

Semester one

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

Semester two

• PSY4270 Psychological assessment

plus one of:

• PSY4110 Psychology in society
• PSY4120 Mental health and illness
• PSY4130 Developmental psychology 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. Please note the range of PSY-coded electives varies from year to year.

• PSY3120 Introduction to counselling
• PSY3130 Health psychology
• PSY3150 Contemporary social psychology
• PSY3180 Human neuropsychology: Developmental and neurodegenerative disorders
• PSY3190 Addiction studies
• PSY3230 Forensic psychology
• PSY3240 Psychology of music
• PSY3250 Positive psychology
• PSY3270 Neuroscience of cognition behaviour
• PSY3280 The neuronal basis of consciousness

Non-psychology electives

The 48 points of non-psychology electives may be chosen from any discipline provided students have the appropriate prerequisites. Alternatively, students may choose from a suggested list of non-psychology electives which include units from biology, philosophy, sociology and criminal justice.

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
• PMH1011 Mental health in the community

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 may complete up to a maximum of 10 units at first year level. (this includes the two first year core psychology units).

Suitable units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook. Note: Some units may require permission from the owning faculty. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

Students will be eligible to apply for entry to other fourth-year psychology programs at Monash (e.g. 3509 Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology) or at other universities, providing the required grades are achieved.

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)