Gippsland campus
Course code: ABBSDG
The Bachelor of Behavioural Science is one of two degrees offered at Monash Gippsland in which major studies in psychology can be undertaken. The Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a science-oriented degree designed to provide a substantial specialisation in psychology, with supporting studies in other disciplines which are commonly studied with psychology. The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) is a course that provides for a major in psychology to be combined with more extensive studies in the social sciences and humanities. Details of the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) are provided in the Faculty of Arts handbook.
The Bachelor of Behavioural Science is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society, and can be used as the basis for further study leading to a qualification as a psychologist.
The Bachelor of Behavioural Science takes three years to complete full-time and six years by distance education or part-time study. An honours program in psychology will require one further year of full-time study or two years part-time.
On completion of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science students should:
(a) understand the role of empirical research and theory in progressing knowledge in the scientific discipline of psychology;
(b) appreciate the contribution of biological processes in human and animal behaviour, and how they interact with environmental factors;
(c) have a sound understanding of the major theoretical foundations of psychology and the research results on which these are based in each of the following major sub-areas - perception, learning and cognition, motivation and emotion, personality, developmental psychology, social psychology;
(d) appreciate how these theoretical foundations are applied in education, clinical and business settings, and have a sound basic knowledge of at least one area of professional psychology;
(e) be sufficiently competent in conducting and analysing the major types of research studies used in psychology at a level that will enable them to undertake independent research study at fourth-year level; and
(f) have a sound understanding of at least one other discipline that is closely related to research or professional practice in psychology.
The course structure comprises (i) the psychology major; (ii) additional sequences in supporting disciplines: (iii) core subjects in scientific methods and (iv) electives.
A discipline is a particular area of study in which a sequence of subjects can be studied. Each subject is designated a particular value which is expressed in points. Subjects are also designated by year level, and most disciplines specify requirements of each year level which must be completed before progressing to the next year level. Students are expected to undertake a normal work load of forty-eight points a year full-time or twenty-four points a year part-time or by distance education study.
It is advisable for full-time students to complete at least three first-level sequences in their first year in disciplines in which they may wish to complete further studies. Due to the flexibility of the course students are encouraged to seek guidance from administrative officers within theDepartment of Psychology.
A total of 144 credit points must be completed to satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science. Students must complete a full psychology major of at least sixty credit points. Together with the major sequence in psychology students must also complete either two additional sequences or one extended sequence from applied biology, applied chemistry, applied physics, management, marketing, mathematics, operations research, computing, sociology or mass communications.
An additional sequence comprises subjects in a discipline which amount to at least twenty-four credit points, with at least twelve credit points being at second level. An extended sequence comprises subjects which tally to at least forty-eight credit points. Of the forty-eight points at least thirty-six points must be completed at second or third level, of which twelve points must be at third level.
Students must also complete at least two core subjects in science.
The Department of Psychology intends to offer a new major sequence in psychology from 1997. This will be a common program offered on the Caulfield/Peninsula, Clayton and Gippsland campuses. The new first-level subjects of this program will be introduced in 1997, second-level in 1998 and third-level in 1999.
Students enrolling in second or third-level psychology in 1997 should select from the currently offered subjects. However students should be aware that the existing second-level subjects will not be offered after 1997 and the third-level subjects will not be offered after 1998
Most psychology subjects include a component requiring on-campus attendance by distance education students.
Details of postgraduate courses in psychology are located in the graduate studies section of this handbook.
A major in psychology in the Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences must consist of at least ten subjects, including at least three subjects at second level and at least four at third level. Subject GAS2504 is a compulsory subject in the psychology major.
The major is structured into three distinct levels. The requirement of each level must be completed before students are eligible to study at the next level.
Level 1
Students must complete the following subjects before being eligible to enrol in second-level subjects: GAS1501, GAS1502
Level 2
Level 3
Students must complete at least four subjects at third level from GAS3502, GAS3503, GAS3505, GAS3504, GAS3506, GAS3509. GAS3505 is strongly recommended.
Students having completed GAS3501 may count this towards meeting level-three requirements.
The Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences must include at least two subjects in approved studies in science. The following schedule identifies approved science core studies.
1 Any two of the following introductory subjects in scientific method, scientific communication or basic science for students without a science background: GAS1030, GAS1062, GAS1080, GAS1601, GAS2062.
2 Two subjects comprising a first-year sequence in any of the science supporting studies (see below). Students are highly recommended to take this option, which would give them the opportunity to complete one of their supporting sequences in science. A supporting sequence in biology for example, would be a highly relevant complement to a psychology major.
The subjects available to comprise a first-level sequence, an additional sequence, or an extended sequence in each discipline area that may be studied in the BBS are outlined below.
Note that some first-level sequences in science do require an appropriate Year 12 background in science. These are identified by an asterisk. Alternative sequences are listed for students without this background.
Sequences can be included in psychobiology, microbiology and biochemistry.
Level 1
Level 1
Level 1
First level sequence
First level sequence
Level 1 sequences
* These first-level subjects and sequences require an appropriate Year 12 background in science
Level 1 sequence
Level 1 sequence
Level 1 sequence
Level 1 sequence
Level 1 sequence
For more detail of the above subjects please consult the relevant faculty handbook.
| Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria
3168 Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996 |