COURSE CURRICULUM

Year 1: In the first year of the BSc (Hons) Psychology degree, you will gain foundational knowledge in key areas of psychology. The Animal Behaviour module (20 credits) explores the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary causes of behaviour, helping you critically assess theories and research methodologies that explain why animals, including humans, behave the way they do. The Applying Psychological Research Skills module (40 credits) will develop your core research methods, data analysis techniques, and report writing conventions commonly used in psychological research. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice your qualitative and quantitative research skills by conducting your own research study. The Perspectives in Psychology module (20 credits) introduces key ideas and approaches from different fields in psychology, allowing you to explore the historical, conceptual, and methodological growth of the discipline, and apply multiple perspectives to modern psychological issues. The Professional Skills for Psychology module (40 credits) supports your transition to university life, helping you develop essential skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. This module prepares you for success in the field of psychology and future careers, offering practical experience and a psychology careers conference.Year 2: The second year dives deeper into the biological and cognitive foundations of behaviour. The Biological and Cognitive Psychology module (20 credits) explores biological and cognitive explanations for perception, learning, language, memory, and emotions. You’ll examine key experiments in the field and the relationship between theory and research methods. In the Individual Differences and Psychometrics module (20 credits), you'll analyze leading theories about intelligence and personality assessment and learn the practical application of psychometric tests. The Professional Development and Employability module (20 credits) helps you assess and improve employment-relevant skills, offering you pathways in psychology careers, research, work-based learning, or social enterprise. You’ll gain experience through seminars and practical classes. The Psychological Research Methods module (20 credits) focuses on ethical research, equipping you with the skills to design behavioural studies, collect and analyze data, and present findings through reports. The Quantitative Data Analysis module (20 credits) will help you develop the necessary skills to rigorously design and analyze quantitative psychological research using statistical software like SPSS. Lastly, the Social and Developmental Psychology module (20 credits) examines the theories and concepts that influence human social and developmental psychology, preparing you to apply these in real-world situations.Year 3: In the final year, you will select optional modules based on your interests and career goals, further specializing in areas such as Aboriginal Australians in the Criminal Justice System, Advanced Methods of Psychological Inquiry, Mental Health and Psychological Interventions, Social Work and Mental Health, and others. These optional modules will give you the flexibility to explore specific topics and gain experience in areas of psychology that align with your career aspirations.