Psychological Science - 3435

Program Summary

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and philosophy of science and psychology
• Demonstrate understanding of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, empirical findings, and historical trends in the core topics of psychology;

• Understand the basic characteristics of the science of psychology;
• Describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists;
• Demonstrate the capacity to design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions across a wide variety of domains.

• Recognise the major formal and informal fallacies of human reasoning and question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions;
• Use logic, evidence and psychological science to critically evaluate and to develop arguments.
• Demonstrate a rigorous and objective attitude in thinking and learning about human behaviour

• Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity in individuals [aspirational: apply that sensitivity in practice, and reflect on the sociocultural, historical, geographical and international contexts that influence beliefs, values and behaviour: i.e., develop cultural awareness and competence];
• Recognise ethical and moral influences that impact on individuals in a globalized society;
• Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of relevant professional codes including (a) the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and the complementary Ethical Guidelines, (b) relevant values identified within the Australian National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce, and (c) relevant values identified in those institutional codes regarding student behaviour (e.g., intellectual integrity)

• Write effectively in a variety of formats and for a variety of purposes (i.e., standard research reports and research proposals; observing ethics of written communication);
• Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats and for various purposes;
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills for communicating between individuals and ability to work collaboratively in groups to complete projects;

• Understand the links between basic psychological theories and their application (e.g., capacity to explain psychological phenomena using the concepts, language, findings and major theories of the discipline).
• Apply knowledge of legislative frameworks (including privacy, human rights);
• Demonstrate a responsibility and capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.

• 30 UOC electives ¹(see 'Notes' below)

• PSYC2101 Assess Person Psychopathology (6 UOC) ² (see 'Notes' below)
• 18 UOC electives ¹(see 'Notes' below)

• 18 UOC of Level III Psychology courses from the elective streams A and B below (at least one course from each of the two elective streams must be completed)³(see 'Notes' below)
• 18 UOC electives ¹(see 'Notes' below)

1. As part of these electives students may need to take courses to satisfy the UNSW General Education Requirements. Please see 'General Education' below for further information. Where students elect to complete a complementary major, some or all of these electives will be used to satisfy the requirements for the complementary major. If undertaking a complementary major outside the Faculty of Science, students are not permitted to take GEN-coded courses to satisfy their free elective requirements.
2. PSYC2101 Assess Person Psychopathology can be taken in Stage 1 Semester 2 to facilitate completion of a complementary major.
3. Please be aware that not all Level III Psychology courses are offered each year.

• Neuroscience
• Vision Science*
• Human Resource Management (HRM)
• Management
• Marketing
• Linguistics
• Criminology
• Philosophy

1. Student must complete 144 units of credit (UoC) including 12 units of General Education.
2. The degree must contain a minimum of 78 UoC in Psychology (as defined in the Program Structure above).
3. Complementary Majors that may be taken are: Marketing, Human Resource Management, Management, Criminology, Philosophy, Linguistics, Neuroscience and Vision Science. Students wishing to take a complementary major should declare their major as early as possible. Subject to meeting the academic rules of the program, additional complementary majors may be allowed with the permission of the Program authority.
4. A maximum of 72 units of credit of level 1 courses can be taken throughout this entire program. This includes any General Education course or mainstream level I course taken to fulfil the 12 UoC general education requirement).
5. No student may commence level II courses until 24 Level I units have been successfully completed.
6. Students may commence level III courses upon successful completion of 72 units of credit.
7. Students must complete 12 units of credit of courses as the General Education requirement selected from courses outside the Faculty of Science. “Science Schools" are defined in Table 1 below. This requirement is met if a complementary major offered by a Faculty other than the Faculty of Science is completed.
8. The Faculty of Science may award a Pass degree with Distinction to students who obtain a minimum of 75 WAM across the program and complete at least 72 UOC at UNSW.

1. Students must complete a minimum of 96 units of credit (UoC) including a minimum of 78 UoC in Psychology (as defined in the Program Structure above).
2. Students must follow the program of study as outlined in this Handbook and defined under the Program Structure above, with or without a complementary major sequence;
3. Complementary majors may only count towards one of the two degrees that make up the dual award (i.e. students who declare a complementary major in Psychological Science may not declare the same major in the ‘other’ degree).
4. No student may commence level II courses until 24 units of credit of level I courses have been successfully completed.
5. Students may commence level III courses upon successful completion of 72 units of credit.