Psychology (Honours) - 3632
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Contact: School of Psychology
Campus: Sydney
Career: Undergraduate
Typical Duration: 4 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 192
UAC Code: 429850
Domestic Entry Requirements: See Domestic Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements
Award(s):
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
View program information for previous years
Program Description
Psychology is a discipline of both scientific research and applied practice. As a science, psychology is concerned with the study of behaviour and its underlying mental and neural processes. Topics of study include learning, memory, cognition, perception, motivation, life-span development, personality, social interactions, and abnormal psychology. Psychology has many areas of application, especially in clinical, correctional, counselling, educational, and organisational settings. In addition, people with training in psychology pursue careers in academic research, health research, developmental disabilities and rehabilitation, ergonomics, occupational health and safety, personnel selection, training, and management, vocational guidance, and marketing.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The four-Stage full-time program leads to the degree of Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). At the conclusion of this program, students:
1) Will have acquired and be able to demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts. They will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history and philosophy of science and psychology and demonstrate understanding of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, empirical findings, and historical trends in the core topics of psychology.
2) Will understand, apply and be able to evaluate basic research methods in psychology. Specifically students will:
1) Will have acquired and be able to demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts. They will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history and philosophy of science and psychology and demonstrate understanding of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, empirical findings, and historical trends in the core topics of psychology.
2) Will understand, apply and be able to evaluate basic research methods in psychology. Specifically students will:
- 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;
- Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory-based and other psychological research;
- Design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions: frame research questions; undertake literature searches; critically analyse theoretical and empirical studies; formulate testable hypotheses; Operationalise variables; choose an appropriate methodology; make valid and reliable measurements; Analyse data and interpret results; and write research reports
3) Will have developed and be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills, including:
- The ability to apply knowledge of the scientific method in thinking about problems related to behaviour and mental processes;
- The ability to recognise the major formal and informal fallacies of human reasoning and question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions;
- The ability to use logic, evidence and science of psychology to critically evaluate and to develop arguments;
- A rigorous and objective attitude in thinking and learning about human behaviour;
4) Will be able to demonstrate appropriate professional values. Students will:
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity among individuals;
- 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);
- Use information in an ethical manner (e.g., acknowledge and respect work and intellectual property rights of others through appropriate citations in oral and written communication)
5) Will have developed effective communication skills. Students will be able to:
- Write a standard research report using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions
- Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (e.g., debate, group discussion, presentation) and for various purposes;
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills for communicating between individuals and ability to work collaboratively in groups to complete projects;
6) Will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, organisational and global issues, including:
- Understanding the link between basic psychological theories and their application;
- Describing major areas of applied psychology;
- Applying knowledge of legislative frameworks (including privacy, human rights)
- Applying knowledge of consumer and carer participation in psychological care
- Applying knowledge of psychology, society and the workplace/influencing systems
Program Structure
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) as a single degree must complete a minimum of 192 Units of Credit (UoC) for the award of the degree. This 192 Units of Credit is comprised of the following:
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TOTAL OF 192 UOC
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144 UOC
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* 96 UoC of PSYC courses (Stage 1 - 3)
* 48 UoC Honours in Psychology (Stage 4) |
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36 UOC
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* Free electives: these courses can be taken from any Faculty of the university.
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|
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12 UOC
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* General Education courses: these courses cannot be Science courses as defined in Table 1.
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Where a student studies the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) as part of a dual degree with another UNSW undergraduate degree program, they are required to complete a minimum of 144 units of credit comprised of the required Psychology courses, including 48 Units of Credit of Honours courses. This 144 UOC is in addition to the requirements of the second degree program.
Stage 1
Stage 1
- PSYC1001 Psychology 1A (6 UOC)
- PSYC1011 Psychology 1B (6 UOC)
- PSYC1021 Intro to Psych Applications (6 UOC)
- PSYC1111 Measuring Mind and Behaviour (6 UOC)
Stage 2
Stage 3
- PSYC3001 Research Methods 3 (6 UOC)
- PSYC3011 Psychological Applications (6 UOC)
PLUS
30 UOC from level 3 Psychology courses: must include TWO courses from each of the elective groups below.
Note: Not all level III Psychology elective courses are necessarily offered each year.
Elective Stream A:
30 UOC from level 3 Psychology courses: must include TWO courses from each of the elective groups below.
Note: Not all level III Psychology elective courses are necessarily offered each year.
Elective Stream A:
- PSYC3051 Physiological Psychology (6 UOC)
- PSYC3211 Cognitive Science (6 UOC)
- PSYC3221 Vision and Brain (6 UOC)
- PSYC3241 Psychobiol of Memory&Motivat'n (6 UOC)
- PSYC3311 Language and Cognition (6 UOC)
- PSYC3371 Multivariate Data Analysis (6 UOC)
Elective Stream B:
- PSYC3121 Social Psychology (6 UOC)
- PSYC3141 Behaviour in Organisations (6 UOC)
- PSYC3301 Psychology and Law (6 UOC)
- PSYC3331 Health Psychology (6 UOC)
- PSYC3341 Developmental Psychology (6 UOC)
- PSYC3361 Research Internship (6 UOC)
Stage 4 (Honours)
Semester 1
Semester 1
- PSYC4073 Honours Research Project A (12 UOC)
- PSYC4093 Psychology 4A (12 UOC)
Semester 2
- PSYC4083 Honours Research Project B (18 UOC)
- PSYC4103 Psychology 4B (6 UOC)
General Education Requirements
Students in this program must satisfy the University's General Education requirements. For further information, please refer to General Education in the Table of Contents (see left hand side of this page) and rule 3 below.
Students in this program must satisfy the University's General Education requirements. For further information, please refer to General Education in the Table of Contents (see left hand side of this page) and rule 3 below.
Academic Rules
Single Degree Program Rules:
Academic rules relating to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) are as follows:
Academic rules relating to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) are as follows:
1. Students must complete a minimum of 192 units of credit (UOC).
2. Students must follow the program of study as outlined in this Handbook and defined under the Program Structure above, completing a minimum of 144 UOC in Psychology (PSYC#### courses) including 48 UOC in Psychology at Honours level.
3. 12 Units of Credit of General Education must be taken and these courses can be taken at any time in the first three stages of a student's program (i.e., General Education must be completed before enrolment in Honours). Any course defined as a 'science' course in Table 1 of the 3970 Bachelor of Science program rules {link} cannot be taken as general education, including any GENS courses. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) or nominee.
4. Students can take a maximum of 72 UOC of Level 1 courses, including any GEN*#### 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 units of credit of level I courses have been successfully completed.
6. Students may commence level III courses upon successful completion of 72 units of credit.
7. Students will not be allowed to progress to Stage 4 (Honours) unless they achieve an average of 75% or higher of:
2. Students must follow the program of study as outlined in this Handbook and defined under the Program Structure above, completing a minimum of 144 UOC in Psychology (PSYC#### courses) including 48 UOC in Psychology at Honours level.
3. 12 Units of Credit of General Education must be taken and these courses can be taken at any time in the first three stages of a student's program (i.e., General Education must be completed before enrolment in Honours). Any course defined as a 'science' course in Table 1 of the 3970 Bachelor of Science program rules {link} cannot be taken as general education, including any GENS courses. Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) or nominee.
4. Students can take a maximum of 72 UOC of Level 1 courses, including any GEN*#### 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 units of credit of level I courses have been successfully completed.
6. Students may commence level III courses upon successful completion of 72 units of credit.
7. Students will not be allowed to progress to Stage 4 (Honours) unless they achieve an average of 75% or higher of:
- Marks for 60 UOC of psychology core courses which include:- PSYC1001, PSYC1011, PSYC1111, PSYC2001, PSYC2061, PSYC2071, PSYC2081, PSYC2101, PSYC3001 and PSYC3011;
- The three highest of marks for all level 3 psychology electives ever attempted (totalling 18 UOC)
The average is based on a student’s mark for the first attempt at courses—unless there were special circumstances which justify including the mark from the second attempt. In such cases, students should set out these circumstances in a letter to the Honours Coordinator at the time of application. Results for psychology courses completed by students externally at another institution are not included in the average.
Students who achieve an average between 70 – 74.99% across these courses may be admitted into the fourth-year Honours component subject to appropriate research and supervision resources being available and at the discretion of the Head of School. Students with an average of less than 70% across these courses will normally not be admitted into Honours and will be required to transfer to program 3435 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pass Degree).
Students who achieve an average between 70 – 74.99% across these courses may be admitted into the fourth-year Honours component subject to appropriate research and supervision resources being available and at the discretion of the Head of School. Students with an average of less than 70% across these courses will normally not be admitted into Honours and will be required to transfer to program 3435 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pass Degree).
8. The final grading for the degree is based on performance in Stage 4 (Honours) of the degree. Award: Class I, Class II of Division 1, Class II Division 2, or Honours Class 3. Students who achieve less than 50% in the Honours program will be awarded the Pass degree, 3435 Bachelor of Psychological Science.
9. Study Load:This is a four-stage full-time program. In any one session students must enrol in a full study load of 24 UoC in accordance with the requirements of the program. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to enrol in a reduced program for a Stage.
10. Academic Standing: Students are required to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in Psychology courses taken in any Stage (based on the first attempted result for each course). Students not maintaining this level of performance in Stage 1 will be counselled. Students who fail to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in all Psychology courses taken in Stages 2 and 3 will normally be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (3435, Pass Degree).
9. Study Load:This is a four-stage full-time program. In any one session students must enrol in a full study load of 24 UoC in accordance with the requirements of the program. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to enrol in a reduced program for a Stage.
10. Academic Standing: Students are required to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in Psychology courses taken in any Stage (based on the first attempted result for each course). Students not maintaining this level of performance in Stage 1 will be counselled. Students who fail to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in all Psychology courses taken in Stages 2 and 3 will normally be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (3435, Pass Degree).
Dual Degree Program Rules:
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) as one part of a dual degree must complete a minimum of 144 Units of Credit (UoC) for the award of the degree. Academic rules relating to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) as one part of a dual degree are as follows:
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) as one part of a dual degree must complete a minimum of 144 Units of Credit (UoC) for the award of the degree. Academic rules relating to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) as one part of a dual degree are as follows:
1. Students must follow the program of study as outlined in this Handbook and defined under the Program
2. Structure above, completing a minimum of 144 UOC in Psychology including 48 UOC in Psychology at Honours level.
3. No student may commence level II courses until 24 units of credit of level I courses have been successfully completed.
4. Students may commence level III courses upon successful completion of 72 units of credit.
5. Students will not be allowed to progress to Stage 4 (Honours) unless they achieve an average of 75% or higher of:
2. Structure above, completing a minimum of 144 UOC in Psychology including 48 UOC in Psychology at Honours level.
3. No student may commence level II courses until 24 units of credit of level I courses have been successfully completed.
4. Students may commence level III courses upon successful completion of 72 units of credit.
5. Students will not be allowed to progress to Stage 4 (Honours) unless they achieve an average of 75% or higher of:
- Marks for 60 UOC of psychology core courses which include:- PSYC1001, PSYC1011, PSYC1111, PSYC2001, PSYC2061, PSYC2071, PSYC2081, PSYC2101, PSYC3001 and PSYC3011;
- The three highest of marks for all level 3 psychology electives ever attempted (totalling 18 UOC)
The average is based on a student’s mark for the first attempt at courses—unless there were special circumstances which justify including the mark from the second attempt. In such cases, students should set out these circumstances in a letter to the Honours Coordinator at the time of application. Results for psychology courses completed by students externally at another institution are not included in the average.
Students who achieve an average between 70 – 74.99% across these courses may be admitted into the fourth-year Honours component subject to appropriate research and supervision resources being available and at the discretion of the Head of School. Students with an average of less than 70% across these courses will normally not be admitted into Honours and will be required to transfer to program 3435 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pass Degree).
Students who achieve an average between 70 – 74.99% across these courses may be admitted into the fourth-year Honours component subject to appropriate research and supervision resources being available and at the discretion of the Head of School. Students with an average of less than 70% across these courses will normally not be admitted into Honours and will be required to transfer to program 3435 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pass Degree).
6. The final grading for the degree is based on performance in Stage 4 (Honours) of the degree. Award: Class I, Class II of Division 1, Class II Division 2, or Honours Class 3. Students who achieve less than 50% in the Honours program will be awarded the Pass degree, 3435 Bachelor of Psychological Science.
7. Study Load: This is a four-stage full-time program. In any one session students must enrol in a full study load of 24 UoC in accordance with the requirements of the program. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to enrol in a reduced program for a Stage.
8. Academic Standing: Students are required to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in Psychology courses taken in any Stage (based on the first attempted result for each course). Students not maintaining this level of performance in Stage 1 will be counselled. Students who fail to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in all Psychology courses taken in Stages 2 and 3 will normally be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (3435, Pass Degree).
7. Study Load: This is a four-stage full-time program. In any one session students must enrol in a full study load of 24 UoC in accordance with the requirements of the program. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to enrol in a reduced program for a Stage.
8. Academic Standing: Students are required to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in Psychology courses taken in any Stage (based on the first attempted result for each course). Students not maintaining this level of performance in Stage 1 will be counselled. Students who fail to achieve an average of 70 percent or higher in all Psychology courses taken in Stages 2 and 3 will normally be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (3435, Pass Degree).
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Fourth Year Honours
The fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program, comprises an honours year consisting of completion of a 30 unit of credit independent research project completed under the guidance of an academic supervisor, and 18 units of credit of advanced level coursework. The research project may be undertaken in most areas of psychology including: psychopathology; behavioural neuroscience; cognitive science; cognition and perception; forensic psychology; organisational psychology; and social, personality and developmental psychology. Students can indicate their preferred research areas but cannot be guaranteed the supervisor of their choice. The Honours coursework requirement includes content that encompasses history, professional ethics, evidence-based practice and advanced coverage of selected contemporary issues in psychology that reflect the expertise and research specialisations of School staff.
The research project culminates in and is assessed by a written thesis. This thesis is assessed independently by two academics, neither of which is the student's supervisor. Where there is a discrepancy in the marks between the two assessors, a third assessor may be engaged.
At the completion of their Honours program students will be awarded an honours grading as follows:
The research project culminates in and is assessed by a written thesis. This thesis is assessed independently by two academics, neither of which is the student's supervisor. Where there is a discrepancy in the marks between the two assessors, a third assessor may be engaged.
At the completion of their Honours program students will be awarded an honours grading as follows:
- Honours Class 1: mark of 85 or greater;
- Honours Class 2 Division 1: mark from 75 to 84;
- Honours Class 2 Division 2: mark from 65 to 74;
- Honours Class 3: mark from 50 to 64.
The calculation of class of award will be determined from the student’s weighted average mark for all of the courses (research-based and coursework) required in the final year of the program. Only courses completed as part of the final fourth-year Honours will be included within an honours calculation.
Honours marks and gradings will be scrutinised at the School level to ensure consistency across cohorts. The Faculty will also review these marks and grades prior to the release of results.
Honours marks and gradings will be scrutinised at the School level to ensure consistency across cohorts. The Faculty will also review these marks and grades prior to the release of results.
Registration as a Psychologist
The Fourth Year program meets the requirements of a fourth year towards provisional registration as a psychologist nationally (www.psychologyboard.gov.au) and associate membership in the Australian Psychological Society ( www.psychology.org.au).
Note: As of 1 July 2010, a single national registration scheme operates for psychologists in Australia, and all practising psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). The national scheme will allow psychologists to work in any Australian State or Territory.
Note: As of 1 July 2010, a single national registration scheme operates for psychologists in Australia, and all practising psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). The national scheme will allow psychologists to work in any Australian State or Territory.
Faculty of Science Rules
The Faculty of Science has some rules that relate to all students enrolled in programs offered by the Faculty in relation to recognition for prior learning, general education, course exclusions, study load, and cross-institutional study. All students should read the information contained on the Faculty General Rules and Requirements page in this Handbook.
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