Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

Overview

Description:
 Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. JCU's Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the influences and stresses on the human condition within the Bachelor of Social Science framework. Psychology today is a broad field and the role of the psychologist has diversified to cater for the needs of the individual as well as for communities, professions and organisations.

The Bachelor of Social Science is a flexible degree that is designed for those who are interested in culture, society, political systems and how we as individuals make sense of the world. Graduates are equipped to critically analyse information and conduct research that can make a difference in society at the local, national or international level.
 
Duration:
 3 years fulltime
 
Mode:
 On campus, full or part time *
 
Workload:
 Normal workload expectations are a minimum of 10 hours per week for every subject, including class contact hours, preparation and time spent on assessment tasks.
 
Type:
 Undergraduate
 
Credit points:
 72 credit points o
 
Mid-year entry:
 Yes
 
Prerequisite/s:
 English
 
Campus:
 Townsville, Cairns
 
Faculty:
 Arts, Education and Social Sciences
 
QTAC code:
 311261 Townsville; 321261 Cairns
 

* Duration: Part-time study is available to domestic students only.

o Credit points: Represent the combined value of individual subjects in a degree. One subject usually constitutes three credit points.
 

Joint Degree Options

Joint degrees give students expertise in a complementary discipline in reduced time and can enhance career prospects. At JCU this degree can be combined with:

Bachelor of Community Welfare

Bachelor of Psychology

Bachelor of Social Work

Structure

Disclaimer - The list of subjects below is correct for 2008, but may change for 2009. Prospective students should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses.

The Bachelor of Social Science degree is characterised by its diversity and flexibility. Students must major in two disciplines (see relevant major for other discipline structure).

Level 1

PY1101:03 Exploring Psychology 1

OR

PY1102:03 Exploring Psychology 2

PLUS

12 credit points of level 1 study as specified in Requirement 3 of the Award Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and a maximum of 6 credit points selected from the Master Schedule of Subjects and in accordance with the Award Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Level 2

Select at least 6 credit points from the following for a major or the APS accredited sequence listed under the Bachelor of Psychology.

PY2101:03 Brain and Behaviour

PY2103:03 Describing and Analysing Behaviour

PY2104:03 Health Psychology

PY2106:03 Human Development Across the Lifespan

PY2107:03 Experimental Investigation and Analysis of Behaviour

PY2108:03 Evolution of Behaviour

PY2109:03 Environmental Psychology

PY2110:03 Forensic Psychology

PY2111:03 Learning and Behaviour

PY2112:03 Memory and Cognition

ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS

Additional subjects may be selected from the Master Schedule of Subjects in accordance with the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Level 3

Select at least 12 credit points from the following for a major or the APS accredited sequence listed under the Bachelor of Psychology.

PY3101:03 Advanced Behavioural Research Design and Analysis

PY3102:03 Social Psychology

PY3103:03 Psychopathology

PY3104:03 Principles of Counselling

PY3105:03 Behaviour in Organisations

PY3106:03 Theoretical Foundations of Modern Psychology

PY3107:03 Introductory Psychometrics, Assessment and Ethics

PY3108:03 Personality and Individual Psychology

PY3109:03 Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of Mind

PY3110:03 Human Sensation and Perception

PY3111:03 Advanced Health Psychology

ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS

Additional subjects may be selected from the Master Schedule of Subjects in accordance with the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

PLUS

6 credit points selected from the following cognate subjects:

AN2105:03 / AN3105:03 Sex, Drugs and Human Nature

AN2106:03 / AN3106:03 Anthropology of Violence

CY2001:03 / CY3001:03 Perspectives on Criminology

PL2110:03 / PL3110:03 Government and Politics in Developing Areas

PL2294:03 / PL3294:03 Governing Australia

SY2022:03 / SY3022:03 Family, Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Society

Students wishing to complete an APAC (APS) accredited sequence must include the following subjects in their program of study:

PY1102:03 Exploring Psychology 2

PY2103:03 Describing and Analysing Behaviour

PY2107:03 Experimental Investigation and Analysis of Behaviour

PY3101:03 Advanced Behavioural Research Design and Analysis

PY3103:03 Psychopathology

SS1010:03 Australian People - Indigenous and Anthropological Perspectives

SY1001:03 Australian Society; An Introduction to Sociology

Remaining credit points in accordance with the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Level 4 (Honours students only)

Note: To be considered eligible for entry to Honours in Psychology students must complete the APS three year accredited sequence listed under the Bachelor of Psychology and refer to the additional eligibility criteria for Honours in Psychology.

PY4104:06 Psychology Thesis Part 1 of 2

PY4105:06 Psychology Thesis Part 2 of 2

PY4108:06 Advanced Topics in Psychology Part 1 of 2

PY4109:06 Advanced Topics in Psychology Part 2 of 2

Honours

An Honours program is available for those students who demonstrate high academic performance. Honours consists of an extra year of study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees. The Faculty also offers a wide range of postgraduate study opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Graduates who have completed the APS accredited program can go on to work as a psychologist in a number of different settings including private practice, government policy development, health and allied health, education, human resource management, research institutions, criminal justice system and correctional facilities.

Students who do not choose to become registered psychologists can pursue a diverse range of careers in government and human services organisations, business corporations, and the health sector. Other general areas of employment include* market research, advertising and public relations, human resources and environmental management.

Professional Recognition

JCU's School of Psychology offers a broad range of professional development programs accredited with the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Students who complete a four-year APS accredited sequence in psychology are eligible to apply for conditional registration as psychologists with the Psychologists Board of Queensland. Subject to completing a further two years of supervised practice or a Masters of Psychology degree, graduates are eligible for full membership of the Australian Psychological Society and full registration to practice as psychologists.

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