M2004 Bachelor of Psychological Science

The course develops through three themes of psychology fundamentals and foundational skills, research methods and critical thinking, and psychology in practice and society. These together underpin the discipline of psychology.

Part A. Psychology fundamentals and foundational skills

These studies will develop your understanding of core areas of psychology, including knowledge of the theoretical and empirical basis of our current understanding of human psychology.

Part B. Research methods and critical thinking

These studies will assist you to develop an understanding of the scientific method and use this knowledge in order to critically evaluate contemporary and historical claims relating to human behaviour and mental processes and to apply this knowledge to the generation of new research questions.

Part C. Psychology in practice and society

This is the component of the course through which you will develop further skills and knowledge in psychology or study units in supporting disciplines that underpin your particular area of focus for practice.

Part D. Free elective study

This will enable you to further develop your knowledge of psychology through electives covering contemporary topics in the field, or to select units in which you are eligible to enrol from across the faculty or the University.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 144 points, of which 126 points are focussed on the study of psychological science and 18 points are free electives.

The course develops through theme studies in: Part A. Psychology fundamentals and foundational skills (72 points), Part B. Research methods and critical thinking (6 points), and Part C. Psychology in practice and society (48 points) and Part D. Free electives (18 points).

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Psychology fundamentals and foundational skills (72 points)

You must complete:

a. The following nine units (54 points):

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life
• BIO1022 Life on Earth* or BIO1062 Biology 2
• PSY1011 Psychology I A
• PSY1022 Psychology I B
• PSY2061 Biological psychology
• PSY2071 Developmental psychology
• PSY2042 Personality and social psychology
• PSY3032 Abnormal psychology
• PSY3051 Perception and cognitive psychology

* The 2019 Malaysian offering of BIO1022 should only be taken by students who have not undertaken BIO1011 in previous years. Students who have successfully completed BIO1011 in October 2018, or earlier, should undertake BIO1062 in Semester 1 2019 instead of BIO1022.

b. One of the following sets of three units (18 points):

Malaysia

• AMU1325 Introduction to world politics and history
• AMU1326 Transformation from above: Globalisation and the state
• PSY3150 Contemporary social psychology

Clayton

• PHY2011 Neuroscience of sensory and control systems in the body
• PSY3320 Sleep and circadian rhythms
• RAD3004 Neuroimaging for neuroscience research

Part B. Research methods and critical thinking (6 points)

You must complete:

PSY3062 Research methods and theory

Part C. Psychology in practice and society (48 points)

You must complete:

a. The following four units (24 points):

• PMH1011 Mental health in the community
• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
• PSY3130 Health psychology or PSY3180 Human neuropsychology: Developmental and neurodegenerative disorders*
• PSY3120 Introduction to counselling*

* Clayton students will complete 12 points of elective units

b. One of the following sets of four units (24 points):

Malaysia

• SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication
• AMU2814 Transforming community: Project design and public relations for social campaigns
• AMU2625 Borders, people and identity: Migration in the 21st century
• PSY3250 Positive psychology

Clayton

• BMS1042 Public health and preventive medicine
• PSY3190 Addiction studies
• 12 points of electives

Part D. Free elective study (18 points)

Elective units may be chosen from psychology (PSY-coded units) or across the University as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on admission to the units. The units may be at any level, however, no more than 10 units (60 points) at level 1 can be credited to this course.

Free electives can be identified using the [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search][browse units]] tool and [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/][indexes of units]] in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.