M2004 Bachelor of Psychological Science

The course develops through three themes: Part A. Psychology fundamentals and foundational skills, Part B. Research methods and critical thinking, and Part C. 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 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
• 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

b. You must complete the following unit (6 points*) and the Global context or Gender studies units (12 points*) below:

• PSY3150 Contemporary social psychology

Global context units:

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

Gender studies units:

• AMU1310 Introduction to gender studies
• AMU1309 Introduction to sexuality studies

* Clayton students will complete PHY2011, PSY3320, RAD3004

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 six units (36 points) and the Global context or Gender studies units (12 points) below:

• PMH1011 Mental health in the community
• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
• PSY3130 Health psychology**
• PSY3120 Introduction to counselling**
• SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication**
• PSY3250 Positive psychology**

Global context units:

• AMU2814 Transforming community: Project design and public relations for social campaigns**
• AMU2625 Borders, people and identity: Migration in the 21st century**

Gender studies units:

• AMU2907 Sexual and reproductive health and right in global contexts**
• AMU3560 Contemporary feminisms in Asia**

** Clayton students will complete BMS1042, PSY3190 and 24 points of elective units

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 search tool in the Monash University 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.