Psychology and Biological Sciences

This double major is not available for direct entry via UAC. Students should apply for the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and seek advice on enrolment day regarding a transfer into the double major.

Overview

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and experience, the physiological, sensory and cognitive processes that underlie it, and the profession that applies this knowledge to practical problems. Psychologists help us to understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. They aim to help people function better, and to prevent ill-health and other problems developing. Psychologists' clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

The combination of psychology and biological sciences provides further insight into fundamental biological processes, which deepens the knowledge and understanding of the physiological components of psychology.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

Domestic school leavers are assumed to have completed at least 2 units of English at HSC level and 4 units of Science and/or Maths.

International students are required to have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum level of 6.0 in all bands of reading and writing, speaking and listening.

Alternative pathways exist for mature age domestic students.

Course Requirements

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Biological Sciences) requires the completion of a minimum of 150 credit points in accordance with the table below.

More than 150 credit points may be required in order to progress into an Honours year in either discipline. Students considering Honours should consult with the relevant School prior to enrolment each year to ensure that the appropriate subjects are selected.

Subject Code	Subject Name	Session	Credit Points
Year 1
BIOL104	Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment	Autumn	6
BIOL105	Functional Biology of Animals and Plants	Autumn	6
CHEM101	Chemistry 1A	Autumn	6
PSYC121	Foundations of Psychology A	Autumn	6
BIOL103	Molecules, Cells and Organisms	Spring	6
CHEM102	Chemistry 1B	Spring	6
PSYC122	Foundations of Psychology B	Spring	6
PSYC123	Theory, Design and Statistics in Psychology	Spring	6
Year 2
PSYC234	Biological Psychology and Learning	Autumn	6
PSYC241	Developmental and Social Psychology	Autumn	6
PSYC250	Quantitative Methods	Autumn	6
PSYC231	Personality	Spring	6
PSYC236	Cognition and Perception	Spring	6
Plus 24 credit points from the following:
BIOL213	Principles of Biochemistry	Autumn	6
BIOL240	Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms	Autumn	6
BIOL251	Principles of Ecology and Evolution	Autumn	6
MARE200	Introduction to Oceanography	Autumn	6
BIOL214	The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism	Spring	6
BIOL215	Introductory Genetics	Spring	6
BIOL241	Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms	Spring	6
Year 3
PSYC347	Assessment and Intervention	Autumn	8
And 16 credit points of electives, which must include at least one of the following:
PSYC345	Advanced Topics in Cognition	Autumn	8
PSYC349	Visual Perception	Spring	8
PSYC352	Psychophysiology	Spring	8
And may include:
PSYC348	History and Metatheory of Psychology	Autumn	8
PSYC350	Social Behaviour and Individual Differences	Autumn	8
PSYC315	Psychology of Abnormality*	Spring	8
PSYC354	Design and Analysis	Spring	8
PSYC355	Forensic Psychology**	Spring	8
Plus 24 credit points from the following:
Option 1: Choose any three subjects from the following five subjects
BIOL303	Biotechnology: Applied Cell & Molecular Biology	Autumn	8
BIOL320	Molecular Cell Biology	Autumn	8
BIOL332	Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology	Autumn	8
BIOL321	Infection and Immunity	Spring	8
CHEM320	Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure	Spring	8
Option 2: Choose all three following subjects
BIOL332	Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology	Autumn	8
BIOL351	Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations	Autumn	8
BIOL355	Marine and Terrestrial Ecology	Spring	8
Students interested in including subjects outside of these combinations should discuss their choices with the Biological Sciences Coordinator.
BIOL391	Advanced Biology#	Annual / Autumn/ Spring	16
BIOL392	Advanced Biology#	Autumn/Spring/Summer	8

* PSYC315 Psychology of Abnormality has been changed to PSYC251 Psychology of Abnormality and students cannot count both subjects toward their degree. Both PSYC251 and PSYC315 will be offered in 2011. From 2012 only PSYC251 will be offered. Students in the BSc (Psyc&Biol) who are considering taking Psychology of Abnormality as an elective should seek advice from the School of Psychology prior to finalising their subjects for 2011.

** PSYC249 Applied Psychology has changed to PSYC355 Forensic Psychology and students cannot count both subjects toward their degree. Both PSYC249 and PSYC355 will be offered in 2011. From 2012 only PSYC355 will be offered. Students in the BSc (Psyc&Biol) who are considering taking either of these subjects as an elective should seek advice from the School of Psychology prior to finalising their subjects for 2011.

# These two subjects are available for high-achieving students wishing to complement their coursework with research projects. Entry into these subjects is by permission of the Coordinator and requires a distinction average or higher performance in subjects pertinent to the intended area of research, as approved by the Head of School.

Honours

Psychology

Students must complete additional Psychology subjects if they wish to apply to undertake Honours in Psychology. Consult the information on Honours under Bachelor of Science (Psychology) for details of the subjects required. Students should also consult the 4^th Year Advisor for the School of Psychology.

Biological Sciences

See separate entry for the Bachelor of Science Honours (741).

Professional Recognition

To apply for registration as a professional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia it is necessary to complete an accredited 4 year course of study plus 2 years supervised practice. Accreditation with the Australian Psychological Society, the national professional association, requires 6 years of approved academic study.

Contact Information

Dr Nadia Crittenden
Undergraduate Psychology Coordinator
+61 2 4221 4515
nadia_crittenden@uow.edu.au

Professor Sharon Robinson
School of Biological Sciences
+61 2 4221 5753
sharon_robinson@uow.edu.au

Other Information

Further information is available at http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/