Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Biology)

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. 

Course Description

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

Academic requirements, English requirements and credit transfer information for the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) are available from the Course Finder. 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Biology) 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

or   
CHEM104Foundation Chemistry: Properties of MatterAutumn6
Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101. All other students must select CHEM104.

PSYC121

Foundations of Psychology A

Autumn

6

BIOL103

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

Spring

6

CHEM102

Chemistry 1B

Spring

6

or   
CHEM105Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and StructuresSpring6

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

PSYC231

Personality

Spring

6

PSYC250

Quantitative Methods

Autumn

6

PSYC241

Developmental and Social Psychology

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

Spring

8

PSYC350

Social Behaviour and Individual Differences

Autumn

8

PSYC315

Psychology of Abnormality

Spring

8

PSYC354

Design and Analysis

Spring

8

PSYC355

Forensic Psychology

Autumn

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

* 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.
 

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION / Accreditation

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. This can be through 2 years supervised practice in the community or a 5th year at University plus 1 year of supervised practice in the community. Accreditation with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the national professional association, requires 6 years of approved academic study. 

Honours

Psychology

Students must complete additional Psychology subjects if they wish to apply to undertake Honours in Psychology. Refer to the Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Biology

Refer to the Bachelor of Science Honours.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder

Last reviewed: 27 August, 2018