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Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
Testamur Title of Degree: | Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) |
Abbreviation: | BSocSc(Psyc) |
UOW Course Code: | 350 |
CRICOS Code: | 084775B |
Total Credit Points: | 144 |
Duration: | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Home Faculty: | Faculty of Social Sciences |
Intake Session(s): | Autumn |
Delivery Mode: | On-campus |
Delivery Campus / UAC Code: | Wollongong / 753210 |
Additional Information: | Course Finder |
Overview
Psychologists help us to understand who we are and how we think, feel and act. They aim to help people function better and to prevent ill-health and other problems developing. Clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.
A three-year degree in Psychology provides comprehensive training in the processes basic to human psychological functioning required for qualification as a professional psychologist. These include biological and social bases of behaviour, cognition, learning, perception, social and organisational behaviour, personality, abnormality and research and assessment tools.
Social Science helps transform the lives of individuals, families and communities by understanding, explaining, predicting and changing human behaviour. The core skills and knowledge of the discipline of Social Science are taught alongside Psychology in this degree to provide the broadest understanding of individuals in their social and environmental context.
Students with an excellent academic record may apply to transfer to the four-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree, or apply for entry to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at the end of Year 3.
Entry Requirements
Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and social science practice.
- Consolidate and synthesise theoretical and practical knowledge of the dynamics of social systems and practices in different settings and apply this to your chosen speciality.
- Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with your speciality.
- Inquire into and address your ongoing learning needs.
- Analyse unpredictable, complex problems, issues and situations; apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills; and form evidence-based judgements regarding possible solutions.
- Articulate ideas using a wide range of techniques effective with different audiences, including experts and non-experts.
- Work collaboratively with a range of people in different cultural, cross-cultural and regional contexts to best effect desired and desirable social change.
- Recognise the importance of ethical practice, social responsibility, social justice and civic awareness when acting to resolve conflicts, address problems and respond to social and environmental challenges.
- Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology, their applications, and ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of research methods, including an evaluation of the characteristics of the science of psychology/scientific method.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes.
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points as specified in the table below, comprising:
1. 36 credit points of core Social Science subjects; and
2. 78 credit points of core Psychology subjects; and
3. At least one of either:
a. an additional 22 credit points of Psychology subjects for honours eligibility; or
b. a minor from the recommended list; and
4. Remaining elective credit points from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts or the General Schedule.
No more than 60 credit points will be at 100-level.
Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | |||
GEOG121 | Human Geography I: Life in a Globalising World | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC120 | Critical Thinking and Communication Skills in Psychology | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC121 | Foundations of Psychology A | 6 | Autumn |
SOC 103 | Introduction to Sociology | 6 | Autumn |
HAS 121 | Human Development in Social Context | 6 | Spring |
HAS 220 | Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies | 6 | Spring |
PSYC122 | Foundations of Psychology B | 6 | Spring |
PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
Year 2 | |||
HAS 200 | Social Justice in a World of Inequality | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC231 | Personality | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC234 | Biological Psychology and Learning | 6 | Autumn |
PSYC250 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | 6 | Autumn |
HAS 202 | Introduction to Social Policy | 6 | Spring |
PSYC236 | Cognition and Perception | 6 | Spring |
PSYC241 | Developmental and Social Psychology | 6 | Spring |
Plus ONE 6 credit point subject that contributes to either a minor, honours eligibility or elective credit. | |||
Year 3 | |||
PSYC347 | Assessment and Intervention | 8 | Autumn |
Select TWO from the following eight subjects, including at least ONE of PSYC345, PSYC349 or PSYC352 : | |||
PSYC345 | Advanced Topics in Cognition | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC349 | Visual Perception | 8 | Spring |
PSYC352 | Psychophysiology | 8 | Spring |
PSYC348 | History and Metatheory of Psychology | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC350 | Social Behaviour and Individual Differences | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC355 | Forensic Psychology | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC354 | Design and Analysis | 8 | Spring |
PSYC356 | Topics in Applied Psychology | 8 | Spring |
Plus a further 24 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a minor, honours eligibility, and/or elective credit. |
Psychology Extension for Honours eligibility
If you intend to apply for the honours year (a requirement for registration as a professional psychologist) you must complete the 100 level core, the 200 level core and the following 200 level subject, and take 300 level subjects as specified below.
Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
200-level subjects | |||
PSYC251 | Psychology of Abnormality | 6 | Spring |
300-level subjects | |||
PSYC347 | Assessment and Intervention | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC348 | History and Metatheory of Psychology | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC354 | Design and Analysis | 8 | Spring |
And 16 credit points from the following, including at least one of PSYC345, PSYC349 or PSYC352 : | |||
PSYC345 | Advanced Topics in Cognition | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC349 | Visual Perception | 8 | Spring |
PSYC352 | Psychophysiology | 8 | Spring |
PSYC350 | Social Behaviour and Individual Differences | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC355 | Forensic Psychology | 8 | Autumn |
PSYC356 | Topics in Applied Psychology | 8 | Spring |
Students who complete the extended requirements in psychology are eligible to apply for the one year honours program to confer the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours.
Minors
The following minors are recommended for inclusion in this course.
- Criminology
- Indigenous Studies
- Introduction to Public Health
- Social Marketing
- Social Policy
- Sociology
Other minors from the General Schedule of Minors are also available.
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Professional Recognition/Accreditation
The three year Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and the additional honours year are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council as a four year sequence for the purposes of provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. An additional two years of supervised practice is necessary to apply for general registration. This can be through two years supervised practice in the community or a fifth year at University plus one year of supervised practice in the community or an approved Masters degree.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au