Bachelor of Psychological Science

Are you fascinated by the human mind?

Do you wonder what motivates our behaviour?Psychological science investigates the way people think, behave, feel and learn.

It studies processes of the human mind— including personality, intelligence and memory—so that we can better understand ourselves.

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a flexible degree with a variety of elective courses available. Students can choose their courses based on general interest or to broaden their major. In the first year, students are able to choose four elective courses from areas such as arts, health and medical sciences, sciences, computer science and commerce, alongside the four core psychology courses. At the beginning of second year, students either select a second major or continue to choose from a wide variety of electives alongside five core psychology courses. In the third year, students complete four core psychology courses, including a compulsory research methodology course. The other four courses can be selected from psychology courses or electives. For students who chose to undertake a second major, the electives in third year will consist of second major courses. The main objective of the degree is to provide students with a thorough education in the scientific discipline of psychology, while also introducing students to the application of the discipline. Since psychology is an evidence-based discipline, students will also have an opportunity to find out about the range of methodologies employed to collect and analyse data.The Bachelor of Psychological Science enables students to graduate with a psychology specialty and a second specialty chosen from more than 35 available topics.On completion of this degree, students are eligible to apply for an honours year in psychology at the University of Adelaide as well as other universities around the country that offer honours programs accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. It should be noted that an honours year in psychology is required to gain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.To become a registered psychologist, students need to complete a 2-year Masters program. At the University of Adelaide we offer two areas of specialisation; Master of Psychology (Clinical) and Master of Psychology (Health).

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Areas of Specialisation

Students have the option of completing a second major in the Bachelor of Psychological Science. Along with their core psychology courses students can choose from one of the following areas: Addiction Studies Anthropology Asian Studies Biochemistry Chinese Studies Classics Computer Science Creative Writing Criminology English European Studies French Studies Gender Studies Genetics Geography Environment and Population German Studies History Human Neuroscience Indigenous Knowledges and Society Indonesian Studies International Development Italian Studies Japanese Studies Linguistics Management Marketing Microbiology Modern Greek Studies Music Philosophy Politics & International Studies Population Health Sociology Spanish Studies

Example Study Plan

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Psychological Science, the student must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of core Psychology courses. A second major, as specified in the Bachelor of Psychological Science Academic Program Rules, is optional and not a compulsory requirement for this degree. Students choosing a second major must also complete electives to the value of 15 units, with a combined total of not less than 72 units. Students choosing not to complete a second major must complete electives up to the value of 39 units with a combined total of not less than 72 units. Students have the option of completing all six Level 3 core psychology cores. Indicative study plan Year 1          S1 PSYCHOL 1000Psychology IA PSYCHOL 1005Research Methods in Psychology (BPsychSc) Open Elective Level I Open Elective Level I S2 PSYCHOL 1001Psychology IB PSYCHOL 1006Psychology Skills & Applications Open Elective Level I Open Elective Level I Year 2 S1 PSYCHOL 2004Doing Research in Psychology PSYCHOL 2006Foundations of Perception & Cognition **PSYCHOL 2008Big Picture Psychology: Global Challenges, Psychological Perspectives Open Elective Level II S2 PSYCHOL 2007Psychology in Society PSYCHOL 2005Foundations of Health & Lifespan Open Elective Level II Open Elective Level II Year 3 S1 Two from the following threePSYCHOL 3022 Individual Differences, Personality & AssessPSYCHOL 3027 Psychology, Science & SocietyPSYCHOL 3026 Learning & Behaviour Open Elective Level III Open Elective Level III S2 PSYCHOL 3020 Doing Research in Psych: Advanced (compulsory)One from the following twoPSYCHOL 3021 Health & Lifespan Developmental PsychPSYCHOL 3023 Perception & Cognition Open Elective Level III Open Elective Level III *Choose three from the five core psychology courses offered at level 3.** This course can be done in either semester 1 or 2 Concurrent degrees Students are able to study a second degree concurrently with their Bachelor of Psychological Science degree. This will take four years. Credit will be granted towards both degrees for Level 1 and 2 courses. Students will need to complete a full load at Level 3 for both the Bachelor of Psychological Science and for the concurrent degree.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on a combination of oral presentations, practical assignments, tutorial participation and written examinations. Both face-to-face and online methodologies will be used.

For those who are based in Adelaide, we will be offering a blended delivery mode that combines face-to-face with remote learning in as many courses as possible, taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene. All lectures will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions.

For our students who are studying offshore for the remainder of the 2020 Academic Year, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses.

Career Readiness

• human resource management
• advertising and marketing
• evaluation and applied research
• mental health services
• youth work
• family and social services
• public and private sector management
• juvenile justice and corrective services
• relationship counselling
• residential care worker
• private sector administration and management
• correctional services

Graduates from the Bachelor of Psychological Science work across a range of jobs and sectors, in addition to the option of engaging in further study to hold a career as a Psychologist. Graduates from this degree can look in areas such as research assistants, recruitment agencies, government agencies such as Centerlink, rehabilitation agencies, marketing companies, human resources or any type of area that can utilise skills in data analysis, critical thinking, report writing, time management, communication and presentation.The Bachelor of Psychological Science leads to a variety of careers, some of which will require further study.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

Adelaide Graduate Attributes

1. Deep discipline knowledge
2. Critical thinking and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Career and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Professional Accreditation

This program has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Graduates who have completed this program will be eligible to apply for an honours year, followed by a two-year postgraduate qualification. This sequence of study will lead to professional registration as a psychologist.

Potential careers

Mental Health Worker, Animal Behaviourist, Ministerial Adviser, Parliamentary Member, Development Officer, Project Officer, Welfare Officer, Marketer / Marketing Manager, Human Resource Manager, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist, Community Psychologist, Organisational Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist, Sports & Exercise Psychologist, Health Psychologist, Medical Research, Careers Counsellor, Political Adviser, ...