Bachelor of Psychological Science
Central Queensland University
About
The aim of this course is to give you a comprehensive overview of the scientific discipline of psychology and its applications.
The course is delivered in accordance with the foundational (level one) competencies for three-year undergraduate psychology programs as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
You will acquire an understanding of the underlying principles, theories and concepts within the discipline.
In addition, you will develop knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the discipline, and an understanding of the methodologies and statistical techniques used by researchers for information gathering and analysis.
There will be opportunities for you to explore applied and professional uses of psychology.
In addition, you will be introduced to psychological theory, research, and applied and professional uses of psychology in an ethical and culturally responsive context.
Upon completion of this course, you will have a highly marketable qualification.
This course is universally acknowledged as an indication of competence and achievement in understanding human thought and behaviour that can be applied in a variety of people-oriented vocations.
Graduating with this qualification, however, will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'.
This requires further study involving an honours course (4th year of study) and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.
Successful completion of an accredited three-year psychology sequence of study will mean you are eligible to apply for a competitive entry position in the 4th year of study through our honours course (CC42).
Honours level study will prepare you for either the coursework necessary for conditional registration as a psychologist in Australia and/or research higher degree studies in psychology.
If you have successfully completed the first year of the course, but do not wish to continue in the course you may request to exit the course with a Diploma in Behavioural Science.
Note:
If you already have an existing bachelor's degree and wish to obtain an accredited three-year psychology sequence, consider enrolling in CF59 Bachelor of Science (Psychology).
Structure
Course Structure
--> In order to complete this course, you must:
- Complete the core structure
- Complete electives
Core Structure
--> View Full Course Structure -->| column1 | column2 |
|---|---|
| Number of units: 16 | Total credit points: 96 |
Graduating with this degree will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours degree (4th year of study), and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.
Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is strongly recommended that students have access to broadband connection or higher in order to access online student resources that would include, but not limited to, e-mail, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.
To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 24 units/144 units of credit in accordance with the following:
- A minimum of 96 units of credit (16 units) in psychology, including:
o 24 psychology units of credit (4 units) at year 1;
o a minimum of 30 psychology units of credit (5 units) at year 2, including PSYC12047 and PSYC12048;
o a minimum of 36 psychology units of credit (6 units) at year 3, including PSYC13015, PSYC13017 and PSYC13020;
o a total of 72 units of credit (12 units) at year two and three psychology combined
- A minimum of 1 unit (6 units of credit) relating to Indigenous studies (INDG19015 or INDG19016)
- A total of 7 elective units (42 units of credit)
N.B. If a student takes only the minimum 5 psychology units at year 2, they must take 7 units at year 3 in order to make the full load of 12 psychology units at year 2 and 3.
Except with the approval of the Head of Course, all students must satisfy all unit prerequisites shown on the unit in the Handbook.
After completing three years of full-time studies or equivalent within this course, students who have satisfied the above criteria for the first three years (including the required electives) and have a GPA of 5.5 or above for year 2 and year 3 core and elective psychology units, will have the option to enrol in our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) course. For the purposes of entry into Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course, calculation of GPA will be based on the best 10 accredited psychology units at year 2 and year 3 (adhering to the requirements outlined above regarding number at second and third year and compulsory units). This offer applies only for enrolment in the academic year following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science and students must register their intention to enrol within three to four weeks of certification of Term 2 grades.
Those eligible students who do not take up the offer will need to apply for a competitive place for enrolment in future years.
Compulsory Core Psychology Units
| column1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available units | ||
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| --> PSYC11008 | Biological Foundations of Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC11012 | Foundations of Psychological Research | --> |
| --> PSYC11009 | Social Foundations of Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC11011 | Psychology for Everyday Life | --> |
| --> PSYC12048 | Research Methods | --> |
| --> PSYC12047 | Introduction to Data Analysis | --> |
| --> PSYC13017 | Abnormal Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC13015 | Advanced Methods in Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC13020 | Individual Differences and Assessment | --> |
Year 2 Units
| column1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available units | ||
| Students must complete 3 from the following units: | ||
| --> PSYC12010 | Introduction to Human Development | --> |
| --> PSYC12013 | Personality | --> |
| --> PSYC12012 | Physiological Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC12014 | Critical, Cultural and Social Psychology | --> |
Year 3 Units
| column1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available units | ||
| Students must complete 3 from the following units: | ||
| --> PSYC13016 | Cognitive Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC13021 | Forensic Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC13022 | Learning & Behaviour Modification | --> |
| --> PSYC13023 | Educational Psychology | --> |
| --> PSYC13024 | Qualitative Research Methodology | --> |
| --> PSYC13025 | Applied Sports Psychology | --> |
NOTE: To meet the course’s psychology study requirements of a total of 72 units of credit (12 units) at year 2 and 3 as detailed above, students must undertake 1 additional unit from the year 2 or year 3 unit options as listed above.
Course Structure
--> In order to complete this course, you must:
- Complete the core structure
- Complete electives
Elective
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|---|---|
| Number of units: 7 | Total credit points: 42 |
None.
Students undertake further study in 7 elective units (42 units of credit). Elective units may be chosen from the additional psychology units provided in this course or any undergraduate 6 credit point unit from CQUniversity provided prerequisite and corequisite requirements are met.
Students must complete one of the following units relating to Indigenous studies (INDG19015 Aboriginal Cultures and Country; INDG19016 Contemporary Indigenous Issues).
| column1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available units | ||
| Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
| --> INDG19015 | Aboriginal Cultures and Country | --> |
| --> INDG19016 | Contemporary Indigenous Issues | --> |
Entry requirements
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
| column1 | column2 |
|---|---|
| Rank Threshold | SR 62 | ATAR 62 |
| Rank Cut-Off | OP 16 | SR 66 | ATAR 61.8 |
Entry Requirements
English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
- An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
- Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
International students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Security Requirements
None.
Health Requirements
None.
Assumed Knowledge
None
Fees and Charges
- Domestic Fees -->
- International Fees -->
Learning outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
- 1.
- Utilise a scientific approach to apply knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and principles across the core topics of psychology
- 2.
- Analyse and critique theory and research within the discipline of psychology
- 3.
- Exercise reflexiveness and cultural responsiveness to the diversity of individuals, groups, organisations, and communities
- 4.
- Communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others
- 5.
- Identify and apply research methods and statistical analyses to a range of research problems and contexts
- 6.
- Articulate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics
- 7.
- Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for your own learning and practice that will sustain personal and professional development.
| column1 | column2 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | --> | --> | |||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | --> | --> | |||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | --> | --> | |||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | --> | --> | |||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | --> | --> | |||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | --> | --> | --> | --> | |||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | --> | --> | --> | --> | |||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | --> | --> | --> |
Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Institution
