Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Studying psychology provides students with knowledge and skills that improve their ability to understand and explain human behaviour and relationships. The psychology major provides specialised study in developmental psychology, cognition, social psychology, personality, design and measurement, psychological measurement and abnormal psychology. Students complete a variety of research projects and develop critical real-world project management, research design and report-writing skills.
Course Description:
Students who commenced prior to 2010, please refer to Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) course information.This course is also offered to Australian students through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. Successful applicants are awarded HECS waiver scholarships and will be funded for the duration of their course. For further information visit the Scholarships website.
Aims & Objectives:
The Bachelor of Social Science program is designed to produce graduates who are able to contribute effectively and professionally to a dynamic global economy because they possess: knowledge, conceptual understanding and expertise in specific areas of study in the humanities and social sciencesan understanding of the relationship between theory, research and practicea capacity for critical analysis, creativity and problem solvingprofessional skills, including the ability to use modern technologyindependent and lifelong learning skillscomprehensive written and oral communication skillsa strong sense of personal integrity and an appreciation of the role of ethics in private and public lifeexcellent problem-solving, teamwork and decision-making skills The combined focus on generic skills and sound academic and professional knowledge within the Bachelor of Social Science degree equips students well for a lifelong process of personal development. Students with these attributes are highly sought after by employers who increasingly seek people with well-developed generic skills, in addition to professional competencies. (See Employability Skills for the Future, Department of Education, Science and Training, 2002.)
Course Structure:
This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will be approximately 16 hours/week during academic semesters. For the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) program students must complete 300 credit points, normally 24 units of 12.5 credit points each, comprising: Psychology Professional Major, 16 units of 12.5 credit points each (200 credit points); andone Co-Major (8 units) or two minors (4 units each). Additionally the following rules apply: the non-credit unit, HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum, is compulsory;two (2) Major Project units must be completed as part of the major studies sequence;the same unit cannot be counted more than once. Where there are overlaps in Majors, Co-Majors or Minors, the 300 credit points of study must be made up in the first instance by a Minor where 50 credit points is required, otherwise by freeelectives or Options Plus units;students will normally not be permitted to successfully complete more than 26 units (325cps);students may only enrol in two Majors where both Majors have sufficient unit overlap to enable both to be completed within a total 300 credit-points of study; andProfessional Major Co-ordinators have the authority to approve alternative units if required for students to complete in a timely fashion. To be noted at Faculty Academic Committee. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of their course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills. Final Year Experience - Major Projects As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken. Winter and Summer Term This program also provides opportunities to undertake study in an optional six-week Winter and Summer term allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option. Electives Plus Minors Electives Plus combinations provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by undertaking specially selected groups of units from outside their degree discipline. For further information visit the Elective Plus website. Electives Plus Minors are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing. Options Plus Students will have access to a small set of approved individual Options Plus units of study which provide either a distinctive learning experience or targeted study support. This could include optional study tours, an Intercultural Communications unit, and an ‘introduction to undergraduate research’ unit. In some cases, students may be advised or directed to take specially targeted Options Plus units, for example the Analysing and Writing English unit to be offered for credit in Winter Term for NESB students. Students undertaking a full 300 cp program are allowed to substitute at least one Options Plus unit for one existing unit within their Co-Major– but not in their Professional Major. They will be advised by their Faculty on which unit(s) of the Co-Major. In the case of students who enter with significant levels of advanced standing and whose program is therefore composed only of a Professional Major, the Faculty may approve a substitution, or else require the students to undertake the Options Plus unit in addition to their Major studies.
Major specialisation:
Majors A Professional Major (200 credit points or 16 units of study) is designed to provide students with appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge in a particular field of study and provide suitable preparation for professional graduate employment. It may be based on a single, recognised discipline, or it may be inter-disciplinary in character.Study areas in the Psychology Professional Major include Australian politics, media, psychological testing and assessment, psychology, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, social psychology, philosophy, research methods, sociology and statistics.The Professional Major in Psychology incorporates the Psychology sequence accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).Co-Majors A Co-Major (100 credit points or 8 units of study) is a sequence of study focused on a specific discipline and is normally self-contained, in that it includes any requisite foundation studies. Where a student has studied a Co-Major they are not normally eligible to apply to graduate with the associated tagged degree outcome.Co-majors can be taken from any discipline across the University, timetabling permitting. Co-Majors available in the Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Arts programs in the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences include: Communications Co-Major - 2010 Community Health Co-Major - 2010 Cultural Studies Co-Major - 2010 Digital Media Co-Major - 2010 Games and Interactivity Co-Major - 2010 Journalism Co-Major - 2010 Media Co-Major - 2010 Philosophy and Cultural Inquiry Co-Major - 2010 Politics and Public Policy Co-Major - 2010 Sociology Co-Major - 2010 Sustainability Management Co-Major - 2010 Minors A Minor (50 credit points or 4 units of study) is a prescribed set of units that may broaden a student's learning. A minor is typically derived as a subset of a Major or Co-Major, and it may be based on a single, recognised discipline, or it may be inter-disciplinary in character. Minors usually contain no elective choices.Minors can be taken from any discipline across the University, including Electives Plus Minors, timetabling permitting. Credit cannot be given for any minor which contains more than two units of study in common with any other minor, co-major or major a student is undertaking. Minors available in the Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Arts programs in the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences include: Arts Minor - 2010 Community Health Minor - 2010 Communications Minor - 2010 Cultural Studies Minors - 2010 Digital Media Minors - 2010 Games and Interactivity Minor - 2010 Journalism Minor - 2010 Media Minor - 2010 Philosophy and Cultural Inquiry Minors - 2010 Politics and Public Policy Minor - 2010 Sociology Minor - 2010 Sustainability Management Minor - 2010Students also have the option to select their co-major or minors from another faculty, timetable permitting.
Units of Study:
Psychology Professional Major HAY100 Psychology 100 HMA103 Statistics and Research Methods A HACM104 Media Literature Film: Text and Context HAS111 Sociological Foundations HAY101 Psychology 101 HAH100 Introduction to Philosophy HMA278 Design and Measurement 2 HAY205 Cognition and Human Performance HMA279 Design and Measurement 3 HAY206 Developmental Psychology HAY307 Social Psychology HAY321 Abnormal Psychology HAY308 The Psychology of Personality HAY303 Psychology Project A HAY305 Psychology Project B HAH319 Philosophical Psychology Students who successfully complete this Psychology Major will be eligible for Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) recognition. This Psychology Professional Major is only available to students enrolled in an Arts or Social Science program.
Industry-Based Learning:
Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. IBL gives you practical experience to add to your academic studies and is aimed at increasing a your employability upon graduation. All IBL placements are subject to availability of places. It is not available to international students holding a student visa. For further information visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/ibl
Honours:
Outstanding Bachelor of Social Science students have the option of undertaking a specialised additional year of study, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. Honours provides students with an opportunity to enhance their research ability and permits further studies and specialisation in their major discipline. It also leads to a wide range of job opportunities and gives students a market edge. The honours year is offered in the areas of Industry and Community Studies, Psychology, Social Science, Culture, Nature and Civilisation, Languages, Media and Multimedia. Please see the entry for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) for details.
Education Abroad:
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.
Career Opportunities:
Psychology graduates are highly sought after in a range of human services positions. These include employment in community and mental health, human resource management, policy development, research, welfare, journalism, marketing and advertising. These courses provide the first step to becoming a professional psychologist. After completing a degree with a major in psychology, you may undertake a fourth year in psychology and then further study in specialist areas of professional psychology such as counselling, health, clinical, organisational, and sports psychology.
Professional recognition:
The Psychology Professional Major at Swinburne incorporates the Psychology sequence accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Graduate Attributes:
Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be: Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areasEntrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or communityEffective and ethical in work and community situationsAdaptable and manage changeAware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (such as sociocultural, economic, natural)
Entry Requirements:
Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. 2012 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 20 in English (any).Extra requirements: Test (some applicants only): Applicants must sit the STAT Multiple Choice if they are one of the applicants outlined under STAT at www.swinburne.edu.au/vtac or on the Swinburne information pages in the VTAC guide. All Non-Year 12 students (NONY12) should refer to the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au for further infomation.
Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR): 70.05
2011 Round 1 Clearly-In ATAR (CSP)
Credit Transfer:
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide.
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Scholarships:
For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: www.swin.edu.au/scholarships
Application Procedure:
Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). VTAC code: 34341(CSP), 34343 (IFP) For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au Part-time study is also available to Australian citizens and holders of Australian residency. Applicants who have not already applied through VTAC can apply direct to the university by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.This course is available for mid-year intake. Applications are made directly to Swinburne and will be taken on a case by case basis. Application forms can be downloaded from our How to Apply website.
Further information:
Submit an Online Enquiry Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)Email: study@swinburne.edu.au Faculty of Life and Social Sciences website
