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Bachelor of Psychological Science

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BPsychSc

  • Course code

    3007244

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

How do we think and learn? How do we control our movements and behaviour? What makes us tick? Exploration of the human mind and behaviour is a fascinating field and this degree is an equally fascinating educational journey into behaviour, cognition, and psychological principles and theory.

We have designed our Bachelor of Psychological Science to be a rich, flexible, and highly engaging learning experience. It will shed light on how humans work, individually and in sociocultural groups, and will take you inside your own head –to develop a deep and real understanding of your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. It will take you across many different fields of psychological practice –many you will never have considered. You will be working with an academic team comprising active researchers publishing their work in international journals.

This degree will help you develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as proficiency in research and statistics, all of which will inform your ability to apply scientific approaches in professional settings as well as enhance your understanding of yourself and of the world.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychological principles, theories, and concepts using a scientific, evidence-based approach.

GA2: Creativity

Demonstrate independence and integrity in scholarly inquiry and creative problem-solving in psychology.

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate the capacity to evaluate evidence, tolerate ambiguity, recognise biases, and apply values and ethics necessary for professional conduct in psychology.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply appropriate research and assessment methods in psychology.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Apply knowledge and skills of psychology to meet personal, professional, and societal needs.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Analyse and evaluate information, theory, and research in the discipline of psychology and apply academic literacy skills to communicate these in a variety of written and oral forms.

Employ interpersonal and communication skills conducive to effective collaboration.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate a reflexive manner appropriate to a range of socially and culturally diverse people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

There are no compulsory placements in this course.

The course covers analytical skills in solving individual, interpersonal, and community-wide problems. Core topics include the biological bases of behaviour, social psychology, learning and memory, cross-cultural psychology, psychological assessment, as well as research design, interpretation of research findings, and statistical methods.

The structure encompasses basic theory to application, with a strong emphasis on the acquisition of an understanding of the scientific principles leading to effective professional practice. Some units involve applied skills (e.g. personal reflection, demonstration of testing methods and other assessment techniques, and methods for facilitating behaviour change) while others emphasise areas in experimental psychology, statistics, and research methods.

This degree also has flexibility that allows you to combine subjects from diverse disciplines across the University. You can choose elective units or a group of units in a shared major as part of your Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The course has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Applicants will not be considered for admission on the basis of having fully or partially completed a Certificate III (AQF Level 3) or a Certificate IV (AQF Level 4).

 

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

Credit for prior learning

Students admitted with a completed Bachelors degree will be required to complete all core units.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 16 core units (192 credit points); and
  • The Psychology Extension Major OR 1 shared major OR 8 elective units (96 credit points). 

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Elective OR Shared Major Unit
PSYC1002 Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,5
Term2,5
PSYC1009 Introducing Health Psychology
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2,4
Term2,4
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
PSYC1001 Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Elective OR Shared Major Unit
PSYC1010 Positive Psychology
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Elective OR Shared Major Unit

Second Year

STAT2002 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Enrolment information Students should have basic mathematical skills equivalent to Year 10 Maths. Students should have basic computer literacy and familiarity with a spreadsheet program, such as Excel.
Elective OR Shared Major Unit
PSYC2001 Psychological Assessment
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
PSYC2005 Psychological Investigation I
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Elective OR Shared Major Unit
PSYC2002 Understanding Psychological Diagnoses
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
Elective OR Shared Major Unit

Third Year

PSYC3004 Biological Psychology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition AND must have completed or be currently enrolled in STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Elective OR Shared Major Unit
PSYC3001 Social Psychology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites PSYC1002 - Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
Elective OR Shared Major Unit
PSYC3003 Learning and Memory
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition AND STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
STAT3001 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC3005 Culture and Psychology
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC1002 - Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
PSYC3002 Psychological Investigation II
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC2005 - Psychological Investigation I

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
PSYC1005 Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
PSYC1002 Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,5
Term2,5
PSYC1009 Introducing Health Psychology
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2,4
Term2,4
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
PSYC1001 Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
HLTH1005 Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
Term3,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3,4
Term3,4
Gold Coast
Term3,4
Term3,4
Lismore
Term3,4
Term3,4
Online
Term3,4
Term3,4
Enrolment information This unit contains content on mental health and psychological trauma which may be triggering for some students. Please consider this when enrolling in the unit.
PSYC1010 Positive Psychology
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Enrolment information All students are required to meet compulsory participation requirements to pass the unit. Gold Coast students must attend weekly on-campus tutorials. Online students must attend a 3 day on-campus residential (8.30 am to 4.30 pm Friday to Sunday inclusive) at either the Coffs Harbour (week 2), Gold Coast (week 3) or Lismore (week 4) campus. A record of attendance will be kept at all tutorials and residentials.

Second Year

STAT2002 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Enrolment information Students should have basic mathematical skills equivalent to Year 10 Maths. Students should have basic computer literacy and familiarity with a spreadsheet program, such as Excel.
PBHL1003 Foundations of Health and Health Care Systems
Term1,3,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3,4
Term1,3,4
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,4
Term1,3,4
PSYC2005 Psychological Investigation I
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
PSYC2001 Psychological Assessment
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
PSYC2003 Exercise and Sport Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
PSYC2002 Understanding Psychological Diagnoses
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
PSYC2007 Behaviour Change
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Third Year

PSYC3004 Biological Psychology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition AND must have completed or be currently enrolled in STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
PSYC3001 Social Psychology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites PSYC1002 - Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
Elective Unit
PSYC3003 Learning and Memory
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition AND STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
STAT3001 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC3005 Culture and Psychology
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC1002 - Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
PSYC3002 Psychological Investigation II
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC2005 - Psychological Investigation I

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Core Units
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
PSYC1001 Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
PSYC1009 Introducing Health Psychology
PSYC1002 Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
PSYC1010 Positive Psychology
PSYC2001 Psychological Assessment
PSYC2005 Psychological Investigation I
PSYC3001 Social Psychology
PSYC3003 Learning and Memory
STAT2002 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
STAT3001 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC2002 Understanding Psychological Diagnoses
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
PSYC3004 Biological Psychology
PSYC3005 Culture and Psychology
PSYC3002 Psychological Investigation II
Students can select either the Psychology Extension Major OR one university shared major (excluding the Psychology shared major) OR 8 elective units from university wide offerings.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
HLTH1005 Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
PSYC1005 Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
PBHL1003 Foundations of Health and Health Care Systems
PSYC2003 Exercise and Sport Psychology
PSYC2007 Behaviour Change
WELF2005 Case Management and Care Planning
Elective