Psychology (Applied)-BSc

In the first year, over five modules you learn about four major areas of psychology: cognitive psychology (the study of mental processes), social psychology (the study of relations between individuals), developmental psychology (the study of intellectual and social change in humans) and biological psychology (the study of the relation between the brain and changes in mental state and behaviour). You will also learn important techniques in experimentation, observation and statistical analysis. For your sixth module, you may choose Classic Papers in Applied Psychology: A Tutorial Introduction to Psychological Science, Classic Papers: A Tutorial Introduction to Psychological Science which is taught and assessed at Durham; or modules from the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study.

In the second year you will further tackle the core areas of psychology considered by the British Psychological Society when it accredits a psychology degree. Over six modules you will develop your in-depth knowledge and understanding of the areas introduced in your first year and take up the study of neuropsychology, perception, abnormal psychology and psychometrics (the selection and use of psychological tests).

In your final year, you may choose to take three or four modules in Psychology (Applied) or two or three Psychology (Applied) modules plus one or two from the Psychology Year Three modules on offer (including Modern Foreign Languages). The final-year Psychology modules are on specialist topics and include lectures, workshops, practical work and continuous assessment. All Department of Psychology final-year modules have an end of year examination. In addition to your chosen four modules, you will carry out and write up your own Research Project (Applied Psychology Dissertation) supervised by a member of staff. The range of possible topics is very wide and research can take place in settings such as schools or hospitals, as well as in research laboratories in the Department of Psychology. The Dissertation is a double module.

The list of final-year option modules may vary from year to year but in the past has included:

• Psychology and Health
• Forensic Psychology
• Applied Developmental Psychology
• Applied Psychology in Action
• Psychology into Schools
• Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience
• Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology
• The Science of Consciousness
• Modules from the University’s Centre for Foreign Language Study.