BSc (Hons) Psychology

Course detail
This course covers a wide range of psychological areas and will enable you to gain knowledge in all aspects of psychology and will give you the opportunity to meet practising psychologists. Furthermore, this course offers optional modules in year 1 and year 3, giving you the opportunity to select areas of study that are of particular interest to you.

Modules

Year One
Behaviour and Mind
Growing Up
History of Psychology
Psychology in the Real World
Research Methods 1
Research Methods 2
Think Psychology
Plus one of the following modules:
Addictive Behaviours
Criminal Minds
Understanding Mental Health
Year Two
Biological and Atypical Psychology
Cognition in Action
Lifespan Development
Further Research Methods
Individual Differences
Social Psychology.
Year Three
Experiencing Psychology in Practice
Dissertation
Plus four options from a range that includes:
Developmental Psychopathology
Forensic Psychology
Gender Psychology
Health Psychology
Introduction to Theories of Counselling
Language and Mind
Neuropsychology and the Broken Brain
Occupational Psychology
Philosophy of Psychology
Positive Psychology
Psychology of Mental Health
Violent Relationships
Module summaries
Year 1
Behaviour and Mind
This module will examine the contribution that behaviourist, biopsychological and cognitive perspectives have made to our understanding of behaviour, including maladaptive behaviour and drug addiction. Consideration will be given to both the biological basis and cognitive processes that contribute to our perception of the world and how we form memories.

Growing Up
This module looks at the extent to which social context and culture (or 'nurture') influence human development and behaviour throughout life, and examines cross-cultural and intra-cultural influences on development and behaviour.

History of Psychology
This module is an introduction to conceptual and historical issues in psychology. It covers the history of scientific psychology, from its earliest beginnings up to the present day.

Psychology in the Real World
This module looks at psychology's application in some of the discipline's professions, for example, health, counselling, education, forensic and occupational psychology, and psychology as an academic discipline - through lectures from practising chartered psychologists. This module gives you the opportunity to reflect upon your own career goals and your skills set in order to develop a Personal Development Plan.

Research Methods 1
This module provides the first stage in an introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology. It aims to introduce some basic concepts in research design, data analysis, and research reporting. This module explores a range of methods of psychological research, including experimentation, survey methodology, statistics and sampling.

Research Methods 2
This module provides the second stage in an introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology. It aims to further develop your understanding of some basic concepts in research design, data analysis, and research reporting. This module introduces qualitative methods employed in psychological research.

Think Psychology
This module will include lectures that relate to the research interests of current staff members and this is used as a starting point to help you acquire the academic skill required at University. Using staff research as an example, you will meet in small groups to help develop an understanding of academic literacy, academic honesty and critical thinking skills. You will also meet individually with your personal tutor to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Option Modules:

Addictive Behaviour
This module explores the underpinning psychological theories of compulsive/addictive behaviours. The module also provides an introduction to the effects and addictive properties of psychoactive substances. The link between substance misuse, mental illness, learning disability and criminal behaviour will be discussed.

Criminal Minds
This module will explore a range of perspectives in psychology that strive to explain patterns of thinking that lead certain individuals to commit crimes whilst others do not. This module will consider the possible neural underpinning that may suggest whether criminals are born 're-wired' This will be contrasted with social perspectives on crime, that is, the nature vs. nurture debate will be contemplated. Furthermore, the module will explore whether the lack of an attachment figure can lead to the development of criminal modes of thinking.

Understanding Mental Health
This module provides a psychological perspective on key issues in relation to mental health and well-being. Mental health is conceptualised as a continuum, from positive mental health to mental distress. The module looks at definitions of mental health and well-being, and examines vulnerability and protective factors, including links to physical health. It investigates the symptoms of common mental health problems and the experiences of those who suffer from them.

Year 2

Biological and Atypical Behaviour
This module is an exciting introduction to biological psychology. It looks into the building blocks of the human brain, how it has evolved to allow us to operate in our world, and the many higher order processes that define our daily experiences. This module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of biological psychology with specific focus on brain and behaviour and an introduction to atypical psychology from a biological perspective.

Cognition in Action
This module explores how the mind works - how our brains process, store and modify information through our senses. It examines how we process sensory signals, what role attention plays in dealing with information from our senses, and how we store and transform this information. It also investigates theories of memory and memory loss, and how our brain organises knowledge. Finally, it looks at thinking, reasoning and language.

Further Research Methods
This module further extends knowledge gained from Research Methods 1 and 2. Further research methods, examines research methods and using statistical package SPSS to carry out statistical analyses and apply them to real-world research issues.

Individual Differences
This module examines the concepts, theories, methods and findings in the psychology of personality and intelligence. Principles of measurement are a key component of this module, as is psychometric testing in the study of the similarities and differences between people.

Lifespan Development
This module examines concepts, theories, methods and findings in developmental psychology. We take a lifespan perspective, focusing on human development from early childhood through to adolescence, adulthood and old age.

Social Psychology
This module focuses on various issues concerning the social and interactive aspects of human behaviour. It provides an overview of the main areas of study and introduces the diversity of social psychology - presenting findings on a variety of topics central to social psychological enquiry.

Year 3

Experiencing Psychology in Practice
This module looks at how psychological theory, concepts and research can be applied in real life. You will do at least 30 hours of experiential learning in an organisation relevant to your course and career plans.
Dissertation
This module requires an original piece of empirical quantitative or qualitative research in a recognised sub-area of the discipline
Plus four options from a range that includes:
Developmental Psychopathology
This module will explore the origins, time course, and varying manifestations of a number of child and adolescent psychological disorders over development. By taking an integrative approach we will be examining the relative contributions of biological, behavioural, and cognitive processes and that of the family and wider social forces to the emergence of these disorders during development.

Forensic Psychology
This module provides an overview of key topics in forensic and criminological psychology. We look at theories of crime, domestic and sexual violence, crime and mental health, eyewitness testimony, investigative interviewing, and interrogations and confessions.

Gender Psychology
This module explores theories of gender development; socialisation of gender by parents, teachers and peers; gender in the media in for example Disney and particular problems that come from gender issues such as body image, the sex industry, gender relations at work, and how gender attitudes could potentially lead to societal inequalities.

Health Psychology
This module covers key theoretical themes and issues and highlights the link between theory and practice in psychology. It focuses on factors that promote or inhibit psychological wellbeing and health-related behaviour, and will help you develop critical analytical skills when reviewing literature. It also provides a forum for discussing a broad range of health psychology topics.

Introduction to Theories of Counselling
This is a brief overview of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and humanistic approaches in counselling, with a look at two therapies associated with each approach. We also examine the integrative approach and how it brings together ideas and practices from the three main approaches to create new forms of therapy.

Language and Mind
This module focuses on one of the most remarkable abilities of the human species – our ability to use language! You will learn about how the brain works to generate and understand language, how we read and write, and what happens when things go wrong. We will talk about how people who speak more than one language manage to keep them separate, and what happens to multilinguals with brain damage.

Neuropsychology and the Broken Brain
In this module we examine the relationship between the brain, behaviour and cognitive abilities. We focus on specific brain functions, such as memory, visual perception and language, using comparisons between brain injury patients and healthy individuals.

Occupational Psychology
This module introduces a variety of issues related to work, and how psychological principles may be applied to enhance people's wellbeing and productivity in the workplace. We address the application of psychological theory and research methods in the context of work, at individual and organisational levels.

Philosophy of Psychology
This module will look at the central issues in the philosophy of psychology, issues such as:
The nature of inner, subjective Consciousness (the 'hard problem'). Can any psychological theory make sense of our private, personal experience – the taste of this ice-cream, the blueness of this view of the sea, the inner agony of this pain? Can information-processing, or neuroscientific or other scientific accounts make sense of this – or must it forever elude our grasp?

Positive Psychology
Applied positive psychology attempts to reconceptualise the way we understand mental health with a focus on the scientific understanding of strengths, and understanding psychological wellbeing and happiness rather than pathology, illness and weaknesses.

Psychology of Mental Health
This is an introduction to psychological disorders. Initially, lectures look at historical perspectives in abnormal psychology, classification and assessment, and different perspectives and treatment methods. We then focus on specific disorders, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety and phobias, eating disorders and substance use disorders.

Violent Relationships
We examine violence and abuse in the context of relationships, from a range of perspectives. Psychological understanding and its implications are increasingly relevant, and we look at aspects of violence that most affect the psychology of relationships.

Option modules can vary over time and reflect the current expertise within the department.

There are also module options on Substance Use and Misuse.