Psychology BSc (Hons)

Students take eight modules that provide an introduction to the principal topic areas and basic methods of research in Psychology. You will be required to pass all modules (120 CAT points) to progress into Year Two. The curriculum is delivered in a range of formats and supported by online resources through the University’s virtual interactive teaching environment (VITAL). In addition to lectures there are also class based practical sessions and other types of small group work. From the beginning of Year One a member of the academic staff is appointed as the students’ Academic Advisor. You will have regular fortnightly tutorials with them during term time covering general skills along with academic topics linked to the curriculum and postgraduate careers. In Year One you will have your first opportunity to begin developing a specialist portfolio. Psychology modules on offer include: Social and Abnormal Psychology; Development, Personality and Intelligence; Cognitive Psychology; Biological Psychology; Methods, Statistics and Computing; Professional Skills in Psychology; International Psychology; Transferable Skills.

• Introduction To Psychology 1: Social and Abnormal Psychology. (PSYC101) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 100:0 Aims
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  The module aims to provide a general introduction to research and theory in the domains of social and clinical psychology.

• ​To introduce the students to a critical interpretation of empirical findings.

• ​ To demonstrate the applications of psychology in a ''real world'' setting.

• ​To explore the relationship between psychology and the explanation of important social phenomena

Learning Outcomes

On succesful completion of the module, students will be able to: 

 

 Demonstrate knowledge of the important research in the relevant fields of clinical and social psychology.

​Demonstrate knowledge of some key debates in social psychology and mental health and well-being.

Demonstrate an understanding of the central theoretical models and concepts in clinical and social psychology

• Introduction To Psychology 2: Development, Personality and Intelligence (PSYC102) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 100:0 Aims

  To introduce concepts, research and theories in three of the major areas of psychology; developmental psychology, personality and intelligence.

  Learning Outcomes

  Students will have knowledgeof the fundamental concepts in developmental psychology, personality and intelligence, and an appreciation of the major issues, research and theories ineach of these areas.

• Brain, Cognition and Behaviour: Cognitive Psychology (PSYC105) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 100:0 Aims

  This module examines human information processing within the scientific framework offered by cognitive psychology. We will focus particularly on fundamental processes such as visual perception, recognising faces and objects, empirical and theoretical aspects of memory, language comprehension and production, the organisation of knowledge, and the importance of attention.  We aim to give a solid grounding in cognitive psychology in preparation for modules in Years 2 and 3.

  Learning Outcomes
  • A basic understanding of the range of research covered by cognitive psychology, as well as the experimental methods employed by cognitive psychologists and knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles and the types of theories proposed in this area. This understanding should help to prepare students for the second year modules PSYC202 Perception and Memory, PSYC209 Behavioural Neuroscience, PSYC212 Developmental Psychology and PSYC214 Language and Thought, and for third year optional modules in cognitive psychology. 
  • An appreciation of the value of interdisciplinary research in the study of cognitive processes. 
  • An awareness of the difficulties often experienced in cognitive psychology in achieving a theoretical consensus about the interpretation of empirical data. This awareness should provide the basis of the ability of students to critically assess theories and models within cognitive psychology in subsequent years of their course.
• Brain, Cognition and Behaviour: Biological Psychology (PSYC106) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 75:25 Aims
• The module aims to: Introduce the basic concepts and principles associated with Biological Psychology.

• ​ E xamine the research strategies and methods of investigation in Biological Psychology.

• Demonstrate the relationship between the biological processes covered during the course and behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

​On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure of the human nervous system.

​Demonstrate an understanding of the basics concepts of cell anatomy, neural transmission and endocrine signalling.

​Provide examples of how the brain is specialised to carry out certain psychological functions.

​Discuss the strengths and limitations of the research methods used to investigate brain function.

​Discuss the brain mechanisms involved in the sleep/wake cycle and how these can be affected by sleep disorders

• Transferable Skills 1 (PSYC122) Level 1 Credit level 7.5 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims

  The overall aim of this module is to enable students to acquire skills relevant to the world of employment such as communication, information gathering, numeracy, etc. The module covers practical issues concerned with conducting investigations in psychology.

  Specifically, the aim of the Practical Classes is to provide an introduction to collecting and analysing data by hand, the basics of questionnaire design and experimental design.

  The aim of  the Tutorials is to provide an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to present research findings in the form of a research report and to develop essay writing skills (critical/analytical skills, referencing etc.). They also provide students with the opportunity to be guided by their academic advisor on topics such as ethics, plagiarism issues and research design.

  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of the module students will be able to list and identify different types of appropriate sources of information (from books, journals, and the Internet) and different ways to manage and store information creating a personal space with a record of their work.
  

  ​ By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate transferable skills involved in written  communication and information and communication technology.

  ​ By the end of the module students will be able to distinguish ethical and academic integrity issues in psychology, including policy and practice in the School.

  ​ By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate practical knowledge of the underlying concepts and the basic principles of research design.

• Transferable Skills 2 (PSYC123) Level 1 Credit level 7.5 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims

  The overall aim of this module is to enable students to further develop skills relevant to the world of employment e.g. communication, organisational and information gathering skills. The module covers more advanced transferable skills than are covered in the PSYC122 module.

  Specifically, the aim of the Practical Classes is to provide further experience of collecting and analysing data, and also provide an introduction to qualitative analysis.

  The aim of the Tutorials is to build upon the skills acquired in PSYC122 (i.e. research report and essay writing skills), and also to provide students with the opportunity to practice presentations and essay writing in exams.

  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of the module students will be able to apply principles of research methodology and to analyse experimental data in a psychological investigation. 

  ​ By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate the ability to gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently, and express them effectively in written, oral or other forms.

  ​ By the end of the module students will have an ability to prepare a PowerPoint presentation and to orally present it to a small group of their peers.

  ​ By the end of the module students will be able to evaluate the different psychological studies that were involved as participants (ethical process and research design) .

• Methods, Statistics & Computing 1 (PSYC124) Level 1 Credit level 7.5 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 40:60 Aims

  The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to the basic theoretical issues involved in designing and analysing empirical investigations in psychology. The module also aims to train students to explore and analyse data using SPSS.

  Learning Outcomes

  1)      By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge involved in basic empirical design, as detailed in the syllabus.

  2)      By the end of the module studdents will be able to demonstrate good theoretical knowledge of the basic issues involved in the statistical analysis of data, using those methods outlined in the syllabus.

  3)      By the end of the module students will be able to show competence in their use of SPSS to carry out basic analysis of data, including those methods outlined in the syllabus.

• Methods, Statistics & Computing 2 (PSYC125) Level 1 Credit level 7.5 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 40:60 Aims

  The aim of this module is to build upon the basic theoretical issues relating to research methods and statistical analysis covered in PSYC124, introducing students to the issues involved in qualitative research as well as quantitative. The module also aims to train students to more complex data analysis using SPSS, than that covered in PSYC124.

  Learning Outcomes

  1)      By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge involved in more complex types of empirical design, as detailed in the syllabus.

  2)      By the end of the module studdents will be able to demonstrate good theoretical knowledge of the more complex issues involved in the statistical analysis of data, using those methods outlined in the syllabus.

  3)      By the end of the module students will be able to show ability in their use of SPSS to carry out basic analysis of data, including those methods outlined in the syllabus.

• Applying Psychology In The Real World (PSYC127) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 80:20 Aims
• ​This module aims to expand students'' realm of knowledge of the application of psychological theory to the real world.
  
• ​​​​This module aims to enhance students'' employability by enabling them to independently...