Course content
Year 1- Level C
Applications of Psychology
You will gain knowledge of the range of applications of psychology as well as an understanding of the significance of the practicing of psychology and its relationship to psychological theory.
Biological and Cognitive Psychology
You will gain an understanding of the basic characteristics and functions of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and the relationship between the biology of the brain and higher level cognitive functions. You will also develop an understanding of the main elements of the information processing paradigm.
Experimental Methods and Statistical Analysis 1
You will develop an understanding of the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, as well as an understanding of the rationale of various empirical methods. You will also have the ability to apply their knowledge of relevant empirical techniques in a range of applied contexts.
Social Psychology & Individual Differences
You will gain an understanding of the ways in which human behaviour is affected by the social context in which it occurs and how behaviour differs between individuals. The two elements of this unit introduce you to these areas of study
Development & Conceptual Ideas
You will gain an understanding of the ways in which behaviour changes as the human develops and develop an awareness and knowledge of historical and conceptual issues surrounding psychology as a science.
Year 2- Level I
Biological Psychology and Intelligence
You will acquire knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of biological psychology as well as the experimental methods and techniques used in relevant research. You will also critically examine the nature of intelligence using past and present theoretical and experimental approaches.
Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology
You will acquire knowledge and understanding that illustrates and exemplifies the underlying concepts and principles of current research investigating the psychological and neuropsychological basis of cognition.
Developmental Psychology and Language
You will acquire further in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of developmental psychology and the psychology of language. The relationship of these concepts and principles to human interaction with the world around us are an important aspect of this knowledge and understanding.
Experimental Methods and Statistical Analysis 2
You will further develop your experimental skills by planning and designing of experiments as well as by the statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting of experimental findings.
Personality and Social Psychology
You will develop a critical understanding of the concepts and principles in the psychology of personality and of social psychology and this will enable you to carry out experimental work in these areas using the appropriate methodologies. Also, you will gain valuable experiences and develop transferable skills through participation in group activities.
Year 3- Level H
Psychology Project (double weighted)
By doing the project you will gain a systematic understanding of key aspects of the fields of psychology, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, and understanding of current developments in applied psychology. You will also develop an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge and methodology
Options: choose 4 units from*:
Ecopsychology & Environmental Psychology
You will be able to see the relationship between psychology and ecology and explore the idea that the needs of the planet and the person are a continuum. You will use the ideas put forward by ecopsychologists to critically assess traditional psychological models and assumptions and focus on the effects of human behaviour on environmental quality, factors influencing pro-environmental behaviour and strategies for behaviour change to manage environmental problems.
Forensic Psychology
You will examine current research at the forefront of knowledge exploring the, application of Psychology in forensic contexts. You will gain comprehensive, coherent, detailed knowledge and understanding of Forensic Psychology.
Clinical Psychology
In this unit you will examine psychological and psychiatric disorders and develop an understanding of their aetiology and treatment. You will examine the organisations that deliver mental health services. You will also explore the models of recovery from mental illness.
Imagery
You will gain comprehensive, coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of the study of imagery and visual cognition derived from current research at the forefront of knowledge in this area.
Occupational Psychology
You will apply psychological theory to the consideration of people at work. You will primarily be concerned with employee wellbeing and how this can be enhanced by effective task design, assessment, and training procedures.
Reading Acquisition and Autism
You will acquire a knowledge and understanding of psychological theory and experimentation relating to reading acquisition, dyslexia and autism. This includes knowledge of the skills underpinning reading and how they can be assessed as well as the diagnosis and developmental trajectory of autism.
Social Psychology & the Internet
You will examine the impact of the Internet on individuals, groups, organisations and society. You will be able to apply social psychological theories and methodologies to evaluate and understand the impacts of online technologies on human thought and behaviour.
Psychology of Human Computer Interaction
You will begin explore contemporary HCI paradigms in order to develop a wide-ranging knowledge of potential approaches/directions from a psychological perspective. The unit will take you beyond the ‘desktop’ metaphor and will allow you to critically assess alternatives for human-technology interactions.
Face Recognition & its Disorders
In this unit students will gain a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the key models and contemporary debates in face processing research. You will develop critical evaluation skills in the assessment of research papers, particularly regarding research methods and analytical techniques, and the contribution of data to relevant research questions.
Visual & Spatial Cognition
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of key contemporary issues in spatial cognition and object recognition. You will explore the experimental techniques used in the study of visual cognition across humans and animals. You will gain the ability to digest and evaluate empirical papers and also experience in conducting informal visual cognition and spatial cognition experiments.
Health, Wellbeing & Older People
This unit will provide you with an understanding of the role of psychology in promoting health and well-being, and its role in promoting quality of life in older people. This unit will be particularly useful for students wishing to pursue a career in health psychology, health services, or wishing to work with older people.
* Options shown are an indication of available units and may alter to reflect changes in technology and sufficient student demand
