It has been said that the most baffling creature known to man is man himself. Psychologists seek to solve some of the puzzles surrounding human behaviour – the how and the why.

While the formal and scientific study of psychology actually began 125 years ago, evidence of its study has been found in philosophical and religious texts thousands of years before. In taking up this course you would be tapping into these fascinating roots as well as getting a foothold on understanding the complex issues facing people in all aspects of their lives. An added benefit - you will even learn more about yourself.

Psychology is a challenging and extremely wide-ranging discipline and involves the application of a number of scientific techniques in order to understand almost every aspect of our daily lives, from thought to action, feelings and reactions. These different aspects of psychology are illustrated by a list of just some of the research questions being asked by those working in the School of Psychology at The University of Western Australia. The questions include:

• How do groups communicate?
• Can panic be controlled?
• How do the cognitive processes of experts and non-experts differ?
• What is anxiety?
• How do we perceive visual movement?
• What causes employees to burn out?
• What processes precede simple voluntary movements?
• To what extent is memory influenced by racial stereotypes?
• What do we know about the perceptual skills of poor readers?
• How do attitudes to alcohol consumption develop?
• What motivates people at work?

Graduates will be able to apply, communicate and investigate these ideas in any workplace where an understanding of human behaviour is critical.

This degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council / Australian Psychological Society and is the entry requirement for the fourth year Bachelor of Psychology, and the BSc Honours in Psychology. Accreditation of the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) also applies to the Singapore programme conducted at PSB Academy. Click here for more information.

The University’s Accolades

• University of Western Australia (UWA) belongs to the prestigious Group of Eight, a collaboration of the top research universities in Australia
• UWA scored five stars ratings for research intensity and student to staff ratios. In relation to undergraduate students, it scored five stars for difficulty to get in and positive graduate outcomes and a four star rating for success in getting a job and graduate starting salaries. (Good Universities Guide, 2008)
• UWA has been ranked 47th of the Top 100 World Universities. (University of Shanghai Jiaotong, Institute of Higher Education and Social Research, 2008 Academic Ranking in the field of Life and Agricultural Sciences)
• UWA has been ranked first in Australia for the quality of its undergraduate students and second for the quality of its undergraduate programmes. (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, 2006)
• A World Top 100 University. (Newsweek, 2006)
• Nobel Prize Winning University – Professor Barry Marshall and Emeritus Professor Robin Warren for Physiology or Medicine 2005

Course Structure

• The course consist of 24 units; each amounting to 6 credit points
• 2 semesters in year; April and September
• 1 module is taught over 8 weeks

Course Outline

Delivery of modules may not follow the sequence as shown and subject to change.

*Or Statistics for Science (STAT1400), subject to the Faculty approval
^Or Calculus C (MATH1050), subject to the Faculty approval

Duration

The course can be completed within an estimated minimum period of 4 years. For those with exemptions, this course may be completed within a shorter period.

Assessment and Examination

Students are given a unit outline at the commencement of each unit. The unit outline provides the assessment mode and weightings for the unit. Most units have several points of assessments, which may include laboratory assignments, projects, mid-term examinations and final examinations.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry score for The University of Western Australia’s Bachelor of Science programme are:

Local Student Admission

• GCE ‘A’ Level and STPM (subject to the University's admission guidelines); OR
• Local polytechnic diploma in any discipline may be considered for entry; OR
• Foundation Diploma in Life Sciences with an average ‘C’ grade, with a grade no lower than 'D' in any of the units

Other Prerequisites

• GCE ‘A’ Level Mathematics or equivalent is also a pre-requisite for entry to the BSc programmes
• Advanced standing may be granted for relevant polytechnic diploma holders subject to the University’s assessment

English Language Proficiency

Please note that all students must also meet the following minimum English proficiency requirements:

• C6 or better for GCE ‘O’ Level; OR
• 570 (paper-based total) and 230 (computer-based total) in TOEFL with Essay Rating/TWE of 4.5 or Internet-based Test (iBT): An overall score of 90 with a minimum score of 22 in the Writing section and no less than 20 in the other sections; OR
• 6.5 in IELTS with no band less than 6.0; OR
• ‘C’ grade for the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English

Graduation Requirements

For more information on graduation requirements, please click here: http://courses.handbooks.uwa.edu.au/courses/c5/5011.23.

Availability

Local Student Admission

Part-time intake in 2011: April

Course Fees

Part-time pathway

Graduates of PSB Academy can enjoy fee rebates for subsequent courses. Please contact your Admissions Officer for further details.

* All fees inclusive of 7% GST and subject to change annually
* Course fee excludes textbooks, lab coats and safety goggles
* Click here to view other charges for students

Updated on 28 March 2011; PSB Academy reserves the right to amend this information without prior notice.