Psychology is the scientific study of how people behave, think and feel. It is a broad-ranging discipline that spans topics including perceiving and thinking, the biological basis of behaviour, human development, perception and cognition, social psychology, personality psychology, and research methodology. Students taking the psychology major will gain an understanding of how to apply the scientific perspective to psychological phenomena in the laboratory and in the real world. Within the major there is flexibility to select courses to meet individual career objectives. The intention of the Psychology major is to ensure the acquisition of contemporary knowledge in psychological theory and evidence across core themes in psychological science.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand, critically evaluate, apply, integrate and generate psychological knowledge in educational and professional contexts.
- Develop and engage in a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse, critique and respond to complex problems involving psychological processes.
- Systematically identify relevant psychological theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Apply appropriate psychological research methods, including statistical techniques, to evaluate data.
- Communicate psychological concepts and results clearly and effectively in written and/or oral formats to diverse audiences.
- Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives on psychological issues.
- Critically examine psychological knowledge and skills, and their application, from diverse cultural perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perspectives.
- Utilise psychological knowledge and skills for exercising personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.
Other Information
What 1st year courses should you enrol in? PSYC1003 and PSYC1004.
Information for APAC accredited pathways in Psychology:
At ANU, APAC accredited programs are:
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Philosophy - Science
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Change to accredited psychology pathway from 2023 - advice for students
From 2023, key changes have been made to the specific set of courses that satisfy the APAC accreditation requirements.
- Students admitted to the ANU BSc, BA or PhB prior to 2023 who wish to be eligible for Honours in psychology are expected to complete PSYC1003 , PSYC1004 , PSYC2001 , PSYC2002 , PSYC2007 , PSYC2008 , PSYC2009 , PSYC3018 , PSYC3025 , PSYC3026 and an additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC courses (or, for PhB students, 3000 level SCNC courses with a psychology supervisor). This constitutes the minimum required learning in Psychology for accreditation.
- Students admitted to the ANU BSc, BA or PhB from 2023 who wish to be eligible for Honours in psychology are expected to complete PSYC1003 , PSYC1004 , PSYC2001 , PSYC2007 , PSYC2008 , PSYC2009 , PSYC2012, PSYC3018 , PSYC3020 , PSYC3025 , PSYC3026 and PSYC3202. This constitutes the minimum required learning in Psychology for accreditation.
Students transfering into the program from 2023 are encouraged to seek academic advice, if PSYC2002 has already been completed.
Students in a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) who wish to apply for Honours in Psychology are encouraged to seek academic advice from the College of Science Student Administration Office before completion of 72-96 units of study (science.enquiries@anu.edu.au).
Fee information
Students in a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) in Science program can apply for Honours in Psychology in these programs, but should note that due to changes in Australian government funding from 2021 as a result of the Job Ready Graduates Package, fees for Behavioural Science courses will be invoiced at different rates. For more information on the 2021 fee changes to Student Contributions Amounts, please visit https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions; and for more information on the Job Ready Graduates Package please visit https://www.studyassist.gov.au/
Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Psychology major.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, of which:
18 units must come from completion of the following compulsory courses:
PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour (6 units)
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context (6 units)
PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)
12 units must come from completion of 2000- level PSYC courses from the following list:
PSYC2001 Social Psychology (6 units)
PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)
PSYC2008 Cognition (6 units)
PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)
18 units must come from from the completion of 3000- level PSYC courses from the following list:
PSYC3002 The Social Psychology of Group Processes and Social Change (6 units)
PSYC3015 Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience (6 units)
PSYC3016 Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (6 units)
PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)
PSYC3020 Health Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3023 Special Topics in Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan (6 units)
PSYC3026 Personality Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3028 Industrial and Organisational Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3030 Psychology Undergraduate Research Experience (6 units)
PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology (6 units)
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