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Flinders University  > Courses and programs  > Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, and is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society

Graduates are eligible to apply for entry to the honours program in Psychology, which is also accredited by the Australian Psychological Society. Following application, enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for entry to the honours program in the other related discipline studied.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The aims of this course are to develop knowledge of the factors influencing human behaviour and experience, and to provide skills for the application of this knowledge to issues in the real world. Graduates will develop core knowledge in psychological theory and research to prepare them for possible entry into an Honours program in psychology or another behavioural science.

Psychology provides a core set of studies covering such fields as learning, motivation, personality, development across the lifespan, social influences, group processes and biological influences on behaviour. Within this course, these core studies in psychology are linked to study in one other discipline, which provides knowledge required for a multidisciplinary understanding of human development and adjustment. Also integral to the course is the development of critical thinking and research skills, and an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of researchers and psychology clinicians.

Learning outcomes

Students graduating with an Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (Psychology) should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  • knowledge of influences on human behaviour, both normal and abnormal
  • an understanding of the principles and techniques of psychological research
  • knowledge of psychological assessment and measurement
  • the ability to critically analyse ideas and research
  • the ability to connect their theoretical knowledge and learned psychological techniques with relevant real-world problems
  • the integration of psychological principles with at least one other behavioural science
  • knowledge of ethical principles governing the conduct of research, the use of formal assessment tests and clinical practice by psychologists
  • discipline-based writing skills and APA-style conventions.

The core third-level, capstone topic "Skills for Behavioural Sciences" is aimed at providing a link between psychology and future career paths whilst providing a strong multidisciplinary focus on behavioural science (by drawing links between the students&##39; areas of major study).

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

Students undertake 

  • a major sequence in Psychology, as set out below
  • a major sequence* from one of the majors listed below.

plus elective topics to make a total of 108 units. Elective topics may be selected from any offered by the University, provided entry and course requirements are met. 

Within the 108 units at least 27 units but no more than 45 units of year 1 topics must be included. With the permission of the Faculty Board, up to 54 units may be taken by cross-institutional study at an approved institution.

Not all topics in Psychology or the other disciplines listed in the following sections are necessarily available in a given year.

Major Sequence in Psychology

58.5 units comprising

Core - Year 1 topics


 PSYC1101  Psychology 1A  (4.5 units)
 PSYC1102  Psychology 1B  (4.5 units)
 PSYC1106  Research Methods 1  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics


 PSYC2018  Research Methods 2  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2019  Personality and Social Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2020  Cognition and Learning  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2021  Human Development  (4.5 units)
 PSYC2022  Psychological Assessment and Measurement  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics


 PSYC3007  Research Methods 3  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3013  Skills for Behavioural Scientists  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

  

 Select at least 13.5 units of other year 3 Psychology topics from the following list:

 PSYC3003  Introduction to Clinical Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3004  Advanced Social Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3005  Applications to Clinical and Health Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3008  Applied Cognitive Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3009  Lifespan Development in Cultural Perspective  (4.5 units)
 PSYC3010  Psychobiology of Sleep and Cognition  (4.5 units)

Majors

plus select one of the following major sequences

plus elective topics to make a total of 108 units.

* Students who complete more than 75 units of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and are approved to graduate with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) degree are required to complete only year 1 and 2 of the major sequence in the related discipline.

Honours

Please refer to Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours)

Combined Degrees

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with a:

CRICOS Provider: 00114A | Updated: 01 Dec, 2010