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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

167999 v.7 Bachelor of Psychology

BPsych(Curtin) OR BPsych(Hons)(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 041070B
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor honours degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications. The honours component prepares students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


Psychology encompasses all aspects of human behaviour, using tested theoretical frameworks to examine, explain and predict what we do as individuals and in groups. The four-year general applied psychology program emphasises the application of knowledge to problems arising in professional practice, and graduates are equipped to move directly into the workforce as provisionally registered psychologists. It also provides an understanding of the theoretical framework within which various approaches and techniques have been developed. Experimental design relevant to applied research is an important part of the course.


Professional Recognition

Graduates of the four-year program are eligible to apply for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and provisional registration. In Australia two years supervised psychological practice after fourth year or completion of a two-year master program is required for full registration as a psychologist.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways. Admission to the Honours stream is by invitation and follows high achievement within this bachelor degree.


Desirable: Mathematics 2C/2D. Entry into Psychology Fourth Year Stream: Completion of a three-year Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited psychology course in an Australian university with a minimum of a credit average in second and third year. Entry into Psychology Honours Stream: The minimum requirement is completion of a three-year Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited psychology course in an Australian university with a minimum of a distinction average in second and third year. STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Bachelor of Science (Psychology).


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates with a bachelor degree may qualify for entry to some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master by coursework degrees. Graduates with a bachelor degree with honours may also qualify for entry to a master or doctorate by research. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Embedded bachelor honours degrees typically comprise an honours stream equivalent to one year of full-time study undertaken during the last year (or two) of study.


Whilst the principal focus is on psychology, the course also provides a broad appreciation of human behaviour and experience by including studies in health sciences. High achieving students may be selected to participate in the Honours stream in the fourth year of the course. Due to accreditation requirements, students not attaining a credit average in their second and third year core psychology units will be required to exit the course with the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) award.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply psychological theory to evidence based practice and extend the boundaries of knowledge through research; discriminate between valid discipline knowledge and questionable esoteric theory and practice

2. apply logical and rational processes to critically analyse problems and generate innovative solutions to psychological questions

3. access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information and evidence from a range of sources applicable to psychology

4. communicate effectively with individuals, groups and communities

5. select and effectively use appropriate technologies relevant to psychological research and practice

6. demonstrate ability for self directed learning and reflective practice

7. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of international perspectives in psychology

8. demonstrate understanding and respect for human rights and cultural diversity

9. independently and collaboratively apply professional skills in an ethical manner


This course is four years' full-time or equivalent part-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
313392 v.2   Introduction to Psychology 100 3.0 25.0
313391 v.3   Human Structure and Function 100 4.0 25.0
313394 v.3   Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100 4.0 25.0
313484 v.1   Science and Professional Practice in Psychology 100 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
312649 v.4   Indigenous Cultures and Health 130 2.0 12.5
313393 v.2   Brain and Behaviour 100 3.0 25.0
313460 v.1   Foundations of Psychology 124 3.0 25.0
314510 v.1   Health and Health Behaviour 130 3.0 12.5
314512 v.1   Evidence Informed Health Practice 130 2.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
311584 v.1   Psychology of Learning 211 3.0 25.0
311585 v.1   Social Psychology 212 3.0 25.0
311586 v.1   Psychological Science 210 3.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
311589 v.1   Psychological Science 220 3.0 25.0
311587 v.2   Perception 221 3.0 25.0
314138 v.1   Child Developmental Psychology 213 3.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
311590 v.1   Individual Differences 311 3.0 25.0
311593 v.1   Cognition 323 3.0 25.0
311594 v.1   Abnormal Psychology 327 3.0 25.0
314422 v.1   Advanced Psychological Science 310 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
311592 v.1   Adult Developmental Psychology 323 3.0 25.0
311595 v.1   Advanced Psychological Science 320 3.0 25.0
310848 v.3   Work, Family and Community 336 3.0 25.0
12963 v.3   Indigenous and Cross Cultural Psychology 328 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 4
306066 v.2   Psychology Fourth Year Stream 200.0
  OR  
306067 v.2   Honours Psychology Stream 200.0
  200.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.