Single degrees
Bachelor of Psychological Science (RBBS) – Bendigo
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a coherent program of study in psychology that includes other subjects, such as biological and social aspects of behaviour, deemed desirable to a broad education in behavioural science.
The course prepares students for careers in a range of settings including human resources, management, and mental health and human services.
It is important to emphasise that the Bachelor of Psychological Science does not qualify a graduate to work as a psychologist. Further education, training and supervised experience are required for registration as a professional psychologist with the Psychologists’ Registration Board of Victoria and also for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Course structure
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is normally undertaken in three years of full-time study, but can be completed on a part-time basis. Students intending to study part-time should note that this means enrolling in a lesser workload, rather than studying after hours, as subjects are not available as evening classes.
The degree requires the completion of 360 credit points, consisting of 120 credit points accrued from subjects taken at each of the first, second and third year levels. An additional requirement is that students must successfully complete a minimum of 150 credit points of psychology subjects across the three years of the degree, with no less than 120 credit points of psychology accrued from subjects at second and third year level.
Note that the four third year psychology subjects PSY3ANA, PSY3CDB, PSY3CFA and PSY3SCB (each worth 20 credit points) will be available in alternate years. PSY3CFA and PSY3SCB will be available in 2010 and PSY3ANA and PSY3CDB will be available in 2011.
Subjects taught by the School of Psychological Science and which normally are components of the degree are PSY1PYA, PSY1PYB, PSY1BNA, PSY1BNB, PSY2PYA, PSY2PYB, PSY3PYA, PSY3PYB, PSY3RSA and PSY3RSB.
(Full details of the subjects offered by the School of Psychological Science are available in the subject handbooks produced by the School in February of each year and the School website at www.latrobe.edu.au/psy.)
First year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (75 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Psychology 1A | PSY1PYA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Psychology 1B | PSY1PYB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Statistical Methods | STA1STM | 15 |
Either |
|||
| TE-SEM-1 | Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience 1A | PSY1BNA | 15 |
| and | |||
| TE-SEM-2 | Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience 1B | PSY1BNB | 15 |
| or | |||
| Any other first year biological science subjects totalling not less than 30 credit points | |||
| Electives (45 credit points) | |||
Students must choose three elective subjects at first year, typically two first semester subjects and one second semester subject. It is recommended that students take a sequence of two subjects from the same discipline to provide them with prerequisites necessary for second year electives. Students must examine available timetables to avoid any clashes with core subjects and to determine their eligibility for elective subjects. The following areas offer relevant elective subjects: Faculty of Education, Law and Management, Humanities and Social Sciences, or Health Science.
Second year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (40 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Psychology 2A | PSY2PYA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Psychology 2B | PSY2PYB | 20 |
Electives (80 credit points)
Second/third year level subjects for which prerequisite requirements have been met to the value of 80 credit points chosen from subjects offered by any department. Most second year subjects are worth 20 credit points but some are worth 15. Students will be required to complete at least 60 credit points per semester, which could mean the selection of more than two elective subjects. Students must not exceed 70 credit points per semester.
Highly Recommended subjects:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Applied Neuroscience 3A1 | PSY3ANA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Counselling and Family Psychology 3A | PSY3CFA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Cognitive and Developmental Psychology 3B1 | PSY3CDB | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Social and Community Psychology 3B | PSY3SCB | 20 |
Key 1Not available in 2010.
Third year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (80 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Psychology 3A | PSY3PYA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Research Project 3A | PSY3RSA | 20 |
| TE-SEM 2 | Psychology 3B | PSY3PYB | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Research Project 3B | PSY3RSB | 20 |
Electives (40 credit points)
Students choose third year level subjects for which prerequisite requirements have been met
Highly Recommended subjects:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Applied Neuroscience 3A1 | PSY3ANA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Counselling and Family Psychology 3A | PSY3CFA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Cognitive and Developmental Psychology 3B1 | PSY3CDB | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Social and Community Psychology 3B | PSY3SCB | 20 |
Key: 1 Not available in 2010.
Honours
Students who perform at a high standard may apply to undertake a further year of psychology study in Honours (PSY4HNA and PSY4HNB), which is a prerequisite for most postgraduate courses of study. Following the successful completion of the Honours year, these students will graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). The Honours course is presently offered only at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus although students from the Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga campus may apply.