Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Psychophysiology) is unique to Swinburne and offers students an undergraduate degree with majors in Psychology and Psychophysiology. This course encompasses the fields of psychology and cognitive and behavioural neurosciences. The psychology major provides a broad introduction to a range of relevant studies, with more specialised work in developmental psychology, cognition, social psychology, personality, design and measurement, psychological measurement and abnormal psychology. The psychophysiology major emphasises an understanding of physiological processes relevant to the study of psychology. Areas of study include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, physiological responses to sleep, dreaming, memory and cognition, and brain disorders. Psychophysiology also looks at the use of biological recording technology relevant to the study of cognition and behaviour. Swinburne psychology and psychophysiology students are regarded very highly in the community for their research, psychological and psychophysiological skills.
Aims & Objectives:
The course has the following objectives: To develop in students a mastery of a wide spectrum of basic principles underlying psychology and psychophysiology; To give students an appropriate introduction to the role of the professional scientist in the community and to explore the social effects of scientific decisions; To give students a sound knowledge of anatomy and the physiological processes relevant to psychology; To develop in students a mastery of the application of psychological and physiological principles and theories for the interpretation and study of human behavioural and physiological processes; To develop in students an understanding of psychological and physiological evaluation and monitoring; To provide students with the research and analytical skills associated with high quality physiological and psychological research; To develop in students a thorough understanding of the appropriate technology, instrumentation and techniques relevant to cognition and behaviour; To develop in students competence in the application of appropriate monitoring technology in the psychological or clinical environment; To introduce students to the skills necessary for working in a clinical environment as an effective team member; To develop students' communication skills so that they can present their ideas clearly by verbal, written and graphical means; To prepare students for the changing workplace and changing societal context by developing their life-long learning skills and flexibility of mind; and To deliver a professionally recognised course of study that will enable graduates to join the Australian Psychological Society as graduate members.
The course has the following objectives:
Course Structure:
This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be fifty hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will vary in different semesters. Students who perform well may progress to an honours program. For the Psychology/Psychophysiology degree, students complete at least 300 credit points made up of: Psychophysiology Core Studies (137.5 credit points) Psychology Core Studies (100 credit points) Statistical Design & Measurement Core Studies associated with the Psychology Core Studies (37.5 credit points) Electives (25 credit points) Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence their course from 2007 onwards. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills. Final Year Experience - Major Projects As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates from 2007 will undertake 25 credit points of professionally-focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken. Electives Plus Sequences Electives plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline. Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus sequences of up to three units from one of the following themes: Design: Process and Strategy Effective Communication Enterprising Marketing Establishing and Running a Business Information Orientation and Knowledge Management Language Practice and Culture Multimedia: Web Development The Networked Economy Undergraduate Research Skills Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Units of Study:
Psychology Core Studies (all 12.5 credit points) HAY100 Psychology 100 HAY101 Psychology 101 HAY205 Cognition and Human Performance HAY206 Developmental Psychology HAY307 Social Psychology HAY308 The Psychology of Personality HAY309 Psychological Measurement HAY321 Abnormal Psychology Psychophysiology Core Studies (all 12.5 credit points) HET102 Introductory Physiology HET133 Human Physiology HET148 Technology and Data Acquisition HET219 Neurological Monitoring HET226 Sensory Systems HET227 Neurophysiology HET231 Perception and Motor Systems HET320 Psychophysiological Project HET527 Sleep and Attention HET528 Higher Cortical Functions HET631 Abnormal Psychophysiology Statistical Design & Measurement Core Studies (all 12.5 credit points) HMA103 Statistics and Research Methods A HMA278 Design and Measurement 2 HMA279 Design and Measurement 3 Electives: total of two selected (examples) (all 12.5 credit points) Students can choose electives from any course offered in the Higher Education Division, subject to prerequisite and timetable restrictions and Course Panel approval. HAH100 Introduction to Philosophy HAH103 Critical Thinking HAM105 The Media in Australia HAM113 Professional Communication Practice HAP100 Australian Politics HAS100 Sociology 1A (Introductory Sociology) HAS101 Sociology 1B (Social Institutions and Social Change) HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management HES1510 Chemistry 1 HES1525 Chemistry 2 HES1555 Consumer Science HET124 Energy and Motion HIT2080 Introduction to Programming HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 HMS112 Engineering Mathematics 2 Recommended Study Sequence Semester 1 HAY100 Psychology 100 HET102 Introductory Physiology HMA103 Statistics and Research Methods A Elective* (Choose one): HAH100 Introduction to Philosophy HAM113 Professional Communication Practice HAP100 Australian Politics HAS100 Sociology 1A (Introductory Sociology) HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management HES1510 Chemistry 1 HET124 Energy and Motion HIT2080 Introduction to Programming HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 Semester 2 HAY101 Psychology 101 HET133 Human Physiology HET148 Technology and Data Acquisition Elective* (Choose one): HAH103 Critical Thinking HAM105 The Media in Australia HAS101 Sociology 1B (Social Institutions and Social Change) HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management HES1525 Chemistry 2 HES1555 Consumer Science HMS112 Engineering Mathematics 2 Semester 3 HAY206 Developmental Psychology HET219 Neurological Monitoring HET227 Neurophysiology HMA278 Design and Measurement 2 Semester 4 HAY205 Cognition and Human Performance HET226 Sensory Systems HET231 Perception and Motor Systems HMA279 Design and Measurement 3 Optional IBL year# HSW050 Industry-Based Learning# HSW055 Industry-Based Learning# Semester 5 HAY308 The Psychology of Personality HAY303 Psychology Project A HET527 Sleep and Attention HET528 Higher Cortical Functions Semester 6 HAY307 Social Psychology HAY321 Abnormal Psychology HAY305 Psychology Project B HET631 Abnormal Psychophysiology Note: In addition to the above, students must complete compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Currculum is generally recommended to occur in second year, but in exceptional circumstances may be studied in Semester 5 or Semester 6. * Electives will be offered subject to a sufficient number of enrolments. # The optional IBL program is not available to international students.
Industry-Based Learning:
Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/ The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.
Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/
The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.
Honours:
Outstanding Bachelor of Arts (Psychology/Psychophysiology) students have the option of undertaking a specialised additional year of study, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. Honours provides students with an opportunity to enhance their research ability and permits further studies and specialisation in their major discipline. Please see the entry for the Bachelor of Science (Psychophysiology) Honours and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) for details.
Education Abroad:
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the Psychology and Psychophysiology course have a unique blend of skills. The combination of psychological knowledge with understanding of the underlying physiological processes associated with stress, intelligence, memory, personality and psychiatric disorders, for example, gives entry to a wide range of jobs. Graduates of this course have been employed in neurophysiological areas of hospitals and in research areas of universities and research institutes within the private and public sectors, community health services, and clinics, and areas associated with sports psychology, ergonomics, psychophysiology and clinical psychology.
Professional recognition:
The three year undergraduate sequence in psychology at Swinburne is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). The honours year in psychology is an APS accredited fourth year.
Entry Requirements:
Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. 2008 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 & 4 - a study score of at least 20 in English (any) and a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (any), Psychology or Physics. All Non-Year 12 students (NONY12) should refer to the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au for further infomation.
ENTER:
2008 Round 1 Cleary-In ENTER: 76.25 (CSP), n/a (Fee)
Credit Transfer:
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of the course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences for further information.
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate students either a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or a full-fee paying place. The majority of domestic students will be offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), however students also have the option to accept a full-fee paying place. Domestic students are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa. All other students are considered international students. HELP The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent resident humanitarian visas. HELP consists of: HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $80,000 indexed annually). OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel. Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Scholarships:
For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships
Application Procedure:
Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). VTAC code: 34461 (CSP), 34462 (Fee), 34463 (Int. Fee) For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au
Information Sessions:
2008 Open Day Sunday 17 August 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses. For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday
2008 Open Day
Sunday 17 August
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.
For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday
Further information:
Submit an Online Enquiry Tel: 1300 368 777 Email: study@swinburne.edu.au Faculty of Life and Social Sciences website
