University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

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Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Unit outlines will be available though Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.
 

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Students must complete 60 credit points consisting of:
(a) 24 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(b) 24 credit points of 3000-level selective units
(c) 12 credit points of 39XX-level or 4000-level selective units
2000-level units
PSYC2012 Statistics and Research Methods for Psych

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rebecca Pinkus Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3 x 1 hour lectures per week for 6 weeks (even weeks) and 2 x 1 hour lectures per week for the remaining 7 weeks (odd weeks); 1 x 2 hour tutorial per week (12 weeks) Prerequisites: PSYC1001 OR PSYC1002 Assumed knowledge: Recommended: HSC Mathematics, any level Assessment: One 2 hour final exam, research participation, plus a combination of in class tests, in-semester exam, and/or a written assignment (100%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
The aim is to introduce students to fundamental concepts in statistics and research design as applied to psychological research. These include summary descriptive statistics, an introduction to the principles and practice of research design (both quantitative and qualitative approaches), and the use of inferential statistics. Building upon this framework, the unit of study aims to develop each student's expertise in understanding the rationale for, and application of, a variety of statistical tests to the sorts of data typically obtained in psychological research.
PSYC2015 Brain and Behavioural Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ian Johnston Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3 x 1 hour lectures/week x 13 weeks; 1 x 1 hour tutorial/week x 12 weeks Prerequisites: PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2915 Assessment: In-class debate (5%), tutorial quiz (15%), scientific report proposal (10%), scientific report (20%), final exam (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This course is designed for students who would like to learn about the core concepts of clinical and biobehavioural psychology, and their applications to therapies, organisations, and an individual's behaviour. The emphasis is on behaviour, emotions, and motivational processes. You will learn how to analyse the environmental cause of behaviours, and how to use reinforcements, punishments and incentives to modify and motivate behaviour. Clinical Psychology will focus on emotional and motivational disorders, such as anxiety and depression, addiction, sexual disorders, and eating disorders. The way in which these processes arise and are shaped in people will be presented in the section on Developmental Psychology. Neuroscience will focus on the evolutionary, genetic, neurobiological, and pharmacological mechanisms underlying the phenomena taught in the other sections. The practical classes are designed for students with an interest in clinical and therapeutic Psychology, and will train students to design and implement a behaviour modification programme.
PSYC2915 Brain and Behavioural Psychology (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ian Johnston Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3 x 1 hour lectures/week x 13 weeks; 1 x 1 hour tutorial/week x 12 weeks Prerequisites: A mark of 75 or greater in PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2010 or PSYC2015 Assessment: Scientific written report proposal (10%) Scientific written report (20%), a tutorial quiz (15%), an in-class debate (5% participation mark), and the final exam (50%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This advanced-level course is designed for students who would like to learn about the core concepts of clinical and biobehavioural psychology. The advanced unit has the same overall concepts as the mainstream unit but the practical material offers a greater level of challenge and academic rigour. The emphasis of the lectures is on behaviour, emotions, and motivational processes. You will learn how to analyse the environmental causes of behaviours, and how to use reinforcements, punishments and incentives to modify and motivate behaviour. Clinical Psychology will focus on emotional and motivational disorders, such as anxiety and depression, addiction, sexual disorders, and eating disorders. The way in which these processes arise and are shaped in people will be presented in the section on Developmental Psychology. Neuroscience will focus on the evolutionary, genetic, neurobiological, and pharmacological mechanisms underlying the phenomena taught in the other sections. Students enrolled in the advanced stream will participate in different practical exercises with a focus on research methods used to examine the links between the brain and behaviours, emotions, cognitions, and their disorders. Students will design and conduct their own neuropsychology experiment.
PSYC2016 Perception, Cognition, and Intelligence

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Bart Anderson Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 x 1hour lectures, 1x 1hr tutorials Prerequisites: PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 Assessment: Research report (35%), Quiz (15%), Exam (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
In this unit of study, you will study three of the core topics of Psychology: Perception, Cognition, and Intelligence. Our sensory systems generate our experience of our bodies and what exists in the world. In the perception component, you will learn how our sensory systems influence our ability to act in the world and the conditions and consequences of perceptual errors. The cognition component of the course will focus on the theoretical and methodological issues that arise in how we attend to, remember, think, problem solve, and make decisions, and consider the consequences of how biases and heuristics influence our choices. The intelligence component will explore the historical evolution of the concept of intelligence, issues in its measurement, the relationship to concepts of creativity, emotional intelligence, and the influence of the environment. You will participate in inquiry-led tutorials that will reinforce and expand on concepts in the unit, and develop broad thinking skills to relate evidence to rational arguments and choices that can be applied to any problem solving domain.
PSYC2017 Personality and Social Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Fiona White Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 x 1 hour lectures/week for 13 weeks; 1 x 1 hour tutorial/week for 12 weeks, commencing in Week 2 Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 Assessment: Final exam (50%), essay/report (30%), written practical exercise/Tutorial Quiz (15%), Research participation (5%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
All of us observe our social worlds and try to understand why people behave, think, and feel as they do. In this unit you will study a number of influential theories, philosophical and empirical approaches in Personality and Social Psychology. You will examine key topics in the scientific assessment of personality, attitudes and emotions, including an introduction to psychometric testing (e. g. , validity and reliability) in Personality and Social Psychology. Specifically, in the Personality component you will be exposed to conceptual analysis and will be expected to examine critically theories from the Psychodynamic, Behaviourist, Humanist, Social Cognitive and Psychometric traditions. In the Social Psychology component you will examine salient social constructs such as social influence, the causes of prejudice and possible reduction strategies, and explore how cognitive processes affect social judgment and behaviour. In this unit you will develop a broad understanding of the leading theories and research in the areas of Personality and Social Psychology.
3000-level units
(i) students who have not completed PSYC2015/2915 at the intermediate level, these 24 credit points must include PSYC3018. Students who want to be eligible for entry to the Honours program must also include PSYC3010.
(ii) students intending to take the theoretical thesis option in Psychology Honours, HPSC3023 is needed as a prerequisite.
PSYC3010 Advanced Statistics for Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Sabina Kleitman Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC2012 plus at least one other Intermediate Psychology Unit of Study from PSYC2010 and PSYC2910 and PSYC2011 and PSYC2911 and PSYC2013 and PSYC2014 and PSYC2015 and PSYC2915 and PSYC2016 and PSYC2017 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, class tests, practical exercises (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study expands upon students' knowledge of the general linear model and its applications in the analysis of data from psychological research. One half of the unit introduces students to contrast analysis and interaction analyses as an extension of ANOVA, which allows for more focused analysis of data where group comparisons are the primary interest. Another half focuses on multiple regression and its extensions, which are used when the primary interest is to predict or explain a particular variable based on a set of other variables.
Textbooks
Keith, Z. T. (2006). Multiple Regression and Beyond. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
PSYC3011 Learning and Behaviour

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Evan Livesey Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: (PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and PSYC2012 Prohibitions: PSYC3911 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one 2000 word prac report, tutorial quizzes (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit addresses the fundamental concepts and more important research findings related to contemporary theories of associative learning in animals and humans. It examines the application of such fundamental research to issues such as drug use and food choice. It is designed to foster skills in reading primary sources in this area, and provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in carrying out a research project.
Textbooks
Bouton, M. E. (2016). Learning and Behavior: A contemporary synthesis, 2nd edition. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer.
PSYC3911 Learning and Behaviour (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Evan Livesey Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x 1-hr lectures and 1x 2-hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: (A mark of 75 or above in PSYC2X10 or PSYC2X11 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and PSYC2012 Prohibitions: PSYC3011 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one 2500 word prac report, tutorial quizzes (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit addresses the fundamental concepts and more important research findings related to contemporary theories of associative learning in animals and humans. It examines the application of such fundamental research to issues such as drug use and food choice. It is designed to foster skills in reading primary sources in this area, and provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in carrying out a research project. In the advanced unit of study students will learn techniques to model learning and behaviour, and independently apply these skills to experimental data that they have collected.
Textbooks
Bouton, M. E. (2016). Learning and Behavior: A contemporary synthesis, 2nd edition. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer.
PSYC3012 Cognitive Psychology

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour practical per week. Prerequisites: PSYC2012 and (PSYC2013 or PSYC2016) Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one major essay/research report (2000-2500 words), practical exercise(s) (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit extends the theories and methods of investigating memory and attentional processes discussed in PSYC2013/PSYC2016 to consider a number of domains of higher cognitive processing including memory, language, categorisation, and reasoning. An integrating theme of the course will be how such cognitive capacities contribute to skilled behaviour and expertise across a range of domains of human behaviour, and how they are implemented in artificial intelligence systems. The practical program will expose students to a variety of the research methods used to investigate higher cognitive processes, develop their understanding of how these methods can be used to investigate hypotheses about mental processes and consider applications of cognitive research to real-world problems and issues.
PSYC3013 Perceptual Systems

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof David Alais Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: (PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2016) and PSYC2012 Prohibitions: PSYC3913 Assessment: One 2-hour exam, one 2000 word report, tutorial quiz, group presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Perception poses many challenges: how do we see colour and movement? How do we perceive surfaces and materials? How does combining information from multiple senses improve our perception? This unit draws on behavioural and neurophysiological perspectives to deepen understanding of current research topics in perception. The emphasis is on how visual information is processed to accomplish functions such as perceiving a single edge, extracting the contours that form a face, or the spatial relations needed to call offside on the sports field. Students also gain conceptual tools for evaluating the empirical and theoretical worth of recent research in perception. During the tutorial component of the course students will develop a practical experiment in which they formulate and test a hypothesis. In this way students gain important research experience that gives them valuable insight into the scientific process as it exists both in professional work and in the empirical research project required for Honours.
Textbooks
Sensation and Perception, Third Edition
PSYC3913 Perceptual Systems (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof David Alais Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x 1-hr lectures and 1x 2-hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: (A mark of 75 or above in PSYC2X10 or PSYC2X11 or PSYC2016) and PSYC2012 Prohibitions: PSYC3013 Assessment: One 2-hour exam, one 2000 word report, laboratory participation, group presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Perception poses many challenges: how do we see colour and movement? How do we perceive surfaces and materials? How does combining information from multiple senses improve our perception? This unit draws on behavioural and neurophysiological perspectives to deepen understanding of current research topics in perception. The emphasis is on how visual information is processed to accomplish functions such as perceiving a single edge, extracting the contours that form a face, or the spatial relations needed to call offside on the sports field. Students also gain conceptual tools for evaluating the empirical and theoretical worth of recent research in perception. During the tutorial component of the course students will develop a practical experiment in which they formulate and test a hypothesis. In this way students gain important research experience that gives them valuable insight into the scientific process as it exists both in professional work and in the empirical research project required for Honours. In the advanced unit of study students will be placed in laboratories and will learn research techniques while helping conduct experiments in these laboratories.
Textbooks
Sensation and Perception, Third Edition
PSYC3014 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Irina Harris Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: [(PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and 6 credit points from (PSYC2012 or PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 or PSYC2016 or PSYC2017)] OR [(PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and (ANAT2010 or ANAT2910)] Prohibitions: PSYC3914 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one major essay/report 2000-2500 words, tutorial quizzes and participation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study will focus on approaches to studying neurosciences incorporating molecular, pre-clinical and clinical models of brain function. These biological models of brain function will be linked with behavioural, affective and cognitive function and dysfunction. The implications of focal cognitive deficits in neurological patients for models of normal cognitive function will also be explored. Specific topics to be covered will be selected from the following areas: sensorimotor integration and the neural and molecular basis of learning and memory, attention, language, visual cognition and praxis. In addition to lectures, a practical component will cover basic neuroanatomy and neuroscientific methods. The practical component will also introduce students to experimental and neuropsychological approaches to studying the relationship between brain and behaviour.
PSYC3914 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience Adv

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Irina Harris Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures, and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: [A mark of 75 or above in (PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and 6 credit points from (PSYC2012 or PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 or PSYC2016 or PSYC2017)] OR [A mark of 75 or above in (PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and (ANAT2010 or ANAT2910)] Prohibitions: PSYC3014 Assessment: One 2 hour exam (end of semester), one quiz (mid-semester), one presentation, one written assignment (lab report), attendance and participation in tutorial/practical exercises (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study will focus on approaches to studying neurosciences incorporating molecular, pre-clinical and clinical models of brain function. These biological models of brain function will be linked with behavioural, affective and cognitive function and dysfunction. Specific topics to be covered will be selected from the following areas: sensorimotor integration, and the neural and molecular basis of learning and memory, attention, language, visual cognition and praxis. The lecture material will be the same as for PSYC3014, however, the practical class is targeted for those who would like to learn more about the experimental study of behaviour and the neurosciences. The practical component of the advanced stream will cover basic neuroanatomy, histology and neuropharmacology and will introduce students to experimental approaches to studying brain-behaviour relationships.
PSYC3015 Personality and Psychological Assessment

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Niko Tiliopoulos Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC2012 and (PSYC2014 or PSYC2017) Assessment: One 2 hour exam; one 2000-2500 word major essay/report, and in-class activities (e.g., tutorial presentations, in-class quizzes) (100%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study addresses current issues in personality, psychological testing, intelligence, and individual differences. Students are introduced to different theoretical models used in personality, intelligence, emotional intelligence, and metacognition and expected to critically evaluate these theories based on the supporting research evidence. This unit also presents different psychological testing techniques and methods.
PSYC3016 Developmental Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Micah Goldwater Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC2013 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915 Prohibitions: PSYC3916 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, 2000 word prac report, practical exercise(s) (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit examines our understanding of human psychological development, focusing on selected issues and empirical traditions within the discipline of Developmental Psychology. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the theoretical influences that have come to dominate developmental research, and students will also be introduced to a range of theoretical and research approaches in contemporary Developmental Science. These include: sense of identity, conceptual development, children's thinking, social cognition, moral reasoning and behaviour, and the role of genetic and environmental influences on development. The course will also consider applications of developmental research and theory in developmental psychopathology and in educational contexts, as well as exploring children's experience of art, literature and drama. Students are expected to gain knowledge of, and develop a critical approach to, the analysis of current research and theoretical issues in these areas.
PSYC3916 Developmental Psychology (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Micah Goldwater Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x 1-hr lectures and 1x 2-hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: A mark of 75 or above in (PSYC2013 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) Prohibitions: PSYC3016 Assessment: one 2 hour exam, 2000 word prac report, practical exercise(s) (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit examines our understanding of human psychological development, focusing on selected issues and empirical traditions within the discipline of Developmental Psychology. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the theoretical influences that have come to dominate developmental research, and students will also be introduced to a range of theoretical and research approaches in contemporary Developmental Science. These include: sense of identity and self-worth, conceptual development, children's thinking, social cognition, moral reasoning and behaviour, and the role of genetic and environmental influences on development. The course will also consider applications of developmental research and theory in developmental psychopathology and in educational contexts, as well as exploring children's experience of art, literature and drama. Students are expected to gain knowledge of, and develop a critical approach to, the analysis of current research and theoretical issues in these areas. In the advanced unit of study students will collect, score, and analyse the data from children participating in research projects in the School's Developmental Laboratories.
PSYC3017 Social Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ilan Dar-Nimrod Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour tutorial per most weeks. Prerequisites: PSYC2013 or PSYC2017 Assumed knowledge: Statistical knowledge equivalent to completing PSYC2012 Assessment: One 2-hour exam, one 2500 word research report (consisting of both group work and individually-written components), and tutorial presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit continues the coverage of topics in Social Psychology begun in PSYC1001 and PSYC2017. The unit is divided into topic areas, where the emphasis is on evaluating theories and the relevant evidence. Topics areas include among others: antisocial behaviours, discrimination, the self, emotion, cultural psychology, evolutionary psychology, and existential social psychology. Tutorials provide first-hand experience of research by involving students in a small group research project based on topics covered in the lectures. The tutorials also provide an opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to each step of the research process (e.g. ethical issues that underlie social psychological research, proper practice when collecting and handling data, how to communicate research findings in written and verbal form).
PSYC3018 Abnormal Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Marianna Szabo Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: (PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and (PSYC2014 or PSYC2017) Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one 2000 word essay, and tutorial quizzes (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study critically examines core issues in abnormal psychology, concerning the description, explanation and treatment of psychological disorders. The unit of study will include topics such as:
(a) Adult abnormal psychology: Anxiety and related disorders (specific phobias, panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD); Substance-related and Addictive disorders (drug, alcohol, gambling); Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa); Depressive disorders, Bipolar disorders; Schizophrenia, Personality disorders.
(b) Child abnormal psychology: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Conduct disorder; Anxiety disorders, Depression.
Textbooks
Rieger, E. (Ed.) (2014) Abnormal Psychology: Leading researcher perspectives. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Education. (3rd Ed).
PSYC3020 Applied Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Helen Paterson Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week Prerequisites: 12 credit points of 1000-level psychology units and 12 credit points of 2000-level Psychology units Prohibitions: PSYC3019 Assessment: One 2 hour examination (50%), one 2500 word written assignment (30%), class quizzes (20%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to various ways in which psychological theory and research can be applied in the real world. In particular, this unit will focus on Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, and Organisational Psychology. The Health Psychology component of this course may include investigation into why we engage in risky health behaviours including smoking, overeating and alcohol use; inequalities in health including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island health; dealing with chronic illness including death and dying, and survivorship. The Forensic Psychology component of the course may include investigation into lie detection, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and eyewitness memory. The Organisational Psychology component of the course may focus on personnel selection, training in organisations, performance measurement, workplace motivation, leadership and aspects of positive psychology.
HPSC3023 Psychology and Psychiatry: History and Phil

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Hans Pols and Dr Fiona Hibberd Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: (12 credit points of Intermediate HPSC units) OR (Credit or greater in an HPSC Intermediate unit) OR (12 Intermediate credit points in Psychology units) Assumed knowledge: HPSC2100 and HPSC2101 Assessment: 1x 2500wd essay (45%) and 1x2hr exam (45%) class participation (10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Across the unit we examine one of the most interesting aspects of the history and philosophy of science. viz., the scientific practices and assumptions involved in making human beings an object of study. We will examine the ways in which psychologists and psychiatrists have investigated human nature, the kinds of experimental approaches they have developed to that end, the major controversies in this field, and the basic philosophical assumptions that have been made in the sciences of human nature. We investigate the developments of psychological theories and investigative methods as well as the development of psychiatric theory, treatment methods, and institutions.
4000-level units
Students may request permission to substitute a 3900-level unit for one of the units below
PSYC4000 Foundations of Professional Psychology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Stephen Touyz Session: Intensive August Classes: 1 x 2 hour lectures x 7 weeks, 1 x 2 hour practical x 6 weeks Prerequisites: [24cp of PSYC3XXX including PSYC3010] or [18cp of PSYC3XXX including PSYC3010 and (HPSC3023 or SCPU3001)] Assessment: Written assignment (30%); tutorial quizes (20%); 2hr exam (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Departmental Permission is required
Foundations of Professional Psychology is designed to equip you with the knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills that provide the foundation for professional practice in psychology. It will build upon the background in psychological science established in the undergraduate Psychology program to develop your understanding and capacity for critical evaluation of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the construction, implementation and interpretation of major cognitive and personality assessment instruments, and the development and implementation of evidence-based psychological interventions. Through the lectures, practical activities and assessments, you will also develop an understanding of current regulatory and legal contexts, including the National Health Practitioner Regulation Act 2009, NSW, Co-Regulatory Jurisdiction Standards, and mandatory reporting requirements. You will also be introduced to the Australian National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce. Lectures on ethical practice will cover key issues in the psychology profession's Code of Conduct including Professional Relationships and the importance of confidentiality, informed consent and record keeping. The implications of cultural diversity and the factors that need to be considered in culturally informed practice will also be illustrated and evaluated. This unit will meet the accreditation criteria for Honours programs in Psychology and provide students with the essential foundations for psychological practice in a range of contexts.
Textbooks
All resources will be made available through the Canvas LMS UoS site
PSYC4003 Health Psychology

This unit of study is not available in 2020

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ilona Juraskova Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1-hour Lecture and 2-hour Tutorial per week x 13 weeks. Prerequisites: 12cp of PSYC3XXX units of study Assumed knowledge: Students who have not completed PSYC3020 may be required to do additional reading Assessment: Major essay (30%), poster (20%), poster presentation (20%), final exam (30%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Departmental Permission is required
Health psychology is a rapidly developing sub-discipline of psychology, underlined by a growing number of people affected by, or caring for someone with, a physical and/or mental health condition. Health psychologists examine how biological, psychological, and social/cultural factors affect health, illness, and recovery, and recognise health is more than the absence of disease. Health Psychology is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of the promotion and maintenance of health; causes and detection of illness; prevention and treatment of illness; and, improvement of healthcare systems and policy. You will develop advanced understanding of the: impact of acute/chronic/terminal illness on patients and their families; application of psychological theories and methods to assess patient/caregiver outcomes; importance of health literacy and effective clinician-patient-family communication; and, gain skills in the development, evaluation and implementation of interventions to improve patient and caregiver wellbeing. This unit will challenge you to critically evaluate social, cultural, and political aspects of health disparities in Australia, and explore ways to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups in society. At the completion of the unit you will be able to contribute to the development and delivery of evidence-based healthcare programs aimed at addressing current healthcare needs and challenges, particularly in vulnerable populations.