University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2016/17 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Psychological Science > Psychology (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PSYC001U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Jan Noyes
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Psychological Science |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). (http://www.bps.org.uk/) |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Psychology (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student's interest, scientific knowledge, and understanding of the mind, brain, behaviour and experience. Multiple perspectives are presented enabling students to develop a critical evaluation of the complex interactions between different areas of psychology. Students develop a thorough understanding of the role of empirical evidence in the formation of theory and how theory guides the collection and interpretation of empirical data. This is achieved by acquiring a range of research skills and methods for investigating psychological topics that culminates in the conduct of an independent research project. The knowledge and techniques developed also lead to an ability to appreciate and evaluate theory, research findings, and their function in understanding theoretical ideas and the real life applications of psychology. The wide range of transferable skills acquired is highly valued by employers and provides an excellent preparation for a number of careers and further postgraduate study in psychology.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Lectures, individual and group seminars, and individual presentations of students. Tutorials across years, laboratory work in small groups in Years 1 and 2, and a major project in Year 3. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen examinations (1-5, 8), assessed coursework (1-5,7,8), experiment write-ups (5, 7) oral presentation and discussion (1-5) and a Year 3 empirical project (2-8). Although 6 is not formally assessed in isolation, it forms a component in the assessment of experimental and project work (5). All students must submit a successful Faculty ethics application before beginning their project work |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Lectures, group seminars, and individual presentations of students. Tutorials across years, laboratory work in small groups in Years 1 and 2, and a major project in Year 3. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen examinations (1-5, 7), assessed coursework (1-4, 6), experiment write-ups (5, 7) and a Year 3 empirical project (2-7). Although 7 is not formally assessed in isolation, it forms a component in the assessment of experimental and project work, and in the formulation of answers in coursework and examinations (5). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Lectures, group seminars, and individual presentations of students. Tutorials across years, laboratory work in small groups in Years 1 and 2, and a major project in Year 3. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen examinations (1-3, 5-6, 11), assessed coursework (1-4, 5-6. 11), experimental write-ups (5, 7) and a Year 3 empirical project (2-10). |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
There are 100 credits of mandatory units at Level 4 that are designed to enable the student to acquire, and be conversant with, core aspects of research methods, research skills, conducting psychological experiments, theories and perspectives in biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology. Students are initially provided with clear guidance on how to identify, locate and use materials from a wide range of sources. Comprehensive references are provided for each unit at the outset, as are guidelines for the production of written work. Oral communication skills are developed primarily within tutorials and laboratory related work. Students are expected to understand and demonstrate the scientific underpinnings of psychology, its historical origins, development and limitations and an awareness of the ethical context of psychological research. Students are also expected to demonstrate good communication skills by written, oral and visual means. Students are given formative feedback on their presentation skills within the tutorial system in preparation for summative assessment at I level. An integral component of work at this level is basic statistical competence and the integration of this with the report of laboratory experiments. Students can take 20 credits of open units in other Schools in the University. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
All 120 credits are mandatory and are designed to continue the development of a more in-depth knowledge in all the above areas where students are expected to take a more critical stance to the theories, findings and approaches to the discipline. There is a progression from initially supported and guided study to more active forms of self-learning. They are expected to be able to reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence and adopt multiple perspectives. Students are expected to demonstrate a shift from knowledge to conceptual understanding, competence in research skills and a broad range of statistical methods through practical laboratory activities, be able to work effectively individually and in groups, and be able to prepare and deliver oral presentations and discuss this work with their peers |
Level H/6 - Honours |
All 120 credits are taken in Psychology. There are two mandatory units: 40 credit unit (independent research project) and a 20 credit unit on Contemporary Issues in Psychology. The remaining 60 credits are selected from optional units. The emphasis on independent active learning and self-directed study in the acquisition of both generic and specific skills reaches its conclusion. Students are expected to have acquired detailed and extensive knowledge of several specialised areas and applications of psychology, some of which are at the cutting-edge of the discipline, research paradigms, research methods and measurement techniques (including statistical analysis) and be aware of their limitations. They are also expected to be able to analyse systematically the relationships between multiple perspectives in the light of theory and evidence, show incisive critical evaluation, an impressive grasp of theory and creative insight. These skills are expected to be demonstrated in well-presented and structured discussion of topics in all assessed work. Students are also expected to initiate, design, conduct, and report an empirically based project under appropriate supervision by an individual member of academic staff. Demonstration of ethical issues in connection with project work and applied units is also expected. Oral presentation skills are further enhanced through the preparation and delivery of two individual oral presentations, and leading the subsequent discussion, in the Contemporary Issues in Psychology unit |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the academic year. This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials and practical classes. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as eBiolabs pre- and post-lab quizzes, practical class reports and project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study.
Wednesday afternoons are set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the examinations held in January and May/June, respectively. Should you be unsuccessful in the examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in August/September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations.
The biomedical sciences BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where 10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order to achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
The mission is to train undergraduates in the scientific understanding of the human mind in a School in which teaching is research led. The British Psychological Society accredits the degree and regular reviews are conducted to ensure that accredited degrees continue to reach the necessary standards.
The School Office Tel: +44(0)117 9288475 http://www.bristol.ac.uk/expsych/
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Foundations of Psychology | PSYC10004 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Introduction to Psychological Experiments and Statistics | PSYC10002 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Myths and Misconceptions about Psychology | PSYC10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
20 credit points of Open Units | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Cognitive Psychology | PSYC20002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1B |
Developmental Psychology and Language | PSYC20003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
Social Psychology and Individual Differences | PSYC20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Biological Psychology | PSYC20004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2D |
Intermediate Psychological Experiments and Statistics | PSYC20005 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Research Project Major | PSYC31013 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Contemporary Issues in Psychology | PSYC30016 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1B,TB-2C |
Students take three units from the following list: | ||||
Issues in Social Psychology | PSYC30017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2C |
Nutrition and Behaviour | PSYC31052 | 20 | Optional | TB-1B |
Evolutionary Psychology | PSYC30001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1A |
Genes and Behaviour | PSYC30018 | 20 | Optional | TB-1B |
Drug Use and Addiction | PSYC30020 | 20 | Optional | TB-1A |
Psychology of Language | PSYC31051 | 20 | Optional | TB-2C |
Neuropsychiatry | PSYC31053 | 20 | Optional | TB-2C |
Psychology (BSc) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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