Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title
M.Sci. Psychology and Psychological Practice Full-time
Programme Code
8245
Delivery Location
Campus
Language of Study
English
Length of Programme
4 Year(s)
Accreditations
British Psychological Society
Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to provide a broad, fundamental and practical education in the discipline of psychology which is informed by staff research interests and requirements for careers in applied psychology and psychology-informed disciplines. This is achieved by (i) covering approaches to the study of psychology which range from the observations of basic neural mechanisms to the analysis of complex human relationships including those in an applied setting, (ii) interpreting contemporary empirical findings from a series of different theoretically grounded perspectives and (iii) establishing theoretical and practical bases for careers in applied psychology and psychology-informed disciplines. The programme involves: (i) coverage of the core areas of psychology, that is biological, cognitive, developmental, personality and individual differences, and social psychology, (ii) training in research methods leading to competence in research design, data collection, analysis, statistics, interpretation and report writing, (iii) in depth study of optional specialised topics which are at the cutting edge of research, (vi) specialist training in theoretical and practical aspects of applied psychology. Students are thus equipped with discipline-specific knowledge to appreciate and critically evaluate theory, research findings and their applications; to undertake independent, supervised research and to acquire transferable, employment related skills. On completion of the programme students have the skills and necessary preparation for professional training and further academic study being recognised by the British Psychological Society as conferring Graduate Basis for Registration Chartered Membership (GBC).
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of:
Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods:
and assessed using the following methods:
The principal, theoretical underpinnings and approaches to the modern, empirically based study of psychology.
The existing scholarship in psychology and how to relate it to pure and applied problems within the discipline.
The range of influences on psychological functioning and how they are conceptualised across the core areas.
The key issues dealt with by the five core areas of psychology, that is, in biological, cognitive, developmental, social psychology and individual differences.
The different methodologies of psychological investigation including the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods.
How to carry out an extensive piece of independent empirical research including how to: define a research problem, formulate testable hypotheses, choose appropriate methodologies, plan and carry out a study efficiently, discuss findings in terms of previous research, evaluate limitations of methodologies and analyses employed.
The theoretical and practical use of a variety of psychological tools including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments.
An appreciation of how psychological principles are applied in a range of professions and workplace contexts
For Diploma of Higher Education (at least 240 credits of which 100 must be at level 2 or above) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, apply
For Certificate of Higher Education (at least 120 credits at Level 1 or above) 1, 2, 3 apply.
A more limited number of specialised areas of psychology at a deeper level, which are at the cutting edge of research.
Specialised knowledge of applied psychology at a deeper level.
To be able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and understanding outlined above by being able to retain, recall, explain, apply and critically evaluate body of knowledge without access to externa materials.
1-4: Tutorials, lectures, seminars, practicals, experiment workshops, research projects, private directed study embedded in all parts of the course, and the applied psychology placement 5: Lectures and practicals in research method modules, experiment workshops, Year 3 research project. 6: Practicals in research method modules, experiment workshops, Year 3 research project. 7: Practicals in research method modules, experimental workshops, Year 3 research project. 8: Same as 1 - 5. 9: Same as 1 - 3. 10: Lectures, seminars and private directed study at Years 3 and 4, Year 3 research project and Year 4 work placement. 11: Lectures, seminars, workshops, research projects. 12: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, research placement, research projects. 13: Student-lead discussions in seminars, lectures and private directed study at Years 3 and 4.
1-4: Essays, class tests, examinations, written reports and oral presentations of practicals, workshops, and research projects, non-essay coursework in Year 3 (research proposals, discussion minutes, media reports), discussion leading in Year 4. 5: Class test, examination, written report and oral presentation of practicals, workshops and research projects. 6: Written report and oral presentation of practicals, workshops and research projects. 7: Written report and oral presentation of practicals, workshops and research projects. 8: Same as 1 - 5. 9: Same as 1 - 3. 10: Essays, class tests, examinations, written reports and oral presentations of research projects, non-essay coursework in Year 3 (research proposals, discussion minutes, media reports). 11: Course work (e.g., research proposals, CVs), mock interviews, examination, written reports and oral presentations of research projects. 12: Reports of workshops, practicals, research placements and research projects in various formats (written reports, oral presentations, poster presentations). 13: Coursework essays, examination, reports of research seminars (Year 4)
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes:
Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods:
and assessed using the following methods:
To be able to communicate effectively with psychologists and non-psychologists in written reports, seminar presentations and informal discussion.
Use of computers for word processing, data management, and statistical analysis and use the internet as a learning, research and communication tool.
To retrieve and organise primary source material, viewing it analytically and subjecting it to critical evaluation, integrating different perspective on issues and problems, prior to drawing conclusions.
To undertake self directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives
To work productively with others on tasks involving psychology while also developing the necessary skills to work independently.
To work effectively in professional settings in applied psychology and/or psychology-informed disciplines.
To be able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and understanding outlined in sections 21.1 – 21.10 of the Programme Specification by being able to retain, recall, explain, apply and critically evaluate body of knowledge without access to external materials
1:Preparation of project reports and deliver of project talks, oral and poster presentations in research methods classes, course work in Year 3 and Year 4, and placement tasks 2: Research methods classes for statistics and for developing IT skills, private direct study at Year 3 and Year 4, which requires extensive use of Web resources such as E-journals, research projects, which requires data management and statistical analysis. 3: Embedded within all aspects of teaching and learning in the programme. 4: Embedded in most aspects of the programme but most apparent in modules in Year 3 and Year 4 which have substantial defined private directed study components and in research project, and in management of the placement 5: The development of skills to work independently is embedded in most aspects of the programme but note that practical classes and some tutorial tasks in research methods require group work, and in Year 4 there is a student-led workshop facilitation, and review of working with others as part of the placement 6: Work placement in Year 4 in an area of applied psychology or psychology-informed discipline (e.g., SEN (special educational needs) professionals). 7: Embedded within all aspects of teaching and learning in the programme
1: Project / placement reports and project / placement talks, oral and poster presentations in research method classes, course work in Year 3 Year 4 including assessment of media report, research proposal and discussion minutes, and facilitating a workshop 2: Class tests for statistics, course work assessments, Year 3 research project. 3: Embedded in all assessments within the programme. 4: Embedded in most aspects of the assessments but most apparent in modules in Years 3 and 4, which have substantial defined private directed study components. 5: The development of skills to work independently is rewarded in most aspects of assessment, and especially important for Year 3 project and the Year 4 placement. The group work undertaken in practical classes in research methods are assessed by group oral and poster presentation, and in Year 4 modules are assessed by individual and group presentations as well as performance on the placement, 6: Placement evaluation by the academic and placement supervisors, Oral presentation about the placement, written practice reports based on placement work 7: Unseen examinations
