DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY Brandon University Faculty of Science This document is meant as a planning guide only. Students are advised to consult with the Chair of the Department if they have specific questions about the program. Department of Psychology Phone (204) 727-9677 Fax (204) 728-7346 www.brandonu.ca/psychology Program Goals Our goal is to provide students with a science-based program that reveals the breadth of the many content areas of the discipline and, at the same time, allows exploration of the many applied aspects of psychology. In order to achieve this goal, our program: emphasizes the scientific foundations of psychology, generally arising from o a review of history, theoretical foundations, and up-to-date literature within all content areas in our program. o systematic examination of research design, methodology, analysis, interpretation, and communication. provides students with a. exposure to the breadth of content areas within psychology. b. exposure to current, applied content areas in psychology. c. research opportunities for honours students. d. peer tutoring opportunities and research assistantships for majors in our program. Key Learning Outcomes Fundamental learning outcomes in the psychology program include the ability to: understand and distinguish between the ways in which key theories describe and explain human behaviour. review, summarize, and critically evaluate psychological research. create, manage, analyze and interpret data from psychological research. understand and apply principles that guide ethical research and practice. Understand and identify the many factors that influence human behavior. understand and appreciate the contexts within which psychological research findings can be applied. apply psychological theory and content to personal goals, abilities and interactions with others. collaborate effectively with peers.
Programs We have a 3-year, 4-year and 4-year Honours major program in psychology. These programs can be completed as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Distinctions Between Programs 3-year degree: students complete at least 1 course from each content block 4-year degree: students complete at least 2 courses from each content block, PLUS 6 additional credit of psychology courses. 4-year Honours degree: students complete at least 2 courses from each content block, PLUS o 6 additional credit of psychology courses. o 12 credit in the Honours block including a 6 credit hour Honours Thesis. o to enter the Honours program, students must successfully complete Advanced Statistics and Experimental Design with a grade of at least C+. Our Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs differ in one fundamental way: o Students completing a BSc must complete their minor in one of the disciplines in Science that reflect the research foundations in psychology: biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics. The department has recently introduced an Applied Psychology stream for students interested in courses that explore the applied component of our discipline. All of these courses, with the exception of Counselling II emphasize the research underlying application of psychological principles to a variety of human problems and concerns.
Courses 3 year Required Courses (12 credit ) 12 12 12 82:160 Introduction to Psychology: Part I (3) 82:161 Introduction to Psychology: Part II (3) 82:250 Fundamentals of Research I (3) 82:251 Fundamental of Research II (3) Individual Differences Block (9 credit ) 6 6 6 82:361 Abnormal Psychology (3) 82:362 Theories of Personality (3) 82:370 Psychological Assessment (3) Social Psychology Block (9 credit ) 3 6 6 82:262 Introduction to Social Psychology (3) 82:363 Prejudice, Stereotyping, & Discrimination (3) 82:464 Motivation (3) Biological Psychology Block (9 credit ) 3 6 6 82:266 Introduction to Biological Psychology (3) 82:467 Biological Psychology (3) 82:468 Perception (3) Information Processing Block (9 credit ) 3 6 6 82:387 Classical & Instrumental Conditioning (3) 82:388 Human Learning & Cognitive Psychology (3) 82:477 Study of Memory (3) Developmental Psychology Block (12 credit ) 3 6 6 82:274 Child Psychology (3) 82:275 Adolescent Psychology (3) 82:356 Psychology of Aging (3) 82:457 Aging and Mental Health (3) Honours Block (12 credit ) 0 0 12 82:350 Advanced Statistics & Research Methods in Psychology (3) 82:384 History of Psychological Ideas (3) 82:449 Undergraduate Honours Thesis (6) PLUS: 2 additional Psychology courses at 400 level 0 6 6 Total Credit Hours in Psychology 30 48 60 B.Sc. Route Students must complete the requirements for a minor in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science, or Physics and Astronomy B.A. Route Students select minor. Plus: Liberal Education requirement. Plus: minor requirement Plus: Additional Elective credit Students must achieve grade point average of 2.0 for Major requirement; *Honours - 3.0 for major requirement. Student must achieve grade point average of 2.0 for graduation requirement; *Honours 2.5 for graduation requirement. Honours*
Applied Psychology Stream In all programs of study in Psychology, 3-Year Major, 4-Year Major, and 4-Year Major (Honours), student may choose to complete an Applied Stream. The following courses are designated for the Applied Stream: Designated Courses 3 year Honours 82:272 Organizational Psychology (3) 82:276 Behaviour Analysis (3) Complete Complete Complete 82:279 Psychology of Sport (3) 2 at 3 at 3 at 82:282 Environmental Psychology (3) 200 Level 200 level 200 level 82:270 Psychology and Health (3) & & & 82:374 Counselling Psychology I (3) 2 at 3 at 3 at 82:375 Counselling Psychology II (3) 300 level 300 level 300 level 82:369 Psychosocial Factors in Health Care and Management of Illness (3) Complete Complete Complete Outcomes of programs Students graduating with a degree in psychology will attain an understanding of the scientific methods used in psychology through courses in research design and analysis. Honours students complete additional courses in research design and analysis that will provide them with greater understanding of these issues. Students graduating with a 3 year degree in psychology will have foundational knowledge in five key areas of psychology: Psychology of Individual Differences, Social Psychology, Biological Psychology, Psychology of Information Processing, and Developmental Psychology. Students graduating with a general degree in psychology will have in-depth knowledge in five key areas of psychology: Psychology of Individual Differences, Social Psychology, Biological Psychology, Psychology of Information Processing and Developmental Psychology. Students graduating with an Honours degree in psychology will have in-depth knowledge of five key areas of psychology: Psychology of Individual Differences, Social Psychology, Biological Psychology, Psychology of Information Processing and Developmental Psychology. the skills to carry out an independent research project and be prepared for further studies in psychology at the master s or at the doctoral level.
Students who choose to incorporate the applied stream into their degree will have knowledge regarding theory and research in at least three of the following applied areas: Organizational Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Sports Psychology Counselling Psychology and Health Psychology. Career opportunities with a Bachelor s Degree in Psychology Graduates with a general or Honours degree in Psychology have a variety of career opportunities such as working with people who have physical and/or psychological challenges within the health care system, schools and businesses. Graduates with an Honours degree could also use their knowledge and skills in a number of ways including data collection, survey administration and/or interviewing in a variety of different applied and research environments. A 3 year or a degree in psychology can be used as a stepping stone towards further studies at a professional school such as counselling, law, education, medical rehabilitation, speech-language pathology, social work, psychiatric nursing, and business administration. An Honors degree in psychology opens up opportunities for students beyond those of the general degree. Graduates with a Honours degree can pursue their interest in psychology at the Master s or at a Doctoral level specializing in one of the many areas of psychology. Subsequently these individuals have employment opportunities in a variety of settings including health care, social services, various levels of government, research centers or universities.