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Services & Supports
Admissions Office
Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies & Philosophy:
Psychology
MH106 - BA (Level 8 Honours)
Entrance requirements |
2HC3 + 4OD3, English, Irish + a third language |
Duration |
3 year BA |
Points 2009 |
500 |
Cannot be combined with |
Business, Greek, History, Statistics |
FETAC link |
No |
Course Outline |
First Year
- Biological and Developmental Psychology - History and Methodology of Psychological Research - Cognitive and Social Psychology - Research Design and Statistics |
Second Year
- Biological Bases of Behaviour - Thought, Language and Social Cognition - Perception and Memory - Personality and Intelligence - Learning, Language and Development - Statistical, Computing and Methodological Applications for Psychology |
Third Year
- Conceptual, Philosophical and Professional Issues in Psychology - Social Psychology: Conceptual and Applied Issues - Abnormal Psychology - Developmental Psychology: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives - Advanced Concepts and Issues in Psychology I & II - Independent Research Project and General Examination |
Psychology is the science of human behaviour and experience. Psychologists attempt to explain emotions, thoughts and behaviour. Some devote themselves to practical issues, such as: How should parents deal with their child's temper tantrums? Why do some students do better in exams than others? How can you help someone to overcome a fear of public speaking? Other psychologists focus on more theoretical questions, such as: Can apes learn to use human language? Are serial killers born or made? How are memories stored in the brain?
As a student, you will begin to explore issues such as these, learning to support an argument with the rigours of scientific testing. Indeed, the main aim of the undergraduate programme is to encourage the objectivity and detachment needed to study psychology as a science. You will learn to use research methods including observation, measurement, hypothesis testing, experimentation, and logical inference. You will also learn to use statistical analysis and to develop writing and communication skills.
Course Structure
As a Single Honours BA degree, Psychology is taken with two other subjects in First Year. Students take Psychology only in Second and Third Year.
At the end of First Year, students who do not wish to proceed with the denominated degree in Psychology have the option to continue their two other Arts subjects to degree level.
A Bachelor of Science Psychology degree is also available.
Career Options
The BA Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. For those who wish to become professional psychologists, the undergraduate degree is only the first stage in professional training that will require an additional two to six years of study and supervised experience. As a psychologist, a wide range of career opportunities are available. Clinical, counselling and health psychologists provide assessment, therapy and consulting services in health care and occupational settings and in private practice. Educational psychologists are involved in assessment and intervention within the education setting. Occupational psychologists often work for large companies in consultancy and in management training centres. Forensic (criminological and legal) psychologists work in penal establishments. Sports and exercise psychologists work with sports participants from amateur to elite levels.
Students who do not wish to pursue a career as a professional psychologist will benefit from the scientific rigour of the degree, along with developing research and communication skills. Many other professions including marketing, sales, community services, public policy and administration, call for these skills.
Postgraduate Options
- MSc
- PhD
Department of Psychology |
Dr. Deirdre Desmond Tel: 01 708 6479 Fax: 01 708 4767 Email: deirdre.desmond@nuim.ie http://psychology.nuim.ie |