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Services & Supports
Admissions Office
Faculty of Science & Engineering :
Psychology through Science
MH209 - BSc (Level 8 Honours)
Entrance requirements |
2HC3 + 4OD3, English, Irish, OD3/HD3 in Mathematics, OD3/HD3 in a Science subject (i.e. Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry) |
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Duration |
4 years |
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Points 2009 |
460 |
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Cannot be combined with |
Second Year: Mathematical Physics |
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FETAC link |
No |
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Course Outline |
First Year
Mandatory mentoring programme and optional lectures (see Course Structure). |
Second Year
- Biological and Developmental Psychology - History and Methodology of Psychological Research - Cognitive and Social Psychology - Research Design and Statistics |
Third 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 |
Fourth Year
- Conceptual and Philosophical Issues in Psychology - Social Psychology: Conceptual and Applied Issues - Abnormal Psychology - Developmental Psychology: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives - Advanced Concepts and Issues in Psychology - 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 back them up 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
Psychology is taken as a Single Bachelor of Science degree.
In First Year, students take Mathematics and three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science,Experimental Physics, and Mathematical Physics. First Year students do not take Psychology, but they participate in a mandatory mentoring system designed to introduce the discipline of Psychology. Students have the option to attend Psychology lectures.
In Second Year, students take Psychology and two of their First Year subjects (except Mathematical Physics). Students taking Computer Science in Second Year must also take Mathematics.
In Third and Fourth Year, students take Psychology only.
At the end of First and Second Year, students who do not wish to proceed with Psychology will have the option of transferring to the MH201 Science programme.
A Bachelor of Arts Psychology degree is also available, see page 99 for details.
Career Options
For those who wish to become professional psychologists, the undergraduate degree is only the first stage in a professional training that will require an additional two to six years of study or supervised experience. As a psychologist, a wide range of career opportunities are available. Clinical, health and sports psychologists can be found in fitness and care industries; educational psychologists work in schools and special schools; occupational psychologists are to be found in management, personnel, training, and careers services; forensic (or criminological and legal) psychologists work in penal establishments; and counselling psychologists work in private practice and occupational settings.
Students who do not wish to pursue a career as a professional psychologist will benefit from the scientific rigour of the degree, along with research and communication skills. Many other professions call for these skills, including marketing, sales, community services, public policy, and administration.
Postgraduate Options
- MLitt
- PhD
Department of Psychology
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Dr. Sean Commins Tel: 01 708 4765 Fax: 01 708 6311 Email: psychology.dept@nuim.ie |