Introduction to BSc (Hons) in Psychology
Over the course of 3 years, there are 21 major modules, 12 minor modules and 2 dissertations.
Major modules are modules that are based on psychology such as 'History of Psychology' and 'Psychology Laboratories'.
The minor modules are elective classes. These classes are also part of the Arts course. You choose 2 modules from a selection of 9. In 2nd year, you drop one of these modules to focus on the other which continues into 3rd year.
List of Modules
Year 1 - Semester 1
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Develop an appreciation of how psychology can be used to understand human behaviour. It will introduce students to the main theories, concepts and ideas used within psychology and provide an overview of the different areas of psychology and their relationship to human behaviour. |
| History of Psychology | 5 | This module aims to introduce students to the historical and philosophical origins of psychological thought and research Highlight significant contributions in the psychology time line Provide an overview of the key people and ideas that shape modern psychology. |
| Introduction to Statistical Analysis and Design | 5 | This module aims to: Introduce the student to the main quantitative research methods, designs and ethical principles used by psychologists Provide the student with a global framework to understanding independent and within group designs Describe and Explore Data Describe the Normal Distribution Introduce basic concepts in probability, Sampling distributions and Hypothesis Testing. |
| Introduction to Psychological Research Methods | 5 | This module aims to introduce students to the field of psychological academic study and to think in a critical manner. Particular focus will be placed upon improving each student's skills of argument, comprehension and academic writing specific to the field of psychological research. |
| Minor Subject 1 Module 1 | 5 | See details below |
| Minor Subject 2 Module 1 | 5 | See details below |
Year 1 - Semester 2
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Biological Psychology | 5 | The aim of this module is to provide students with a foundation in psychobiology and neuroscience and in particular an understanding of the relationship between the brain and behaviour, including how physiological and biological processes of the body contribute to various aspects of behaviour and psychology. |
| Developmental Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Introduce students to the main theories, methods and concepts used to understand human development. Explain the main developmental tasks facing humans at different stages of the lifespan and outline the processes involved in psychological growth and change. Illustrate and examine the social, emotional, cognitive and behavioural factors influencing development throughout the lifespan. |
| Introduction to Cognition & Perception | 5 | This module aims to: Develop an understanding of the basic principles and areas in cognitive psychology Provide an understanding of the basic principles and areas in the psychology of perception Evaluate the link between perception and cognition |
| Introduction to Social Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Introduce students to the main concepts and ideas in social psychology and develop their ability to apply these ideas to modern social issues. |
| Minor Subject 1 Module 2 | 5 | See details below |
| Minor Subject 2 Module 2 | 5 | See details below |
Year 2 - Semester 1
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cognitive Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Provide in-depth review of key concepts, theories and findings in selected areas of human cognition. Critically consider the range of methods that can be used to study cognitive processes. Evaluate key factors that influence human cognition. |
| Individual Differences | 5 | This module aims to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the theories of personality and intelligence, their measurement and assessment and an examination of the general issues in psychometrics. |
| Intermediate Statistical Analysis & Design | 5 | This module aims to: Provide students with an advanced understanding of Sampling distributions and Hypothesis Testing Consider power and hypothesis testing Introduce simple Analysis of Variance Introduce Correlational techniques Introduce categorical data and Chi-square |
| Applied Research Methods | 5 | This module aims to give the student an appreciation of the different research methods used in psychology by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, the different methods of collecting and analysing data and the steps involved in identifying an appropriate research methodology. |
| Minor Subject Module 3 | 5 | See details below |
| Minor Subject Module 4 | 5 | See details below |
Year 2 - Semester 2
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Abnormal Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Introduce students to the main theoretical perspectives in the area of abnormal psychology across the lifespan. Provide a broad overview of the major abnormal psychological disorders. Develop an understanding of the risk factors and possible causes associated with psychological disorders. Describe the main treatment approaches used to treat these disorders. |
| Organisational Psychology | 5 | This module evaluates the contribution of psychology to aspects of work by providing students with a robust assessment of applied psychology in an organisational setting, drawing upon a range of psychological theories and models of human behaviour in a work related environment. |
| Advanced Statistical Analysis & Design | 5 | Aim: This module aims to: Provide students with an advanced understanding of correlational design through the application of simple and multiple linear regression. Advance the student's understanding of complex designs and parametric analyses through the application of ANOVA, ANCOVA, Factorial ANOVA, Repeated Measures and Mixed Design. Introduce Non-Parametric techniques and analyses. |
| Psychology Laboratories | 5 | This module aims to introduce students to the practical steps involved in designing and collecting data in psychology research. Students will be undertake empirical research, via practical laboratory sessions and become acquainted with computer software programmes (SPSS, NVIVO, Superlab and PEBL), in order to conduct and report research studies. |
| Minor Subject Module 5 | 5 | See details below |
| Minor Subject Module 6 | 5 | See details below |
Year 3 - Semester 1
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Social Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Build on and further develop students' understanding of the main theoretical frameworks used in social psychology. Demonstrate the importance of social norms in influencing how we think, feel and act towards ourselves and other people. Demonstrate the reciprocal interaction between social factors, cognitions and behaviour. Provide students with a critical understanding of how social factors influence real world phenomena and concerns. |
| Psychology & Crime | 5 | This module aims to: Introduce key approaches, concepts and techniques in criminological/forensic psychology. Evaluate and situate the role of psychology in understanding the factors that influence criminal behaviour. Critically consider key approaches to understanding crime. |
| Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology | 5 | This module aims to: Provide a foundational knowledge of neuroanatomy and neuropsychological disorders and their interrelationships. Introduce key approaches and experimental techniques applied in clinical and experimental neuropsychology. Review fundamental the principles linking neuroplasticity to neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation. |
| Dissertation: Psychology 1 | 5 | This module aims to provide students with the experience of ascertaining an issue in psychology that is amenable to investigation, formulating the research question, employing appropriate methods of investigation and successfully making a proposal to the School of Humanities Ethics Committee. |
| Minor Subject Module 7 | 5 | See details below |
| Minor Subject Module 8 | 5 | See details below |
Year 3 - Semester 2
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Counselling Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Introduce students to the key approaches, concepts and techniques in counselling psychology. Evaluate the main theoretical and conceptual approaches to therapy used in counselling psychology theory and practice. Critically consider and assess a reflective understanding of the key approaches to the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders. |
| Health Psychology | 5 | This module aims to: Consider the biological, social and cultural factors that contribute to illness and health behaviour Provide an understanding of how psychological science can be applied to the promotion and maintenance of physical health. To critically examine theoretical models explaining responses to health threats and health behaviour. |
| Dissertation: Psychology 2 | 10 | The dissertation module requires students to conceptualise a research question within the field of Psychology, as well as to design and implement a study that contributes to the illumination or resolution of the issues surrounding the question and/or problem. The module aims to provide students with the experience of ascertaining an issue in psychology that is amenable to investigation, employing appropriate methods of investigation and analysis and interpreting the results in light of relevant data collection and psychological theory. In particular this module aims to provide students with guidance on, selecting and accessing a research sample, primary data collection, data analysis and writing a comprehensive research report in the form of an academic thesis. |
| Minor Subject Module 9 | 5 | See details below |
| Minor Subject Module 10 | 5 | See details below |
Minor Modules
At the start of 1st year, you have to choose 2 minor modules to study. You can only pick one per column because of how they are timetabled.
The modules with an '*' have a recommendation to have completed the Leaving Certificate exams with a grade of H5 or have the equivalent skills.
| Subject Group 1 | Subject Group 2 | Subject Group 3 |
|---|---|---|
| English | French* | Irish* |
| Spanish (Beginners) | Law | Sociology |
| Spanish (Post Leaving Cert) | Religious Studies |
Minor Modules Details
| Module | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|
| English (Introduction to Fiction) | 5 | This module aims to explore the key elements of narrative and the interplay of various narrative elements, and introduce students to a range of texts, including short stories and novels. |
| Spanish Beginners 1 | 5 | This module aims to facilitate language learning for learners with no previous knowledge or study of Spanish at Beginners level across the key skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing and Cultural Competence to an achievement level of CEFR A1.1 (partial completion of CEFR A1) allowing participants to communicate effectively on a limited range of topics relating to everyday situations as per the module content. |
| Spanish Intermediate 1 (Post Leaving Cert) | 5 | This module aims to facilitate language learning for non Beginner learners of Spanish across the key skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing and Cultural Competence to an achievement level of CEFR B1.1 (partial completion of CEFR B1) allowing learners to maintain interaction and to communicate effectively in a range of contexts as per the module content. This module is aimed at students studying Spanish as a minor or major element of a Level 8 degree programme. |
| French Intermediate 1 | 5 | To facilitate students' language learning to meet an Intermediate level commensurate with CEFR B1.1 |
| Foundations of Irish Law 1 | 5 | This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the Irish legal system in order to provide a foundation for the further study of law. The module aims to to introduce students to the fundamental rules and principles which form the basis of the Irish legal system and to examine the history, development, and current operation of the Irish legal system. It further aims to introduce students to the skills required for the study of law. |
| Introduction to Theology and Religion | 5 | To introduce the study and the phenomenon of theology and religious studies in a contemporary world. |
| Gaeilge Intermediate 1 | 5 | Aim: To understand common, realistic, everyday descriptions, sentences and expressions; and seek information about them from other speakers; Discussion with predictable contexts that arise in places where Irish is spoken; Provide text on topics that they are personally interested in or that are related to the normal course of life; Demonstrate an understanding of learning strategies and language awareness and of themselves as a language learner. Improve their speaking, writing, reading and listening skills. Develop the student's ability in Irish grammar and spelling. This module is at level B1 of the FTCE (CEFR); will continue from the advanced certificate level. |
| Introduction to Sociological Problems | 5 | To allow students to begin to develop their own appreciation of sociology through investigation of a number of core sociological topics, thinkers and seminal pieces of work. |