Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: PSYC5162 Psychology: History, Science and Application 1 Advanced (Graduate Certificate of Psychological Science only)

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core Level 500 units in the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science. In this unit, the history and philosophy of both the quantitative and qualitative approaches is presented within the broader historical and philosophical themes of psychology as a discipline. The goals of the unit are to develop an understanding the role of quantitative data analysis and statistical testing (using the SPSS data analysis package) and qualitative approaches in answering research questions in psychology, which involves developing knowledge and skills in research thinking, research doing, and research consuming. The unit considers the application of these research methods within the context of important concepts, such as the scientist-practitioner model, evidence-based practice, ontology and epistemology and ethics. This material will be presented in a manner that is scientifically rigorous yet culturally responsive and informs a broader discussion of psychology as both a professional practice in Australia and as an agent of social benefit. This unit is the first of two units that, taken together, will facilitate the development of a comprehensive understanding of the skills and knowledge associated with research methods in psychology, the history and philosophy of psychology, and their contribution to the application of psychology.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Reflexively and comprehensively analyse social, cultural and historical influences on psychological research and its application to local and global issues

b. Critically evaluate the rigour of research designs and methods used in psychology, their epistemological and ontological bases, limitations and implications for psychological research and practice

c. Evaluate and critique the strengths and limitations of contemporary psychological and other forms of knowledge in upholding cultural safety in practice and research

d. Effectively conduct, report and interpret quantitative and qualitative analyses, including using statistical software

e. Communicate effectively and with integrity for relevant audiences

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute live tutorials

b. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute asynchronous lectures

c. Twelve (12) weekly online post-tutorial learning activities

For live tutorials, students will be enrolled to attend a regular class either a) on campus or b) online via Zoom.

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5252 Psychology: History, Science and Application 2 Advanced
Co-requisites: Nil

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core Level 500 units in the graduate diploma of psychological sciences. This unit will introduce students to theory and research in cognitive psychology. An emphasis of this unit is on the application of cognitive psychology to everyday life across the lifespan. Topics include learning and memory, academic performance, eyewitness testimony, neuropsychological disorders, resilience and wellbeing. We will also consider the origins of knowledge and consider Indigenous knowledges and their value in contributing to processes of learning, individual and community wellbeing, resilience and cultural safety.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Critically explain and defend key theories, principles and research findings in cognitive psychology

b. Expertly communicate key theories and research findings in cognitive psychology to a range of audiences

c. Critically analyze the strengths and limitations of contemporary psychological perspectives on cognition as applied across the lifespan and to different cultures

d. Critically apply knowledge of cognitive psychology to enhance cognitive performance in the real world

e. Evaluate and demonstrate the implications of cognitive psychology to the protection of public safety

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

b. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute tutorials

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5252 Psychology: History, Science and Application 2 Advanced
Co-requisites: PSYC5252 Psychology: History, Science and Application 2 Advanced

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is a core subject in the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science program. This unit will introduce students to the biological bases that contribute to our understanding of human behaviour. It will provide an in-depth understanding of the anatomical, biochemical, geneticand physiological bases of brain function and dysfunction, as well as current neuroscientific approaches to brain function and behaviour, including detailed knowledge of the processes of perception by the senses. This foundational knowledge will then be applied to current understandings of neuropsychological disorders.

Students will develop the capacity to view human behaviour through a neuropsychological perspective, advancing their foundation knowledge of psychology, and will provide a solid foundational basis for further studies in neuropsychology. This unit will foster skills necessary for further studies and later professional contexts, which include the ability to comprehend and critically analyse psychological theory and research, and develop communication skills in a manner that is scientifically rigorous, culturally responsive, and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.  Students will demonstrate an understanding of public safety, including appropriate values, ethical, and professional conduct. Students will also practice reflexive exercises and apply psychological knowledge to facilitate professional development and practice skills, including personal well-being and resilience.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Identify and critically apply a coherent knowledge of biological theories, principles and scientific methods to understanding human behaviour

b. Critically and comprehensively analyse the historical trends in biological psychology and their impact on understanding human behavior in diverse communities

c. Critically apply knowledge of biological psychology to understanding of variations and disorders of behaviour

d. Comprehensively evaluate the application of key ethical principles to biological psychology research and its applications to protect public safety

e. Effectively communicate theories and evidence in biological psychology to diverse audiences applying principles of academic integrity

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

b. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute tutorials

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5252 Psychology: History, Science and Application 2 Advanced
Co-requisites: PSYC5252 Psychology: History, Science and Application 2 Advanced

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core Level 500 units in the postgraduate psychology course. This unit will introduce theory and research related to major themes of psychological development across the lifespan. The aim of the unit is to provide an advanced understanding of issues and methods used in the psychological study of human development across the lifespan. Topics covered in the unit include theoretical perspectives on lifespan development; physical and biological development; the development of cognition, intelligence, and language; social, emotional, and moral development; contexts for development; love and intimacy; gender and sexuality; and ageing, death, dying, and bereavement.

In this unit, students will develop the capacity to critically view key psychological processes from a lifespan perspective, adding to the breadth of knowledge of psychology provided by other Level 1 units, laying the foundation for further studies in developmental and professional psychology. The unit will develop skills required to comprehend and critically analyse psychological research in a manner that is both culturally responsive and scientifically rigorous. Further development of effective oral and written communication skills in this unit will also provide framework for application of these skills across diverse groups in later professional contexts. The unit also emphasises understanding and evaluation of key elements of public safety including informed consent, equity and inclusion, and social sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to practice reflexivity through critically applying knowledge obtained in this unit to themselves and wider real-world contexts, and work collaboratively with other students, providing foundational skills towards further professional development and practice in a culturally safe manner, to maintain personal and professional resilience across the lifetime.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Critically compare and contrast the key theoretical psychological perspectives of lifespan development and their application to diverse others.

b. Critically evaluate scientific methods from a position of reflexivity when applied to explore local and global lifespan issues.

c. Synthesise theoretical approaches and empirical evidence from a search of the literature and effectively communicate findings applying academic integrity in all communications.

d. Identify and analyse key ethical issue inherent in lifespan psychological research and their application to maintaining public safety.

e. Critically apply knowledge of health and wellbeing across the lifespan to develop strategies and skills to facilitate working with others, to effectively negotiate life transitions, in order to promote resilience and wellbeing.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

b. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minutes skill development tutorials

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5252: Psychology: History, Science & Application 2 Advanced

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core level 500 units in Psychology. In this unit, the history and philosophy of both the quantitative and qualitative approaches is presented within the broader historical and philosophical themes of psychology as a discipline. The goals of the unit are to further student’s knowledge and skills in research methods used in psychological research and the application of this research, with a specific emphasis on qualitative research and advanced statistics (e.g. Regression and ANOVA). The unit considers the application of these research methods within the context of important concepts, such as the scientist-practitioner model, evidence-based practice, ontology and epistemology and ethics.  This material will be presented in a manner that is scientifically rigorous yet culturally responsive and informs a broader discussion of psychology as both a professional practice in Australia and as an agent of social benefit. This unit is the second and final unit, in a scaffolded series of units that, taken together, will facilitate the development of a comprehensive understanding of the skills and knowledge associated with research methods in psychology, the history and philosophy of psychology, and their contribution to the application of psychology.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Apply and demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills consistent with research and professional standards in psychology.

b. Critically understand, evaluate and apply an ethical, critical and reflexive standpoint to uphold cultural safety in the application of psychological knowledge to practice and research.

c. Critically understand and evaluate and apply robust and rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate contemporary issues in psychological research and practice .

d. Critically demonstrate and apply skills in conducting, reporting, interpreting and critiquing qualitative and quantitative psychological research in contemporary issues.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute tutorials

b. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3 Advanced
Co-requisite: PSYC5312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3 Advanced

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is a level 500 core unit in fulfilment of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Sciences. This unit will introduce advanced concepts pertaining to individual differences and assessment. It will provide students with an advanced understanding of the psychological characteristics that distinguish and define individuals and how to use assessment of psychological characteristics appropriately. More specifically, this unit will introduce and discuss intelligence, personality, aptitude and values on an advanced level. This unit further examines and critically evaluates key concepts of psychological assessment and its psychometric properties and assessing in different settings. Beginning with the history and development of psychological assessment and test theory, the unit will further examine critical theoretical and methodological issues in the measurement of intelligence, cognition, psychosocial functioning, adaptive behaviour, attitudes, and values. This unit further looks at norms and bias and its link to cultural sensitivity in the use of psychological assessment on an advanced level. Tests of special abilities are also considered, along with measures developed for different settings. Through practical work, students will develop an advanced understanding of the way in which psychologists use the outcomes of psychological assessments.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Critically compare and contrast major theories of individual differences and their underlying features, as well as their application to culturally responsive psychological assessment.

b. Explain and evaluate the factors associated with individual differences including personality, intelligence, aptitude and values.

c. Explain and critically apply test theory and psychometrics to the safe use of common psychological measures.

d. Rigorously explain and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of psychological assessment and the impact these have on culturally responsive testing practices.

e. Effectively understand, interpret and communicate results of psychological assessments for diverse audiences with academic integrity.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute skill development tutorials

b. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3 Advanced
Co-requisites: PSYC5312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3 Advanced

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core Level 500 units in the undergraduate psychology course.  This unit will extend students understanding of psychological processes by introducing theory and research related to abnormal psychology and interventions for mental health disorders. The aim of the unit is to introduce students to how behaviour is categorised as abnormal and to examine how mental health problems are diagnosed and managed across the lifespan. The unit explores cultural perspectives, history, classification, causes and treatment of psychological disorders. Students will critically examine the contribution of psychological, biological, and socio-cultural factors to the expression of psychopathology. Students will explore how psychological problems are defined and understood by other mental health professions and will learn skills on how to communicate and work with other health professionals.  Ethical and legal issues relevant to the provision of mental health services and how professional psychological practice can inform the health sector and increase public safety will also be explored and critically analysed.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Critically evaluate, comprehend and apply different systems of classification and formulation of psychological disorders, including their strengths and shortcomings.

b. Critically integrate and apply theoretical frameworks and empirical research findings from biological, socio-cultural and psychological perspectives concerning the causes, management and impact of major psychological disorders.

c. Critically evaluate and comprehensively understand the application of treatments for psychological disorders and how they may be implemented in a range of contexts and diverse populations to promote cultural safety.

d. Critically apply and defend relevant legal, ethical and professional standards to ensure the protection of individuals experiencing psychological disorders and the public.

e. Demonstrate and apply advanced written and spoken communication skills to effectively work with diverse groups and interprofessional teams.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

b. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute live tutorials

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

For live tutorials, students will be enrolled to attend a regular class either a) on campus or b) online via Zoom.

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 6

Pre-requisites: PSYC5312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3 Advanced
Co-requisites: PSYC5312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3 Advanced

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description: 

This unit is one of the core Level 500 units in the graduate diploma of psychological sciences course. This unit will introduce theory and research related to major themes of social and community psychology. The aim of the unit is to provide an advanced understanding of the theoretical underpinnings, empirical evidence, and applications of social and community psychology. Key theories and research methods in social psychology are examined across a broad spectrum of issues and topics. The unit explores the study of social knowledge, attribution theory, the nature and measurement of attitudes, social influence, group processes and decision-making, prejudice, pro-social behaviour, Indigenous psychology, acculturation, prejudice and discrimination, conflict social identity and identities, social cognition and interconnectedness. The unit has a focus on the applications of social and community psychology including the impact of culture on social behaviour.

In this unit, students will develop the capacity to view key psychological processes from a critical social and community psychology perspective, adding to the breadth of knowledge of psychology provided by other units, laying the foundation for further studies in social and community psychology. The unit will emphasise skills required to comprehend and critically analyse psychological research in an advanced manner that is scientifically rigorous, yet reflexive and culturally responsive. The development of oral communication and reflective skills in this unit will also provide a framework for the application of these skills across diverse groups in later professional contexts and help to prepare students for further study in psychology. The unit also emphasises understanding and demonstration of key elements of public safety including equity and inclusion, and social sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to practice reflexivity through a reflective assessment task, as well as applying knowledge obtained in this unit to themselves and wider real-world contexts, providing foundational skills towards further professional development and practice in a culturally safe manner, to maintain personal and professional resilience.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Critically evaluate, comprehend and apply the social and community psychology perspective, including key theories, methods and evidence.

b. Critically evaluate, understand and acknowledge cultural influence, including minority groups, within the fields of social and community psychology.

c. Display effective and culturally responsive advanced interpersonal communication in written, visual, and oral formats for a range of audiences consistent with standards of academic integrity.

d. Critically and effectively demonstrate and apply an ethical, critical and reflective standpoint when applying social and community psychology concepts and methods to real world issues.

e. Critically comprehend and apply advanced psychological knowledge and skills to effective participation in groups.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute pre-tutorial learning activities

b. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minute live tutorials

c. Twelve (12) weekly online 120 minute post-tutorial learning activities

For live tutorials, students will be enrolled to attend a regular class either a) on campus or b) online via Zoom.

In addition, Coordinators are available for consultation for an hour on a weekly basis.

Level:

300 level elective – Bachelor of Psychological Science

300 level core – Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
Credit points: 6
Pre-requisite: PSYC312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3

Co-requisites: PSYC312 Psychology: History, Science and Application 3

Mode of delivery: Online

Unit Description:

This unit is a capstone unit intended for students to reflect upon and consolidate their knowledge and skills in psychology in relation to theory, method, and evidence. During this unit, students will participate in a service-learning activity of their choice. They will reflect on the application of their foundational knowledge and skills of psychology to this activity and to their future personal and working lives.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

a. Critique and apply a coherent and broad knowledge of psychology to addressing everyday personal and occupational issues

b. Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills to convey psychological findings and work with diverse others

c. Apply a critical and reflexive standpoint to uphold ethical principles in the application of psychological knowledge and skills

d. Integrate advanced psychological knowledge and skills to promote resilience and sustainability among diverse individuals and communities in a manner that upholds cultural and public safety

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

a. Twelve (12) weekly 60-minute interactive self-directed learning preparatory activities

b. Twelve (12) weekly 90-minute live tutorials

c. Service-learning activities