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MSc (T) Psychological Science (Conversion)

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MSc (T) Psychological Science (Conversion)

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Science

Programme Code

PSY-MSC-CN

UCAS Code

JACS Code

C800 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

Undergraduate degree (at least second class honours) in any subject

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Part Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

2 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Psychology

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Psychology (2010)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

N/A

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

To enable graduates with a non-accredited undergraduate degree to obtain a qualification which confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society.

To provide a contemporary curriculum which covers the core topics in psychology required to provide GBC using a variety of teaching methods and assessments that is informed by current research, scholarship and application.

To develop critical awareness of issues in the scientific and applied areas of psychology and the methodological skills to critically examine and interrogate the discipline of psychology in all its facets.

To develop key skills that will facilitate future academic study, professional training and the individual’s employability more generally.

To develop the academic, intellectual and personal potential of students using well-managed systems of learning and pastoral support.

To engage with the processes of review, evaluation and self-reflection.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Problem solve, reason scientifically on the basis of evidence, and make critical evaluations in the context of psychological theory, methods of inquiry, applications and interventions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed through a variety of teaching -lectures, tutorial, practical classes, group work, the undertaking of a research thesis and learning via guided independent reading, and group based exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, exams (including MCQ and essays), practical work reports (independent and group based), literature reviews and independent thesis report.

Demonstrate an understanding that adopting multiple perspectives on psychological issues is important.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The importance of multiple perspectives is a feature of all modules and explicitly addressed in the lectures on Conceptual Issues and during tutorials.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exams.

Detect meaningful patterns in data and experience. Be critically aware of issues surrounding significance testing and replication.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures in Methods, Design and Analysis will build these skills. These will complement teaching via practical classes, group work and tutorials to develop this ability.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports (independent and group based), coursework and independent thesis report.

Prepare clear, logical evidence based arguments synthesising multiple sources incorporating theoretical and research findings and be able to communicate their conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Developed through tutorials and Methods, Design and Analysis classes involving independent and group based exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework, exams, practical reports, presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of contemporary psychology, the main methodologies and conceptual frameworks as outlined in the QAA subject benchmark statement for psychology, including core areas of biological psychology; cognitive psychology, personality and individual differences, developmental psychology and social psychology; and research methods.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Acquisition of core knowledge is achieved mainly through lectures and practical classes and directed reading, reflection and discussion in tutorial groups, and preparation for coursework and group work assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, practical reports, exams.

Recognise the variability and diversity of psychological functioning as well as a range of influences on that functioning.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, demonstrations, practical classes, and tutorials.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, practical reports, exams.

Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of research paradigms, methods and techniques, including statistical analysis.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, demonstrations, tutorials, thesis work.

Methods of Assessment

Tutorial essays, practical reports, independent thesis.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically and systematically apply multiple perspectives (e.g. research methods, theory, application and evidence) to psychological issues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, demonstrations, tutorials, thesis work.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, practical reports, exams, independent thesis.

Integrate evidence from multiple perspectives and relate to relevant issues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, demonstrations, tutorials, thesis work.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, practical reports, exams, independent thesis.

Show a comprehensive understanding of, and ability to, design, perform, analyse, interpret and communicate the results from empirical studies, using a variety of methods.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, practical classes, research supervision sessions.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, posters, presentations, independent thesis, exams.

Undertake independent research, from conception, design, planning, undertaking, analysing and reporting the research, and demonstrating an understanding of relevant ethical issues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Through lectures on Methods, Design and Analysis and practical classes, group projects and independent thesis research.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, independent thesis reports.

Employ evidence based reasoning to critically evaluate different methodologies and approaches used in psychology.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials and lectures, research supervision sessions.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, independent thesis reports, posters and presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Communicate effectively using written, oral and visual forms of presentation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Communication skills are taught in lectures, practical classes, tutorials and research supervision sessions.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, presentations, and posters, practical reports, independent thesis, exams.

Collect, retrieve, understand, interpret and use data and evidence effectively.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be taught in lectures, practical classes, tutorials and research supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, practical reports and independent thesis report.

Be computer literate for the purposes of furthering their learning and communicating their ideas and analysing data.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Computer literacy in developed in practical classes.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, essays, posters, presentations, independent thesis.

Demonstrate effective group work skills and the ability to effectively plan and organise their personal work, learning and projects.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practical classes, tutorials, especially group work exercises.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports, group presentations, coursework, independent thesis.

Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity, contextual and interpersonal factors.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures and tutorial.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and exams.

Reason scientifically and use critical judgements and evaluations in the evaluation of evidence and data.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures (Methods, Design, Analysis) Tutorials, practical classes, research supervision sessions.

Methods of Assessment

Practical reports (independent and group based), coursework and independent thesis report.

Use independent judgement and self-direction and the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility in the pursuit of learning and continued professional/academic development.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, supervision, lectures.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework essays, practical reports and independent thesis report.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Core Psychology I

PSY7090

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

60%

0%

40%

Core Psychology II

PSY7091

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

60%

0%

40%

Applications of Psychology in the ‘Real World’

PSY7092

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

40%

20%

40%

Methods, Design and Analysis in Psychology

PSY7093

7

30

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

35%

65%

0%

Research Thesis Psychology

PSY7094

7

60

YES

YES

48 weeks

N

YES

0%

100%

0%

Notes

PSY7090 Core Psychology I
PSY7091 Core Psychology II
PSY7092 Applications of psychology in the ‘real world’
PSY7093 Methods, Design and Analysis in Psychology
PSY7094 Research Thesis Psychology