School of Psychology Information Evening 13 th March 2012

1. School of PsychologyInformation Evening13th March 2012

2. Psychology at Coleraine

3. Psychology at Coleraine

4. What Degree? Two undergraduate degrees are on offer in the Psychology Department at the University of Ulster at Coleraine: • BSc (Hons) Psychology • BSc (Hons) Social Psychology

5. BSc (Hons) Psychology The BSc (Hons) Psychology is a single subject programme in which the major concepts, theories and empirical approaches of Psychology will be presented. The aim is to provide a thorough and comprehensive grounding in Psychology and to enable students to embark on any form of specialist postgraduate training. The course is broadly based and covers all the main areas of Psychology. However, there is a clear emphasis on the development of the individual from a social, behavioural and biological perspective with an applied focus in Year 3.

6. BSc (Hons) Social Psychology The BSc (Hons) Social Psychology is a single subject programme in which a stronger than usual emphasis is placed on the social aspects of psychology. Several important topics, such as child development, gender, industrial relations, health, crime, conflict, and the environment will be considered from the perspective of social interaction and human relationships. Hence the degree focuses on social behaviour and the ways in which the study of this can be used in the community, in industry, and in the public sector. The degree was offered for the first time in 1993. It is the only single-subject social psychology honours degree programme in Ireland and one of a limited number in the United Kingdom.

7. School of Psychology Professional Accreditation British Psychological Society Psychology Society of Ireland sets out the structure of our degrees All Levels Levels 1 and 2 Level 3

8. Degree Structure Modules • Like all other courses in the University, our degrees are organised around a modular system. During the 3 years you will study 18 modules, 6 in each year. Years one and two each have six compulsory modules, but in the final year only two modules are compulsory. For the other 4 modules in final year you will be able to choose from a range of options. • At the moment the academic year is divided into two teaching terms, with 3 modules being presented in each term. Each term is self-contained, that is, the coursework and examinations for each module will be completed before the end of the term in which the module is offered. A term consists of a 12-week teaching and examination period, followed by a 3-week examining period. • Modules are assessed on the basis of coursework and examinations. Usually, 40% is given to coursework and 60% to the examination.

9. Year One Modules

10. Year One: Semester One

11. BIOPSYCHOLOGY INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Year Two Core Modules SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

12. Year Three Options BSc Social Psychology/BSc Psychology • PSY509C1 Advanced Topics in Research Methods • PSY503C2 Psychology Project • PSY500C2 Understanding and Improving Intergroup Relations • PSY504C1 Abnormal and Clinical Psychology • PSY506C2 Occupational Psychology • PSY507C1 Behaviourism and Social Issues • PSY510C2 Development of Social Behaviour • PSY502C2 Health Psychology • PSY501C2 Stress and Coping • PSY523C1 Educational Psychology • PSY553C1 Applications of Developmental Psychology BSc Psychology • PSY522C1 Psychopharmacology • PSY520C2 Applied Behaviour Analysis • PSY515C2Behavioural Neuroscience

13. CAREERS What can I do with a degree in Psychology?

14. Skills Acquired You should find yourself able to analyse and evaluate things not normally noticed by others e.g. in terms of the way in which people communicate and interact with each other. You should also have acquired particular strengths in your ability to think critically, communicate effectively and analyse information and solve problems – key skills which will serve to enhance your chances of securing employment in what is a very competitive job market. Indeed, you should be able to: • Understand complex ideas • Analyse problems and find solutions • Communicate, educate, influence and change • Use computers in lots of ways • Work independently

15. Skills Acquired You should also have acquired the skills and competencies of a trained scientist with the result that you should be able to design and carry out research using a range of methods. You should also know how to: • Observe and test human participants • Design and conduct experiments • Plan and carry out social surveys • Interview people • Use statistics to evaluate data • Write a professional report • Make presentations on the outcome of research • Analyse, argue and interpret information from a variety of sources

16. Professional / Chartered Psychologist A degree in psychology will provide you with the necessary first step training to pursue any of the professional areas and in recent years there has been a proliferation of professional training pathways in psychology. Other careers available to psychologists Graduates will have acquired unique knowledge and skills that equip them to compete for careers in a wide variety of areas. Some will be more obviously focused on psychology but do not require chartership For others, psychology is a good starting point Variety of jobs

17. n>9 Professional Careers after BPS Chartered Status • Clinical Psychology • Educational Psychology • Occupational Psychology • Counselling Psychology • Forensic Psychology • Health Psychology • Sport & Exercise Psychology • Neuropsychology • Teaching and Research in Psychology

18. 1 year 3 years How to become Chartered (1)Take a degree that the British Psychological Society (BPS) accredits. This gives you GBR: Graduate Basis for Registration as Member of the BPS. A good degree (2.1) may be needed. Work experience may also be necessary. (2) Take a further accredited course. For example, D.Ed. Psychology or M.Sc.Occupational Psychology.

19. Help people who have • serious mental illness • depression • anxiety • child & family problems Clinical Psychology • Clinical • Educational • Occupational • Counselling • Forensic • Health • Sport & Exercise • Neuropsychology • Teaching and Research

20. • Help children and young people develop and learn • Assessing child’s special educational needs • Provide courts & local authorities with reports. Educational Psychology • Clinical • Educational • Occupational • Counselling • Forensic • Health • Sport & Exercise • Neuropsychology • Teaching and Research

21. • Improve the effectiveness of organisations • satisfaction of employees Occupational Psychology • Clinical • Educational • Occupational • Counselling • Forensic • Health • Sport & Exercise • Neuropsychology • Teaching and Research

22. Other Careers Where a psych degree is a good starting point: • Human Computer Interaction • Advertising • Public Relations • Journalism • Careers Advisor • Behaviour Therapy • Music/Art therapy • Rehabilitation • Data analyst • Pharmaceuticals

23. Other Careers Where a psych degree is a good starting point: • The Probation Service • The Police • The Civil Service • Public Relations • Retail & Marketing / Market Research • Management / Human Resources (Personnel) • Teaching / Research • Social work / Community work / Youth work • etc

24. PSYCHOLOGY • PLACEMENT • What is Placement? • Why do it?

25. Placement Team Dr Lynn Dunwoody Dr Frances McLernon Dr Melanie Giles Dr Robert Bones Mrs Roberta Bingham Dr Liz Simpson Dr David Shaw

26. WHAT IS PLACEMENT? IT’S WORK EXPERIENCE BUT SO MUCH MORE Academic learning can be enhanced through practical experience

27. TYPES OF PLACEMENT DIS DAS BEI OTHER

28. Placement information What sort of placements are available? • A placement list will be given to you • Find your own. Rosewood Beacon Centre, Omagh

29. Placement How long does placement last? • Over 10 months • 4-5 days a week When does placement begin? • 1st September • Flexible/hours

30. Support while on placement • Placement supervisor: • Supervise daily activities • On-site • Placement tutor: • Lecturer • 2 visits – 1st and 2nd semester • Placement co-ordinators: • Dr Liz Simpson • Dr David Shaw • Online support: • WebCT

31. WHY DO IT? • You will bring something extra to the table when going for interviews EXPERIENCE 2. Enhance your career development and future employability 3. Better understanding of what psychology is 4. Psychology in practice – put theory into practice 5. Careers networking

32. 6. Personal development • Time management skills • Prioritise tasks – deadlines etc • Working with public • Working as part of a team • Communication skills • Professional skills – confidentiality

33. 6.Gain an employer’s reference 7. Research on Placements 8. Not every University offers Placement opportunities 9. My personal experiences

35. The First Year Experience

36. Year 1 Transition Somewhere to live Will I pass? Financial Independent Living Making friends Balancing studies and personal responsibilities Careers

37. Student Support • Year Tutor • Advisors of Study • Module Co-ordinators • Staff Student Consultation

38. Library • Induction Tours • Subject Specific Tours

39. Student Services • Student Counselling Service • Disability Services • Students Union • Childcare • Chaplaincy • Careers

40. Making Friends • Induction • Tutorials/Study groups • PASS • Sports and Recreation • Students Union

41. Where to live? • Residential Services http://www.accommodation.ulster.ac.uk/prostucoloc.html • On Campus Accommodation • Off Campus Accommodation • Private Accommodation www.nistudentpad.co.uk

42. Contact Details Dr Marian McLaughlin Year 1 Tutor Room H245 email: m.mclaughlin@ulster.ac.uk Tel: 028 7032 4599

43. Student Life at UU