Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Full-time developed and awarded by University of Wollongong, Australia.

In the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) programme, students will be armed with the scientific study of human behaviour and experience, the physiological, sensory and cognitive processes that underlie it, and the application of knowledge to practical problems.

Students are introduced to the whole field of the discipline, from personality to social influences on behaviour; from biological bases of behaviour to cognitive process; and from psychopathology to perceptual processes. Psychologists help us to understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. They aim to help people function better, and to prevent ill-health and other problems from developing.

The 3-year programme is offered on a full-time basis and it is conducted entirely in Singapore with the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) academics teaching into the final year.

Psychology staff at UOW are actively engaged in research and they publish their work in the leading psychology and health-related journals of the world. They are therefore well-equipped to illustrate basic concepts with their own unique research experiences, thereby maximising the student’s learning experience.

UOW graduates in Psychology have performed successfully in postgraduate programmes at the major Australian universities, and our postgraduate students have gone on to complete postdoctoral work overseas. Our graduates are employed in a range of settings including professional practice, academia, school teaching, school counselling, marketing, the public service, and research positions in a wide range of organisations as well as other Research Institutes.

Modular format

• Three-year full-time
• Two semesters per year with a total of six semesters
• Two-year advanced standing entry can be considered based on relevant qualifications

Mode of Delivery

The programme is intensive and demanding, but rewarding and achievable. Students are expected to put in considerable time and effort, both in scheduled classes and independent study. The scheduled classes include face-to-face lectures and tutorials. All lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes are in three-hour blocks. Classes are typically conducted in the morning and afternoon.

Year 1 Core Subjects

• PSYC121 Foundations in Psychology A
• PSYC122 Foundations in Psychology B
• PSYC123 Theory, Design and Statistics in Psychology
• PSYC116 Psychology of Physical Activity and Health

Year 2 Core Subjects

• PSYC231 Personality
• PSYC234 Biological Psychology and Learning
• PSYC241 Developmental and Social Psychology
• PSYC236 Cognition and Perception
• PSYC250 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
• PSYC251 Psychology of Abnormality

Year 1 & 2 Elective Subjects

• STS112 The Scientific Revolution
• PHIL107 Values, Self and Knowledge
• PSYC101 Introduction to Behavioral Science
• NMIH108 Introduction to Behaviour Change
• NMIH204 Reflection and Practice
• BCM110 Introduction to Communication and Media Studies
• LING210 Communication Across Cultures

** The elective subjects to be offered will depend on the schedule of courses offered.

Year 3 Core Subjects

• PSYC347 Assessment and Intervention
• PSYC354 Design and Analysis
• PSYC345 Advanced Topics in Cognition
• PSYC348 History and Metatheory of Psychology
• PSYC350 Social Behaviour and Individual Differences
• PSYC356 Applied Psychology

Minimum number of students for class to commence: 24 per programme subject

In the event that the minimum number is not met, the intake will not commence. We will inform you 30 days before class commencement.

Selection is done in accordance with UOW-approved merit-based criteria. Applicants may be admitted to different credit exemptions based on their academic results.

The admission criteria cited below should be used only as a general guideline. Certified true copies of official academic records are required. An official grade description should be provided. If documents are not in English, certified true translations must be attached.

All documents, notarised and English translated, and submitted to SIM, will NOT be returned.

• GCE ‘A’ Level: 3 GCE ‘A’ / 3 H2 passes plus 1 H1 pass with a minimum aggregate of 10 points where A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Minimum score of 28 and completion of English A2 at Higher Level (HL). Students with a lower score should provide individual scores for the subjects which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis,

China: Senior High 3: Average of 75% in best 4 academic subjects, excluding Politics and Physical Education

India: All India ISC/HSC (Year 12) minimum average of 60% in 4 subjects from Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), or Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karntaka and Tamil Nadu State Boards. Other states: minimum average of 66% in 4 subjects

Indonesia: SMA 3 minimum average grade of 7.5 in best 5 subjects, excluding Sports & Health, Civics and Religious Education

Japan : Upper Secondary School Certificate if Graduation (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) passed at GPA 3.8.

Malaysia: STPM aggregate of 6 in 3 best subjects. UEC aggregate of 18 in 5 subjects: A1/A2=5, B3/B4=4, B5/B6=3, C7/C8=1

South Korea: Senior High Year 3 with a minimum average of 75%

Sri Lanka: 3 A-level subjects, excluding General English

Thailand: High School Completion Certificate (Mathayom Suksa 6): Minimum GPA of 3.2

Vietnam: Upper Secondary Year 3 (Diploma of General Secondary Education): Minimum GPA of 7.75

In addition to the above qualification, international students must meet at least one of the following English requirement :

IELTS 6.5 (R=6, W=6, L=6, S=6)

TOEFL 575 OR TOEFL Internet-Based (IBT) = 88 (R=22, W=20, L=17, S=18)

Admission for international students is also subject to the approval of the student pass by the Singapore Government.

Temasek Polytechnic: Diploma in Psychology

Singapore Polytechnic: Diploma in HRM in Psychology

To obtain the maximum credit exemption, applicants must have a GPA score of 2.0 or more (out of 4.0). Applicants who have a GPA below 2.0 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

• This list is not exhaustive and UOW reserves the right to change/amend the admission criteria.
• Minimum Aggregate scores in the qualifications mentioned are required for entry and will be assessed by SIM and UOW.
• All qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Due to variations in diploma programmes within a polytechnic, the same qualifications may receive different credit exemption. Such variations include changes in the curriculum, changes in the delivery, the age of qualifications and electives taken within the programme.

22 Modules S$34,240

The programme fee is exclusive of textbooks and repeat fees.

Exemptions are determined and approved by the University and are normally granted automatically to students with relevant background.  Block exemptions may be granted to students with relevant diplomas from the local polytechnics and other approved institutions (e.g. universities and polytechnics). All modules previously studied will be evaluated and compared to the requirements of the student’s programme of study and a block exemption granted where appropriate.

Year 1 and Year 2 coursework subjects are taught by local lecturers / practitioners from industry. In Year 3, the subjects are taught on an intensive mode basis by senior faculty members from the University of Wollongong. Local lecturers/practitioners from industry will support the UOW faculty member to teach tutorials for each of the Year 3 (final) subjects.

Teacher to Student ratio:

Full-time 1: 50

Lecturers & Teaching Modules (as at 22 Feb 2011)

All teaching and assessment material is approved by academic staff at UoW and are consistent with the material used in other locations where the same degrees are delivered. This material is developed and delivered in a manner in accordance with the relevant accreditation bodies in Australia and Singapore.

Assessment components vary from module to module. Students are normally assessed by continuous assessments in the form of class tests, individual and group assignments and projects, case studies discussion and class presentations.

Most modules have a final examination at the end of semester. The examinations are held in late Apr/mid-May for the semester commencing in January, and in late October/mid-November for the semester commencing in July/August. The sessions are scheduled on weekdays and Saturdays, in the morning and afternoon.

Minimum Requirements and Course Progression

Any piece of assessment may have a minimum achievement requirement necessary to pass the subject. Students are expected to pass all subjects within the current year of study before being allowed to proceed to the next year of study. Students' progress will be monitored throughout the degree. Academic support is available to assist students, particularly those not meeting the minimum achievement requirements.

Attendance Requirements

There is an 80% attendance requirement across lectures and tutorials. Students who are absent from two or more lectures or two or more tutorials may not be allowed to complete the subject.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore requires all international students issued with valid Student’s Pass to achieve attendance of 90% and above in any month of the course

Completion/Graduation

Students are required to complete 146 credit points. Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) by the University of Wollongong. Students are eligible to attend the UOW graduation held in Singapore once a year. UOW graduates of the Singapore based programmes can also attend graduation ceremonies at the Wollongong campus, held twice a year.