BSc (Hons) Psychology with Applied Computing

Course outline

With the ever larger role that computers are taking in our everyday lives, and the increasing number of jobs in the Information Technology sector, a degree covering psychology and IT is a very wise choice. The area of human-computer interaction is an example of overlap between the two disciplines.

Teaching methods

The Psychology Department believes in using a number of different teaching methods, with a great emphasis on interaction between students and lecturers / tutors and also on active learning. Our modules consist of some or all of the following:

• lectures – the main forum for communicating factual information. Given the small number of students these can easily become interactive, and students are encouraged to ask questions
• tutorials – small groups of typically 4 – 6 students discuss specific readings relevant to the lecture course and have the opportunity to ask questions about anything unclear from the lectures
• classes / seminars – taught in larger groups, these may include demonstrations, videos, presentations to other students or other class activities
• practical classes – psychology involves designing experiments and collecting and interpreting experimental data, and these classes will help students learn the relevant skills
• computer classes – the modules on research design and statistics in particular involve the use of computers and programs such as SPSS. Students will have several classes during these modules to help familiarise them with such software
• individual research project -this very important part of your degree is carried out in your second year. For more details please see Individual Research Project.
• observational methods – use of eg. video footage for developing of critical incident criteria and interaction process analysis (for developmental psychology, personality / social psychology, crime psychology topics).