WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
Psychology is the study of individual and social behaviours, emotions and ideas. It encompasses a wide range of subdisciplines, including thinking, personality, development, and social behaviour, all of which share a common interest in how humans and animals relate to one another and respond to the world. To give you an idea of the breadth of the discipline, here are examples of some of the questions addressed by psychologists: How do we see different colours? Why are some people more creative than others? What effect does aerobic exercise have on depression? Can chimpanzees be taught language? Does hypnosis improve the memory of eyewitnesses to a crime or accident? What effect does viewing violence on TV have on children? What factors affect obedience to authority? How can we improve people's motivation at work? Why do people in crowds behave differently from how they behave when alone? What effect does smoking during pregnancy have on a newborn child? Is there a relationship between viewing pornography and violence against women? What are some of the common kinds of psychological disorders? What can psychology offer in the understanding and treatment of psychological disorders? What can psychology offer in the understanding and promotion of health?
WHAT COURSES ARE OFFERED IN THE SCHOOL?
UNDERGRADUATE MODULES: Undergraduate courses are open to all students. They are designed to make up a general or named degree in psychology, a disciplinary major, as well as stand-alone courses covering material relevant to a wide range of degrees and programmes. First year The first year courses, PSYC 101 (Introduction to Psychology A) and PSYC 102 (Introduction to Psychology B) are taught through three lectures a week. Each course is assessed through continuous assessment test-exams, including multiple choice and written paragraph questions. Topics covered include: Thinking, Perception, Biological Psychology, Community Mental Health; Organisational Psychology; Social Psychology, Intelligence, Health and Stress, Child and Adult Development, Abnormal Psychology, and Psychological Research
Senior undergraduate courses (Levels 200/300)
PSYC 201 Introduction to Research* (16 CP) PSYC 202 Social Psychology* (8 CP) PSYC 203 Developmental Psychology* (8 CP) PSYC 206 Fundamentals of Organisational Psychology (16 CP) PSYC 301 Measurement, Experiment & Observation* (16 CP) PSYC 302 Psychology of Personality* (8 CP) PSYC 304 Psychology of Health & Illness (16 CP) PSYC 305 Cognitive Psychology* (8 CP)
PSYC 209 African & International Perspectives (16 CP) PSYC 210 Neurospsychology & Cognition (8 CP) PSYC 214 Child Development (8 CP) PSYC 215 Social Psych of Intergroup Conflict (8 CP) (Not in 2006) PSYC 216 Psychology in Education (8 CP)
PSYC 306 Psychology and the Law (16 CP) PSYC 307 Psychological Studies Report** (16 CP) PSYC 310 Organisational Behaviour & Development (16 CP)
* Compulsory modules for a major in psychology ** Compulsory modules for a named degree in psychology (must also complete all modules for major) PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AS A REGISTERED COUNSELLOR The BPsyc degree is not currently offered on the UKZN PMB campus. To study towards registration as a Registered Counsellor, students need to complete a major in Psychology, then apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in psychology (on Howard College/ campus only). This process leads to registration with the Health Professions Council as a professional counsellor. POSTGRADUATE COURSES: Psychology Honours An academically intensive year, covering a range of both theoretical and applied courses, and including the completion of a research project. Arrangements can be made for multidisciplinary Honours degrees, combining Psychology with other disciplines. Selection for Honours is based on academic merit, and students with an Upper Second Class pass are more likely to successful applicants. Professional training as a psychologist The School is one of the leading professional training centres in the country and offers postgraduate qualifications, including supervised practice, leading to registration as a Psychologist with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Competition for entry to these training courses is fierce and admission is by a multi-factored selection process. Masters and doctoral degrees by research The School offers postgraduate degrees by research in areas of specialization of the staff. WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS MAKE GOOD COMBINATIONS WITH PSYCHOLOGY? Since the basis for human behaviour is biological, psychology combines well with biology, biochemistry, zoology, nutrition and genetics. In addition, human action exists in a social context and here sociology, history, human geography and politics intersect with Psychology. Psychologists are also interested in language, creative thought and reason, and so psychology combines well with literature, language, philosophy, ethics, fine art and drama courses. People wishing to train as researchers may also find courses in mathematics, computers and statistics useful.
CAN I TAKE PSYCHOLOGY EVEN IF I'M NOT REGISTERED FOR AN ARTS OR SOCIAL SCIENCE DEGREE?
Psychology is unusual in that it can be taken as either a major or single courses, within any degree. Science students studying Zoology for example, find that Psychology gives insights into animal behaviour, while Commerce and Law students find it deepens their understanding of human behaviour, including consumer and work behaviours. Psychology adds evidence to support the assumptions about human nature that Humanities students gain from subjects such as English, Philosophy and Drama Studies. Lastly as one of the key Social Sciences, Psychology forms a core part of the curriculum of most Social Science students. If you are unsure of your subject choices, make an appointment with a member of staff in the School of Psychology to discuss your future plans WHAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR GRADUATES IN PSYCHOLOGY ? Psychology graduates have a wide range of career options open to them, and there is a broad range of settings within which psychological training can be applied. The research, interpersonal and environmental awareness, information finding and other skills that Psychology teaches students, can be applied in a variety of occupations, many of which do not necessarily require further postgraduate studies. These include community development, market research, public and mental health, human resource management, pastoral and school counselling, programme administration, public relations, research, policy development and analysis, and training and consultation.
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY Dating back to 1911, Psychology is one of the original disciplines taught on the Pietermaritzburg campus. The Pmb, school now has 13 academic staff members and four administrative staff members. We are part of a single merged School of Psychology with the Howard College (Durban) and Westville campuses. There are almost a thousand students registered for our courses in Pmb, and we try to get to know as many of them as possible through activities outside of the formal teaching programme, including the Student Psychological Society, volunteer programmes, and through the Staff-Student Liaison Committee. For more information visit our website:
http://www.psychology.unp.ac.za