Psychology
The IBSc Psychology programme provides an opportunity for UCL medical students to study
alongside science undergraduates on one of the country’s leading psychology degree
programmes. The programme aims to introduce students to a wide range of psychological
science and give them an understanding of what psychological science can contribute to the
theory and practice of medicine. Students are required to have passed all relevant
examinations and have a serious interest in studying Psychology. Most students take the
programme after Year 2. The programme is academic in nature with a strong research
emphasis but many of the subject areas are relevant to clinical medicine. Up to 20 places
are expected to be available.
STRUCTURE OF THE IBSC PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMME
The programme is made up of four course units in total: six 0.5-unit modules and a 1.0 unit
research project. Two of the 0.5 unit modules are compulsory, and they introduce core areas
of psychology at introductory and intermediate level. The remaining four optional modules
are at Third Year level. A wide range of 3rd Year modules are available each year. The
research project can be carried out in one of the department’s laboratories or outside - for
example, in a hospital ward or clinic. Each module, apart from the research project, is taught
in 15-25 lectures. One hour each week is spent in seminars with other IBSc Psychology
students, the aim of which is to acquire skills in scientific analysis, oral presentation and
essay writing. Much of the remaining time is spent following up reading suggested in
lectures, in writing essays and in preparing, conducting and analysing the research project.
COMPULSORY MODULES
PSYC1107: EVIDENCE AND ENQUIRY IN PSYCHOLOGY
0.5 Unit
Dr Daniel Richardson daniel.richardson@ucl.ac.uk
Assessment by two-hour written examination (1 essay and an MCQ section) worth
60% and a piece of coursework worth 40%
Description: This module will provide an introductory psychology course that develops
psychological literacy through the cycle of enquiry and evidence. Students will be introduced
to key conceptual issues, methodological approaches and significant findings in scientific
psychology, their historical background, and the kinds of empirical evidence on which these
findings are based. Students will be encouraged to think critically and evaluate their own
behaviour through in-lecture experiments. A scientific approach will be developed through an
appreciation of how empirical data can be used to test competing theories. We will take
simple questions, and cut across traditional disciplines looking for answers. Experiencing
this cycle of enquiry and evidence will give students the psychological literacy to integrate
knowledge across psychology and apply it to the world around them.
PSYC1203: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
0.5 unit
Prof Paul Burgess p.burgess@ucl.ac.uk
Assessed by three-hour written examination consisting of MCQ section and an essay
section - answer 2 essay questions out of 6
This module outlines how people differ in terms of their personality and aptitudes, how we
can measure these differences, and what the causes might be. Students are introduced to
the subject as a specialised area of study within psychology, and the module examines a full
range of theories, research and measurement techniques, and applied and research aspects
of individual difference psychology. In particular, students are expected to be able to critically
examine the nature versus nurture controversy in the development of individual differences.
Students will study, compare, and evaluate major theoretical perspectives on personality and
mental ability. The work of the most influential theorists representing the major “schools of
thought” (or paradigms) in personality and ability will be examined. Relevant research
evidence supporting or refuting the theoretical formulations will be reviewed. Students will
learn to appreciate the contributions and limitations of each individual difference paradigm,
and how it has impacted on other areas of specialisation in psychology.
PSYC3901: RESEARCH PROJECT (1 course unit).
The aim is for the students to conduct and write up an original piece of psychological
research, which will enhance the skills of statistical design, data collection and analysis, and
the reporting of scientific results. The third year project represents one course unit, a quarter
of the final year mark, and is assessed by two pieces of work. First is a 1,000 word project
proposal (10% of the final mark) presenting the background, goals and design of the
proposed study. Second is the project itself, which approximates to an article in a journal.
OPTIONAL MODULES
The other 2 course units are made up of four optional third year modules. The modules
expected to be available are outlined below. Detailed descriptions and timetable details can
be found on Moodle using a guest password which can be obtained from the IBSc
Administrator.
THIRD YEAR MODULES THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO IBSc STUDENTS IN 2015/16
All Psychology modules listed are 0.5 course units and assessed by 3-hour written
exam in Term 3 consisting of 3 essays from a choice of 9 (except for PSYC3207 which
has a 2-hour exam worth 50%, a coursework essay worth 45% and a Peerwise
exercise worth 5%).
Module code / Module Title / Module Convenor / Term and Teaching Block
PSYC3102 Social Psychology/ Dr Gregg / 2A
PSYC3104 Psychology and Education / Dr Schlottmann / 2E
PSYC3107 Topics in Clinical Psychology / Dr Kamboj / 2B
PSYC3108 Organisational Psychology / Prof Furnham / 1C
PSYC3109 The Social Psychology of Risk / Prof Joffe / 1H
PSYC3110 Topics in Developmental Psychology / Dr Schlottmann / 2F
PSYC3111 Human Computer Interaction / Dr Brumby / 1E
PSYC3201 Applied Decision Making/Prof Harvey / 2A
PSYC3205 Speech / Prof Howell / 1F
PSYC3207 Human Learning and Memory/ Prof Shanks / 1B
PSYC3209 Cognitive Neuroscience /Dr Otten / 2H
PSYC3210 Brain in Action /Prof Haggard / 2F
PSYC3211 Attention and Awareness / Dr Torralbo / 2H
PSYC3303 Topics in Neurobiology / Prof Jeffery / 1A
PSYC3307 Genes and Behaviour / Prof Viding / 1F
NEUR3045 Visual Neuroscience / Prof Stockman / 2G (run by Biosciences)
PLIN7109 Stuttering / Prof Howell / 1E (run by Linguistics)
EXAMPLES OF PROJECT TOPICS FROM THE IBSC PSYCHOLOGY
- Perception of emotional stimuli interferes with semantic processing of emotional
words - evidence for an embodied theory of cognition
- Stimulating the reading deficits found in posterior cortial atrophy in proficent readers
- Does restricting students from using Facebook have a positive or negative impact on
their work-life balance?
EXAMPLES OF PUBLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED FROM THIS
PROGRAMME
Johnston, A., Bruno, A., Watanabe, J., Quansah, B., Patel, N., Dakin, S. & Nishida, S.
(2008) Visually-based temporal distortion in dyslexia. Vision Research, 48, 1852-1858.
(Quansah and Patel, 2005/6)
McManus, I. C., Iqbal, S., Chandrarajan, A., Ferguson, E., & Leaviss, J. (2005).
Unhappiness and dissatisfaction in doctors cannot be predicted by selectors from medical
school application forms: A prospective, longitudinal study. BMC Medical Education, 5:38.
(Chandrarajan, 2004/5)
Furnham, A., Daoud, Y., & Swami, V. (2009) “How to spot a psychopath”: Lay theories of
psychopathy.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44, 464-472. (Daoud, 2007/8)
CONTACT DETAILS FOR IBSC PSYCHOLOGY
Tutor: Dr Hugo Spiers – h.spiers@ucl.ac.uk extension 27553
Administrator: Miss Joanna Strange – joanna.strange@ucl.ac.uk extension 25334