Psychology at the University of Sydney
Information for new students, 2005
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour. It is a very diverse discipline and
encompasses many aspects of functioning. For example, psychology is
concerned with such things as the way people behave in groups as well as
individual behaviour patterns; it is concerned with motor behaviour as well as
cognitive functioning and it is concerned with our interaction with the physical
world as well as our interaction with others.
What prerequisites are there for Psychology?
None. You are not required to have studied a particular subject at school in order
to enrol in Psychology. Provided your tertiary score permits entry to The University
of Sydney you are eligible to study Psychology.
What is taught in Psychology?
Because Psychology is not a subject that is taught at school, most students enter
the discipline with little or no real knowledge of the area. For this reason, first year
psychology subjects at The University of Sydney have been designed to provide a
comprehensive introduction to the discipline. As is appropriate for any scientific
subject, students are instructed in scientific method, conceptual analysis, statistical
method and the history and philosophy of psychology.
 Psychology 1001(PSYC1001, 6 credit points, March semester) introduces you
to the subject matter and method of psychology, the biological bases of
behaviour, sensory processes, social psychology, psychological
measurement, and personality theory.
 Assessment: 1000 word essay, 2.5hr examination, optional
participation in research and optional online quizzes.
 Contact: 3 x 1hr lectures , 1 x 1hr tutorial and 1 x 1hr online
exercise per week.

Psychology 1002 (PSYC1002, 6 credit points, August semester) introduces
you to learning theory, motivation, abnormal psychology, perception,
cognitive processes, developmental psychology, and individual differences
in ability.
 Assessment: 1250 word experimental report, 2.5hr examination,
optional participation in research and optional online quizzes.
 Contact: 3 x 1hr lectures , 1 x 1hr tutorial and 1 x 1hr online
exercise per week.
What is the syllabus for first year Psychology?
A detailed syllabus is available to be perused at the advising desk.
What are the textbooks for Psychology and where can I purchase them?
There are two textbooks for first year psychology subjects in 2004:
 Gray, P. (2002). Psychology. 4th Ed. New York: Worth Publishers.
 Burton, L. J. (2002). An interactive approach to writing essays and reports in
psychology. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons
 You should also purchase the Tutorial Handbook (there is one Handbook for
Psychology 1001, available in March, and a separate Handbook for
Psychology 1002, available in August).
The textbooks are on sale at the Co-operative Bookshop in the New University
Sports Centre Complex (near the Wentworth Building). The Handbook is available
from the University Printing Service.
There are plenty of copies of the textbook in the library.
Are there any subjects that should be taken with Psychology 1?
Depending on your ultimate plans, it could be beneficial to take a number of
subjects with Psychology. For example, a combination of Biochemistry and
Psychology would be extremely valuable for someone interested in the
biochemistry of behaviour, so here Chemistry 1 and Psychology 1 would need to
be taken together. Other useful combinations might be Mathematics and
Psychology (some people are interested in the mathematical modelling of
behaviour), or Biology and Psychology (for those interested in the physiology of
behaviour), or Computer Science and Psychology (for those interested in artificial
intelligence and computer models of behaviour). Other potentially useful subjects
might be Linguistics, Philosophy, Economics, Anthropology or (if you are an Arts
student) General Statistical Methods.
What do I need to study to major in Psychology?
See the attached flow chart.
More information available on our web site: http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au
Studying Psychology @ the University of Sydney
an approximate overview for students enrolling in 2005
You can enrol in the subject Psychology in any one of a large number of degrees. You do not have to be
enrolled in BPsychology to take Psychology. This simple outline shows you some of the possible sequences
as at 2005; these are exactly the same units for BA, BSc, BPsych, BSc/LLB, BSc/BComm, and B.Liberal
Studies, etc:
Year 1 Junior Psychology
• You must complete 1001 & 1002 to proceed to Intermediate Psychology
Semester 1
1001
(6 credit points = cp)
Semester 2
1002
(6 cp)
Year 2 Intermediate Psychology
• You must complete at least 3 of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 to proceed to Senior Psychology, and all 4
for a major
Semester 1
2011
(6 cp) Brain and Behaviour
2012
(6 cp) Statistics & Research Methods for Psychology
Semester 2
2013
(6 cp) Cognitive & Social Psychology
2014
(6 cp) Personality & Individual Difference
Year 3 Senior Psychology (in 2006, all Senior Units of Study will be 6 cp each)*
• In Senior Psychology there is a total of 48* cps offered - only 24 are needed for a major in
Psychology, these can be taken predominantly in the same semester, or spread across 2 semesters
Semester 1
3202
(4 cp) History & Philosophy of Psychology
(required for P4 Hons)
3205
(4 cp) Cognition
3206
(4 cp) Developmental
3209
(4 cp) Learning & Motivation
3212
(4 cp) Social
Semester 2
3201
(4 cp) Stats/Psychometrics
(required for P4 Hons & GDS)
3203
(4 cp) Abnormal
3204
(4 cp) Behavioural Neuroscience
3210
(4 cp) Perceptual Systems
3211
(4 cp) Psychological Assessment & Organisational Psychology
3214
(4 cp) Communication & Counselling
3215
(4 cp) Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuropsychology
Year 4: Psych 4 Hons
OR
Graduate with a bachelor's degree
Grad Dip in Science (Psych)
(GDS) (full fee paying)
Sufficient level for conditional
registration as a Psychologist in
NSW (2 extra years of supervised
training
needed
for
full
registration in NSW).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doctor of
MSc by Research
Clinical Psychology
(Min 1 year)
(DCP) or Doctor of
Clinical Neuropsychology
PhD by Research
(Min 3 years)
May apply for entry to DCP or
DCN. May be granted entry to
MSc if excellent performance in
GDS.
(DCN) - 3 year courses,
full fee paying.