A look inside the Psychology BSc (Hons) degree
Find out more about Psychology BSc (Hons) at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
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Introduction to Psychology
Foundations of research
Year 1 – Core module: Introduction to Psychology
The module will introduce students to four domains in psychology; social psychology, cognitive psychology, biological psychology and evolutionary psychology.
Beginning with social psychology, some of the classic social psychology studies including those of Milgram and Asch will be considered. The introduction to cognitive psychology will look at memory, language and perception and will also examine the influence of computers on the study of cognitive psychology. Mental disorder, brain damage and the effect of drugs will be considered in the introduction to biological psychology along with an examination of development and the effect of biology on the adolescent. Subsequently, biological rhythms and sleep will be explored before students are introduced evolutionary psychology.
The final element of the module will consider how the themes of nature and nurture and individual differences run through all these domains.
Questions in PsychologyYear 1 – Foundations of research
Questions in Psychology
We hope that you will find this module as exciting to study as we found it was to write it.
This module will take you through a journey of questions and the search for answers.
We will look at the difference between popular psychology and academic psychology. We will also invite you to look at the amount of popular psychology which exists in our daily world.
We will burst a few psychological myths along the way, by examining the explanations supported by research and theory.
We will invite you to share in our exploration by asking you to think of your own questions and helping you to search for evidence (research) that provides explanations for your questions.
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Your online tutors
Your PAT tutors
Getting to know your tutors
Find out more about your tutors by going to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and choosing the Module Team link on the left.
Staff information page from one module in the BSc
Tutors and studentsPATs are members of the university's academic teaching staff, support staff or Learning Centre managers. Whilst a PAT will often be a subject expert in their students' programme of study a PAT is not expected to bring that subject expertise to bear for all modules on the course. A PAT's main responsibilities are to give advice, signpost and offer referrals. The following testimonials from two PATs on the BACYS programme show the breadth of support they give.
'The PAT role is a great opportunity for staff to get to know students better'
'My role as a PAT is very varied and covers numerous areas. I am essentially there as the 'go to' person if my students have any questions, problems, concerns or need help with academic skills. I have about 20 students and I follow students through their degree which gives me a real opportunity to get to know the student and indeed for them to get to know me.
Along with the other PATS on the degree I hold weekly help sessions where students have the chance to develop the basic skills necessary for completing a degree. At these sessions students will get the chance to discuss current research in psychology as well as learning how to read journal papers, how to debate issues and how to think critically.
The PAT role is a great opportunity for staff to get to know students better and watching students develop their knowledge and skills as they progress through the degree is genuinely one of the best parts of my job.' (Eleanor Rutherford, Inverness College)
Much of the communication between tutors and students, and students and students, takes place via the VLE. The VLE has a variety of communication tools which you and your tutors may use in modules.
Announcements
The Announcements page is the first thing you see after logging into the VLE. They can contain text, images, links and even multi-media. Your tutors will use the Announcements page to tell you about the week to come, to keep you on track and sometimes respond to comments:
Announcements screen from Introduction to Psychology module
The discussion board
The discussion board is tool for sharing thoughts and ideas where you can post and read messages. It is used by tutors and students for both general, informal communication and for activities as part of the learning process. On your module, you may work in groups, individually or as a class.
Discussion board
The collaboration chat room
Students and staff may be located in different areas and may also work full- or part-time while they are on the course. The chat room provides an opportunity for everyone to meet online and use chat to share their thoughts via chat messages.
Collaboration sessions
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Assessment
Assessment support
In the example above the assessments are in the form of an essay and a report. Alternatively, in some modules, your posts to the discussion board on specific topics may form part of your assessment (for example, 20% of your final mark).
Guidelines and support for assessments is provided on each of your modules.
General assessment guidance
Practice test
Essay guidance