Overview

This unit introduces students to the structure and function of the brain and how it interacts with the external world to generate thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Applications in health and mental disorder are introduced as are values and ethics in psychological research and practice.

Requisites

Equivalent units
PSY10003 Psychology 100
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-March-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027
Winter
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-June-2027
01-August-2027
Last self-enrolment date
21-June-2027
Census date
06-July-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
13-July-2027
Results released date
17-August-2027
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-August-2027
31-October-2027
Last self-enrolment date
15-August-2027
Census date
31-August-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
21-September-2027
Results released date
07-December-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 

  1. Apply understanding of values and ethics in psychology research and professional practice
  2. Explain key concepts from major content areas in psychology, including the biological underpinnings of psychology; sensory processes, perception, and consciousness; motivation and emotion; health, stress and coping; psychological disorders; and neuropsychology
  3. Locate, organise and integrate information from various sources concerning topics and problems relating to psychology
  4. Communicate in a logical and clear manner the results of investigating a topic or problems relating to psychology
  5. Apply psychological theories, methods, and data to explain everyday experiences and behaviours.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Lecture 24 12 weeks 2
On-campus Class 12 12 weeks 1
Specified Activities Various 24 12 weeks 2
Unspecified Activities Various 90 12 weeks 7.5
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Swinburne Online

ctivity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
Live Online Class 12 12 weeks 1
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning 138 12 weeks 11.5
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1 Individual  35-45% 1,2,3,4,5 
Assignment 2 Individual  30-40% 1,3,4 
Online Quizzes Individual  20-25%  2,5 

Content

  • Biological aspects of psychology
  • Sensation and perception
  • Consciousness
  • Motivation and emotion
  • Neuropsychology
  • Health and psychological disorders
  • Science and practice of psychology
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.