About BSc (Hnrs) in Applied Psychology (PSI Accredited)

Application: CAO,   

CAO Points in 2011:   Minimum Points  385 Median Points

What is Applied Psychology?

Psychology is the study of how people think and act. Applied Psychology is the practical application of psychology to the real world. Consider how technology has changed many aspects of day-to-day life, such as the workplace, education and learning, socialising, and even online shopping. New technologies are changing how we communicate and work, e.g. text messaging, social networking sites, online chat, etc. How will these change society and the way we interact? Everything is made clearer through the application of psychological principles.

• Psychology helps teachers design instruction to meet individual student needs;
  
• Psychology helps patients manage chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension
  
• Psychology improves safety by advising the aviation industry on how to design cockpits and fire departments on the colour of fire engines;
  
• Psychology helps athletes and executives reach their peak performance;
  
• Psychology advises the FBI on how to combat terrorism.
  
• Psychology helps public health officials prevent injuries and violence.

This degree is a unique opportunity to study how psychology applies to everyday life, especially our use of technology, and how it can create new ways to improve our quality of life. It is a practical, hands-on programme and you will work in small groups and attend lectures, tutorials and labs for about 22 hours a week. 

Aims and Objectives

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

You can work or study in all branches of psychology as the degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. Our graduates have studied for Masters Degrees in Forensic Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Speech and Language Therapy, Sports Psychology, Multimedia, and e-Learning.

They are also working as usability engineers (human computer interaction), research assistants, instructional designers, or are employed in human resources and a variety of other jobs.

You can progress to our MSc in Cyberpsychology.

 

What modules will I study?

Year 1

• Introduction to Psychology – Introduction to all areas of psychology.
  
• Perception and Ergonomics - interpreting the world around us
  
• Research Methods and Statistics – how to carry out psychological research
  
• Multimedia Design - principles of designing for technology eg Photoshop
  
• ICT - Information and Communication Technologies, i.e. how a computer works and communicates
  
• Cyberpsychology - provides introductory content in topics such as Online aggression, Cyberbullying and Cybercrime.
  

 

Year 2

You study four core psychology modules (Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Lifespan Psychology, Personality and Psychometrics and Research Methods (including statistics), and either Psychology and Design modules (Information Design and Multimedia and Software Design) or Psychology and Practice modules (Sports and Health Psychology and Organisational Psychology).

Places on these two paths will be allocated on the basis of student performance, choice and the number of places available.

Students studying the Psychology and Design modules have told us that they particularly value (1) acquiring skills relevant to the workplace;  (2) a focus that is creative and design-based; and (3) a learning environment that allows plenty of time for practical hands-on work (often in small groups). Students work on projects such as designing a computer-based animation to teach children about hand washing safety. Students completing this specialist stream are working towards a fully accredited degree in Applied Psychology. 

 

Year 3

You study four core psychology modules (Social Psychology, Neuropsychology, Abnormal Psychology)  and  Research Methods. The two paths work together on a group project.  In third year the Psychology and Design students study Web Applications and Usability Engineering while the Psychology and Practice students study Educational Psychology.

 

Year 4

All students carry out a major psychology research project as well as Transpersonal & Positive Psychology and Advanced Psychology. Furthermore, The Psychology and Design students will study Human Computer Interaction in Practice and Cognitive Ergonomics, while the Psychology and Practice path will study Learning and Instruction and Forensic Psychology.