Online Bachelor of Psychological Science

Description 
Psychology is a diverse and thriving science devoted to understanding behaviour and the human mind. In PSYC105 you will receive an introduction to the following areas: positive psychology; wellbeing; visual perception; research methods; learning and behaviour change; forensic psychology; neuropsychology; drugs and behaviour; memory and cognition; and health psychology.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define some of the key terms in the study of brain, behaviour, & cognition.
   
2. Explain why people might behave the way they do, and the mental processes that give rise to their behaviour.
   
3. Practice some of the research techniques that are used to gain scientific knowledge in psychology.
   
4. Demonstrate the ability to read original journal articles and interpret research writing in psychology.
   
5. Demonstrate elementary abilities in handling quantitative data in psychology.
   
6. Demonstrate abilities to write clearly about research procedures and data in a research report.

Description 
Psychology is a diverse and thriving science devoted to understanding behaviour and the human mind. In PSYC106 you will receive an introduction to five major domains: personality, abnormal, social, developmental, and organisational psychology. You will also learn about the different research methods used in each of these domains. 

Learning outcomes 

1. Describe foundational concepts and principles in social, developmental, and applied psychology.
2. Explain and illustrate key psychological theories that account for the influence of social, cultural, and developmental contexts on human behaviour, cognition and mental health.
3. Describe common research methods used in social, developmental and applied psychology, including their strengths and limitations.
4. Interpret research findings from psychological studies in the fields of social, developmental and applied psychology.
5. Apply basic quantitative techniques to psychological datasets, to analyse and interpret psychological data relevant to social, developmental and applied psychology.
6. Describe how cultural context, including te ao Māori context, shapes understanding of interpersonal behaviour, development and wellbeing.

Description 
This course examines the ideas and methods that make psychological science possible. We'll take a holistic and critical look at the science of psychology itself: Its questions, methods, evidence, and unique challenges; as well as its place within modern Aotearoa New Zealand society. You'll learn how psychologists measure a world of unobservable mental traits, devise experiments that reveal the underlying mechanisms of mind, and convert raw data into real world conculsions that have a meaningful impact on people's lives. You'll build the critical thinking skills to distinguish good psychological science from bad, genuine breakthrough from glorified clickbait, and evidence-based interventions from scams and grifts. Upon these foundations you'll be able to build with confidence the pathway of your choosing through the psychological sciences (and beyond).

Learning outcomes 

1. Reflect on psychology’s place within broader scientific, cultural and historical contexts.
2. Understand the methods psychologists use to study mind and behaviour.
3. Present, summarise, and interpret psychological data.
4. Critically evaluate evidence for psychological theories and phenomena.
5. Identify biases and weaknesses in human cognition.

Description 
SPSC114 examines how we communicate, how that is influenced by our culture, the neural and cognitive processes underpinning communication, and how communication is affected by external contexts such as noise and stress. It highlights theories and practical strategies to enhance the success of communication, in written and spoken format, as a university student and future professional. Drawing on case studies from the fields of medicine and aviation, we explore the effects of communication failure-and how those issues can be mitigated. We explore how communication differs across groups-such as children, older adults and those with communication difficulty. Students also gain exposure to the different academic disciplines that examine communication and the scientific methods they employ.

Learning outcomes 

1. Evaluate how communication develops in humans and how it occurs in context, and how practices differ across cultures.
2. Recall the basic processes of communication, including how spoken messages are conveyed and comprehended, and how different conditions and contexts affect communication.
3. Demonstrate ability to communicate professionally and effectively in a variety of contexts.
4. Recognise how communication breakdowns can have adverse effects in workplaces and understand how different academic disciplines approach scientific questioning and communication analysis.

Description 
This introductory course in research methods and statistics equips you to evaluate psychological research by understanding how different study designs address different questions and how to make sense of statistical evidence. We follow a framework of three types of research claims and four validities as the conceptual thread for thinking about the quality of research. The course covers topics on research design, ethical and bicultural principles including Te Ara Tika, and statistical reasoning, all grounded in real examples from the psychological literature. Online sessions build practical skills in data analysis using jamovi and Excel—no hand calculations or maths beyond basic algebra are required. By the end of the course, you will be able to judge what a study can and cannot conclude, and communicate statistical findings using effect sizes, confidence intervals, and precise interpretive language. Completion of PSYC206 is required for all higher-level psychology courses.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain how psychological science uses empirical methods and statistical reasoning to generate and evaluate frequency, association, and causal claims.
2. Evaluate psychological research by applying the four validities framework (construct, statistical, internal, and external) to assess the strength of empirical claims.
3. Describe common research designs used in psychology, explaining how each addresses different research questions and the conclusions each can support.
4. Explain established ethical principles for human research and Te Ara Tika, and identify ethical considerations across the research process.
5. Analyse quantitative data using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics, interpreting results using effect sizes and confidence intervals to distinguish statistical significance from practical importance.
6. Communicate research methods and results in APA format, using appropriate statistical notation, visualisations, and precise interpretive language.

Description 
This course will examine human development from conception to late adolescence, and will cover neuropsychological, cognitive, biological, behavioural and socio-emotional development. Emphasis will be given to major theoretical influences that have shaped current thinking about child and adolescent development, as well as research methods and techniques that are used to study development. Key developmental issues will be considered in relation to both typical and atypical patterns of development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand core concepts and findings on biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development. 
2. Describe and integrate major theoretical approaches to understanding human development. 
3. Understand various methods used to investigate developmental changes. 
4. Connect understanding of developmental psychology to modern-day, real-world issues. 
5. Communicate clearly and concisely in written format. 

Description 
This is an introductory course in cognitive psychology: the science of how the mind and brain are organised to produce intelligent human thought processes. Topics include visual cognition, attention, memory, problem solving and expertise, reasoning and decision making, and language comprehension.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop an understanding of theoretical and empirical foundations of cognitive processes. 
2. Understand how a cognitive approach can help us to understand behaviour and mental processes. 
3. Learn how to critically appraise the design, data analysis, and the validity of conclusions drawn from empirical investigations in human attention, memory, and language. 
4. Gain an appreciation for creative thinking, sceptical inquiry, and rigorous scientific approaches to issues relating to mental processes. 
5. Display enhanced writing skills and be able to apply these skills in the production of a research report. 

Description 
Social Psychology is the scientific study of how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others. This course provides a broad overview of topics in social psychology. The learning will cover a range of topics illustrating the impact of social context on the individual by focusing on topics such as the self-concept, social perception, intergroup bias, attitudes and persuasion, social influence, group processes, close relationships, prosocial behaviour and aggression.

Learning Outcomes

1. The first goal in this course is to have you broadly learn about social psychological theories and empirical evidence on the impact of social context on human behaviour.
2. The second goal is to help you learn how theories are translated into research questions and tested empirically using varied methodologies and how resulting findings help illuminate social phenomena in everyday life while sometimes helping in the creation of interventions.
3. The final goal of the course is to help you think independently and develop your own research ideas that build on existing work.

Description 
This course will introduce the disciplines of cognitive and behavioural neuroscience in addition to covering relevant aspects of developmental neuroscience and neuropharmacology. We will cover how the brain develops and changes with sensory inputs and experiences as we learn and update information, navigate the environment, make decisions, and produce actions. Different neuroscience techniques will be introduced, and we will reflect on how changes in perceptual processing, as well as our genetics and environment influence our brain development. This course will also cover the regulations associated with the ethical treatment and welfare of animal models and humans involved in neuroscience research.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and distinguish brain anatomy, neuronal function, and neural systems. 
2. Summarise and reflect upon the regulations that govern the ethical treatment and welfare of humans and animals participating in neuroscience research.
3. Distinguish between neural systems that support sensory processing, learning and memory, motor function, spatial navigation, executive functions, and emotional processing. 
4. Identify how genetics and environmental influences impact on neural systems.
5. Compare neuroscience techniques used in animal models and humans, including micro-stimulation, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, and manipulations of neuronal activity. 

Description 
This intermediate course in research methods and statistics develops your ability to critically evaluate psychological research, apply sound measurement practices, and analyse data using foundational statistical models. Learning explores the philosophical and ethical foundations of research, the logic of study design and causal reasoning, statistical interpretation beyond significance testing, and strategies for navigating cultural and methodological complexities. Online sessions provide guided practice in conducting, analysing, and communicating psychological research using accessible tools. By the end of the course, you will be able to interpret and communicate psychological evidence with transparency, rigour, and epistemic humility.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate psychological research by appraising its credibility and the strength of its causal claims, integrating evidence from study design, replication, transparent practices, and threats to internal validity.
2. Evaluate the quality of psychological measurement by applying principles of classical test theory, reliability, and scale construction.
3. Apply statistical analyses with multiple predictors to psychological data, interpreting results using effect sizes and confidence intervals to draw appropriate conclusions.
4. Design and conduct a preregistered replication study, selecting appropriate analyses and evaluating the contribution of replication to psychological science.
5. Identify and reflect on the philosophical, ethical, and cultural foundations of psychological research, including research integrity, Te Ara Tika, and research relationships with Māori.
6. Communicate psychological research clearly and transparently in APA format, acknowledging uncertainty and limitations.

Description 
In this dynamic and immersive course, students will engage in problem-based learning within a Work-Integrated Learning context, collaborating with an industry partner to address a complex problem. The course combines academic knowledge with practical application to enhance students' problem-solving and critical thinking abilities while addressing industry-relevant issues. Throughout the course, students will work in teams to develop innovative solutions to a problem defined by the industry partner. Students will gain insights into current industry practices, challenges, and trends. They will learn to navigate real-world constraints while honing their teamwork, communication, project management, and self-reflection skills. The course will culminate in a presentation of the proposed solutions to the industry partner, fostering professional networking opportunities and potential implementation of the proposed solutions. Students will complete a written summary of their project for the industry partner and individual reports for their course submissions. Throughout the course, students will develop their bicultural competence and confidence and their capacity to work with diverse communities. By participating in this course, students will develop their employability and prepare for successful careers in psychology. They will develop their capacity to thrive in complex environments where their expertise and problem-solving abilities can make a tangible difference.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply psychological knowledge to industry-relevant contexts: Through collaboration with an industry partner, students will gain practical experience in applying psychological concepts, theories, and methodologies to industry-specific problems, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional application.
2. Develop problem-solving skills in the field of psychology: Students will enhance their ability to analyse complex problems, apply psychological theories and research, and propose innovative solutions in real-world contexts.
3. Engage professionally with the community: Students develop their professional behaviour, including professional verbal and written communication, throughout their interactions with an industry partner.
4. Develop work-readiness skills through experience and guided self-reflection: Students gain an understanding of the latest psychological research and key models related to work-readiness skills (e.g., teamwork, conflict management, wellbeing at work). They put their learning into practice during the group project work. Students reflect on the development of their work-readiness skills to increase their practical skills and their capacity for accurate self-reflection.
5. Grow cultural competence: Students develop their bicultural competence and confidence during their project work and in their interactions with the community. They increase their capability to work with diverse communities.

Description 
This is an introductory course in clinical psychology (also known as abnormal psychology). The main emphasis of this course is on current views, perspectives, and research in this field. Because this is an introductory course, learning will largely consist of broad overviews of various psychological disorder concepts and selected specific problem areas. Clinical psychology draws upon most basic areas of psychological knowledge (e.g., social, developmental, physiological, cognitive, learning theory). Course content aims to apply knowledge from these areas to the understanding of psychopathology. PSYC379 Introduction to Psychopathology is a prerequisite course for the Postgraduate Clinical Psychology Programme at Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha/University of Canterbury.

Learning Outcomes

1. Provide students with a basic understanding of the various theoretical views on the concept of abnormality in psychology.
2. Provide students with an introduction to classes of psychopathology phenomena. In the context of this introduction, specific problem areas or forms of psychopathology will be highlighted.
3. Review basic research and empirical findings associated with the specific problem areas or various forms of psychopathology.
4. Sensitise students to differences in the conceptualisation of psychopathology among persons from diverse ethnic, demographic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

You'll also complete 180 points of other online psychology courses aligned with UC's on-campus programme.

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