BSc (Hons) Human Psychology
Course Modules
Faculty of Science
LJMU’s Faculty of Science is renowned for its innovative approach to teaching and research. Our academics are not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom or approach topics in fresh and imaginative ways. This innovative approach and passion for scientific advancement means that our students are constantly working at the cutting edge of their discipline. The Faculty’s strong links with industry and organisations in the UK and overseas, give students on sandwich courses a host of placement options. Our graduates, both home and international, are highly sought after, and the diversity of career paths – from laboratory technician to zoologist, pharmacist to astronomer – reflect the range of opportunities open to today’s scientists.
School of Natural Sciences and Psychology
Course Modules
PSYTA3001 – Occupational Psychology
PSYTA3002 – Experimental Psychology
PSYTA3003 – Dissertation
Welcome to the School of Natural Sciences and Psychology (NSP).The school is located in the Byrom Street campus in the centre of Liverpool, and Psychology itself is in the Tom Reilly Building (TRB). The building has excellent facilities, including several dedicated psychology laboratories, teaching rooms and excellent computer facilities. In addition, the nearby Avril Robarts Learning Resource Centre houses an extensive collection of psychology texts and journals, as well as support staff to help you with both academic and other queries you may have during your course.
The top-up programme in Human Psycology has been designed to produce psychology graduates who are ready for either employment using their expertise or Postgraduate Study to further develop their knowledge and skills. The course will equip you with up-to-date knowledge in a both experimental and occupational psychology that are relevant to the modern world, taught by research active staff at the forefront of their subject. You will also have the opportunity to explore a topic of interest by conducting your own research in the dissertation module. The course builds on your advanced diploma studies and is accredited by the British Psychological Society, marking out its graduates as individuals who are able to conduct psychology research to a high standard of competency.
The programme consists of three modules, all of which are compulsory (total 60 credits). The first taught module, Occupational Psychology, is a 12 credit module taught over two weeks and assessed by examination. The second, Experimental Psychology is a four week, 24 credit module, assessed by submission of research reports. .The dissertation module makes up the remaining 36 credits, and runs throughout the course. During the taught modules, students attend classes morning and afternoon, Monday to Thursday, with Friday reserved for coursework preparation and work on the dissertation. There is a high level of support with a pastoral tutor and module leaders available for advice. In addition, all students are given a dissertation supervisor to help them with their project work.
Programme Leader & Support Staff
Your Programme Leader for this course in Human Psychology is Dr Sally Woods (Email: s.c.woods@ljmu.ac.uk), and she is assisted by Rosey Stock (r.stock@ljmu.ac.uk). Please contact either staff member for further information.
First Module:
PSYTA3001 – Occupational Psychology
Module Leader
Professor Noel Sheehy
Reader in Psychology
Room 309
Tom Reilly Building
Email: n.p.sheehy@ljmu.ac.uk
Introduction
This module examines issues relating to recruitment, selection, psychometrics, appraisal of work performance and aspects of career development. Additionally, psychological research relating to the design of work environments (with particular emphasis on health and safety at work) and models and methods of organisational development are examined.
Aims
This module aims to:
1. Introduce you to psychological aspects of recruitment, selection and development of staff.
2. Allow you to understand the principles of psychometrics in the recruitment, selection and development of staff.
3. Introduce you to the psychological influences of environments in relation to work performance.
4. Enable you to understand where and why difficulties arise when people interact with technology.
5. Enable you to understand the main processes of organisational change and development.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module the student should be able to:
1. Critically appraise psychometric and non-psychometric approaches to selection and development, communicating clearly an understanding of reliability and validity.
2. Explain and evaluate different approaches to job analysis and assess the implications of job analysis in selection and development
3. Demonstrate an understanding of work performance and safety.
4. Identify and summarise key concepts in Human Factors
5. Demonstrate an understanding of work performance and safety.
Description & Outline Syllabus
This module examines issues relating to recruitment, selection, psychometrics, and appraisal of work performance and aspects of career development. Additionally, psychological research relating to the design of work environments are examined, with particular emphasis on human factors in design and the causes of human error in the workplace.
Assessment Details
100% examination
Indicative References
Chmiel, N (1999) 'An introduction to work and organizational psychology' 1st Blackwell 0631206760
Doyle, C (2002) 'Work and Organizational Psychology' 1st Psychology Press
Norma, DA (2002) 'The Design of Everyday Things' Basic Books
Warr, P (2002) 'Psychology at Work' Penguin
Second Module:
PSYTA3002 – Experimental Psychology
Module Leader
Dr Yvonne Harrison
Senior Lecturer
Room 229
Tom Reilly Building
Email: y.harrison@ljmu.ac.uk
Introduction
This is a laboratory based modules consisting of four distinct pieces of work. The four laboratory practicals will be delivered by: Yvonne Harrison, Peter Malinowski, Noel Sheehy and Cath Willis.
Aims
This module aims to:
1. Introduce you to the use of a range of experimental laboratory-based techniques in psychological studies.
2. Develop your practical understanding of experimental research methods in psychology.
3. Allow you to gain experience of using computer statistical packages for the analysis of complex experimental data.
4. Enable you to obtain practical experience of designing and conducting large experimental studies, both individually and in groups.
5. Convey an understanding of complex issues surrounding the validity of experimental investigative work in psychology.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
1. Design, conduct and report research in psychology using experimentally based advanced quantitative methods
2. Choose appropriate statistical procedures for the analysis of experimental data.
3. Analyse research data using a computer based statistical package
4. Work independently in conducting psychological investigations
5. Demonstrate informed criticism of reported investigations
Description & Outline Syllabus
Laboratory based workshops, supported by seminars, will provide you with ‘hands-on’ opportunities to design experimental investigations of a range of psychological processes (e.g. cognitive processes, psychophysiological processes). There will also be an introduction to qualitative methods of psychological research.
For each laboratory in Experimental Psychology a typical week of activity (laboratory work will vary because of the nature of activities involved) will be structured as follows:
Dates Activity
Monday AM Introductory seminar
Monday PM Hands-on familiarisation activity
Tuesday AM Advanced seminar
Tuesday PM Laboratory activity
Wednesday AM Laboratory activity
Wednesday PM Preliminary data analysis
Thursday AM Further data analysis
Thursday PM Drafting of laboratory report and presentation
Friday (and weekend) Drafting of laboratory report
Sunday Submission of coursework
Assessment Details
100% coursework, an equal weighting between four research reports.
Indicative References
Solso, A (2002) 'Experimental Psychology: A Case Approach' Allyn and Bacon
Field, A. & Hole, G. (2003) 'How to Design and Report Experiments.' Sage
Third Module:
PSYTA3003 – Dissertation
Module Leader
Dr Sally Woods
Senior Lecturer
Room 308
Tom Reilly Building
Email: s.c.woods@ljmu.ac.uk
Introduction
Students carry out an empirical investigation into a psychological area working closely with a member of the Programme team.
Aims
This module aims to:
1. To provide students with an opportunity to carry out in-depth advanced study in a specific area of psychology.
2. To enable students to apply appropriate principles of empirical research to an issue negotiated with their supervisor.
3. To enable students to present their research in the form of a written thesis, using appropriate styles and conventions.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
1 Formulate a research plan which includes a realistic idea of the relative time and effort weighting to be given to various stages of the research, and an indication of the objectives and intended outcomes of the research study.
2 Demonstrate the skills of literature search, critical review and selection of relevant sources, and systematic synthesis and treatment of key material.
3 Choose and apply appropriate advanced statistical techniques and interpret the results and their implications correctly.
4 Write a thesis of up to 7,000 words which pays due regard to the conventions whereby psychological research is conveyed to others, demonstrating specialist subject knowledge.
Description and Outline Syllabus
Each student will identify an academic supervisor and meet regularly with the supervisor to discuss plans and progress. They will draw up a realistic plan of work and gain ethical approval for their research. They will also explore a range of potentially appropriate data analysis techniques, analyzing the data and producing a thesis.
Assessment Details
100% coursework, a 7,000 word thesis
Indicative References
Sternberg, R.J. & Leach, C. (2003) 'The Psychologist's Companion' Cambridge University Press
American Psychological Association (2001) 'Publication Manual' American Psychological Association
