- Combine studies in physical conditioning with professional training in psychology
- Work in the field of sports performance
- Earn two degrees in only four years
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Exercise Science)
Award abbreviation: BA/BSc
QTAC code: 014301
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-15 / Rank-69
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences, preferably Chemistry
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: SA305
CRICOS code: 058144E. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Combine psychology and sport to work as an exercise scientist with specific knowledge in psychology, or choose to complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
This program provides you with an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, you study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body’s response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, you learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control and coping skills.
Career opportunities
Community recreation and fitness, personal training, research, sports psychology (with further study).
Professional recognition
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) has accredited Pathway 1 of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Exercise Science) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology. Following successful completion of an accredited honours year plus either further accredited postgraduate study or supervision following the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Honours
USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)—to which you can gain direct entry upon completion of Pathway 1. Please note that a minimum grade point average in the Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information.
- Contact Faculty of Arts and Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice
Program Leader—Faculty of Arts and Business
Professor Mary Katsikitis
Tel: +61 7 5456 5034
Email: mkatsiki@usc.edu.au
Program Leader—Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Lisa Fraser
Tel: +61 7 5459 4638
Email: lfraser@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Select Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
- In Pathway 1 students must complete 28 required courses, 1 elective from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences and 3 (300 level) SPX courses.
- In Pathway 2 students must complete 22 required courses, 1 School of Social Sciences Minor, 3 electives from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences and 3 (300 level) SPX courses.
- Complete a maximum of 5 introductory level courses from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
- Complete 12 required courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering and undertake 3 x 300 level SPX elective courses.
- Register your selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 Study Plan.
Pathway 1
This pathway may lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Foundations of Sustainability
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology A
Required advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY203 Physiological Psychology
PSY204 Introduction to Human Development
PSY205 Social Psychology
PSY300 Motivation and Emotion
PSY301 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY302 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY303 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY304 Personality and Assessment
PSY305 Human Associative Learning
Elective courses
Select 1 elective course from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health and Education courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Abnormal Psychology
LFS112 Cell Biology
LFS122 Human Physiology
SCI105 Human Anatomy
SCI107 Chemistry
SCI110 Physics
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Science Research Methods
SPX201 Biochemistry
SPX202 Functional Anatomy
SPX211 Biomechanics I
SPX212 Exercise Physiology I
SPX221 Exercise Prescription and Programming
3 required SPX coded courses:
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) program would require completion of 6 further Psychology courses, and would be subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Introduction to Sports Medicine
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology A
Required advanced courses (2):
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology A
Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY203 Physiological Psychology
PSY204 Introduction to Human Development
PSY205 Social Psychology
PSY300 Motivation and Emotion
PSY301 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY302 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY303 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY304 Personality and Assessment
PSY305 Human Associative Learning
Minor (4 courses)
Select a minor from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Elective courses
Select 3 elective courses from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health and Education courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Abnormal Psychology
LFS112 Cell Biology
LFS122 Human Physiology
SCI105 Human Anatomy
SCI107 Chemistry
SCI110 Physics
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Science Research Methods
SPX201 Biochemistry
SPX202 Functional Anatomy
SPX211 Biomechanics I
SPX212 Exercise Physiology I
SPX221 Exercise Prescription and Programming
3 required SPX coded courses :
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering