The program combines psychology and sport to prepare students to work as exercise scientists with specific knowledge in psychology, or complete further study to become registered psychologists.
Students gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, they study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body's response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, students learn how to help athletes and exercisers with motivation, goal-setting, positive thinking, concentration, emotional control, and coping skills.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2024 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Students gain an understanding of the physical and non-physical factors that influence athletic performance. In exercise science, they study scientific knowledge and procedures to assess and analyse the human body's response to acute and chronic physical activity. In the psychology component, students 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, sport and exercise psychology (with further study), exercise science.
Registration
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). At the completion of third year, students who meet the entry criteria may apply for Honours. Note that a minimum grade point average in Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Select Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
- In Pathway 1 students must complete 27 required courses, 1 elective from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences, 3 (300 level) SPX courses, and 1 elective from either faculty.
- In Pathway 2 students must complete 21 required courses, 1 School of Social Sciences Minor, 3 electives from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences, 3 (300 level) SPX courses, and 1 elective from either faculty.
- Complete a maximum of 5 introductory level courses from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
- Complete no more than 192 units of introductory level courses in total, including the core course.
- 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 course
1 core course:
COR109 Engineering System Design
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Heat Transfer
PSY101 Engineering Project 1
Required advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Engineering Project 2
PSY201 Engineering Research Methodology
PSY202 Dynamics 2
PSY203 Calculus II and Linear Algebra
PSY204 Numerical Analysis
PSY205 Numerical Analysis
PSY300 Fluid Mechanics
PSY301 Materials Technology
PSY302 Engineering Project Management
PSY303 Computational Mechanics
PSY304 Production Engineering
PSY305 Engineering System Design
Elective courses
Select 1 elective course from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Heat Transfer
LFS112 Engineering Project 1
LFS122 Engineering Project 2
SCI105 Engineering Research Methodology
SCI107 Dynamics 2
SCI110 Coastal and Marine Ecology
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Coastal Conservation Planning
SPX201 Special Research
SPX202 Communication and Thought
SPX211 Foundations in Medical Science
SPX212 Chemistry
SPX221 Think Health
3 required SPX coded courses:
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Elective course
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) 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 course
1 core course:
COR109 Cell Biology
Faculty of Arts and Business courses
Required introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Introductory Bioscience
PSY101 Science Research Methods
Required advanced courses (2):
PSY200 Human Physiology
PSY201 Human Anatomy
Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Integrated Physiology
PSY203 Biochemistry
PSY204 Microbiology
PSY205 Medical Genetics
PSY300 Introduction to Pharmacology
PSY301 Molecular Biology
PSY302 Immunology
PSY303 Pathophysiology
PSY304 Clinical placement I
PSY305 Special Research Project
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, Education and Engineering courses
Required introductory courses (6):
LFS100 Workplace Learning I
LFS112 Advanced Professional Skills in Biomedical Science
LFS122 Clinical Embryology
SCI105 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship
SCI107 Exploring Twentieth Century Theatre
SCI110 Introduction to the Creative Industries
Required advanced courses (6):
LFS251 Communication for the Creative Professional
SPX201 Elements of Design
SPX202 Acting 1: The actor's craft
SPX211 Directing Performance: Contemporary Perspectives
SPX212 Theatre Production
SPX221 Imagined Homelands: An Exploration of Australian Literature
3 required SPX coded courses :
3 x 300 level SPX courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Elective course
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).