Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Exercise Science)
Award abbreviation: BA/BSc
QTAC code: 014301
OP/Rank for 2010 entry: OP-15 / Rank-70
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Recommended prior study: English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences, preferably Chemistry
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic 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.

Highlights

• Combine studies in physical conditioning with professional training in psychology
• Work in the field of sports performance
• Earn two degrees in only four years

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

Cardiac and pulmonary testing and rehabilitation, coaching, community recreation and fitness, personal training, exercise physiology, research, sports psychology (with further study).

Professional recognition

Depending on courses selected, graduates may become members of the Australian Coaching Council, and gain certification for Level I and Level II General Principles Coaching. 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.

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Structural Engineering
COR110 Soil Mechanics
COR111 Numerical Analysis

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses

Select 1 of the following pathways:

Pathway 1

This pathway may lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.

2 required introductory courses:
PSY100 Science Research Methods
PSY101 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics

Plus 12 required advanced courses:
PSY200 Engineering Project Management
PSY201 Construction Technology
PSY202 Engineering Research Methodology
PSY203 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
PSY204 Engineering Project 1
PSY205 Design of Roads and Drainage
PSY300 Concrete Structures and Technology
PSY301 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
PSY302 Engineering Project 2
PSY303 Engineering Sustainable Design
PSY304 Advanced Soil Mechanics
PSY305 Communication and Thought

Plus select 1 Arts and Social Sciences elective

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.

2 required introductory courses:
PSY100 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY101 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Plus 2 required level 2 courses:
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY201 Introduction to Psychology B

Plus select 4 courses from:
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY203 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY204 Physiological Psychology
PSY205 Introduction to Human Development
PSY300 Social Psychology
PSY301 Motivation and Emotion
PSY302 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY303 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY304 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies

Plus select an Arts and Social Sciences minor (4 courses)
Plus select 3 Arts and Social Sciences electives

Faculty of Science, Health and Education courses

6 required introductory courses:
LFS122 Personality and Assessment
LFS112 Human Associative Learning
LFS100 Abnormal Psychology
SCI105 Introduction to Psychology A
SCI107 Introduction to Psychology B
SCI110 Research Methods in Psychology A

Plus 6 required advanced courses:
LFS251 Research Methods in Psychology B
SPX201 Physiological Psychology
SPX202 Introduction to Human Development
SPX211 Social Psychology
SPX212 Motivation and Emotion
SPX221 Advanced Methods in Psychology

Plus select 3 300-level SPX coded courses from the Faculty of Science, Health and Education 

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
2. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
3. Refer to explanation of terms.
4. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
5. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
6. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
7. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.

Enquiries

How to apply

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

Program Leaders

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 
Professor Mary Katsikitis 
Tel: +61 7 5456 5034
Email: mkatsiki@usc.edu.au

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Lisa Fraser
Tel: +61 7 5459 4638
Email: lfraser@usc.edu.au

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