Psychology and Sociology

Description

Psychology is often defined as the study of behaviour and of the mind. Through their theories and research, psychologists investigate a diverse range of topics including:

• The relationship between the brain, behaviour and subjective experience;
• Human development;
• The influence of other people on the individual's thoughts, feelings and behaviour;
• Psychological disorders and their treatment;
• The impact of culture on the individual's behaviour and subjective experience;
• Differences between people in terms of their personality and intelligence;
• People's ability to acquire, organise, remember and use knowledge to guide their behaviour.

Sociologists are concerned with developing theories that explain the changing nature of social behaviour in their own and other societies. The kinds of question with which they are concerned are: what is society? How and why is it changing? What are the opportunities for future change and development?

A central theme of Sociology at Brunel is the study of the development of techno-cultural phenomena such as science, technology, and environmental issues which straddle traditional conceptual distinctions between the social, the natural, the technical and the material.

Among the more specific interests of Brunel sociologists are, for example, the social construction of science and technology, social theory, celebrity culture, the influence of the media, environmental risk, feminist virtual society, media regulation, and language and social interaction. These various interests are strongly reflected in the options available at Level 3 of our degree course.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 13000 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Level 1

• Foundations of Psychology I: Learning and Social Psychology
• Foundations of Psychology III: Brain and Cognition
• Statistics and Research Methods I
• Statistics and Research Methods II
• Introduction to Sociology
• Globalisation

Level 2

• Research in Practice
• Developmental and Cognitive Psychology
• Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)
• Social Division: difference and reistence
• Work and Society
• Quantitative Research Methods

Level 3

Core

• Dissertation (individual supervision on topic of own choosing)

Options

Students take four otpional modules, at least three of which should be from the following list:

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Inter-Group Relations
• The Psychology of Ageing
• Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
• Psychology of Consciousness
• Drugs, Hormones and the Brain
• Health Psychology
• Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
• The Social Psychology of Close Relationship

The fourth option may be an approved non-Psychology module within the School of Social Sciences.

Teaching and Learning

Our approach

We pursue excellence in both teaching and research. Our aim is to produce degree programmes which combine innovative and classical teaching methods with leading-edge research, and which recognise the value of practical work experience in the learning process. We take great pride in both the quality of teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students.

Practical skills

This course will help you to develop specific skills in the practical methods associated with psychology. A full range of laboratory and technical facilities is used in the teaching of experimental psychology, psychophysics brain-imaging (EEG and fMRI) and the use of information technology.

Staff expertise

All members of the academic staff are actively engaged in research and many have international reputations in their field. Their innovative findings feed into your courses to ensure that teaching is up-to-date. We have an unusually strong concentration of sociologists who specialise in the study of issues related to science, technology and the environment.

Hours

Each module will involve two to three hours of contact time per week. Students will also spend a great deal of their time in private study and preparing assignments.

How will I be taught?

Teaching methods include tutorials, seminars, laboratory classes and lectures.

Assessment

Methods

Students are assessed using a range of methods, including coursework assignments, poster presentations, oral presentations and seen as well as unseen examinations.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 CAE score : 60(Grade C)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• GCE A-level AAB – ABB. Typical offer AAB (General Studies not accepted for this subject at all).
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*D*D in a related subject.
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma D*D in a related subject with an A-level at grade A.
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in a related subject with A-levels grade AA.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma 35 points.
• Access to Higher EducationDiploma Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

GCSE Mathematics grade C and GCSE English grade C are also required.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Brunel University.