Arts - Psychology
This Certificate will be of interest both to those who wish to pursue careers in psychology, and to those who are motivated by an interest in the area. It provides prerequisites for all modules of year 1 of the Higher Diploma in Psychology (although completion of the Certificate course does not guarantee entry to the H Dip).
| Award Name | Special Purpose Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Special Purpose |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Purpose Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Special Purpose | National University of Ireland | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
1 year online
This course takes place on Wednesday evening from 6.00pm - 10.00pm from September/October to December and January to April. Tutorials will be held on Tuesday evening from 7.00pm -8.00pm.
Entry Requirements
This course is open to adult learners and will be of interest both to those who wish to pursue further study in pscyhology and to those who are motivated by an interest in the area. Minimum entry age: 18.
Further information
START DATE September 2023
VENUE
Online
€800
CLOSING DATE 8 September 2023
The course will provide students with a general introduction to the discipline of psychology. Students will be introduced to key domains of academic psychology, along with having exposure to research and analytic techniques. Students completing the Certificate course should have a good basic understanding of the fundamentals of academic psychology.
This Certificate course is designed to map closely onto the first year of the BA (Hons.) in Applied Psychology. Thus it focuses on the key areas of psychology as identified by the Psychological Society of Ireland and the British Psychological Society – the accrediting professional bodies on these islands.
The areas addressed include
Social Psychology: How the presence of others influences our thoughts and behaviours, and how we interact socially. Prejudice, discrimination, helping behaviour, obedience etc.
Developmental Psychology: Particularly child development. How we develop from dependent infants through the various social and intellectual stages to becoming an adult.
Biological Psychology: The physiological underpinnings of experience and behaviour. Describing the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and endocrine systems (e.g. the brain, neurons, neurotransmitters), and how they influence behaviours such as sleep, eating, and stress.
Cognitive Psychology: How we think, perceive, learn, and remember. Understanding the structure and function of brain regions and how they relate to sensation, perception and memory. Describing attention and memory theories.
History of Psychology: How the discipline began and developed.
Introductions to such seminal thinkers as Freud and Skinner.
Practice of Psychology: The different strands of professional psychology, and how different types of psychologist work.
Research and data analysis: An introduction to how we expand and develop knowledge in the field.
Year 1 Modules
AD1063: Science and the Practice of Psychology (5 credits)
Psychology as a scientific discipline and as a domain of professional practice. Introduction to the history of psychology; Overviews and case studies of specialisms in Applied Psychology.
AD1064: Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology (5 credits)
The brain as the organ of the mind. Biological bases of behaviour. An introduction to cognitive psychology which includes memory, perception, reasoning and language.
AD1065: Introduction to Developmental and Social Perspectives on Psychology (5 credits)
Key findings and key theories concerning perceptual, motor, cognitive, emotional and social development in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. An introduction to theories and research in social psychology. Social cognition (e.g. attitudes and attribution). Social influence (e.g. inter-group behaviour and conformity). Social Relations (e.g. group identity and prosocial behaviour).
AD1066: Introduction to Research and Statistical Analysis (5 credits)
The scientific method. The concept of measurement in psychology. Basic principles and skills of data analysis (quantitative and qualitative). Evidence based practice. Ethical principles of human research.
Assessment
End of module examination. Continuous assessment.
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Helena O Connor at h.oconnor@ucc.ie.
If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Deborah Kerrisk at deborah.kerrisk@ucc.ie.