Psychology - Applied: Bachelor of Science (also: Honours)
Description
While Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology degrees have existed at universities since the late 1800s, recent developments have proclaimed that "the psychology of science has arrived" (Journal of Psychology of Science and Technology, 1, 205, 2008). The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology is an interdisciplinary program rich in Psychology and Natural Sciences content. It is built primarily upon the attributes that have proven successful in the existing Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology degrees. The foundation of the degree is rooted in KPU’s existing two year science curriculum, with an emphasis on Biology and Chemistry, and on core base courses in Psychology.
The degree was developed in close connection with employers in the field and community partners, and has an applied focus that prepares students for employment upon graduation, for research-focused graduate studies, or for entry into professional programs of study. Many courses within this program have a lab component. The program will take a systems/ecological approach, recognizing the interrelationships between humans and their environments, and the ways in which each influences and alters the other.
During the third and fourth year students will take courses across three main topical areas within Psychology: (1) research skills (statistics, program evaluation, qualitative and quantitative research, and tests and measurement); (2) biological psychology (neuroscience, drugs and behaviour, neuropsychology, and learning theory and practice); and (3) health psychology (developmental psychopathology, rehabilitation, clinical intervention, psychopathology, psychology and law, health psychology, and aging). The degree will be embedded throughout with psychological application, including hands-on lab experience and courses focusing on human interaction with (and use of) modern technology, ethics, professional business practices, and technical writing. Students will be required to participate in a workplace practicum co-supervised by faculty and employers. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology degree provides innovative academic rigor encompassing exploration, inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, community, and accountability with clear employment outcomes. An existing Honours program in Psychology would be utilized to prepare interested students for research-focused graduate studies.
Students interested in applying to graduate school or who prefer a more extensive research experience are encouraged to apply to the Honours program. The Honours program affords students an opportunity to develop and report on a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member within the Psychology Department.
Career Opportunities
While taking the program, students will be required to participate in a workplace practicum co-supervised by faculty and community employers. They will have the opportunity to test their skills and knowledge in specific contexts, to observe the relationships between specific disciplinary techniques, and to appreciate the complexities of technical and human interactions. They will see, first hand, that no single method is sufficient, no single discipline capable of interpreting and responding to modern individual, community and workplace challenges. The shared responsibility for the practicum taken by academic and community sponsors will provide a powerful balance between classroom and workplace learning, deepening both.
A student who successfully completes the B.Sc. in Applied Psychology, will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- critically examine the research literature
- contribute effectively to a seminar discussion
- deliver a presentation based on primary source research
- communicate ideas effectively in writing and in oral form
- critically evaluate primary and secondary source material
- develop a research program
- apply skills in a relevant work setting
- demonstrate solid ethical decision making both in research and practice
- work within an interdisciplinary framework
- demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of statistical and methodological approaches to scientific enquiry
- demonstrate a working knowledge of various scientific technologies and techniques
The degree was developed in close collaboration with industry/employers to ensure positive outcomes and maximum opportunities. Graduates of this degree could therefore find employment in areas such as vocational rehabilitation, mental health services, gerontology, neuropsychological testing, forensics, disability services, software usability research, research and design, pharmaceutical companies, and child care consultancy. They would also be well prepared for post-graduate programs in physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Students who complete the additional Honours option would be well prepared for research-focused graduate studies in neuroscience, psychology, counseling, public policy, kinesiology, and special education.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply.
Year One Admission:
- English 12 with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent)
- Principles of Mathematics 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalent)
- Principles of Physics 12 with a minimum grade of P (or equivalent)
- Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalent)
Year Three Admission:
Students can enter the program in third year, provided they have completed all Year 1 and Year 2 required courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher and a C or higher in Psychology 2300 and 2400 (or equivalent transfer credits). Students are advised to consider prerequisites for 3rd and 4th year courses when applying for entry into the 3rd year of the program.
A student who has completed courses at another post-secondary institution may request that these credits be transferred to Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Transfer students may be admitted to the program, space permitting, at any point up to the seventh semester. This structure follows the approved B.Sc. framework in place at Kwantlen Polytechnic University with respect to both minimum academic standards to progress in the program, as well as entrance requirements.
Honours Admission:
In order to be admitted to the Honours program students are expected to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and to obtain a 'B+' grade in both PSYC 3300 and 3400. Students must also obtain endorsement from a faculty member who will serve as their thesis advisor, and be recommended by the Psychology Honours selection committee. Selections are made in May for the following September.
A limited number of seats are available each year for Honours students. Students must apply to the Honours program in the fall prior to the year they intend to begin the program
Program Requirements
The learning environment and methodologies will utilize all current andragogical techniques that enhance student learning. Faculty will adopt approaches that provide students with a participatory and collaborative learning environment that merges theory and research with experiential participation. These approaches include traditional classroom instruction, computer simulations and experiential web materials, small seminar groups, field trips to research facilities and medical units where appropriate and “hands-on” training and experience with industry/academic-specific methodological techniques. Faculty-supervised independent and/or collaborative student research will also be a key component of study in several courses with particular emphasis on in-depth research, both qualitative and quantitative, in both the practicum and Honours program courses.
Methodologies will be specifically aimed at enhancing student success in identified learning outcomes. Common themes to these outcomes beyond the knowledge-based aspects of the curriculum will be critical thinking, analytical skills, team building, communication skills and employability skills, as well as the ability to move beyond theoretical constructs to operationalization for the purpose of problem identification and problem solving. The goal will be the development of well-educated, critically aware and articulate graduates who demonstrate a thorough understanding of current issues, theory and research in the psychological sciences.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many students are dissatisfied with traditional science offerings that are perceived as leading only to graduate studies or specialized professions. In addition to preparing students for more traditional pursuits, the B.Sc. in Applied Psychology degree offers job-focused, job-ready, innovated learning that prepares students for new types of positions in the science, health and pharmaceutical industries, and for constant change in today’s workplace.
Applied Psychology Honours
The following are the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology Honours program.
The Honours program consists of two 6 credit thesis courses (PSYC 5002 and PSYC 5010 ) that are offered in September and January respectively. For the BSc in Applied Psychology, these courses can be taken within the 40 courses required for degree completion.
Students choosing the Honours degree, must take the following in lieu of 2 electives: |
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| PSYC 5002 | Honours Thesis I (BSc) | 6 credits | |
| PSYC 5010 | Honours Thesis II | 6 credits | |
To qualify for the Applied Psychology Honours degree, students must have been admitted to the Honours program prior to earning the Applied Psychology degree. Students may receive either the Applied Psychology degree or the Applied Psychology Honours degree, but not both.
Applied Psychology Degree
Core Requirements
The following core requirements are to be completed for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology:
- A minimum 120 credits and a minimum of 40 courses total at the post-secondary level
- A minimum 6 credits writing requirement
- A minimum 6 credits mathematics, at least 3 credits of which are statistics
- A minimum 72 science credits including at least 36 credits at the 3000 and 4000 level. Included in this are required courses in biology, chemistry, psychology and physics outlined below.
- A minimum 24 credits general education requirement, including at least 3 credits at the upper level
- A passing grade in all courses counting towards the Bachelor of Science, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- A minimum 60 credits taken at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, or approval to transfer a maximum of 90 credits.
Year One Requirements
All of: |
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| BIOL 1110 | Introductory Biology I | 4 credits | |
| BIOL 1210 | Introductory Biology II | 4 credits | |
| CHEM 1110 | The Structure of Matter | 4 credits | |
| CHEM 1210 | Chemical Energetics and Dynamics | 4 credits | |
| ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 1100 | Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 1200 | Introduction to Psychology: Areas and Applications | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| MATH 1120 | Differential Calculus | 3 credits | |
| MATH 1130 | Calculus for Life Sciences I (recommended) | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| MATH 1220 | Integral Calculus | 3 credits | |
| MATH 1230 | Calculus for Life Sciences II (recommended) | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| PHYS 1101 | Physics for Life Sciences I | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 1120 | Physics for Physical and Applied Sciences I | 4 credits | |
Year Two Requirements
All of: |
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| BIOL 2321 | Cell Biology | 4 credits | |
| CHEM 2320 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
| PSYC 2300 | Applied Statistics | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 2315 | Brain and Behaviour | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 2375 | Perception | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 2385 | Cognition | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 2400 | Experimental Psychology: Research Methodology | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| BIOL 2320 | Genetics | 4 credits | |
| BIOL 2421 | Cellular Biochemistry | 3 credits | |
Year Three and Four Requirements
All of: |
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| CMNS 3100 | Technical Report Writing | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4000 | Practicum | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4800 | Professional & Ethical Issues | 3 credits | |
And at least two of: |
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| Statistics and Research Methodology Courses | |||
| PSYC 3300 | Applied Statistics II | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3400 | Applied Research I | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3960 | Program Evaluation | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4100 | Tests and Measurement | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4400 | Research Methods II: Qualitative Methodologies | 3 credits | |
And at least two of: |
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| Biological Psychology | |||
| PSYC 3303 | Learning: Theory and Practice | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3320 | Drugs and Behaviour | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3910 | Neuropsychology | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4315 | Neuroscience | 3 credits | |
And at least two of: |
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| Health and Clinical Psychology | |||
| PSYC 3350 | Advanced Topics in Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3450 | Clinical Psychology: Intervention | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3451 | Psychology and Law | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3600 | Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3920 | Aging | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4350 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4910 | Rehabilitation | 3 credits | |
And at least two of: |
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| Applied Psychology | |||
| PSYC 3200 | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3220 | Group Dynamics | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3500 | Interpersonal Relations I | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3930 | Consumer Psychology - Research & Applications | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 3950 | Cognitive Ergonomics | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 4200 | Human Factors: Technology and Behaviour | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| Culture and Diversity | |||
| PSYC 4700 | Culture and Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Any other cultural course at KPU | 3 credits | ||
Electives
In addition, students must complete an additional ten electives |
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| Electives are not restricted provided all breadth and general education requirements are met. | |
| Students may take three electives in second year, and the balanced in their third and fourth years. | |
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of the honours program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology (Honours).
Upon successful completion of the degree program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology.
