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 Enabling Biology
COR110 Enabling Physiology
COR111 Enabling Research Methods

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 Communication and Thought
PSY101 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Plus 12 required advanced courses:
PSY200 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY201 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY202 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY203 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY204 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY205 Physiological Psychology
PSY300 Introduction to Human Development
PSY301 Social Psychology
PSY302 Motivation and Emotion
PSY303 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY304 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY305 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies

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 Personality and Assessment
PSY101 Human Associative Learning

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

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

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 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
LFS112 Personality and Assessment
LFS100 Human Associative Learning
SCI105 Human Anatomy
SCI107 Human Physiology
SCI110 Cell Biology

Plus 6 required advanced courses:
LFS251 Chemistry
SPX201 Physics
SPX202 Science Research Methods
SPX211 Biochemistry
SPX212 Functional Anatomy
SPX221 Biomechanics I

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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