ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => General University Discussion and Queries => Topic started by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 05:57:31 pm

Title: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 05:57:31 pm
As the title states; do you also know anyone else who has/is taking the course? I just want to know what it's like; workload; difficulty etc. Any other pathways into Psychology would be of great help.
Also is anyone here studying/ or wanting to study psychology to be registered as a psychologist in the late/near future? That's practically what I'm aiming for. Any suggestions and extra info to share?

Thanks very much.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: marr on February 14, 2011, 06:03:17 pm
I'm studying psychology (although at Melbourne uni)/wanting to be a psychologist in the future.

I've heard that psychology honours is extremely difficult to get into and the field itself is very competitive.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 06:05:19 pm
I'm studying psychology (although at Melbourne uni)/wanting to be a psychologist in the future.

I've heard that psychology honours is extremely difficult to get into and the field itself is very competitive.
That only scares me even more.. you're doing an arts pathway there? Who told you that? Just curious.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: marr on February 14, 2011, 06:17:30 pm
Yep I'm doing it through arts - Monash was my second preference actually. Someone I talked to on Open day last year said that. The PsychMelbUni website (http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au/courses/fourthyear/#admission) says that there are only 70 places available for 2011, and considering the amount of students to study psychology, it seems difficult. It might be different at Monash though, I'm not sure.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: minilunchbox on February 14, 2011, 06:19:37 pm
I want to be a psychologist (maybe, hopefully, hmm) and I'm doing it through a science pathway (well arts was my second preference).

Honours is extremely competitive and approx ~300-500 people apply for around ~70 spots at Melbourne. My memory's a bit rusty so the numbers might be slightly off, but I'm pretty certain they're more or less right. Various lecturers have said that in Open Days and Academic Advice Day (similar to orientation) at Melbourne and I've asked around at Monash as well. The presenter on AAD also said that a H1 average (equivalent to a HD) is pretty much required in 3rd year in order to be competitive.

All possible pathways/degrees you can study to become a psychologist in Victoria are listed here: http://www.apac.psychology.org.au/Content.aspx?ID=105
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 06:32:48 pm
I want to be a psychologist (maybe, hopefully, hmm) and I'm doing it through a science pathway (well arts was my second preference).

Honours is extremely competitive and approx ~300-500 people apply for around ~70 spots at Melbourne. My memory's a bit rusty so the numbers might be slightly off, but I'm pretty certain they're more or less right. Various lecturers have said that in Open Days and Academic Advice Day (similar to orientation) at Melbourne and I've asked around at Monash as well. The presenter on AAD also said that a H1 average (equivalent to a HD) is pretty much required in 3rd year in order to be competitive.

All possible pathways/degrees you can study to become a psychologist in Victoria are listed here: http://www.apac.psychology.org.au/Content.aspx?ID=105
Ugh.. I guess you needa work your ass off. Just wondering, is there any notable difference in selecting the Arts pathway over a science pathway? I don't meet the qualifications for a bachelor of science unfortunately as I don't have prereqs.

Also with Monash (Hons) it states you can be included in honors by simply maintaining an average grade rather than being handpicked. So is Monash easier to retain an Honors spot? Really confused. But I kinda get it..
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: minilunchbox on February 14, 2011, 06:57:44 pm
In both the arts + science pathways, you do the same psychology subjects. The only difference will be that you're doing arts related subjects instead of science related subjects alongside your psychology subjects. There's really no obvious benefit in doing one over the other. The amount of arts/science students majoring in psychology is pretty even.

On http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/courses/3883.html :

To be eligible for progression into the fourth year of the course, students must achieve at least the minimum entry requirement that is standard for all honours programs in psychology. Admission to the honours year is determined solely by academic merit. The minimum requirement is an average grade of 70 per cent in core psychology units at the third year level, however in practice the cut-off has been in the 75-80 per cent range over the last five years.

Maintaining an average grade (of 70) is only the minimum requirement. It's actually higher than that because so many people are applying for honours now. You'll still be competing with other students who have majored in psychology in other degrees.

Difference between BPsych and arts/science pathways is you do more psychology subjects and less arts/science electives. It's good if you're really, really into psych and you're really, really certain you want to commit to it. Otherwise there's more flexibility in arts/science to change majors and try other options.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: iNerd on February 14, 2011, 07:05:31 pm
Sounds like a sexy backup for me.

It is well known I love Psychology :smitten: :smitten:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: ninwa on February 14, 2011, 07:20:57 pm
I have a good friend doing arts (psych) at Monash and intending to go into honours, and later becoming a psychologist. From what she's said, psychology through arts is better because then you can take other semi-relevant subjects. For example, she's doing minors in sociology and criminology, which have given her a broader perspective.

She has spoken a LOT about the difficulty and workload of the course. I do law - typically a writing/reading-intensive course - and in comparison, she has just as much reading as I do, and about 10x more essays. However, having heard her talk about some of the stuff she's studying, it all sounds really really fascinating.

If you have any specific questions about the course I'm happy to ask her for you.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: iNerd on February 14, 2011, 07:37:34 pm
...it all sounds really really fascinating.
:smitten: :smitten:
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: marr on February 14, 2011, 07:56:05 pm
All this doing extremely well and getting 75+ in the third year scares me a lot at the moment! Well, I guess I don't know how I go until I actually start.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 07:59:54 pm
I guess I have a great life ahead of me. Thanks; I'll let you know If any question arises.

Bump- so does ANYONE here know or do or is going to study Psychology(Hons) at Monash?

Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 08:01:46 pm
All this doing extremely well and getting 75+ in the third year scares me a lot at the moment! Well, I guess I don't know how I go until I actually start.
Me too.. I'm in year 12 and I'm freaked atm. I just want a stable job! But I actually can't stand accounting/business jobs so this is a strong hope for me. Not to mention I dropped methods to clear up space for this course.
Btw marr.. are you a girl or a guy? Lol! Curious
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: marr on February 14, 2011, 08:10:48 pm
All this doing extremely well and getting 75+ in the third year scares me a lot at the moment! Well, I guess I don't know how I go until I actually start.
Me too.. I'm in year 12 and I'm freaked atm. I just want a stable job! But I actually can't stand accounting/business jobs so this is a strong hope for me. Not to mention I dropped methods to clear up space for this course.
Btw marr.. are you a girl or a guy? Lol! Curious

Same here, psychology seems interesting and it is what I want to do ... I think. I just hope I can make it through and actually end up as a psychologist at the end of it all.
Haha fair enough, funny story my name is actually Matt but I mistyped and it came up with marr. So yeah that makes me a guy.

All the best for year 12 and there-after!
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 14, 2011, 08:37:20 pm
Definitely. Let me know how the course goes; gl to you too
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: ninwa on February 14, 2011, 09:24:48 pm
LOLLL @marr, I can change it for you if you like
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: marr on February 14, 2011, 10:30:11 pm
Definitely. Let me know how the course goes; gl to you too

Will do :P

LOLLL @marr, I can change it for you if you like

Well the letter 'r' is next to 't' ;D.
Hmm, I actually quite like it - gives it a story behind my username. Thanks anyway though, I'll be sure to keep that in mind if I do decide to change it. ;)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: bomb on February 15, 2011, 02:05:35 am
CRAP. So what happens if you major in psych and then don't make it to honours? Your screwed aren't you? What do you do that year? Just do 3rd year BSc again? FML.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Glockmeister on February 15, 2011, 10:16:43 am
I'm a 3rd Year student at Monash majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience and Psychology. If you want to ask questions, feel free.
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Darren on February 15, 2011, 06:44:38 pm
Question: What's the course like for Psych? Is it high quality teaching? Also... you're doing this degree as a Bachelor of psychology or arts or science? Sorry confusing I know :)
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: TrueLight on February 15, 2011, 06:58:13 pm
its in his sig. he's doing it through Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience
Title: Re: Does anyone here do BaPsychology(Hons) at Monash?
Post by: Glockmeister on February 18, 2011, 04:00:45 pm
Question: What's the course like for Psych? Is it high quality teaching? Also... you're doing this degree as a Bachelor of psychology or arts or science? Sorry confusing I know :)

A lot of people underestimate how difficult Psych is. This probably explains why there is a drop of numbers from 1800 in 1st year to 80 for Honours (that's in the space of 4 years). In terms of the teaching, I can't compare it other universities, but the teaching is pretty good, although some subjects could be better organised than others (I imagine that's the same for any uni).