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PS-D01
Research Project
The research module will involve constructing and executing a substantial research project, usually conducted in connection with a topic / theme relevant to the overall masters programme. Capitalising the on the links between the course and local services, there may be opportunities to conduct research within partner organisations (e.g. NHS trusts, mental health charities, forensic units) as well as undertaking research based on topics generated by academics based within the department of psychology. We also encourage students who come to the program with connections as a consequence of previous professional experience, to undertake projects that are linked to interests they have already established. For students on BPS accredited masters programmes, the dissertation will take the form of an empirical research project involving primary data collection and submission of an individual ethics proposal.
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PS-M007
Clinical aspects of brain and behaviour through the lifespan
This module focuses on the interplay between neurological changes and traumatic experiences as a key field in understanding and interpreting behaviours across the lifespan. This involves exploring how behavioural and cognitive mechanisms underlying adaptive function are impacted by events such as adverse childhood experiences, neurodevelopmental brain insults, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative problems. The aims are both achieving a detailed understanding of clinical presentations, and targeting appropriate interventions for each case. Students will learn about the functional anatomy of the human brain (both limbic and cortical areas), how these regions are implicated in behavioural and cognitive regulation, and how such information informs methods of clinical psychology. Students will also be introduced to key clinically-based theories underpinning our understanding of neuropsychological syndromes, such as aphasia, amnesia, ASD, and attachment disorders. Additionally, they will learn about the drivers of rehabilitation methodologies available for such populations, and the means by which appropriate interventions can be selected.
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PS-M009
The Mind and its Development
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the key topics and methods in both cognitive, and developmental psychology, with a focus on the lifespan changes and challenges in human cognition. The module will cover the main domains of cognitive psychology, such as perception, attention, memory, language, and reasoning, and how they are influenced by biological and environmental factors. The module will also examine the way that behaviour changes through (or is influenced by) different stages of development across the lifespan from infancy to old age, and the role of genes, brain, and culture in shaping cognitive abilities. By the end of the module, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of human cognition across the lifespan and the factors that affect it. They will also have learned to critically evaluate the theories and evidence in cognitive and developmental psychology, and to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. Importantly, the module will support students in contrasting and/or synthesising between theories in cognitive and developmental psychology; fostering their ability to integrate different psychological perspectives.
As part of the intervention assessment, students will demonstrate their understanding of professional conduct in relation to policy briefing.
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PS-M92
Postgraduate Academic Skills and Development
Consisting of an extra-curricular workshop series, this is a non-credit bearing academic skills and development module for postgraduate Psychology students. The workshop series will deliver useful information to help MSc students adapt, successfully transition, and thrive as postgraduate students at Swansea University. The workshop series will cover a range of topics to support students¿ academic, personal, and professional development.
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PS-M94
Data Analysis
This module provides a comprehensive overview of key qualitative and quantitative methods used in basic and applied research. The module examines the philosophy of scientific research, introduces students to central concepts of statistical significance, power, and saturation. It examines both nonparametric and parametric approaches to statistically analyse data, as well as providing techniques that can be used to analyse qualitative methods commonly used in psychology.
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PSY102
Introduction to Cognitive and Clinical Psychology
This module provides a broad introduction to psychology for first-year undergraduates. It will focus on cognition and individual differences factors in behaviour while incorporating how other key perspectives in psychology compare and contrast in their accounts. Students will be introduced to key topics in cognitive psychology, as well as the cognitive neuropsychological/psychophysiological approaches that link mind/brain and environment. In addition, the module will examine how we define `atypical¿ behaviour, along with the explanations of such behaviour including learning theory, biology and genetics, and psychoanalytic explanations.
This module lays the groundwork for more advanced study in psychology by providing a coherent framework for understanding how modern methodologies can be used to probe mental capabilities and discover facts about the way our brains receive, process and act upon information from different sensory modalities.
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PSY111
Cognitive Psychology 1: Basic Processes
This module provides a broad introduction to cognitive psychology for first-year undergraduates. It explores how we perceive, attend to and use information in everyday life. Students will be introduced to key topics in cognitive psychology, as well as the cognitive neuropsychological/psychophysiological approaches that link mind/brain and environment. The module combines classic theories and landmark experiments with contemporary research and applications, highlighting how cognitive psychology informs areas such as applied psychological design and examples of the real-world consequences of cognitive `failures¿. Alongside core content, students will develop foundational skills in reading primary research, interpreting basic data, interpreting contemporary scientific debates and thinking critically about experimental evidence. This module lays the groundwork for more advanced study in psychology by providing a coherent framework for understanding how modern methodologies can be used to probe mental capabilities and discover facts about the way our brains receive, process and act upon information from different sensory modalities.
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PSY212
Development Across the Lifespan
The module will explore age related changes in psychological processes across the lifespan, considering biological and social influences on normative development. Topics covered will span a range of key life stages and contemporary issues in the field of developmental psychology. The module will provide students with a grounding in developmental psychology, with reference to the sorts of research methods commonly used in the area and potential critiques of the field.
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PSY237
Psychological Research Methods I
This module is designed to further develop quantitative and qualitative methods and statistics for psychologists to prepare students for their third-year independent research project. Students will be introduced to using statistical software for quantitative analysis and students will learn how to design mini projects, apply appropriate statistical tests, and interpret and present data. Students will also be introduced to qualitative research methods, gaining hands-on experience of collecting and working with qualitative data. The module also covers research ethics, the nature of good research design, the need for replicability and reliability in scientific research and mixed methods research.
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PSY237C
Dulliau Ymchwil Seicolegol I
Mae'r modiwl hwn wedi'i gynllunio i ddatblygu dulliau ac ystadegau meintiol ac ansoddol ymhellach ar gyfer seicolegwyr i baratoi myfyrwyr ar gyfer eu prosiect ymchwil annibynnol yn y drydedd flwyddyn. Bydd myfyrwyr yn cael eu cyflwyno i ddefnyddio meddalwedd ystadegol ar gyfer dadansoddiad meintiol a bydd myfyrwyr yn dysgu sut i ddylunio prosiectau bach, cymhwyso profion ystadegol priodol, a dehongli a chyflwyno data. Bydd myfyrwyr hefyd yn cael eu cyflwyno i ddulliau ymchwil ansoddol, gan ennill profiad ymarferol o gasglu a gweithio gyda data ansoddol. Mae'r modiwl hefyd yn cwmpasu moeseg ymchwil, natur dylunio ymchwil da, yr angen am ddyblygadwyedd a dibynadwyedd mewn ymchwil wyddonol ac ymchwil dulliau cymysg.¿
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PSY368
Social and Developmental Influences on Behaviour
The module will explore major theories and empirical issues in the areas of social psychology and individual differences, and age related changes in psychological processes across the lifespan, considering biological and social influences on normative development. It will consider how individuals differ from each other (such as personality traits) and how individual and social factors affect behaviour (such as attitudes, and inter-personal/group processes). Topics covered will span a range of key life stages and contemporary issues in the field of developmental psychology. The module will provide students with a grounding in classical and contemporary theories with reference to the sorts of research methods commonly used in the area and potential critiques of the field.
