The Undergraduate Experience in Psychology

1. The Undergraduate Experience in Psychology Dr. Donncha HannaSchool of Psychology QUB

2. Aims • Introduce my background • Outline the UG experience (focusing on 1st & 2nd year) • Highlight the main psychology careers • Say something about Statistics anxiety • Take any questions

3. What is my background? • 1999 obtained undergraduate degree • 2003 employed as a Teaching Fellow • 2004 obtained a PhD and Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching • 2005 employed as a Lecturer in Statistics, Research Methods and Design

4. First year…. • Some compulsory Psychology modules (some GCSE/A-level content overlap) • Marks do not count towards final degree but the modular system is linear • Low no. of hours (normally around 13/14 contact hours per week)

5. Entry requirements • Popular subject • Entry requirements AAB in 2007 (likely to be ABB in 2008) • High calibre students • Students are a relatively equal footing academically so motivation often distinguishes between them

6. Settling in…. Large class sizes (180) and unfamiliar surroundings can be intimidating • Tutorials & Lab classes • Advisor of studies • PsySoc • Other university clubs & societies • Important to establish habits in first year

7. Drop Out Rates Always highest towards the end of first year • Lack of engagement (failure to attend, make friends, inform advisor of problems, etc.) • Non-attendance at labs & tutorials • Failed part of the course

8. Drop Out Rates Always highest towards the end of first year • Lack of engagement (failure to attend, make friends, inform advisor of problems, etc.) • Non-attendance at labs & tutorials • Failed part of the course • Course fails to meet expectations (Bsc)

9. Second year… • No module choice in second year; due to BPS accreditation (GBR) • Beware of joint honours! • Second year is about demonstrating a breadth of knowledge (even in the areas they don’t like!) • Marks do count towards their degree • It is hard work!

10. Areas covered: • Cognition • Perception • Developmental • Individual differences • Psychobiology • Social • Research Methods & Staistics

11. Second year… Currently students are failing to engage appropriately • This year one students had a mean 70+ mark • Low attendance • Recommended readings, integration of text, plagiarism, etc University is different from school!

12. Third year… • Module choice; students can choose their modules • Must complete their thesis • Assess depth of knowledge • Tend to demonstrate ‘exit velocity’ • Report enjoying their third year

13. Careers • Clinical • Counselling • Educational • Forensic • Health • Occupational • Sport & Exercise • Teaching & Research

14. Careers… • A ψ degree does not mean you are a psychologist! • Not all the students will become professional psychologists (more like 10% to 15%) • Competition is fierce & will take at least another 3 years • It’s a very ‘employable’ degree • What they want to do often changes

15. Statistics Anxiety Statistics is part of the ψ degree! • Psychology students demonstrate high statistics anxiety • 50% do not realise statistics is a substantial part of their degree • Statistics anxiety is related to performance, procrastination and may be related to drop out rates

16. Conclusion • Ensure students have researched their degree (e.g. Stats) • Engage with the programme in first year • Second year is crucial to their final mark • A ψ degree does not mean you are a psychologist! • It is a diverse, enjoyable & rewarding degree