INTRODUCTION

Psychology is defined as the study of human behavior. Much of the study focuses on the nature and causes of human behavior and mental processes in order to provide an understanding of human behavior in all of life settings; the family, community, industry etc.

2. AIMS

The BSc Honors Psychology programme aims to put Psychology within a historical, socio-cultural, political and economic context with particular emphasis on Zimbabwean realities while drawing examples from a global context.

Emphasis will be placed on the psychological impact of the individual’s encounter with the environment, for instance effects of challenges such as drought, HIV/ AIDS, child abuse, floods, land reform programme, road traffic accident, gold panning and political dislocation / war.

The ultimate aim of the programme is to enhance the quality of human life.

3. CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates in Psychology can pursue further study and careers as professional Psychologists in clinical, occupational, educational, forensic, research, academic, environmental, sports and community psychology. In addition Psychology graduates can also become training managers, human resource managers, careers advisors, social workers, general managers, counselors, market researchers, advertising, community development practitioners, management consultants, in penal or justice systems

4. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Normal Entry

4.1.1 For normal entry into BSc Psychology Programme a candidate should have a pass in Biology and Mathematics at O’ Level and passes at A’ Level should be in the following subjects; Psychology, Sociology, English, Shona / Ndebele, History, Geography, Biology, Mathematics, and English

4.2 Special Entry

Candidates who have successfully completed a Diploma in Teaching or Nursing or have obtained equivalent qualifications may apply for admission into the Psychology programme. Candidates admitted under special entry may be exempted from certain modules at the discretion of the department.

4.3 Mature Entry

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Regulations.

4.4 Visiting School Programme

BSc Honours Psychology programme is also offered on a three year visiting school programme.

4.4.1 Entry Requirements

All candidates applying for enrolment into the programme must be employed in a relevant field approved by the department. Candidates who possess diplomas relevant to the programme such as teaching, policing, human resources, marketing and other relevant qualifications are eligible for entry. Candidates can also be enrolled on a mature entry basis and must possess five `O’ Levels including Mathematics and Biology.

5. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Optional modules are offered subject to availability of staff in the department. Work related learning placements shall be approved by the department.

6. ASSESSMENT

The method of assessment includes continuous assessment, examinations, work related learning and dissertation.

Overall assessment shall be computed as follows:

Continuous assessment 40%

Examination 60%

7. FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS

Refer to Section 9 of the General Regulations

8. WORK RELATED GENERAL GUIDELINES

Refer to Section 8 of the Faculty Regulations

9. PROVISIONS FOR PROGRESSION

Refer to Section 6 of the Faculty Regulations

10. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY101	History of Psychology	4
PSY102	Introduction to Psychology	4
PSY103	Introduction to Social Psychology 4 PSY109 Psychobiology	4
HCS115	Introduction to Information Technology	4
CS101	Communication Skills	4

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY110	Human Development	4
PSY111	Human Learning and Information Processing	4
PSY112	Motivation and Personality	4
PSY116	Mental Health	4
PSY117	Human Diversity	4
HRM115	Principles of Sociology	4

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY202	Psychopathology	4
PSY204	Psychology of Counselling 4	4
PSY206	Research Methods in Psychology	4
HRM117	Principles of Human Resource Management	4
GS201	Gender Studies	4
PSY219	Fundamentals of Statistics	4

Level 2 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY209	Human Resource Psychology	4
PSY211	Statistics in Psychology	4
PSY212	Community Psychology	4
PSY216	HIV/AIDS and Psychological Wellbeing	4
PSY 217	Counseling Skills and Processes	4
PSY 218	Psychology of Gender and Development	4
HRM 117	Principles of Human Resource Management	4

Level 3 Semester 1 and 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY 301	Work Related Learning Report	15
PSY 302	Academic Supervisor’s Report	15
PSY 303	Employer Assessment Report	10

Level 4 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY 404	African Psychology	4
PSY 409	Therapeutic Psychology	4
PSY 410	Psychometrics	4
PSY 411	Environmental Psychology	4
PSY 414	Organisational Psychology	4
PSY 416	Cognitive Processes	4

Level 4 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
PSY 403	Psychology and Law	4
PSY 405	Psychology and Sport	4
PSY 408	Dissertation	8
PSY 413	Applied Social Psychology	4
PSY 415	Emotional Intelligence	4

11. MODULE SYNOSPES

PSY 101 History of Psychology

The student travels the journey from the philosophical and physiological foundations of psychology to the present state of the discipline. Changes through the different perspectives driven by the battle over what (subject matter) and how (methods) psychology should be studied are highlighted as well as the prominent personalities associated with different school of thought.

PSY 102 Introduction to Psychology

This module is designed to introduce students to basic terms, concepts and fields of study in psychology. Topics include; Physiological bases of behaviour, Consciousness, Sensation and Perception, Intelligence, Learning and Psychological Disorders.

PSY 103 Introduction to Social Psychology

The module is an introduction to understanding how human behaviour and experience is shaped by environmental factors such as people, events and situations. Topics include Social Perception, Social Cognition, Attitudes, Prejudice and Discrimination, Social Influence, Groups and Individuals.

PSY 109 Psychobiology

Biological processes underlie all aspects of behaviour. The link between the normal functioning and dysfunction in the nervous system, other systems in the body and genetics is examined to answer questions such as, How does injury in the spinal cord produce pain in the leg? What explains development of secondary sexual characteristics and enable behaviour involved in reproduction? Processes involved in detecting environmental stimuli (sensation will also be studied).

PSY110 Human Development

This module focuses on the development of individuals from conception up to old age. Focus will be on physical ,moral, social, emotional and cognitive developmen.In addition the module will focus on milestones of

development such as adolescence,mid life crises age as well as death and bereavement

PSY 111 Learning And Information Processing

Learning and information processing are crucial to acquisition of important skills for adapting to changing day-today conditions in our world. The module examines principles that help to explain how experience affects many forms of behavior. It covers topics such as Classical, Operant Conditioning and Observational Learning, Models of Memory, Kinds of Memory, Forgetting and Memory and the Brain. Emphasis will be on how these can be applied to promote desirable behavior such as healthy lifestyles and occupational safety, good study habits as well as reducing or eliminating such behaviors as aggression and smoking.

PSY 112 Motivation and Personality

The module aims to give an understanding of what initiates, drives and maintains human behavior. It provides a summary of knowledge accumulated to the present day on motivation and personality. Topics will include theories on the nature and forms of motivation, e.g. Sexual, achievement and work motivation. Theories about the nature of personality, how personality forms are examined, as well as the relationship between motivation and personality will be covered.

PSY116 Mental Health

The module focuses on how to stay mentally healthy and achieve psychological wellbeing. Topics to be covered include resilience, self esteem, stress management among others.

PSY117 Human Diversity

the module focuses and celebrates individual differences. Special attention will be given to means of managing diversity in the workplace as well as other circles. The module will also look at special populations including the disabled,marginalized, sexually different populations and racial and ethnic differences.

HRM115 Principles of Sociology

Refer to the department of Human Resource Management

HRM117 Principles of Human Resources Management

Refer to the Department of Human Resources Management

GS 201 Gender Studies

Refer to the department of Gender Studies

PSY 202 Psychopathology

Mental disorders are disturbances of behavioral and psychological functioning that are not culturally accepted, cause distress and overall impaired functioning. The module explores the changing conceptions of mental disorders and studies interpretations of abnormal behavior According to various theoretical models.

PSY 204 Psychology and Counseling

The aim is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with various problems within health, welfare, legal, and education, industrial and counseling settings.

PSY 206 Research Methods in Psychology

A basic module tailored to give the student an overview of the ways in which psychologists add to knowledge about human behavior, in addition the ethical standards designed to guide this research for the protection of both human and animal participants. Students should be able to describe the research process, evaluate published psychological research and carry out basic procedures for analysis.

PSY219 Fundamentals of Statistics

The module introduces students to the fundamentals of statistic, addressing the nature of statistics.It begins by looking at statistics and numbers, the analysis of numerical relationship and the interpretation of statistics. In practical statistical work complete accuracy is rarely possible, hence the use of approximations and rounding off figures. The module looks at data collection as an important aspect of statistics. The module will cover the construction of tables, graphs, bar charts pie charts histograms frequency curves as orderly ways of presenting data.

PSY209 Human Resource Psychology

The module focuses on the application of psychological principles to the management of human capital. Topics covered will include work study, recruitment and selection, labor relations, employee motivation. Issues to do with employee appraisal will also be dealt with, as well as the management of training.

PSY211 Statistics in Psychology

This module assumes that students have done and passed module (219) on fundamentals of statistics. It is a continuation of PSY 219 assuming that students have basics and foundations of statistics. It takes students through the association of measured variables, regression and prediction, statistical inferences and hypothesis testing. It also covers Chi-Square (x2) and it uses an introduction to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), one -way -ANOVA and the assumptions of the ANOVA .

PSY 212 Community Psychology

Community Psychology deals with the origins of the different models of community psychology and public health as well as key concepts such as prevention, participation and empowerment. Some community problems will be focused on highlighting how principles from community psychology can be used to effect change.

PSY 218 Psychology of Gender and Development

The first part of the module looks at psychological issues to do with gender. This is done through the study of such topics as, culture and construct of gender, theories of gender related differences and comparing male /female personality, intellect and emotions.

PSY217 Counseling Skills and Processes

The module looks at practical techniques used in counseling. The module builds upon the theoretic base set in PSY204.The module will cover practicals through role plays and analyses of the role plays with the aim of providing learners with hands on skills to deal with various problems presented by clients in the society.

PSY216HIV and AIDS and Psychological Wellbeing

The module takes into context issues related to HIV and AIDS. Topics covered will tackle issues relating to stigma, behavior change, psychosocial support, and adherence to ART. The themes of hedonic and Eaudamoic wellbeing will also be covered and put into context of the HIV and AIDSS problem

PSY 416 Cognitive Processes

The aim is to enable students to understand how human organize and interpret information to produce the conscious experience of objects, events and people. Theories, methods and research issues in cognitive psychology and how these apply to different fields will also be studied.

PSY410 Psychometrics

The module provides the student with grounding in psychometric test theory and practical application of knowledge of psychological testing in industry, clinical, educational settings. Contextual issues are emphasized.

PSY411 Environmental Psychology

An examination of the interaction between the environment and human behavior. Topics include Effects of the urban environment, Individual differences in response to population density, Motivating environmentally responsible behavior, Effects of pollution, natural disasters and climatic conditions on behavior.

PSY414 Organizational Psychology

The module is a study of how knowledge from psychology can be applied in the work context. It will cover topics traditionally falling under Organizational, Industrial and Personnel Psychology.

PSY409 Therapeutic Psychology

The aim is to introduce the student to a selection of psychotherapeutic interventions. Other alternatives such as biological therapies will also be highlighted.

PSY 403 Psychology and Law

This module provides an understanding of the inter-connectedness of law and psychology. Issues of concern include: crime prevention and rehabilitation of offenders, persuasive communication, group dynamics/jury decision making. External factors affecting courtroom behavior, e.g. the media, profiles of criminals. Other psychological issues when dealing with children and special population are also raised.

PSY 404 African Psychology

The aim is to give an Afro-centric view of psychology. Topics include: developmental theories personality in the African setting; child and adult psychopathology in Africa and the roots of psychology in Africa.

PSY 405 Psychology and Sport

The module looks at how psychological principles, theories and research can enhance sport and physical activities. Issues examined include: Confidence, Motivation, Concentration, Team-building and Interpersonal relations, Personality and stress management.

PSY 408 Dissertation

PSY 413 Applied Social Psychology

The module looks at the selected topic in social psychology as well as their applications to consumer behavior, physical and mental health, education, work settings, politics and cross cultural psychology.

PSY 415 Emotional Intelligence

Different theories of emotional intelligence, emotional tests, emotional awareness, management of emotions and the link between emotional intelligence and IQ, from the thrust of this module.