Abnormal and Clinical Psychology – (B.Sc.)

Our degree in abnormal and clinical psychology is for those who have a particular interest in understanding psychological disorders and their treatment. The main subject matter of our degree is Psychology, and the majority of our course covers the core areas of the discipline, including social, cognitive, developmental and biological psychology. In addition, you will undertake a strand of specialism in abnormal and clinical psychology which runs throughout our three year course, including topics such as psychopathology, psychotherapies, clinical psychology, developmental disorders and cognitive neuropsychology.
Please note that our course does not provide a professional qualification in clinical psychology, for which work experience and further study at postgraduate level are required.

The specific aims of this course are:

* to develop your scientific understanding of the different perspectives within the core areas of Psychology and the interrelationships between them
* to enable you to apply psychological methods to the understanding of health, illness and health care.
* to enable you to apply the scientific method to human experience and behaviour in a range of practical settings.
* to develop your skills in the synthesis and critical evaluation of a range of psychological theory and research
* to give you a wide range of cognitive, research and transferable skills
* to prepare you for employment, or further training in psychology, particularly in clinically-related areas.

Additional course information
Upon completion of this course you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

* the scientific basis of the discipline of psychology, and its philosophical and historical origins;
* the relationship between data collection, interpretation and theory development;
* a range of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, assessment techniques, and statistical analysis;
* the main theoretical perspectives on psychological functioning and the relationships between them;
* the core areas of psychology (biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality and individual differences and social psychology);
* the diversity of normal and abnormal psychological functioning;
* good academic and ethical practice, personal responsibility and professional codes of conduct;
* applications of psychological theory;
* the theoretical and methodological limitations of the discipline
* several contemporary areas of specialisation in clinical and abnormal psychology in detail;
* current issues in clinical practice

You will also be able to:

* take account of multiple perspectives on psychological functioning;
* synthesise information in relation to identified issues, critically evaluate it, and draw appropriate conclusions;
* reason scientifically;
* identify alternative explanations for findings or identify gaps in psychological knowledge;
* marshal and organise relevant information in support of an argument;
* take account of multiple perspectives on mental ill-health.
* generate appropriate research questions based on a critical review of the literature;
* operationalise research questions;
* design, carry out and report appropriately empirical research, autonomously and with minimal supervision or direction;
* appreciate the theoretical, practical and methodological implications of your own and others? research;
* identify the theoretical, practical and methodological limitations of your own and others? research;
* apply your psychological knowledge in a practical fashion;
* select and review relevant information;
* evaluate different methods of clinical assessment.