FIRST YEAR PSYCHOLOGY

*******Please note that repeat first year exams take place in August. Timetables for repeats will be made available in July*******

Sona Systems Research Participation

Location of Block E - Research Cubicles

Click here to view a map of the NUIG campus showing the location of Block E.

Introduction

Psychology is the study of behaviour and mental processes, and includes individual and social, human and animal, normal and abnormal aspects. Psychology informs work practice and service provision in a variety of settings including the health services, education, government, industry and academia. In studying psychology at NUI, Galway students embark on a quest for knowledge to understand ’the individual’. Core subjects covered include developmental, social, abnormal, personality, cognitive, forensic, health, biological, and the psychology of learning.

Degree Programmes in Psychology

Denominated BA (GY104): This is a direct-entry programme through the CAO. Students take Psychology in First Arts with three other subjects. On successful completion of 1st Arts, they take Psychology only in 2nd and 3rd Year. This programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as providing the graduate basis for registration (GBR) for career paths into professional psychology.

BA Omnibus (GY101): Psychology is available as a subject on the BA Omnibus in 1st Year (as one of four subjects). Students successfully completing 1st Year Psychology may seek entrance to the Denominated Programme in 2nd year and 3rd year. Places are limited to 15, and are decided on academic merit based on the results of the First Sittings in Semester 1 and 2 in Psychology, and passing of all four subjects. Students will not be allowed to repeat First Arts Psychology with a view to improving performance.

BA Psychological Studies: Students of the BA (Omnibus) and BA CONNECT Programmes who successfully complete Psychology at First Arts may proceed in Second Arts with the subject Psychological Studies and one other of the subjects completed at First Arts. Places are limited to 100 on academic merit in Psychology from the 1st Sittings in Semester 1 and 2 and you must have passed your other three academic subjects (40% or above) to be considered. Students will not be allowed to repeat First Arts Psychology with a view to improving performance.

Degree Programmes in Psychology

Due to the number of students taking 1st year psychology, the curriculum is delivered twice. Students with an ID number with an EVEN second last digit take the GROUP EVEN (E) lectures and tutorials below. Students with an ID number with an ODD second last digit take the GROUP ODD (O) lectures and tutorials. Unless otherwise agreed with the 1st Year Co-ordinator in Psychology (Dr. Michael Hogan), students must attend at the times designated for their group.

Modules

PS122 Introduction to Psychology I (Semester 1, 5 ECTs). This module covers Cognitive, Personality and Developmental Psychology and is assessed by mid-semester essay (40%), end-of-semester MCQ exam (60%).

PS124 Introduction to Psychology II (Semester 2, 5 ECTs). This module covers Biological and Social Psychology and the Psychology of Learning and is assessed by mid-semester essay (40%) and end-of-semester MCQ exam (60%).

PS137 Introduction to Research Methods (Semester 1 and 2, 5 ECTs). Delivered one hour a week for nine weeks in Semester 1 and 2 in lecture theatre. One continuous assessment in Semester 1 (40%), one in Semester 2 (40%), research participation (10%) and tutorial attendance in both semesters (10%).

Required Textbook

Martin, G. N., Carlson, N. R. & Buskist, W. (2010). Psychology. 4th ed. Pearsons: London. Special NUIGalway edition must be purchased through the University Bookshop.

Tutorials

Sign up for a tutorial group by clicking this link and following the on-screen instructions (ID number and email address are required)

For details on where tutorials are held, please click here for a list of locations.

Small-group Seminars

The Psychology Department has put in place a series of small-group seminars, which are designed to give first year students an opportunity to adjust to university learning. This will involve a group of three or four students meeting a staff member who will answer your questions and give you pointers on a range of areas, for example, how to work efficiently or how to read an academic paper (this will help you in all of your subjects, not just Psychology). You could also use this opportunity to ask about a psychologist’s work or to find out more about studying psychology, if you are considering pursuing it as a career.

By clicking on the link below, you will open a webpage in which you should book a seminar at a time which suits you.

Click here to sign up:  Small-group Seminar Signup

On this page, you should first click whichever day of the week suits you best (e.g. Monday). This will open a list of all available seminars on Mondays for the remainder of the academic year, along with the names of all the lecturers. If you click on any lecturer’s name, this will take you to that lecturer’s webpage, where you can read about their research interests and what areas they lecture in. All lecturers in the School of Psychology are listed, and you may attend any lecturer available at a time that suits you. (If the lecturer’s name is written in grey, that means all those places have been booked and no vacancies remain).

When you have decided exactly which seminar you want to attend, scroll down the page to the dialogue box on the bottom right corner of the screen. Fill in your details and choose your seminar from the drop-down list. Then click Sign up and confirm your booking. When you confirm your booking, your name and email address will be sent to your lecturer, who will be expecting you at that time on that day. Your attendance will be recorded.

(Make sure you put a reminder in your phone so that you will not forget to attend!)

If for some reason you cannot attend, you must send an email to inform the School. Please see the table below for the correct person to notify:

For seminars given by:	Please contact this person:
Dr. Molly Byrne (sem 2 only) Dr. Gerry Molloy	j.keane1nuigalway.ie
Dr. Mike Hogan Ms. Anne Marie Keane	jenny.groarkegmail.com
Dr. Jennifer Holloway Dr. Olive Healy (sem 1 only)	h.gleeson1nuigalway.ie
Dr. Denis O'Hora (sem 2 only) Dr. Ian Stewart	r.conway4nuigalway.ie
Dr. Mark Elliott Dr. Padraig MacNeela (sem 1 only)	b.slattery1nuigalway.ie
Dr. Jonathan Egan Dr. Brian McGuire	c.silke1nuigalway.ie
Dr. AnnMarie Groarke Dr. Jane Walsh	d.walsh32nuigalway.ie
Dr. Kiran Sarma (sem 1 only) Dr. John Bogue	r.carey1nuigalway.ie
Dr. Geraldine Leader (sem 2 only) Dr. Caroline Heary	s.kavanagh3nuigalway.ie

Further Information

Students who have selected Psychology as a subject choice will be provided with the full Student Guide for 1st Year Psychology at tutorial 1. The full guide will be available through Blackboard.

Directions to Woodquay Court

You will need to allow about 10 minutes to walk to Woodquay Court. Click here to view a map showing its location

From the main campus:

Turn left on to University Road and walk towards town, past the Cathedral and across the Salmon Weir Bridge. Continue walking straight ahead, keeping the Court House and then the Town Hall on your left. Continue to the junction and you will see a car parking area. Just past this car parking area, you will see a large brick building with AXA Insurance on the ground floor. This building is Woodquay Court. Cross the road at the pedestrian traffic lights and you will see a small corner shop ahead of you. The entrance to Woodquay Court is on the small side street, facing towards the shop. You will need to ring the bell, as access to the building is by intercom only.

From the North Campus:

(i.e. from the Psychology Department)

Walk across Quincentennial Bridge to Galway Shopping Centre. Turn right and walk towards town. Continue past Shopping Centre and then past Lidl. When you approach a car parking area, the last building on your left is a large brick building which has AXA Insurance on the ground floor. This is Woodquay Court. The door faces on to a small side street facing towards the corner facing towards the shop. You will need to ring the bell, as access to the building is by intercom only.

Support Services at NUI, Galway

Training courses in computer skills are provided by the university’s Computer Services (ground floor at the back of the Arts Concourse) during the early weeks of Semester 1. Students are urged to avail of these courses to acquire or enhance the necessary computer skills. Please familiarize yourself with the range of student services through the NUI, Galway website.

Psychological Support

If you should require support at any time during the semester, or find yourself going through a time of crisis, please contact the University’s counseling service (087 6644299), or approach any member of academic staff, who will ensure that you are directed to the appropriate service.

Important contacts in the School of Psychology

The offices of the School of Psychology are located on the first floor of St. Anthony’s, Upper Newcastle & in Cois Abhann, the new Engineering Building which is located between St. Anthony’s and the main campus.

• Ms. Miriam Lohan, School Secretary, School of Psychology, St. Anthony’s, NUI Galway. Tel: 091493454; E-mail: miriam.lohannuigalway.ie
• Dr. Michael Hogan, School of Psychology, St. Anthony’s, NUI Galway. Tel: 091493455; E-mail: michael.hogannuigalway.ie
• Ms. Áine Freeley, Academic Coordinator, School of Psychology, New Engineering Building, Tel 091492855, E-mail: aine.freeleynuigalway.ie
  

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