PY1APP: Applied and Professional Psychology

Module code: PY1APP

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Amanda Branson, email: A.Branson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore how psychology can be applied in the real world, with broad consideration of professional values and ethics.  Students will learn about various areas of professional psychology, such as educational, occupational, health and forensic psychology and academia, research and teaching.  

In addition, students will begin to explore their skills, values and work preferences in the context of developing the professional skills and competencies that are required to become a psychologist.   

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Putri Nurain Shazana Megat Nadzruddin Feisal (p.megatnadzruddinfeisal@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Discuss the relationship between psychological theory and professional practice. 
2. Examine and critically reflect upon the roles and responsibilities of professional psychologists 
3. Demonstrate understanding of the techniques required for successful facilitation 

Module content

Students will attend a series of lectures covering a range of topics including professional ethics. Several lectures will be led by professional psychologists, focusing on their role, the underpinning psychological constructs and how these constructs are applied within the given context.  Lectures will be complimented by workshops within which students will apply what they have learned in lectures to address contemporary questions and issues within the field.  Workshops will culminate in a poster conference, during which students will present a poster on one area of professional psychology. Topics may include: 

• Educational Psychology  
• Occupational Psychology  
• Forensic Psychology  
• Health Psychology  
• Consumer Psychology 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A range of methods will be employed to support achievement of the learning outcomes, including interactive lectures, e-learning and interactive peer-facilitated workshops.  Students are expected to prepare in advance for workshops, using recommended and independent reading.  Students will be provided with additional support to aide their preparation for the poster conference.  

Personal and professional development planning will be supported via academic tutorials. 

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 28 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Peer feedback on facilitation skills  
• Peer and group-level feedback on the first reflective journal entry, to inform subsequent entries which will be summative 
• Timetabled drop-in sessions (“Feedback meetings with staff”) to gain verbal feedback on assessments 
• Peer feedback on poster presentation. 

Reassessment

Additional costs