BA in Psychology & Computing

Program Overview

The BA in Psychology and Computing combines psychology and computing to equip students with skills for careers in psychology, IT, or human-centered software design. Graduates are eligible for the Psychology Society of Ireland (PSI) Graduate Membership and can pursue further study in psychology or computing fields. The program offers a unique blend of core computing and psychology modules, as well as design-related modules, providing students with an interdisciplinary perspective from the outset.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA in Psychology and Computing is a degree that applies psychological research, theory, and knowledge to the design, development, evaluation, and critical engagement with technology and systems. It aims to:

• Provide high-level technical skills training for future psychologists working with data science, AI, physiological sensing, online behavior, neuroscience, and experimental psychophysics.
• Equip students with skills attractive to employers in information technology companies, focusing on user experience design, user interface design, ergonomics, data science, and user research.
• Encourage critical reflection on digitally-mediated experience, a common aspect of everyday lived experience in many parts of the world.
• Develop understanding and sensibilities to create evidence- and skills-based routes in this world for themselves and others.
The program draws on core computing and psychology modules and includes a strand of shared modules exploring the intersection between these disciplines and its application to improving lives socially, culturally, and economically. The combination of core Psychology and Computing modules, along with several design-related modules, makes for a unique undergraduate experience. Students are exposed to an interdisciplinary way of thinking and working from day 1 of the degree program. The course has recently gained accreditation by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Accreditation means that graduates from this programme will now be able to join the PSI as a graduate member, as long as they achieve a second class honours or above in their final degree classification. Graduates of CK121 will be eligible for entry to any Psychology MA programmes across Ireland that stipulate “graduate membership of PSI” as a requirement, without the need for taking any graduate conversion programme first. Essentially, the course facilitates a similar education and career path for graduates as a standard Psychology or Applied Psychology degree. Accreditation also ensures improved recognition of the qualification internationally.

Outline:

The program is structured as follows:

• Year 1:
• CS1023 Introduction to Human-Centred Computing (5 credits)
• AP1107 User Experience (UX) Design (5 credits)
• AP1035 Introduction to Neuroscience, Perception and Attention (5 credits)
• AP1022 Social Psychology (5 credits)
• AP1039 Research Methods in Psychology I (5 credits)
• AP1040 Research Design and Statistical Analyses I (5 credits)
• CS1111 Systems Organisation (5 credits)
• CS1021 Relational Databases (5 credits)
• CS1022 Introduction to Programming & Problem-Solving (15 credits)
• Year 2: Modules are not listed, but the program shifts towards more self-directed learning, augmented by 12-14 hours of scheduled lectures and practical sessions.
• Year 3: Students can choose to undertake a twelve-month work placement or continue directly into the final year.
• Year 4: Students who chose the work placement option complete their degree in this year.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Written exams (before Christmas and in May)
• Examination-based assessment
• Essays
• Practical laboratory reports
• Reflective journals
• Case studies
• Class presentations
• Online discussion forums
• Other online assessments

Teaching:

• The program is full-time and demands a full-time commitment.
• The annual 60-credit workload equates to 12 hours of lectures per week with additional laboratory work and tutorials.
• Year 1 involves a high level of contact with lecturers, tutors, and demonstrators.
• Year 2 shifts towards more self-directed learning.
• Final year (year 3 or 4) focuses on team research projects.
• The program uses online learning technologies.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are well-positioned for careers in three distinct areas:

• Psychology Profession: Graduates can pursue careers in the psychology profession through further study in professionally accredited Master's programs.
The BA Psychology and Computing is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as a psychology degree, making graduates eligible for MA programs in clinical psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, work and organizational psychology, applied psychology, or other psychology-related professions.
• Software Development, IT, and Computing Professions: Graduates can pursue careers in Software Development, IT, Software Engineering, Web Development, or other computing professions through further study or direct routes to employment.
• Human-Centered Software Design and Evaluation: Graduates are particularly well-suited for careers in Human-centered software design and evaluation, including User Experience (UX) design, User Interface (UI) design and testing, Usability testing, Human-computer interaction, Game design, Social media, service design, and research aimed at developing the next generation of systems and services.

Other:

• The program is the first of its kind in Ireland and amongst the first internationally.
• It offers the opportunity to undertake a work placement in the 3rd year.
• Graduates can specialize in Psychology or Computer Science via a conversion course.
• The final year project involves technology prototype design and evaluation, is people-focused, and is led by staff from both Applied Psychology and Computer Science.