PYD100 Foundation Psychology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PYD100 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | PYB100 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | The Commonwealth supported place student contribution amount for this unit depends upon the course of study. Find out more |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $4,932 |
Unit Outline: College 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PYD100 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PYB100 |
Overview
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour, and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of applied issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to major subfields and perspectives in psychology, to develop your understanding of the research methods used in psychological research and to develop your critical thinking skills. This unit provides a strong basis for future learning in the discipline. Topics covered in PYB100 will include child and adult development, social psychology, and an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems. We will consider Indigenous and diverse cultural perspectives, ethical issues in psychological research, and how psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and critical evaluation skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Evaluate the major concepts, theories, and research in the areas of individual differences, learning, psychopathology, health psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and cross-cultural psychology
- Source and use research articles ethically and responsibly.
- Critically evaluate research articles.
- Reflect on aspects of participation in research.
Content
The unit provides an introduction to the science of psychology. Topics include the evolution of the major perspectives in psychology, psychological research, learning, personality and individual differences, social and developmental psychology, and psychological disorders and their treatment. The unit will highlight the multidisciplinary nature of psychology in the wider community, including themes of social and ethical responsibility, cultural sensitivity and the importance of critical thinking.
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a flipped approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with eContent and weekly scheduled classes such as lectures and tutorials. eContent will be provided on your Canvas site for you to self-directedly engage with before your classes. It will include information, resources and learning activities that support your engagement with the unit concepts. The Canvas site provides embedded support for your learning through the provision of writing resources which include links and videos about APA style, finding articles, paraphrasing, and academic integrity. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with the resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:
- general comments provided verbally in class
- feedback from peers in your tutorials
- general comments provided via the unit's Canvas website
- comments about individual progress included on criteria sheets for summative assessment
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in PYB100 comprises a portfolio and a final examination. The portfolio is designed to develop your digital capabilities in using academic databases and your critical thinking skills in being able to use research articles ethically and responsibly. This assessment will be discussed in detail during tutorials as we coach you through learning how to source, understand, and evaluate psychological research.
The other piece of assessment is a final examination held in the formal examination period at the end of semester. It consists of questions drawn from the lectures, tutorials, and recommended readings throughout semester. You will be provided with a series of online quizzes, progressively available throughout the semester, which will give you the chance to test your knowledge and gain feedback in preparation for the final exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio of research skills
You will engage in several activities to demonstrate your research skills, some of which will be need to be verified in tutorials. Activities may include completing an information literacy task, using academic databases to locate research articles, extracting key information from research articles, using research articles to check facts, and critically evaluating research articles. Artifacts from these activities will be submitted as a Portfolio of Research Skills. Some activities must be verified in relevant tutorials.
The portfolio is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: End of semester exam
The final exam will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Questions will cover all information in the unit. The short reflective essay will ask you to consider what you have learned about research in psychology through your research participation during the semester.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2022). Psychology: Sixth Australian and New Zealand Edition. John Wiley and Sons. (Print or Digital version)
Recommended text(s)
Written elements of the portfolio need to be in APA format (7th edition) and the following is a simple guide:
Shakespeare-Finch, J. (2020). A Guide to Formatting in Psychology (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.
Students may also wish to review the free instructional aids on the APA style blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/
For students continuing in psychology we suggest:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Risk Assessment Statement
You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.HL11 Diploma in Health Science (Health Studies)
- Demonstrate broad, foundational knowledge and skills for future studies in a range of health science disciplines.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, End of semester exam - Apply critical thinking, judgement and evaluative skills to the analysis and synthesis of a range of predictable problems related to the health and wellbeing of individuals and/or groups in the community.
Relates to: Portfolio of research skills - Communicate effectively in an academic and professional manner to a range of audiences using a variety of formats.
Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio of research skills
Unit Outline: College 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PYD100 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PYB100 |
Overview
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour, and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of applied issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to major subfields and perspectives in psychology, to develop your understanding of the research methods used in psychological research and to develop your critical thinking skills. This unit provides a strong basis for future learning in the discipline. Topics covered in PYB100 will include child and adult development, social psychology, and an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems. We will consider Indigenous and diverse cultural perspectives, ethical issues in psychological research, and how psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and critical evaluation skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Evaluate the major concepts, theories, and research in the areas of individual differences, learning, psychopathology, health psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and cross-cultural psychology
- Source and use research articles ethically and responsibly.
- Critically evaluate research articles.
- Reflect on aspects of participation in research.
Content
The unit provides an introduction to the science of psychology. Topics include the evolution of the major perspectives in psychology, psychological research, learning, personality and individual differences, social and developmental psychology, and psychological disorders and their treatment. The unit will highlight the multidisciplinary nature of psychology in the wider community, including themes of social and ethical responsibility, cultural sensitivity and the importance of critical thinking.
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a flipped approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with eContent and weekly scheduled classes such as lectures and tutorials. eContent will be provided on your Canvas site for you to self-directedly engage with before your classes. It will include information, resources and learning activities that support your engagement with the unit concepts. The Canvas site provides embedded support for your learning through the provision of writing resources which include links and videos about APA style, finding articles, paraphrasing, and academic integrity. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with the resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:
- general comments provided verbally in class
- feedback from peers in your tutorials
- general comments provided via the unit's Canvas website
- comments about individual progress included on criteria sheets for summative assessment
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in PYB100 comprises a portfolio and a final examination. The portfolio is designed to develop your digital capabilities in using academic databases and your critical thinking skills in being able to use research articles ethically and responsibly. This assessment will be discussed in detail during tutorials as we coach you through learning how to source, understand, and evaluate psychological research.
The other piece of assessment is a final examination held in the formal examination period at the end of semester. It consists of questions drawn from the lectures, tutorials, and recommended readings throughout semester. You will be provided with a series of online quizzes, progressively available throughout the semester, which will give you the chance to test your knowledge and gain feedback in preparation for the final exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio of research skills
You will engage in several activities to demonstrate your research skills, some of which will be need to be verified in tutorials. Activities may include completing an information literacy task, using academic databases to locate research articles, extracting key information from research articles, using research articles to check facts, and critically evaluating research articles. Artifacts from these activities will be submitted as a Portfolio of Research Skills. Some activities must be verified in relevant tutorials.
The portfolio is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: End of semester exam
The final exam will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Questions will cover all information in the unit. The short reflective essay will ask you to consider what you have learned about research in psychology through your research participation during the semester.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2022). Psychology: Sixth Australian and New Zealand Edition. John Wiley and Sons. (Print or Digital version)
Recommended text(s)
Written elements of the portfolio need to be in APA format (7th edition) and the following is a simple guide:
Shakespeare-Finch, J. (2020). A Guide to Formatting in Psychology (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.
Students may also wish to review the free instructional aids on the APA style blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/
For students continuing in psychology we suggest:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Risk Assessment Statement
You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.HL11 Diploma in Health Science (Health Studies)
- Demonstrate broad, foundational knowledge and skills for future studies in a range of health science disciplines.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, End of semester exam - Apply critical thinking, judgement and evaluative skills to the analysis and synthesis of a range of predictable problems related to the health and wellbeing of individuals and/or groups in the community.
Relates to: Portfolio of research skills - Communicate effectively in an academic and professional manner to a range of audiences using a variety of formats.
Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio of research skills
Unit Outline: College Summer 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PYD100 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PYB100 |
Overview
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour, and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of applied issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to major subfields and perspectives in psychology, to develop your understanding of the research methods used in psychological research and to develop your critical thinking skills. This unit provides a strong basis for future learning in the discipline. Topics covered in PYB100 will include child and adult development, social psychology, and an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems. We will consider Indigenous and diverse cultural perspectives, ethical issues in psychological research, and how psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and critical evaluation skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Evaluate the major concepts, theories, and research in the areas of individual differences, learning, psychopathology, health psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and cross-cultural psychology
- Source and use research articles ethically and responsibly.
- Critically evaluate research articles.
- Reflect on aspects of participation in research.
Content
The unit provides an introduction to the science of psychology. Topics include the evolution of the major perspectives in psychology, psychological research, learning, personality and individual differences, social and developmental psychology, and psychological disorders and their treatment. The unit will highlight the multidisciplinary nature of psychology in the wider community, including themes of social and ethical responsibility, cultural sensitivity and the importance of critical thinking.
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a flipped approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with eContent and weekly scheduled classes such as lectures and tutorials. eContent will be provided on your Canvas site for you to self-directedly engage with before your classes. The Canvas site provides embedded support for learning through the provision of writing resources and practice quizzes. Writing resources include links and videos about APA style, finding articles, paraphrasing, and academic integrity. The online quizzes are designed as a self-test to help you study throughout semester and prepare for the Final Exam. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:
- general comments provided verbally in class
- feedback from peers in your tutorials
- general comments provided via the unit's Canvas website
- comments about individual progress included on criteria sheets for summative assessment
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in PYB100 comprises a portfolio and a final examination. The portfolio is designed to develop your digital capabilities in using academic databases and your critical thinking skills in being able to use research articles ethically and responsibly. This assessment will be discussed in detail during tutorials as we coach you through learning how to source, understand, and evaluate psychological research.
The other piece of assessment is a final examination held in the formal examination period at the end of semester. It consists of questions drawn from the lectures, tutorials, and recommended readings throughout semester. You will be provided with a series of online quizzes, progressively available throughout the semester, which will give you the chance to test your knowledge and gain feedback in preparation for the final exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio of research skills
You will engage in several activities to demonstrate your research skills, some of which will be need to be verified in tutorials. Activities may include completing an information literacy task, using academic databases to locate research articles, extracting key information from research articles, using research articles to check facts, and critically evaluating research articles. Artifacts from these activities will be submitted as a Portfolio of Research Skills. Some activities must be verified in relevant tutorials.
The portfolio is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: End of semester exam
The final exam will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Questions will cover all information in the unit. The short reflective essay will ask you to consider what you have learned about research in psychology through your research participation during the semester.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2022). Psychology: Sixth Australian and New Zealand Edition. John Wiley and Sons. (Print or Digital version)
Recommended text(s)
Written elements of the portfolio need to be in APA format (7th edition) and the following is a simple guide:
Shakespeare-Finch, J. (2020). A Guide to Formatting in Psychology (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.
Students may also wish to review the free instructional aids on the APA style blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/
For students continuing in psychology we suggest:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Risk Assessment Statement
You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students