Study plan for MAPS-PSYK Master's Programme in Psychology, spring 2023

ECTS Credits

The master's programme in Psychology is a two-year study programme (120 credits).

Language of Instruction

The teaching is mainly in Norwegian, but some lectures and supervision may be in English. Recommended literature is mainly in English.

The study program is based on a bachelor's degree in psychology and gives you expert knowledge and relevant skills in the field of psychology, and a chosen specialization in «social and cognitive psychology» or «behavioral science and neuroscience». As a candidate on the program, you will familiarize yourself with current academic perspectives and challenges in psychological research, carry out an in-depth study of scientific theory and research method, and have an in-depth study course on modern research that is relevant for the two fields of study. In the last year of the programme, your write a master's thesis within your specialisation that makes an independent contribution to the research literature.

Specialization in social and cognitive psychology:

This specialization provides you with in-depth competence in processes and mechanisms that form the behaviour of individuals and in groups. You will gain expert knowledge of human experience and thought processes, cooperation and interaction, influence from groups and culture. You gain an insight into how such knowledge can be used to deal with key challenges in today's society. Many of the topics covered are lack of diversity in society and working life, integration and conflict, safety, risk assessments, HSE and emergency preparedness in work and leisure, mistakes and reliability, tourism experiences, climate and sustainability, conscious and subconscious processes, and how language and culture affect cognition. You will take an active part in one or more research environments throughout the programme, and a master's thesis will be planned using your own data collection. It is possible to arrange a student exchange in the third semester. The programme enables you to understand social and cognitive phenomena, mechanisms and processes to critically assess and contribute to research, and to apply knowledge from research in different areas of society.

Specialization in behavior science and neuroscience

This specialization is about the relationship between brain, behaviour and cognition. The specialisation provides an insight into the theory basis for basic research on the human brain, in addition to research related to psychiatric, neurological and other clinical conditions. Laboratory exercises and practical demonstrations provide expertise in research methodologies in neuroscience, including neuroradiology. Many of the subjects covered are neurobiological and theoretical approaches to emotion, cognition and psychopathology, research methodologies and ethical issues in psychophysiology and neuroscience for research with humans and animals. The course enables you to analyse behaviour and cognitive and emotional processes from the point of view of neuroscience, to understand and use research methods within cognitive neuroscience, and to critically assess research.

Required Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Upon completion of the degree, the candidate shall:

have in-depth knowledge of scientific topics, theory and perspectives in the field of psychology
have in-depth knowledge of the methods in the field of psychology
have in-depth knowledge of key topics, theory, methods and fields of work relevant to one of the fields of study «social and cognitive psychology» or «behavior and neuroscience».

Skills:

perform work assignments that require familiarity with complex subjects and solve problems related to human phenomena and interaction
use their knowledge and abilities to carry out and lead comprehensive projects
critically assess assertions and research related to psychological phenomena, mechanisms and processes
analyse professional issues and research questions based on the subject of psychology, professional traditions, its nature and place in society
work independently with theoretical, analytical and practical problem solving, based on existing theories, methodologies and interpretations within psychology.
critically analyse different information sources and use these for academic reasoning
undertake an independent research or development project under academic supervision and in line with current research ethical norms and rules.

General competence:

Upon completion of the degree, the candidate shall be able to:

analyze professional, professional and research ethics issues within the field of psychology
be able to apply qualitative and quantitative approaches to research
manage large digital datasets
communicate in writing and orally on complex academic topics
communicate professional issues, analyzes and conclusions within the field of psychology, both with specialists and in general
contribute to professional innovation and innovation processes within the field.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the master's programme in psychology requires a completed bachelor's degree:

You must have taken at least 90 credits that are within psychology or a corresponding field of study, or that belong to the field of study for the programme option you are applying for. You can apply for admission based on credits taken as part of different degrees or from different academic institutions.
You must have an average grade of at least C on the credits you are using as a basis for admission (90 credits)
You must have written a Bachelor's thesis in psychology or an equivalent field of study. The thesis must have a scope of at least 10 credits
You must have taken 15 credits using a research method (covering both qualitative and quantitative methods)
If you have taken a course with a name that is not clearly related to psychology, you can attach a note to the admission that depicts how you believe the course is relevant/equivalent (including the title of the bachelor's thesis).

For the programme option "behaviour and neuroscience", the following requirements for admission apply:

5 credits in biological psychology with a C requirement. For applicants from UiB, biological psychology (5 credits) is part of PSYK114 or PSYK101.

Bachelor's degrees from UiB that qualify:

Bachelor in General Psychology
Bachelor in Occupational and Organisational Psychology

Other bachelor's degrees may qualify if you have 90 credits in psychology or equivalent.

External Bachelor's degrees that qualify:

Bachelor's in Psychology from:
Universitetet i Oslo
Universitetet i Tromsø
NTNU
Høgkolen i Innlandet
Bjørknes Høyskole
Ansgar Teologiske Høgskole
OsloMet.

Other bachelor's degrees may qualify if you have 90 credits in psychology or equivalent. Where specialisation in the degree is not specified, all courses in the bachelor's degree are used in the calculation of credits. If you have taken a bachelor's degree with a name that is not clearly related to psychology, you can attach a note to the admission that depicts how you believe the course is relevant/equivalent (including the title of the bachelor's thesis).

The language requirements for both Norwegian and English for this programme of study must be covered with general university and college admission certification, either on the basis of Norwegian Upper Secondary School or in another way. Minimum Norwegian requirements for applicants who have all or partial admissions criteria from a country outside the Nordic region: The Master of Psychology is a Norwegian language master's programme with the following Norwegian requirements.

Recommended previous knowledge

Compulsory units

Both the common subjects and specific subjects for each specialisation are compulsory.

Specialisation

You choose the specialization "social and cognitive psychology" or "behavior and neuroscience" for admission. See description above.

Recommended electives

Sequential Requirements, courses

1st semester (Autumn):

MAPSYK301 Perspective in psychological science, 15 credits- common course
Social and cognitive psychology: MAPSYK303 Applied social and cognitive psychology: Human physician factors in critical situations and cultural diversity in society and work, 15 credits
Behaviour and neuroscience: MAPSYK319B Cognitive neuroscience, 15 credits

2nd semester (Spring):

Social and cognitive psychology: MAPSYK304 Research perspective in social and cognitive psychology: Culture, sustainability and tourist experience, 15 credits
Behaviour and neuroscience: MAPSYK319A Behavioural Neuroscience 1: Biological Psychology, 15 credits
MAPSYK302 Research Methodology, 15 credits - Common Course

Second year: Those who specialise in social and cognitive psychology may choose between writing a master¿s thesis of 30 or 60 credits.

3rd semester (Autumn):

Social and cognitive psychology: Exchange/elective or first half of MAPSYK360 Master's thesis, 60 credits
Behaviour and neuroscience: First half of MAPSYK360 Master's thesis, 60 credits

4th semester (Spring):

Social and cognitive psychology: MAPSYK330 Master's Thesis, 30 credits, or second half of MAPSYK360 Master's Thesis, 60 credits
Behaviour and neuroscience: Second half of MAPSYK360 Master's thesis, 60 credits

Study period abroad

It is possible and recommended to go on a student exchange and take part of your education in a different country. Students in the specialisation "social and cognitive psychology" can choose to write a 30 credits master's thesis, and take 30 elective credits on student exchange. If you choose to write a 60-credit master's thesis, you can choose to write part of the course thesis while you are on student exchange in your 3rd semester, this applies to both specializations.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching methods for individual courses included in the course section is discussed in the course description. They include lectures, seminars, group work, case work, discussion of research literature, lab work, writing and oral presentation, project work, company visits and cooperation with trade and industry, and public and private institutions.

Assessment methods

The form of assessment for individual courses included in the master's programme is discussed in more detail in the course descriptions.

Various forms of assessment are used, such as a school examination and a home examination.

Grading scale

The grading scale for the individual courses in the master's programme is explained in the course descriptions. The master's thesis is assessed using the grading scale from A to F.

Diploma and Diploma supplement

Diplomas are issued once the degree has been completed.

Access to further studies

Having completed a master's degree, you are qualified for admission to the PhD programme (doctorate).

Employability

The programme of study is based on research and expertise on psychological principles and how these are used in different parts of society. As a qualified candidate, you have high and up-to-date competence in the field of study and will be well suited to working in the field as a professional in psychology. The programme of study qualifies for various professions where professional knowledge, information competence, critical thinking, academic writing, dissemination and the ability to work both independently and in teams are sought-after abilities. You will also have a basis for further research, either in an academic career (PhD study), or to carry out research as part of other activities in a different profession.

Study plan for MAPS-PSYK Master's Programme in Psychology, spring 2023

ECTS Credits

Full-time/Part-time

Language of Instruction

Semester

Objectives and content