The objective of the Psychology programme at the B.A. level is to provide a comprehensive basic academic grounding in psychology. The programme aims to equip students with knowledge in the key areas of psychology (such as human biological processes, developmental processes, social processes, cognitive processes, mental health and adjustment of individuals) as well as an understanding of the applications of psychology. It also develops skills for undertaking studies of behaviour, including statistical skills and the use of computers for data analyses.

Among the central topics and questions that the programme considers are

• Biological Psychology - What are the biological bases of our behaviours?
• Cognitive Psychology - How do we know about the world and ourselves?
• Abnormal Psychology - What are the nature and causes of abnormal behaviour?
• Developmental Psychology - What happens as we grow from birth through childhood into adulthood and then into old age?
• Social Psychology - How does interaction with others and groups influence our behaviour?
• Empirical Methods - How can we obtain data about psychologically interesting phenomena and how should these data be analysed and reported?

Career Prospects

Virtually all employment settings involve interaction with others. As such an understanding of how the mind functions and of interpersonal relationships can be an advantage. Psychology graduates from the Department are employed in a variety of settings where such psychological skills and understanding can be put to good use - often in management /leadership roles.

Those who go on to do Honours in Psychology are sought after in employment settings where their potential as future professional psychologists is of particular interest to employers. Psychologists in Singapore are employed in various settings which include MINDEF, MCYS, MOE, MOH, ITE, SPRING Singapore, a number of voluntary social service organizations, as well as in consultancy firms and research organizations.