The teaching and learning strategy across the following taught modules (PY5608 Introduction to Psychological Sciences, PY5603 Developmental Psychology, PY5604 Individual Differences, PY5605 Social Psychology, PY5700 Biological Psychology, PY5701 Cognitive Psychology) consists of a combination of lectures and seminars. The Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods modules (PY5630 Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology and PY5609 Qualitative Research Methods) involves the collection of original data and analysis using appropriate software e.g. SPSS, Excel so are lab based practical classes. The above modules will be delivered synchronously, both in-person, on campus or live online. They will also be made available asynchronously as lecture/seminar recordings that students can watch at any time if they were not able to attend the live lecture (lecture slides will also be available). To suit post-graduate students, teaching on the MSc is condensed over two days per week. The aim is for students to have in-person, on -campus teaching on one of these days with the other day dedicated to live (synchronous) online teaching sessions.
PY5607 (Empirical research project module) is delivered through a series of lectures to support the research project process and provide key guidance on BPS requirements but is largely dependent on individual supervisory meetings. When completing their empirical research project students will make individual arrangements with supervisors that best suit their needs – they will have the option to meet in-person on campus or online with their supervisor. Lectures to support the dissertation process will be delivered synchronously (in-person, on campus and live online). These will also be made available asynchronously as lecture recordings students can watch at any time if they were not able to attend the live lecture (lecture slides will also be available). Data collection will be guided by future social distancing rules and will either be collected online via a digital data collection platform or in-person on-campus using the testing cubicles in Psychology (this is also project dependant).
Support and resources for teaching:
All modules are supported with a virtual teaching platform (Blackboard Learn) which provide access to various teaching materials including:
- Weekly reading materials i.e. journal articles, textbooks, newspaper articles etc.
- A range of other activities to support learning including quizzes, Q&As, discussion forums (or a combination of these).
- Additional digital resources (e.g. TED talks, YouTube videos, web links etc.).
Where possible, all learning materials will be provided digitally but some textbooks may be available in hard-copy only via the Brunel University London Library.
Assessments:
All assessments are submitted electronically through Brunel University London’s online submission portal WISEflow.
On this MSc, students are assessed through a variety of tasks that allow for the demonstration of academic learning and educational scholarship. There are no changes to these which include laboratory reports, coursework essays, data analysis assessment and the empirical research project which are all submitted online. The oral presentation and examination assessment will take place in person on campus. Formative assessment is also used to support students towards submission of summative assessment.
Tutoring and Pastoral Care:
All students are assigned a Personal Tutor that will provide information to help students navigate university life. Regular tutoring meetings (i.e., with personal tutors) will be held on campus, material from these will also be made available online, and for students not able to attend they will be able to speak online with tutors during their tutor hour via Teams.
Feedback and Consultation Hours:
Additionally, staff will hold student consultation hours each week (2 hours, split over two different days). These are specifically designated times when a member of staff is available for students who have questions or would like feedback. During these times students will be able to either meet with academic staff in-person or contact them via Teams.