About BSc (Honours) in Psychology Applied to Information Technology

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the study of how people think and act. Psychologists observe people in schools, workplaces and social environments in order to understand why people act the way they do. Psychologists use experiments and questionnaires to investigate people. We study how genes, age, background and environment influence the way people behave and how they assign meaning to what they perceive and experience.

Aims and Objectives

Psychology is vital in understanding how communications and information technologies affect the way we live. Workplaces accommodate email, wireless communication and the Internet. Digital forms of entertainment and games have an impact on our leisure activities. Biometrics and epayment change the way we shop and travel. Properly understood, properly used, these technologies can improve our quality of life.

This programme is different from other psychology programmes in Ireland. The emphasis is on human-technology interaction. There is very little emphasis on psychology as the basis for helping people with problems.

What will I be able to do after I Graduate?

You can work or study in all branches of the discipline of psychology. You may work in IT or study IT courses. Graduates are working as usability engineers, research assistants, instructional designers, in human resources and a variety of other jobs. Graduates have studied for Masters degrees in Cognitive Neuroscience, Speech & Language Therapy, Sports Psychology, Multimedia, and eLearning.

What Subjects Will I Study?

• Year 1: Psychology, Perception and Ergonomics, Psychology Practicals and Projects, Research Methods and Statistics I, Multimedia Design, ICT, Computer Applications
• Year 2: Developmental and Lifespan Psychology, Cognitive & Neuropsychology, Individual Differences, Information Design, Multimedia, Research Methods and Statistics II, Software Development Processes I
• Year 3: Usability Engineering I, Software Development Processes II, Cognitive Research, Psychology of Language and Communication, Social and Organisational Psychology, and Group IT project
• Year 4: Usability Engineering II, Human Computer Interaction, Cultural Psychology, Consumer Psychology, Instructional Design and Technology, Graphic Visualisation of Abstract Data, and Psychological research project.

This is a practical, hands-on programme. You will do much of your work in projects and in small groups. Much of the learning is done in class and attendance is important. You will be timetabled for computer and psychology labs, as well as lectures. This means you are required to attend class for about 22 hours a week.

What are the Entry Requirements?

Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent educational qualification) with a minimum of Grade C3 in two Higher Level subjects together with Grade D3 in four other subjects at ordinary or higher level, to include English, Maths and 1 other language. You must have obtained at least grade D3 in Ordinary Level mathematics. Alternative level Maths is not acceptable.

Applicants with FETAC (NCVA level II) awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules as well as either a pass in a FETAC (NCVA level II) mathematical module or D3 (Ordinary level) in Leaving Certificate mathematics.

Please refer to the Admissions pages to see the FETAC Links for this programme.

We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.

Success story

The 4th year students from this BSc Honours Degree came in 4th position in the CHI (Computer Human interaction) International Student Design Competition that took place in April in Montreal (Canada).

The competition was to design a novel piece of technology to help people in the area of health and fitness. The work presented by IADT students was described as “the most original response to the brief”, “incredible intuitive (design)” and “really excellent.

“This is a unique programme with a dedicated and enthusiastic programme team who are not afraid to experiment with novel pedagogic techniques and exploit opportunities provided by IT” 

• Professor Ray Fuller, External Examiner