海角直播

Amanda鈥檚 First-Class Psychology performance

Amanda McGowan has a clear enthusiasm for the subject of Psychology. Not only has she achieved a First Class BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology at the University of 海角直播, but she will also start a Masters degree in the subject this autumn.

Amanda, 21, from Thornaby, achieved four 鈥楢鈥� levels in Psychology, Biology, Maths and General Studies at St. Mary鈥檚 Sixth Form in Middlesbrough. She clinched a grade A in Psychology, which helped her decide to continue with it at degree level. She said: 鈥淚 find Psychology an interesting and attractive subject, it makes you change the way you think about absolutely everything. For example, you learn why bedrooms are located upstairs; this dates back to when our ancestors built dams up in trees to keep away from predators. I鈥檝e enjoyed changing my perceptions during the course.

鈥淭he University鈥檚 facilities are really good for helping you with research, such as the Learning Resource Centre, where you can look up Psychology journals on-line via the Internet. The Psychology laboratories were also invaluable, as you had the opportunity to conduct your own practical research.鈥�

Amanda鈥檚 final year project examined post-natal depression. She issued questionnaires through the Internet and by hand, to women from different social classes, to establish causes of post-natal depression.

She also completed an external project for Redcar and Cleveland Council along with Dr Ali Guy, Principal Lecturer in Psychology. Together they devised a questionnaire, which was issued to a cross-section of homes, to see if parents favoured the introduction of toy libraries in Redcar and Cleveland鈥檚 libraries. Most parents were in favour, and the survey鈥檚 findings have been used by the council, towards the planning of new toy libraries.

Amanda is the first in her family to graduate from University. She added: 鈥淚 was very shocked to be the only one on my course with a First, I cried when I found out. My parents Christine and Paul are very, very pleased, my mum dropped the phone when she heard my result.鈥�

After she finishes her one-year Masters degree at Liverpool, Amanda is hoping to gain funding for a PhD.

This autumn the University also launches a BSc (Hons) degree in Forensic Psychology. Forensic Psychology is defined as the application of psychological knowledge to the study of crime and criminal justice. Students will have the opportunity to study areas of criminological and forensic enquiry, such as Scientific Methods of Crime Scene Investigation.

For more details on the BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology or the BSc (Hons) degree in Forensic Psychology call 01642 342308, or check the University of 海角直播鈥檚 web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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