Evolution and Behaviour MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

www.psychology.stir.ac.uk

The programme aims to provide advanced training as a preparation for a research career in Psychology, with specialisation in evolution and behaviour. It is primarily for students intending to proceed to a PhD in Psychology, who already have a degree in Psychology or an allied discipline.

The focus on evolution and behaviour allows students to take a specialised taught module, a research placement and a research project all within this area of study. We have good collaborative links to help students gain practical research experience in animal behaviour and we are also able to support research into some aspects of human evolutionary psychology.

Programme Objectives

The primary aim of the programme is to provide advanced training as a preparation for a research career in Psychology, primarily for those intending to proceed to a PhD in the area of evolutionary psychology or animal behaviour. We will support you in making the complex transition towards being an independent research scientist.

Entrance Requirements

First or upper second class Honours degree in Psychology or a related subject.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill) or TOEFL 577/233/90 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

For information on possible sources of funding, visit: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Full-time: MSc: 1 year; Diploma: 9 months

Part-time: MSc: 2 years; Diploma: 18 months

Programme Start Date

September

Programme Director

Dr Sarah Vick

Department of Psychology

Structure and Content

The programme consists of a number of different modules designed to provide training in the fundamentals of research methods. They emphasise different types of skills, from explicit hands-on demonstrations of tools, to discussion of different approaches to research. Students may select some alternative modules from the other taught MSc programmes at the discretion of the Programme Coordinator.

This programme includes the following modules:

• Evolution and Behaviour: A series of seminars will address both theoretical and practical issues relating to the study of evolution and behaviour across research settings. Topics include learning and ageing, emotion, comparative cognition and welfare. Students will also be expected to participate in our weekly Behaviour and Evolution Research Group meetings, in which they will hear about the current work of staff, other graduate students and also hear regular presentations from external speakers.
• Psychological Research Methods I and II: These modules cover a wide range of techniques used in psychological research and to demonstrate these techniques in relation to topics in a range of areas.
• Advanced Statistics: This module assumes a reasonable knowledge of statistics, although an additional introductory module is available for those who wish. The main statistics teaching is aimed at introducing advanced methods such as multivariate statistics and at the rationale of using statistical methods.
• Key Skills for Psychology Researchers: This module focuses on the research process, including ethical reviews, professional conduct and disseminating research. In also includes a
  short course ‘The Learning Process’ on continuous personal and professional development.
• Qualitative Research Methods: This module aims to provide a broad but solid grounding in qualitative research methodology.

Research Placement: This month-long placement is carried out in January/February, allowing you to broaden your practical research experience. The placement may be external to the Department and can be in a non-academic research environment.

Dissertation
For those who go onto the MSc, approximately half of your time is devoted to a research project, leading to a 15,000-word dissertation.

Delivery and Assessment

Teaching is delivered via tutorials, demonstrations and practical classes, but the majority is seminar-based. Students are typically taught in small groups in specialist classes, with first year PhD students or other postgraduate students (e.g. in modules from other MSc programmes).

Both taught and research postgraduates are integral to our research group and expected to participate in our regular meetings. All students allocated a peer mentor are provided with appropriate office space and equipment. In addition, each student is associated with an academic supervisor in the Department of
Psychology.

The individual modules each contribute equally towards the assessment of the Diploma, or provide 60 percent of the MSc grade, with the research dissertation contributing the remaining 40 percent.

Timetable

Contact the Department for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

The programme is designed for those going on to do further research in evolution and behaviour, either as a PhD student or research assistant. The structure of the programme includes both a placement and research project and this allows considerable scope for those interested in more applied areas to develop relevant skills for these careers. More general training in research methods is also highly valued by those who move on to other kinds of career, due to the insight given into the interpretation and analysis of all forms of data.

Research Opportunities

The aim of the programme is to provide research training and opportunities that will allow you to develop your own skills and capacities and enable you to pursue a career involving independent research.

Research falls into several broad categories (albeit with numerous interactions and collaborations between members of different groups), each of which is associated with a core area of psychological research:

• Behaviour and Evolution
• Health and Social
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Perception
• Developmental

Details about each research group are available on the Department website: www.psychology.stir.ac.uk

The Department also hosts a number of identifiable research groups, focusing on particular topic areas:

• Centre for Memory and Learning in the Lifespan
• Suicidal Behaviour Research Group
• Psychological Imaging Laboratory

For full information on the Department’s research activity, see: www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/research

Research Proposal

In the first instance applicants should contact an appropriate supervisor to discuss the feasibility of their proposed research. Formal applications should include a research proposal covering the background to the proposed research, questions addressed, methodological approaches and approximate timelines. Before commencing the research there will be further opportunity to revise and refine the proposal with the support of an academic supervisor.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.