Course Structure Overview
The Psychology program at Alliance University Bangalore is structured over 8 semesters, ensuring a progressive and comprehensive learning experience. Each semester includes core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PSY102 | Psychological Statistics I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PSY103 | Biological Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PSY104 | Developmental Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PSY105 | Social Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PSY106 | Research Methods in Psychology | 2-0-2-2 | - |
| 1 | PSY107 | Lab: Introduction to Psychology | 0-0-4-2 | - |
| 2 | PSY201 | Cognitive Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY102 |
| 2 | PSY202 | Psychological Statistics II | 3-0-0-3 | PSY102 |
| 2 | PSY203 | Abnormal Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY102 |
| 2 | PSY204 | Personality Theory | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 |
| 2 | PSY205 | Ethics in Psychology | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 2 | PSY206 | Lab: Cognitive Psychology | 0-0-4-2 | PSY101, PSY102 |
| 3 | PSY301 | Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY201 |
| 3 | PSY302 | Neuropsychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY103 |
| 3 | PSY303 | Forensic Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY203 |
| 3 | PSY304 | Behavioral Economics | 3-0-0-3 | PSY102, PSY202 |
| 3 | PSY305 | Health Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY103 |
| 3 | PSY306 | Lab: Neuropsychology | 0-0-4-2 | PSY103 |
| 4 | PSY401 | Clinical Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY203, PSY303 |
| 4 | PSY402 | Advanced Research Design | 3-0-0-3 | PSY106, PSY202 |
| 4 | PSY403 | Psychological Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY201 |
| 4 | PSY404 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-3 | All prior semesters |
| 4 | PSY405 | Lab: Clinical Psychology | 0-0-4-2 | PSY203 |
| 5 | PSY501 | Advanced Cognitive Processes | 3-0-0-3 | PSY201, PSY402 |
| 5 | PSY502 | Research Ethics & Compliance | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 5 | PSY503 | Thesis Writing & Presentation | 2-0-0-2 | PSY402 |
| 5 | PSY504 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-6-3 | PSY404 |
| 5 | PSY505 | Lab: Advanced Research Methods | 0-0-4-2 | PSY402 |
| 6 | PSY601 | Special Topics in Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY501 |
| 6 | PSY602 | Internship in Psychology | 0-0-8-4 | All prior semesters |
| 6 | PSY603 | Thesis Proposal | 2-0-0-2 | PSY503 |
| 6 | PSY604 | Capstone Project III | 0-0-8-4 | PSY504 |
| 7 | PSY701 | Advanced Research Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | PSY603 |
| 7 | PSY702 | Psychology in Practice | 3-0-0-3 | PSY602 |
| 7 | PSY703 | Capstone Project IV | 0-0-8-4 | PSY604 |
| 7 | PSY704 | Lab: Practicum in Psychology | 0-0-4-2 | PSY602 |
| 8 | PSY801 | Final Thesis | 0-0-10-6 | PSY703 |
| 8 | PSY802 | Professional Development | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 8 | PSY803 | Graduation Ceremony | 0-0-0-0 | - |
Detailed Departmental Elective Courses
Industrial-Organizational Psychology: This course introduces students to organizational behavior, leadership theories, team dynamics, and employee motivation. It emphasizes the application of psychological principles in workplace settings to enhance productivity and well-being.
Neuropsychology: Students explore the neural correlates of cognition, emotion, and behavior. Topics include brain anatomy, cognitive neuroscience methods, and neuropsychological assessment techniques used in clinical and research settings.
Forensic Psychology: This course examines the intersection of psychology and law. Students study criminal behavior, witness testimony, correctional psychology, and legal proceedings from a psychological perspective.
Behavioral Economics: Combining insights from psychology and economics, this course explores decision-making processes, cognitive biases, and behavioral interventions in markets and policy contexts.
Health Psychology: This course focuses on how psychological factors influence health and illness. It covers stress management, chronic disease coping, health promotion strategies, and psychological interventions in clinical settings.
Clinical Psychology: Designed for students interested in therapy and counseling, this course covers diagnostic criteria, therapeutic techniques, ethical considerations, and case study analysis in clinical practice.
Advanced Cognitive Processes: This advanced elective delves into complex cognitive functions such as memory consolidation, attention mechanisms, problem-solving strategies, and language processing using neuroscientific methods.
Research Ethics & Compliance: This course ensures students understand the ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements in psychological research. It covers informed consent, confidentiality, data handling, and reporting standards.
Psychological Assessment: Students learn about standardized tests, assessment tools, and evaluation methods used in clinical and educational settings. The course emphasizes reliability, validity, and cultural sensitivity in testing practices.
Thesis Writing & Presentation: This course guides students through the process of writing and presenting research findings effectively. It includes literature review techniques, hypothesis formulation, data interpretation, and academic presentation skills.
Capstone Project I-IV: These sequential projects allow students to apply their knowledge in a real-world context. Students choose a topic, conduct independent research, collaborate with faculty mentors, and present their findings at the end of each semester.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly believes in experiential learning through project-based education. Our approach integrates theory with practice, encouraging students to solve real-world problems using psychological principles. Projects are selected based on current trends and industry demands, ensuring relevance and applicability.
Mini-Projects: During the first three years, students engage in mini-projects that last 2-3 months. These projects focus on specific aspects of psychology such as data collection, literature review, or experimental design. Students work in small groups under faculty supervision to develop foundational skills.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project: In the final year, students undertake a substantial thesis project or capstone that spans several months. The project involves original research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students present their findings at a departmental symposium.
Project Selection Process: Students begin exploring potential projects in their third year by attending seminars, reviewing literature, and consulting with faculty members. The selection process considers student interests, available resources, and alignment with career goals.
Evaluation Criteria: Projects are evaluated based on research quality, methodology, presentation skills, collaboration, and impact. Faculty mentors provide continuous feedback throughout the project lifecycle to ensure high standards and meaningful outcomes.