Curriculum Overview
The Psychology program at Rishihood University Sonipat is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and progressive educational experience that builds upon foundational knowledge and develops specialized expertise. The curriculum is structured over 8 semesters, with a balanced mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions. Each semester includes a specific credit structure that ensures students gain both theoretical understanding and practical application. The program emphasizes project-based learning, where students engage in hands-on research and collaborative projects throughout their academic journey. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect current trends and developments in the field of psychology, ensuring that students are equipped with the most relevant knowledge and skills.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PSY102 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PSY103 | Biological Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PSY104 | Cognitive Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PSY105 | Developmental Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | PSY106 | Psychology Lab | 0-0-3-1 | None |
| 2 | PSY201 | Social Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 |
| 2 | PSY202 | Personality Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 |
| 2 | PSY203 | Abnormal Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 |
| 2 | PSY204 | Psychometrics | 3-0-0-3 | PSY102 |
| 2 | PSY205 | Psychology Lab II | 0-0-3-1 | PSY106 |
| 2 | PSY206 | Science Elective I | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 3 | PSY301 | Clinical Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY201, PSY203 |
| 3 | PSY302 | Industrial Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY201 |
| 3 | PSY303 | Educational Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY105 |
| 3 | PSY304 | Health Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY103 |
| 3 | PSY305 | Psychology Lab III | 0-0-3-1 | PSY205 |
| 3 | PSY306 | Departmental Elective I | 3-0-0-3 | PSY201 |
| 4 | PSY401 | Neuropsychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY103 |
| 4 | PSY402 | Forensic Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY203 |
| 4 | PSY403 | Positive Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY201 |
| 4 | PSY404 | Advanced Research Methods | 3-0-0-3 | PSY102 |
| 4 | PSY405 | Psychology Lab IV | 0-0-3-1 | PSY305 |
| 4 | PSY406 | Departmental Elective II | 3-0-0-3 | PSY306 |
| 5 | PSY501 | Mini Project I | 0-0-0-3 | PSY404 |
| 5 | PSY502 | Internship I | 0-0-0-3 | PSY301 |
| 5 | PSY503 | Departmental Elective III | 3-0-0-3 | PSY406 |
| 5 | PSY504 | Departmental Elective IV | 3-0-0-3 | PSY406 |
| 5 | PSY505 | Science Elective II | 3-0-0-3 | PSY206 |
| 5 | PSY506 | Psychology Lab V | 0-0-3-1 | PSY405 |
| 6 | PSY601 | Mini Project II | 0-0-0-3 | PSY501 |
| 6 | PSY602 | Internship II | 0-0-0-3 | PSY502 |
| 6 | PSY603 | Departmental Elective V | 3-0-0-3 | PSY503 |
| 6 | PSY604 | Departmental Elective VI | 3-0-0-3 | PSY504 |
| 6 | PSY605 | Science Elective III | 3-0-0-3 | PSY505 |
| 6 | PSY606 | Psychology Lab VI | 0-0-3-1 | PSY506 |
| 7 | PSY701 | Final Year Project | 0-0-0-6 | PSY601 |
| 7 | PSY702 | Internship III | 0-0-0-6 | PSY602 |
| 7 | PSY703 | Departmental Elective VII | 3-0-0-3 | PSY603 |
| 7 | PSY704 | Departmental Elective VIII | 3-0-0-3 | PSY604 |
| 7 | PSY705 | Science Elective IV | 3-0-0-3 | PSY605 |
| 7 | PSY706 | Psychology Lab VII | 0-0-3-1 | PSY606 |
| 8 | PSY801 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-0-6 | PSY701 |
| 8 | PSY802 | Internship IV | 0-0-0-6 | PSY702 |
| 8 | PSY803 | Departmental Elective IX | 3-0-0-3 | PSY703 |
| 8 | PSY804 | Departmental Elective X | 3-0-0-3 | PSY704 |
| 8 | PSY805 | Science Elective V | 3-0-0-3 | PSY705 |
| 8 | PSY806 | Psychology Lab VIII | 0-0-3-1 | PSY706 |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
The department offers a range of advanced departmental electives that allow students to specialize in specific areas of psychology. These courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills in specialized domains, preparing students for advanced study or professional practice.
Clinical Psychology
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of clinical psychology, including diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions, and ethical considerations. Students learn about various psychological disorders, assessment techniques, and evidence-based treatments. The course emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application through case studies and supervised practice.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
This course explores the application of psychological principles in workplace settings. Students study topics such as employee motivation, organizational behavior, leadership, team dynamics, and organizational development. The course includes practical components such as workplace assessments, training programs, and organizational consulting projects.
Educational Psychology
This course examines the psychological processes involved in learning and teaching. Students study child development, learning theories, curriculum design, and assessment methods. The course emphasizes the application of psychological principles in educational settings, including classroom management, instructional design, and educational policy.
Health Psychology
This course focuses on the psychological factors that influence health and illness. Students study stress management, health behavior change, and the psychological aspects of chronic illness. The course includes practical components such as health promotion programs, wellness initiatives, and community health interventions.
Neuropsychology
This course explores the relationship between brain function and behavior. Students study brain imaging techniques, neurological disorders, and cognitive rehabilitation. The course emphasizes the application of neuropsychological principles in clinical and research settings, including assessment and intervention strategies.
Forensic Psychology
This course applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice contexts. Students study criminal behavior, eyewitness testimony, and psychological evaluations in legal proceedings. The course includes practical components such as court presentations, expert testimony, and forensic research projects.
Positive Psychology
This course emphasizes human flourishing and well-being. Students explore topics such as resilience, happiness, and character strengths. The course emphasizes the application of positive psychology principles in personal development, organizational settings, and community interventions.
Developmental Psychology
This course focuses on human development across the lifespan. Students study prenatal development, childhood, adolescence, and aging. The course emphasizes the application of developmental psychology principles in education, healthcare, and social services.
Social Psychology
This course investigates how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social contexts. Students study topics such as prejudice, group dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. The course emphasizes the application of social psychology principles in community development, public policy, and social research.
Cognitive Psychology
This course focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, attention, and problem-solving. Students study cognitive development, decision-making, and information processing. The course emphasizes the application of cognitive psychology principles in technology, education, and artificial intelligence.
Project-Based Learning Approach
The Psychology program at Rishihood University Sonipat emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of the educational experience. This approach integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing students to engage in meaningful research and collaborative projects throughout their academic journey. The program includes both mini-projects and a final-year thesis, providing students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, research skills, and professional competencies.
Mini-Projects
Mini-projects are undertaken in the fifth and sixth semesters, allowing students to explore specific research questions or practical applications under faculty supervision. These projects are designed to be manageable yet challenging, providing students with hands-on experience in research design, data collection, and analysis. Students work in teams to address real-world problems, applying psychological principles to practical situations. The projects are evaluated based on research quality, presentation skills, and collaboration.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a comprehensive research endeavor that allows students to demonstrate their mastery of psychological concepts and research methods. Students select a topic of interest, conduct original research, and present their findings in a formal thesis or project report. The project is supervised by a faculty mentor and involves extensive literature review, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Students are encouraged to pursue research that addresses contemporary issues in psychology or contributes to the field's understanding of human behavior.
Project Selection and Mentorship
Students are guided in selecting appropriate projects based on their interests and career goals. Faculty mentors are assigned based on the project topic and the mentor's expertise. The selection process ensures that students receive appropriate guidance and support throughout their project journey. Regular meetings with mentors are scheduled to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide feedback on research quality.