Comprehensive Course Structure
The Psychology program at Sabarmati University Ahmedabad is structured over 8 semesters, with a carefully designed curriculum that balances foundational knowledge with advanced specialization. The program includes core psychology courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions to provide students with a well-rounded academic experience.
| Year | Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| PSY102 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - | ||
| I | 2 | PSY103 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| PSY104 | Cognitive Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | - | ||
| II | 3 | PSY201 | Developmental Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 |
| PSY202 | Social Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 | ||
| II | 4 | PSY203 | Abnormal Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 |
| PSY204 | Personality Theory | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101 | ||
| III | 5 | PSY301 | Psychological Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | PSY101, PSY102 |
| PSY302 | Advanced Research Methods | 3-0-0-3 | PSY203 | ||
| III | 6 | PSY303 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3-0-0-3 | PSY104 |
| PSY304 | Health Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | PSY201 | ||
| IV | 7 | PSY401 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-3 | PSY301, PSY302 |
| PSY402 | Internship | 0-0-0-3 | - | ||
| IV | 8 | PSY403 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-6-3 | PSY401 |
| PSY404 | Thesis | 0-0-0-6 | - |
Advanced Departmental Electives
The department offers a range of advanced departmental electives designed to deepen students' understanding of specialized areas within psychology. These courses are taught by leading faculty members and provide opportunities for in-depth exploration of cutting-edge research topics.
Cognitive Psychology: This elective delves into the study of mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. Students will explore how these cognitive functions interact to produce human behavior. The course covers both classical theories and contemporary research in cognitive psychology, including neuroscientific approaches to understanding cognition.
Developmental Psychology: This course focuses on the psychological development of individuals across their lifespan. Topics include prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Students will examine theoretical perspectives on development, including psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and ecological approaches. The course also addresses contemporary issues in developmental psychology, such as the impact of technology on child development.
Social Psychology: This elective explores how social contexts influence individual behavior and attitudes. Topics include social cognition, group processes, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal relationships, and prosocial behavior. Students will learn about experimental methods used in social psychology research and examine current issues such as online social behavior and cultural differences in social psychology.
Abnormal Psychology: This course examines psychological disorders and their treatment methods. Students will study the classification, diagnosis, and etiology of various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. The course also covers therapeutic approaches, including psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and community interventions.
Health Psychology: This elective explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical health outcomes. Students will examine stress, coping mechanisms, health behaviors, and the role of psychology in healthcare settings. Topics include chronic illness management, pain perception, and health promotion strategies. The course also addresses issues such as patient-provider communication and health disparities.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology: This course applies psychological principles to workplace settings, focusing on organizational behavior, leadership, motivation, job satisfaction, and employee well-being. Students will explore how psychological research can be used to improve productivity, reduce stress, and enhance organizational effectiveness. The course also covers topics such as team dynamics, change management, and diversity in the workplace.
Neuropsychology: This elective examines the relationship between brain function and behavior. Students will study the structure and function of the nervous system, including neural networks, neurotransmitters, and brain imaging techniques. The course also addresses clinical applications of neuropsychology, such as understanding cognitive impairments following brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases.
Environmental Psychology: This course investigates how physical environments affect human behavior and mental health. Topics include the impact of urban design on well-being, the effects of noise and pollution on cognition, and sustainable design principles. Students will learn about research methods used in environmental psychology and examine case studies of successful interventions.
Project-Based Learning Approach
The Psychology program at Sabarmati University Ahmedabad emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of the educational experience. This approach ensures that students develop practical skills while engaging with real-world problems and research questions.
Mini-projects are assigned during the third year, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. These projects typically last for 2-3 months and involve small teams working under faculty supervision. Students are encouraged to choose topics relevant to their interests and career goals, with guidance from their mentors.
The final-year capstone project and thesis represent the culmination of the program's learning objectives. Students select a research topic in consultation with faculty members and conduct independent research over a period of 6-8 months. The process involves literature review, hypothesis development, data collection and analysis, and academic writing.
Students are supported throughout their projects through regular meetings with mentors, access to research databases, and training in research methodologies. Faculty members provide feedback on project proposals, progress reports, and final presentations. The evaluation criteria include the originality of the research question, methodological rigor, data interpretation, and presentation quality.