Students

PSYU3338 – Psychology @ Work

2025 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Kim Curby
Contact via email
By appointment
Lecturer
Narelle Hess
Contact via email
By appointment
Lecturer
Ben Morrison
Contact via email
By appointment
Lecturer
Monique Crane
Contact via email
By appointment
Lecturer
Mark Wiggins
Contact via email
By appointment
Lecturer
Joanne Earl
Contact via email
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including ((PSYC104 or PSYU1104 or PSYX104 or PSYX1104 or PSYU1101 or PSYX1101) and (PSYC105 or PSYU1105 or PSYX105 or PSYX1105 or PSYU1102 or PSYX1102)) 
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

An individual’s relationship with their employment can have a striking influence on their general wellbeing, life satisfaction, and productivity at work, with a typical individual spending approximately a third of their life at work. This unit introduces you to the psychological perspectives of the world of work, including both individual and organisational aspects. You will learn how organisational psychologists apply psychological principles and tools to study occupational behaviour, working conditions and organisational structure, and solve problems related to employee wellbeing, performance, and organisational design. Tutorials will draw on real-life case studies to provide hands-on experience with the tools and techniques used by organisational psychologists. This ensures that you are equipped to apply the knowledge acquired in this unit to contemporary issues facing employees and organisations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in the select topics related to Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • ULO2: Demonstrate research-informed self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry to analyse, critique, and discuss research relating to select topics regarding Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • ULO3: Communicate effectively across both lay and scientific audiences for individuals, groups, colleagues, researchers, policy makers and the wider community (Capability 2: Practitioner). 
  • ULO4: Demonstrate the effective application of knowledge and skills in select topics related to Organisational Psychology for positive impact at the foundational level of competency (Capability 2: Practitioner).
  • ULO5: Apply ethical knowledge and skills to identify appropriate, evidence-based solutions and to guide practice as reflective professionals at the foundational level of competency (Capability 4: Professional).

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Report 40% No 05/05/2025
Online quiz 15% No Week 11
Final examination 45% No Exam Period

Report

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 05/05/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

A professional report applying principles of organisational psychology to the workplace setting.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in the select topics related to Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • Demonstrate research-informed self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry to analyse, critique, and discuss research relating to select topics regarding Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • Communicate effectively across both lay and scientific audiences for individuals, groups, colleagues, researchers, policy makers and the wider community (Capability 2: Practitioner). 
  • Demonstrate the effective application of knowledge and skills in select topics related to Organisational Psychology for positive impact at the foundational level of competency (Capability 2: Practitioner).
  • Apply ethical knowledge and skills to identify appropriate, evidence-based solutions and to guide practice as reflective professionals at the foundational level of competency (Capability 4: Professional).

Online quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 15%

 

You will complete an online quiz testing unit content. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in the select topics related to Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • Demonstrate the effective application of knowledge and skills in select topics related to Organisational Psychology for positive impact at the foundational level of competency (Capability 2: Practitioner).
  • Apply ethical knowledge and skills to identify appropriate, evidence-based solutions and to guide practice as reflective professionals at the foundational level of competency (Capability 4: Professional).

Final examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 45%

 

Final examination held within the University’s formal exam period, in accordance with relevant requirements.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in the select topics related to Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • Demonstrate research-informed self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry to analyse, critique, and discuss research relating to select topics regarding Organisational Psychology (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar). 
  • Demonstrate the effective application of knowledge and skills in select topics related to Organisational Psychology for positive impact at the foundational level of competency (Capability 2: Practitioner).
  • Apply ethical knowledge and skills to identify appropriate, evidence-based solutions and to guide practice as reflective professionals at the foundational level of competency (Capability 4: Professional).

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of learning activities, including lectures, small class tutorials, online activities, and readings. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

 

In person-scheduled-weekday:

Students can enroll in either an on-campus lecture (space permitting) or an online/live-streamed lecture classes. Tutorial classes all run on campus only. Students should not attend on-campus classes if you are unwell or have any cold and flu-like symptoms.

 

Online-scheduled-In person assessment:

Tutorial classes all run online via zoom. Lectures will run live online at the time and day indicated in the timetable. The final exam for this unit will be on Macquarie University campus.

 

*For general information on unit versions, see this website https://students.mq.edu.au/study/enrolling/choosing-units*

 

Required Textbook

Landy, F. J, & Conte, J. M. (2019). Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology (6th Australian & New Zealand Edition). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781119571827

 

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Tutorial Activity

1

 

Introduction to the unit and Organisational Psychology

 

2

 

Job Analysis and Performance

Analysing Jobs

3

Personnel Selection and Psychological Assessment

Performance Evaluations

4

Motivation and Attitudes

Motivation

5

Teams and their Leaders

Consultant Report Writing

6

 

Organisational Dynamics & Psychosocial Hazards

Psychosocial Hazards at Work

7

Occupational Stress & Resilience

Stress and Wellbeing

8

Technology in the Workplace

AI@Work

9

 

Training and Personality in the Workplace

Personality in the Workplace

10

Human Factors at Work

Human Error

11

Fairness, Justice, and Diversity

 

12

Career Development

Career Planning

13

Careers in Organisational Psychology

Careers in Organisational Psychology

 NOTE: Please see ilearn for more information and the final schedule of topics and activities.

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

PROFESSIONALISM

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook