This module will run in both semester one and two and will be divided into Information Technology and Study Skills.

During the IT section of the course you will be introduced to Word Processing using Microsoft Word, Spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel and Databases and their uses, using Microsoft Access. You will also learn about integrating various Microsoft programmes such as combining a word processor with a spreadsheet.

In the Study Skills section of this module you will be introduced to all of the skills which will enable you to be an effective student in a Higher Education environment. These include learning Time Management Skills, Secondary Research Techniques ( such as Locating secondary Sources, Note-taking and Academic Reading). You will also learn Essay Writing Techniques, Presentation Skills, Revision Skills and the Skills required to work in a group. Throughout this part of the module, there will be an emphasis on your personal development in terms of Career Planning, Preparation for University and Self-Evaluation.

Textbooks, journals, resource packs, the intranet.

Cottrell, S (1999) Study Skills Handbook, Palgrave Study Guide, London

There are twenty- eight weeks of normal lectures and two reading weeks. In IT, lectures provide training on a range of uses of IT and your competence will be assessed in terms of using IT. In Study Skills, Lectures will include interactive learning activities such as group discussion, practical demonstrations and tests, oral presentation, video etc, web based activities and written formative and summative assessment.

1. The production of a document in class using Microsoft Word, following a set of instructions where individuals will open an existing document from a named directory, edit text as specified, assign heading levels, use automatic numbering, add a table of contents, search and transfer files, rename and copy files, save using unique file names, set up a standard template using style set up and paragraph formatting, produce a word processed document, use spell check and proof read, create appropriate pagination, insert a table of data, insert border around selected text, insert an existing graphic and insert footer or footnote.( Learning outcome 1)
2. The production of a document in class using Microsoft Spreadsheets, following a set of instructions where individuals will produce a spreadsheet, format selected cells, use three built in functions, create user defined formulas using absolute cell references, print selected areas of spreadsheets, investigate `what if? scenarios, produce two different types of graphs, add titles and labels, amend line types and patterns of shading on a graph, save the chart ands print it in portrait and landscape.(learning outcome two)
3. The production of a document in class using Microsoft Access, following a set of instructions where the individual will design a form or data capture, enter data into records and fields, save the databases, amend field names and field size and alignment, insert and delete fields and records, format numeric data, sort records on multiple criteria into ascending and descending order, apply Boolean operators, apply selection criteria on different data types, produce a report from a database file with altered meaningful field labels, including a selection of fields and with a summary.(learning outcome three)
4. The production of a document in class using various Microsoft Programmes, following a set of instructions where individuals will select an area of spreadsheets and charts and copy into a prepared word processed document, reposition sheets and charts and resize them within the word processed document, select and annotate tables/ charts as appropriate, select information from databases using a search criteria and paste into selected position in a prepared word processed document, create mail merge documents using prepared data file and standard word processed document, create a drawing in draw package and insert into a prepared word processed document, produce an image using a scanner, modify it and insert it into a prepared word processed document, copy output from a CD ?ROM and information from an internet page into prepared word processed documents, add a footnote acknowledging the source of data as CD-ROM or the internet, print out a copy of the documents created using data from other software packages, save all data.(learning outcome 4)

These four assignments are worth 50% of the total marks for this module. Each carries an equal weighting.

1. Essay 1000 words ( to be completed at home within the context of Gender and Personality or Environmental Psychology) in which individuals ability to locate and use secondary sources such as journal articles and text books will be assessed. ( learning outcomes 5,6,7 and 8)
2. Essay one hour ( to be completed in class within the context of Psychopathology or Social Psychology and pro-social behaviour) in which individuals ability to use secondary sources such as journal articles, text books and the internet will be assessed. (learning outcomes 5,6,7 and 11).
3. Presentation within a small group (conducted in a psychology class within the context of Biological Psychology) in which the individuals ability to use and locate secondary sources, include appropriate material from lectures and other audio/visual material. The ability to work within a group will also be assessed. (learning outcomes 5,6,8,9,10 and 12).

These three assignments are worth 50% of the marks for this module. Each carries an equal weighting.