Perspectives on Cognitive Neuroscience 4B option BIOL4266

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will introduce key issues in cognitive neuroscience research and will provide students with an understanding of how different methodologies (behavioural, computational models, modern neuroimaging techniques, brain lesions and stimulations) have been combined to investigate problems in cognitive neuroscience, touching on both normal brain function and dysfunction. The course provides an overview of brain networks and the fundamental principles underlying 1) brain plasticity in different domains (attention, interhemispheric interactions, multisensory integration, phantoms limbs and alien hands, synaesthesia, perception of the self and out-of-body experience) and 2) decision making related processing (perceptual and reward-based).

It will be delivered by specialists who have active research programmes in these areas. 

Timetable

This option is assigned to block S2-B. There is normally a 2-hour session on Tuesday mornings each week and a 2-hour session on Tuesday afternoons every two weeks.

Requirements of Entry

Normally, only available to final-year School of Life Sciences students in a Neuroscience programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the School of Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator. 

Excluded Courses

None.

Assessment

The course will be assessed by a 2-hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%) consisting of two components: an individual poster based on a published paper (20%) and an individual five-minute flash presentation (10%). 

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This option aims to develop an understanding of recent advances in cognitive neuroscience.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ Critically evaluate how research in cognitive neuroscience can inform studies of human brain functions and brain disorders;

■ Discuss a range of topical issues related to cognitive neuroscience;

■ Critically analyse research design;

■ Appraise contemporary methods used in cognitive neuroscience;

■ Demonstrate advanced skills in scientific communication.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.