Cognitive Neuroscience
| Module title | Cognitive Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Module code | NEU3025 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jenny Harris (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
|---|
Module description
Cognitive Neuroscience seeks to explain our mental lives by integrating observations made at a cellular level within overarching theoretical frameworks. In this module you will study the current state of cognitive neuroscience research focussing on some controversies in the field. You will study a wide range of topics, including perception and object recognition, and how they relate to attention, working memory, and emotion. You will learn to interpret common cognitive neuroscience techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neuropsychology. You will go on to learn how these techniques are used to understand normal functioning and to diagnose and treat various cognitive issues.
This is an optional module for students studying BSc Neuroscience. This module is also open to students from the BSc Medical Sciences (Neuroscience pathway) subject to capacity. This module builds on the knowledge you will have gained in the Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience module (NEU2003) and Introduction to Neuroscience (NEU1006). However, you may have covered similar material elsewhere. If you have not studied the preliminary content, you should be able to successfully complete this module by undertaking some additional study, but you should discuss this further with you Academic Tutor and the Module Convenors.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The main objective of the module is to provide an in-depth knowledge of Cognitive Neuroscience and a critical understanding of some widely used experimental techniques. In the module you will explore a range of phenomena and controversies related to Cognitive Neuroscience. This will involve exploring both normal functioning and clinical disorders.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Summarise key theories relating to specific topics of cognitive Neuroscience such as perception, attention, working memory and imagery.
- 2. Outline and appraise key methods for investigating cognitive neuroscience.
- 3. Critically evaluate research in specialised facets of cognition including perception, attention, working memory and imagery.
- 4. Describe a range of cognitive disorders and how they relate to normal functioning.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles underpinning experimental design and data presentation within Cognitive Neuroscience.
- 6. Evaluate the specific challenges facing data collection within Cognitive Neuroscience.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Synthesize, and critically evaluate, primary sources of information.
- 8. Exemplify critical thinking in the construction and analysis of written arguments.
- 9. Produce clear scientific writing.
Syllabus plan
The module’s precise content may vary from year to year, but the following information gives a detailed description of the typical overall structure.
The module begins with an introductory lecture to outline its broad aims, weekly structure, and assessment processes.
For each of the following ten weeks there will be a one-hour lecture. Aligned with this you will have a one-and-a-half-hour seminars, facilitated by an academic.
The final week of the module has a consolidation lecture.
In the module you will write a research proposal based on one of the topics in the module. There will be two seminars (two hours each), which will help you prepare for your assessments. At the end of the module, you will be assessed on the content of the lectures and seminars in a final written exam made up of short answer and long answer questions.
Lectures may cover topics such as:
- Cognitive neuroscience techniques for diagnosis and treatment
- Attentional modulation
- Can object and face recognition dissociate?
- The role of selective attention in visual perception
- Human imagination: Are mental images pictorial?
- Visual working memory, attention, and imagery: three of a kind?
- The effect of emotion and social cognition on perception and object recognition
- Disorders of higher visual function
- Visual hallucinations and delusions
TechniqueMasterclasses may cover topics such as:
- EEG lab tour and demonstration
- TMS lab tour and demonstration
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | 119 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 12 | Lectures (12 x1h) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Interactive Seminars (10 x 1.5h) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 4 | Assessment Seminars (2 x 2h) |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Literature searches, reading and preparation for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 29 | Preparation for coursework |
| Guided Independent Study | 60 | Preparation for cReading and preparation for lectures and examoursework |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal draft (10% of summative research proposal) | 200 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Short and long answer practice question | Weekly seminar questions | 1-9 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Short and long answer question exam | 50 | 2 hours | 1-9 | Verbal (on request) from module lead |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal (50%) | Research proposal (2,000 words) (50%) | 1-9 | Ref/def Period |
| Short and long answer question exam (50%) | Short and long answer exam (2 hours) (50%) | 1-9 | Ref/def Period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section for full guidance on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
• Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuroscience: A Beginner's Guide (2018, ISBN 9780128038130), Chapters 1, 4, 8
• The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience (2nd Edition, 2010, ISBN 1848722729): Chapters 6, 7, 8
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/02/18 |
| Last revision date | 26/02/2024 |
