Cognitive Neuroscience

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understanding the link between brain structures and cognitive functions
• Understanding cognitive neuroscience methods
• Knowledge about traditional and contemporary theories of cognitive neuroscience
• Ability to critically evaluate neuroscience findings

Students will be taught about cognitive functions, and neural processes underlying these functions. Specifically, the module will focus on attention, memory, executive functions, social and emotional cognition, language, spatial cognition, and face/voice perception. Furthermore, neuroscientific methods such as EEG, fMRI, lesion studies etc. will be taught. A central goal will be to foster an understanding of cognitive neuroscience and neuroscientific techniques and how these inform current models of specific cognitive functions. Furthermore, the goal will be to establish an understanding of the advantages and limitations of cognitive neuroscience and the integration of various neuroscientific methods.

Teaching and learning methods

Weekly lectures on cognitive neuroscientific topics will be the key teaching method for the course. All lectures will be recorded and made available on Blackboard together with module materials, and slides will be available through Blackboard.

Students will have opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge in alignment with the module’s learning outcomes on a weekly basis in two ways. First, students will have the opportunity to take a weekly 10-item multiple choice quiz every week on Blackboard covering that week’s lecture and reading. These will similar to questions students can expect on the final exam, they are not marked, and give students the opportunity to gauge their understanding of the material on a weekly basis. Second, students will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of cognitive neuroscientific methods by participating in the web-based cognitive experiments corresponding to some aspect of that week’s lecture material (ZAPS Cognition Labs). ZAPS Cognition Labs give students the opportunity to participate in an experiment illustrating a key principle from each week’s lecture material. This hands-on process gives students a deeper understanding of the principle under investigation and cognitive neuroscientific methods.

Students will also have two additional opportunities demonstrate their knowledge in alignment with the module’s learning outcomes through two reaction papers. The purpose of Reaction Paper #1 is to give students the opportunity to reflect upon and critically evaluate the ZAPS Cognition Labs. In a one-paged single-spaced essay students will be asked to: (1) describe the experimental paradigm; (2) describe the results of our class’ data and how they compare to typical research findings using this paradigm; (3) describe the underlying neural mechanisms driving the effect; and (4) critically evaluate the paradigm. The purpose of Reaction Paper #2 is to give students the opportunity to critically evaluate cutting edge cognitive neuroscientific research. In Reaction paper #2 students will be asked to critically evaluate an empirical paper published in the last 3 years that is relevant to a topic discussed in the course. In a one-paged single-spaced essay students will be asked to: (1) summarize the empirical paper (identify the purpose of the study/hypothesis, describe the methods, results, and implications) and (2) describe why they think this research should be included in the next edition of the text book.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External