Postgraduate Course: Imaging Mind and Brain (PSYL11081)
Course Outline
School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
Summary | Imaging Mind and Brain will be a highly interactive, participatory course which aims to give students a deep understanding of what Brain Imaging can - and cannot - tell us about the mind. Its goal is to engage students critically in discussion around several cutting-edge conceptual and methodological issues, with use of eclectic examples from cognitive science and neuroscience. |
Course description |
It uses a 'flipped classroom' approach to provide instruction in the core issues and technical aspects each week online prior to the class, whilst freeing up the contact teaching hours for structured student-led discussion.
The primary course reading will be current articles in the area. Students who have a weak background will be able to draw upon an optional textbook.
These are examples of the topics to be covered:
1. Brain Imaging - 'A Real Science of Mind' or Neurobabble?
2. Uses and Abuses of Reverse Inference
3. Decoding the Brain: Patterns, Representations - and Truth?
4. Imaging Brain Networks and Cognition
5. Brain Imaging and Cognitive Ontologies
This course assumes basic knowledge of brain imaging techniques, particularly fMRI and EEG/ERPs. This knowledge is most easily obtained by taking the relevant modules of Specialist Techniques in Psychological Research.
Students are also highly recommended to take the Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience course, to build their knowledge of how brain imaging is used before taking this more advanced course.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
Course Start |
Block 4 (Sem 2) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
88 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
Performance when leading discussion group (10%)
Participation in discussion groups during the other weeks (10%)
Coursework assignment: write a critical piece of science communication (e.g. New Scientist article, Blog Post) on a topic from the course (80%)
For example: http://neurocritic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/is-it-necessary-to-use-brain-imaging-to.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/neurophilosophy/2015/apr/09/bold-assumptions-fmri |
Feedback |
The active, participatory discussion format provides formative feedback on understanding of the issues and ability to communicate them. Written formative feedback will also be given on performance when leading the class discussion. |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and evaluate different ways in which brain imaging can be used to study cognition
- understand important controversies about the use of brain imaging, and some fundamental limitations
- lead and participate in small discussion groups
- produce accessible but scientific writing
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Reading List
Hanson, S.J. & Bunzl, M. (Eds.) (2010) Foundational Issues in Human Brain Mapping. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA. Available online at University of Edinburgh library |
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to analyse complex scientific issues
Verbal presentation and group work
Accessible scientific writing |
Keywords | brain imaging,fMRI,EEG,ERPs,PET,cognitive neuroscience |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Edward Silson
Tel: (0131 6) 51 7112
Email: Ed.Silson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: Toni.noble@ed.ac.uk |
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