Postgraduate Course: Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYL11100)
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 | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course introduces Brain Imaging and complementary techniques in the context of cognitive functions, explaining core concepts and engaging students in critical discussion of cutting-edge conceptual and methodological issues. The combination of lectures and interactive elements gives students a deeper understanding of what Brain Imaging can and cannot tell us about the mind.
Course topics could include (but are not limited to) the meaning of the BOLD signal, reverse inference, replication, transparency and openness in cognitive neuroscience, big-data and the importance of convergent evidence.
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| Course description |
The course will introduce Brain Imaging techniques in the context of the psychological questions that they can be used to answer. Techniques include (but not limited to) fMRI, EEG & fNIRS.
Traditional content-based lectures will explore what each technique can and cannot tell us about the mind, highlighting theoretical, practical and contentious issues within the field of Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience.
Students will explore issues including (but not limited to), what does Brain Imaging really measure, decoding the brain from Brain Imaging, imaging brain networks, importance of convergent evidence, circular analyses,big vs small data.
Traditional content-based lectures will be complemented by highly interactive student-led sessions. These sessions could include setting-up and hosting a debate on the pros and cons of a particular Brain Imaging technique (e.g., fMRI) or analysis strategy (e.g., decoding), presenting and discussing a Brain Imaging paper demonstrating good/poor scientific practices.
The course assumes basic knowledge of Brain Imaging techniques, particularly fMRI and EEG. This knowledge is most easily obtained by taking the relevant modules of the Specialist Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience.
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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 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
166 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Feedback |
Formative feedback is given by both the lecturer and fellow students throughout the course, in particular in relation to students presentations (weeks 4 to 11). Specifically, each student is expected to discuss the content of their groups chosen discussion topic with the lecturer prior to their presentation and implement their feedback to ensure these sessions serve as a high-quality learning experience for other students. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the current view of what questions Brain Imaging can and cannot answer.
- Describe and evaluate the current issues of contention in Brain Imaging
- Critically evaluate Brain Imaging practices and dissemination strategies.
- Engage in constructive discussions surrounding Brain Imaging.
- Effective written and verbal communication of current issues in Brain Imaging.
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Reading List
| To be confirmed |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Research and enquiry skills: independent literature search, digital literacy.
Intellectual skills: thinking critically, independently and creatively; distinguishing between important regularities and less relevant details.
Personal management skills: establishing goals and effectively using resources to achieve these; managing complexity and self-direction.
Communication skills: engaging effectively in discussions and presentations.
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| Keywords | Openness,transparency,replication,convergent evidence |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Edward Silson
Tel: (0131 6) 51 7112
Email: Ed.Silson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Pilar Rodriguez Couceiro
Tel: (0131 6)51 5002
Email: mrodrig8@ed.ac.uk |
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