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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Psychology

Postgraduate Course: Specialist Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYL11102)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course introduces students to the major methodological and practical components of a range of specialist techniques used in Cognitive Neuroscience. These could include (but are not limited to) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, lesion symptom mapping and single case studies. The course consists of a combination of traditional lectures and practical sessions.
Course description The course will cover the methodological and practical aspects of conducting cognitive neuroscience research. Techniques covered could include (but are not limited to) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, lesion symptom mapping and single case studies.

Students are introduced to a range of specialist techniques through a parallel series of technique-focused lectures and practically focused workshop style activities.

Through technique-focused lectures students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different neuroscience techniques for answering questions regarding the relationship of brain function to cognition, and understand the importance of convergent evidence across complementary techniques.

A key component of this course is the practical experience provided for students via the practically-focused activities, which complement the more traditional lectures.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  26
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 15, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 5, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Practical exercises throughout the course 30% (Weeks 4 to 8)

Final Essay 70% (2000 Words)
Feedback Formative feedback is given by the teaching team throughout the course (weeks 4 to 11). Specifically, students are expected to engage with the lecturers during the practical sessions, as well as encouraged to contact them before and after the sessions.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Describe the main methodological aspects of different cognitive neuroscience techniques.
  2. Describe the main practical considerations when applying these techniques to answer questions of brain function.
  3. Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different cognitive neuroscience techniques.
  4. Demonstrate ability to analyse and interpret cognitive neuroscience data.
  5. Effective written communication of cognitive neuroscience methodology, design, analysis and interpretation.
Reading List
To be confirmed
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Research and enquiry skills: independent literature search, digital literacy and numeracy skills, data analysis.
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 or and written discussions.
KeywordsCognitive neuroscience; techniques; fMRI; TMS; EEG
Contacts
Course organiserDr Paul Hoffman
Tel: (0131 6)50 4654
Email: p.hoffman@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Olivia Coltman
Tel:
Email: ocoltman@ed.ac.uk
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