Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module PSYS3191: CLINICAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Department: Psychology (Applied Psychology) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PSYS3191: CLINICAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • EITHER the modules to the value of 100 credits from Level 2 Applied Psychology (C810) OR Brain Processes of Cognition & Perception (PSYC2111) AND Abnormal Psychology & Personality (PSYC2071)

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • PSYC3011 Neuropsychology

Aims

  • To introduce students to the field of Cognitive Neuroscience and teach them how the concepts and methods of this field are applied to the understanding, diagnosis treatment of patients with cognitive, emotional or behavioural disorders

Content

  • Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Aetiology of brain damage
  • Recovery after brain damage
  • Using neuroscientific methods to understand, diagnose and treat neuropsychological and psychiatric disorders (this will be illustrated with respect to a number of different disorders, e.g. visuospatial disorders, emotional disorders, conversion hysteria, migraine etc.)
  • The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • At the end of the module students should be familiar with the methods used in Cognitive Neuroscience and how they can be applied to further our understanding of cognitive disorders, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students passing this module should be able to:
  • Locate, read and review a body of research evidence
  • Adopt and critically evaluate different theoretical perspectives and see the relationships between them
  • Interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
Key Skills:
  • Students passing this module should be able to:
  • Undertake critical evaluation of the quality of evidence and arguments
  • Communicate complex ideas effectively in their written work producing a clear, well-written essay
  • Demonstrate independent learning

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Knowledge and understanding is developed through the weekly 2 hour sessions involving variety of learning modes including lectures, student presentations, video-based material
  • This knowledge will be assessed in the summative assessment, and the written examination. These assessments will be essay-based, providing students with the opportunities to demonstrate their abilities to appraise and apply empirical evidence and theoretical claims in a critical manner
  • Preparations for the summative assignment will promote students' abilities to locate, read and evaluate a body of evidence. These abilities are also assessed via the written examination. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment
  • All modes of teaching are designed to promote critical evaluation of evidence and arguments, to adopt different theoretical positions, and to interpret empirical work in terms of theory. Assessment of these abilities is based on the summative essay and written examination. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment
  • Written communication skills are developed through the preparation for the essay and examinations. Assessment of the skills is based on these formative assessments. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment
  • Good IT skills are required for the preparation of the summative essays. Feedback is provided regarding the adequacy of these skills where necessary

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lecture and seminar session 22 Weekly 2 hour 44
Preparation and Reading 156
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 75%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
two-hour examination 100%
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
2000 word case report or essay 100%

Formative Assessment:

Electronic Quiz: This quiz will assess the students' knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in this course.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University