Module PSYC41530: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Department: Psychology

PSYC41530: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of current issues and techniques in developmental cognitive neuroscience research.
• The Current issues section will include theoretical issues in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience. This part of the course will provide students with advanced in-depth knowledge of the state of the art of current Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience research, as well as historical and philosophical issues within the field.
• The Techniques section will provide students with advanced in-depth and hands-on knowledge of a number of research techniques used in cognitive neuroscience, including how these are applied to developmental research in particular. The course will outline strengths, weaknesses and appropriateness of different cognitive neuroscience techniques. In addition, this module will teach students the MATLAB programming language, which is widely used in cognitive neuroscience research.

Content

• Current issues will be taught using seminars and class discussions to examine current research issues in a range of areas within the field of cognitive neuroscience. These current issues will include topics in fields such as brain development and plasticity, vision, attention, motor development, cognitive development, memory, spatial cognition, language, social developmental cognitive neuroscience, and developmental disorders.
• Techniques will be taught using seminars to develop an understanding of the background behind methodologies currently used in cognitive neuroscience to answer critical questions in the area. The seminars cover both theoretical background to the methodologies and the constraints of experimental design unique to each technique. Techniques to be covered in seminars may include fMRI, TMS, ERP, and animal laboratory. How these cognitive neuroscience methods are applied in developmental research in particular will be highlighted. Students will also have an introduction to MATLAB programming. Students will also take part in one five hour practical laboratory placements. The placement will be on a developmental cognitive neuroscience research technique of the student's choosing, and will be focused on hands-on experience with the technique rather than collecting data for an empirical objective.

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed understanding of specific research questions in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience
• Acquisition of knowledge about the history, background and development of research within the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience
• Acquisition of knowledge about the backgrounds to cognitive neuroscience methodologies
• The ability to use the programming language MATLAB
• Acquisition of knowledge about the particular constraints, limitations and benefits of a variety of cognitive neuroscience techniques
• Acquisition of knowledge about cognitive neuroscience techniques suited to developmental research in particular, and constraints, limitations and benefits specific to developmental research
• In depth knowledge of particular techniques in cognitive neuroscience
• Understanding the appropriateness of particular methodologies for answering particular empirical questions

• Be able to use specialised cognitive neuroscience techniques
• Be able to use MATLAB

• Development of written communication skills
• Developing the ability to learn independently within broad guidelines

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

• Current issues. This module is taught through nine weekly double seminars in Epiphany term which will support in-depth learning about specific research questions in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience. Seminars will involve both small group teaching and student-led discussion, which will assist students to learn independently and develop their oral communication skills. The formative essay on material arising from the seminars will assess students' written communication skills as well as their in-depth knowledge of these research issues. The written exam will assess students' written communication skills and their ability to learn independently.
• Techniques. Seminars will be used to introduce students to a variety of techniques in cognitive neuroscience. Seminars allow student-led discussion and small group teaching which will support the development of practical skills and knowledge about the background to these methodologies. Seminars will allow students to develop their oral communication skills and their ability to learn independently. The laboratory placement will last for five hours and be under the guidance of an experienced researcher. Students' understanding of the appropriateness of particular methodologies for particular empirical questions will be summatively assessed in a written examination. MATLAB programming will be taught via workshops. Workshops will allow students to work in small groups for practical hands-on problem based teaching of MATLAB. Students’ knowledge of MATLAB will be tested via formative assignments (problem solving and multiple choice questions) and one summative assessment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Current Issues: 2000-word essay on seminars due at the end of Term 2. Techniques: MATLAB will be formatively assessed through the course of the module using problem solving and multiple choice questions.

■ 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