Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module PSYC3601: CLINICAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Department: Psychology

PSYC3601: CLINICAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2021/22 Module Cap None. Location Durham and Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • 100 credits from C817 Psychology (Applied) Level 2 modules; or PSYC2111 Biological Psychology & Perception and PSYC2071 Individual Differences & Abnormal Psychology

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

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, eg 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:
  • Detailed knowledge of cognitive neuroscience including current theory, evidence, and research methods
  • In-depth knowledge of how the methods used in cognitive neuroscience can be applied to further our understanding of cognitive disorders, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills
  • Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation, and data presentation
  • Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

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