Prospectus

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Cognitive Neuroscience

Course
2017-2018

Entry requirements

First-year examination in Psychology.

Description

Cognitive neuroscience (CNS) is a multidisciplinary field that investigates traditional cognitive topics such as perception, consciousness and memory as well as topics such as social cognition, anxiety and empathy. CNS aims to gain insight into cognitive processes in the human brain. The CNS course builds on the Cognitive Psychology and Consciousness courses. The objective of this course is two-fold: on the one hand, students learn about the theories and methods of research of cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, and on the other hand, the course covers theoretical controversies and the limitations in current knowledge, and discusses possible directions for future development. This course is of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about the relationship between mind and brain. The course forms an excellent basis for students who wish to follow the Research Master’s programme in Psychology.

This course or the Minor Brain and Cognition is required for admission to the Cognitive Neuroscience track of the Research Master’s programme.

Course objectives

Students will acquire:

  • Specialised knowledge of the theories and methods of research in the field of cognitive neuroscience;

  • Oral and written skills that enable them to communicate and critically assess theoretical insights and empirical data from recent papers on the subject; and

  • Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the human brain.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables

Semester 1: Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Semester 2: Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Registration

Course

Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year

Elective

Elective students have to enroll for each course separately. For admission requirements contact your study advisor.

Exchange/Study abroad

For admission requirements, please contact your exchange coordinator

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour lectures in English and 8 2-hour work group sessions in English or Dutch.

Alongside the 8 lectures on the textbook, the compulsory work group sessions use recent articles to cover specific topics in greater depth. Students give oral presentations and write a paper. The work group sessions also include a visit to the LUMC anatomical museum, which has a special display case with brain preparations for the study of brain anatomy. Attendance is compulsory for all work group sessions.

Assessment method

The final mark for the course is based on the unweighted average (i.e. 50:50) of the following 2 units of assessment:

  • The examination (in English) which consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions, which may be answered in Dutch or in English on the compulsory reading list; and

  • The combined mark for the presentation and the paper (these cannot be retaken separately).

Study material for the exam

The exam will cover all chapters from the book indicated above except chapters 4 and 11. Additional material covered in the lectures will not be part of the exam.

Regulations on grade calculations.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Reading list

Gazzaniga, M.S., Ivry, R.B. & Mangun, G.R. (2013). Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind (4th edition). New York: Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-91348-4 (hardcover) of ISBN 978-0-393-92228-8 (paperback)

Contact information

Dr. Henk van Steenbergen
HvanSteenbergen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl