Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PSY3643

 
TITLE Cognitive Neuroscience

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Psychology

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit builds on the foundations of biological psychology and cognition to provide an overview of the current state of understanding of how the brain gives raise to complex cognitive function integrating findings from psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience and cognitive science

Typical Study-unit Outline:

- Functional anatomy of the Brain
- Cognitive Neuroscience Methods
- Visual Perception
- Object and Face Recognition
- Spatial Processing and Attention
- Action
- Memory and Amnesia
- Language Recognition & Production
- Cognitive Control
- Recognising & Responding to Emotions

Study-unit Aims:

To provide an overview of the current state of understanding of brain functions underlying complex cognitive functions including perception, language, attention, memory, action, executive functions and consciousness from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. The study-unit will attempt to integrate knowledge from diverse fields of psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit students should be able to:

- identify, in a written exam, the main areas of the brain that underlying cognition;
- describe, in short paragraphs in a written exam, the mechanisms by which neural networks generate voluntary actions, memory and learning, thinking, problem solving, language, and emotions;
- describe, in short paragraphs in a written exam, how the study of persons with brain damage, mental illness and dementia has contributed to knowledge in cognitive neuroscience;
- answer multiple choice questions on different aspects of the cognitive neuroscience of perception, object & face recognition, memory, attention, action, language, emotions.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit students should be able to:

- apply findings in cognitive neuroscience to their work in other areas of psychology;
- use research findings in cognitive neuroscience to generate hypotheses about how the brain functions.

Required Text:

- Ward, J. (2020) The student’s guide to cognitive neuroscience. 4e Abingdon: Routledge.

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE PSY1617 AND TAKE PSY1618

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisites: This is a third level study-unit and students are expected to have covered the topics in Biological Psychology and Cognitive Psychology, which are prerequisites for this study-unit.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Multiple Choice Questions Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Noellie Brockdorff

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit