This module covers the main research areas and methods used in investigating the workings of the brain. The module will provide a good background in brain structure and function both at the cellular level and the systems level. The course will consider neuroscience as it relates to behaviour by asking how mental processes such as perception, attention, movement, emotion, higher cognitive functions and sexual orientation are implemented within the brain and body.
The module also seeks to familiarise students with most of the present-day methods used in Cognitive Neuroscience and to provide practical experience of some of these methodologies: EEG, ERPs, TMS, tDCS, eye-tracking, pupilometry, NIRS and other psychophysiological measures (skin conductance, heart rate, respiration rate, plethysmography etc.) and their combination.
Aims
1) Provide an overview of main research areas of neuroscience
2) Provide an overview of both the systems and cellular levels for understanding the nature of brain function
3) Provide a significant body of knowledge about how the function of the brain relates to behaviour
4) Introduce methods in cognitive neuroscience and provide practical experience of using several of these methods
5) Demonstrate how to critical evaluate significant findings in neuroscience
6) Introduce how to construct a project proposal
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop a deep understanding of the way Cognitive Neuroscience and its allied fields enable our understanding of how the brain and body interact to control behaviour and be able to critically evaluate the evidence. At the end of the module students should be able to:
1) Understand how various psychophysiological and neuroscientific tools are used to link brain activity with behaviour
2) Have a practical knowledge of those methods currently employed at Essex
3) Understand the functional significance of numerous brain processes
4) Be able to plan and propose new research projects in this field
5) Be able to summarise scientific findings for a non-academic audience
6) Have a deeper knowledge of the field relevant to future careers in Cognitive Neuroscience
The module also seeks to familiarise students with most of the present-day methods used in Cognitive Neuroscience and to provide practical experience of some of these methodologies: EEG, ERPs, TMS, tDCS, eye-tracking, pupilometry, NIRS and other psychophysiological measures (skin conductance, heart rate, respiration rate, plethysmography etc.) and their combination.
Aims
1) Provide an overview of main research areas of neuroscience
2) Provide an overview of both the systems and cellular levels for understanding the nature of brain function
3) Provide a significant body of knowledge about how the function of the brain relates to behaviour
4) Introduce methods in cognitive neuroscience and provide practical experience of using several of these methods
5) Demonstrate how to critical evaluate significant findings in neuroscience
6) Introduce how to construct a project proposal
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop a deep understanding of the way Cognitive Neuroscience and its allied fields enable our understanding of how the brain and body interact to control behaviour and be able to critically evaluate the evidence. At the end of the module students should be able to:
1) Understand how various psychophysiological and neuroscientific tools are used to link brain activity with behaviour
2) Have a practical knowledge of those methods currently employed at Essex
3) Understand the functional significance of numerous brain processes
4) Be able to plan and propose new research projects in this field
5) Be able to summarise scientific findings for a non-academic audience
6) Have a deeper knowledge of the field relevant to future careers in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Module Supervisor: Nicholas Cooper