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    Overview

    Exploration of methodological, empirical and theoretical issues in areas of cognitive neuroscience.

    Students will gain knowledge that will help prepare them for future challenges in the workforce associated with career positions in brain sciences, psychology, health sciences, and science communication. It will also develop understanding related to technological innovations aimed toward the improvement of health (in particular, brain health), brain function, diseases of the brain and central nervous system, and effective regulation of cognitive and perceptual processes. Critical thinking skills, used and developed within the context of the interpretation of methods and findings of experiments, will facilitate similar development of skills relevant to numerous career paths including those directly relevant to Cognitive Neuroscience, and those in a range of other disciplines which require effective communication, critical thinking, and self-motivation.

    About this paper

    Paper title Cognitive Neuroscience Seminar
    Subject Psychology
    EFTS 0.0833
    Points 10 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $723.96
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Restriction
    PSYC 471
    Eligibility

    Entry into Psychology 400-level normally requires a major in Psychology, a B+ average or higher in Psychology 300-level papers, and a pass in PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods. We highly recommend that students have completed PSYC 310. Students from other universities must show evidence of an equivalent level of competence.

    For Neuroscience students, the prerequisites are met by completion of the requirements for a BSc in Neuroscience with an average grade of at least B+ in 300-level Neuroscience papers.

    Contact

    Professor Liz Franz - liz.franz@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Professor Liz Franz

    Paper Structure

    The paper consists of seminars/debates/discussions based on selected papers in the Cognitive Neuroscience literature from top international journals. Seminars will be led either by Professor Franz or by students, and debates and discussions will involve small groups in class.

    Students will select papers following guidelines that those papers must fit. Specifically, selected papers for seminar presentations must consist of experimental studies with human participants and be from top international journals (usually) published during the last 5 years (but there can be exceptions if earlier papers are highly relevant to the topic being discussed). Topics will include key areas of cognitive neuroscience, but with particular focus on the methods, research design, interpretation, and development of future experiments and ideas for research.

    Some research papers will be provided by the Lecturer (over internet or Blackboard), and Students will select additional papers following guidelines supplied (ie, recent publications, particular method: ERP, fMRI, single unit, etc). Those guidelines will be provided on the syllabus at the start of the course.

    Teaching Arrangements

    Professor Liz Franz is the lecturer for the course and will lead and/or facilitate discussions, provide information relevant to the methods used in the research covered, and will guide students to facilitate understanding of materials/methods/findings covered in the course.

    Textbooks

    There are no required textbooks. Students will be supplied with the readings by the Lecturer via internet and/or Blackboard. Students will also be required to find their own research articles for some sessions and will also find articles for internal assessments (class presentations and written essays).

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    There are likely to be numerous learning outcomes, but most relevant are to: Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the central concepts, theories, and current areas of Cognitive Neuroscience through the study of examples of research from a range of topics covered in the field.

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 09:00-10:50 29-35, 37-42
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