Cognitive Neuroscience  Cognitive Neuroscience Oxford Brookes University ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1567401667Oxford-Brookes-University-1.jpg

Health and Life Sciences Department of Psychology The university is applying for ESRC recognition for 1+3 funding. Cognitive neuroscience is the study of biological substrates underlying cognition and focuses on the neural substrates of mental processes and their behavioral manifestations. It addresses the questions of how cognitive functions are produced by neural circuitry, which feeds into brain structures. Cognitive Neuroscience is a branch of both psychology and neuroscience. It brings together a number of sub-disciplines such as cognitive psychology, psychobiology and neurobiology. This course provides a high-quality postgraduate research qualification taught by staff actively engaged in research. It is of interest to experimental psychologists, students who wish to pursue a career in clinical psychology and other health-related professionals. It is also suitable for students wanting to proceed to a PhD andor embark on a career in academia. The programme provides a deep understanding of human cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory and language and their dysfunctions, and reflects the very recent developments in this field by bringing together the traditional disciplines of neuropsychology, neurology, cognitive psychology, neuroimaging, neurophysiology and computational neuroscience. The University is in a prestigious location with access to several internationally renowned libraries, museums and clinical facilities. Students in Psychology benefit from research-led teaching by lecturers with experience in using brain scanning techniques and computational modelling, and also from presentations in laboratory meetings and from outside speakers. The Department of Psychology also houses EEG facilities, a Babylab and eye tracking equipment. Modules: Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience (compulsory module - semester 1) investigates the history of cognitive neuroscience, along with major advances and current trends. An introduction to neurodevelopment and neurophysiology will be presented. Topics range from neurodevelopment through to face and object recognition processing, social neuroscience, sleep, memory and amnesia. Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience (compulsory module - semester 1) systematically reviews the neurological foundations of cognitive neuropsychology and neuroscience and the major methodologies upon which it draws: functional neuroanatomy neuropsychological assessment (the neurological examination, single case studies) brain imaging techniques such as fMRI, PET and MEG experimental methods designing quantitative research studies including meta-analysis clinical applications. Neuroscience (compulsory module - semester 2) allows you to make a systematic study of the major brain structures and their functions and of behaviours and their underlying neurochemical substrates. Consideration will be given to the genetic underpinnings of behaviour and to neurotransmitters and their function. The neuroscience of vision, attention, memory, language and emotion will be studied from the persepctive of neural activity and brain function. Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data (compulsory module - semesters 1 and 2) looks at the main techniques of statistical analysis used in contemporary psychology, and at some advanced techniques such as path analysis and structural equation modelling, consolidated by a refresher course in the use of SPSS to carry out the methods described. Neurodegeneration (optional module - semester 1) is a seminar-based module that covers a range of neurodegenerative disorders. The course starts with analysis of normal neural aging and then covers the movement disorders, brain injury and other neurotransmitter degenerative disorders in depth. Rehabilitation will be discussed within each of these disorders. Students will also learn about memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and the dementias. Computational Models of Cognitive Processes (optional module - sem