PSY4303B ¨C Vision and the Brain

Course content

This course surveys the cognitive neuroscience of vision. It focuses on the processes of visual attention, perception (of colors, objects, faces), imagery and memory, and how the human brain achieves awareness of the visual world. The module is based on broad interdisciplinary evidence, derived from biology, neurology, psychology, computer science, philosophy, and the visual arts.

Learning outcome

The goal is to become aware of current key questions and empirical findings within the cognitive neuroscience of vision as well as learn about the underlying principles of brains¡¯ visual functions. One will learn how a variety of scientific methods used within cognitive neuroscience and cognate fields of research have been succesful in gathering converging evidence relative to visual mechanisms and their neural organization.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

This course is only offered to students who have been admitted to the programme as a whole (2-years). ERASMUS students and students from other master¡¯s programmes at the University of Oslo may be admitted into this course by individual application to the department. The application has to include a confirmation from your department that the course can be a part of your degree. Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction and tuition and sit for the examination.

Overlapping courses

• 5 credits overlap with PSY4303 ¨C Vision and the Brain (discontinued).

Teaching

Six 2h lectures.

A collection of state-of-the-art journal articles, reflecting the contents of the lectures, will constitute the core reading material for the course. A short monograph is also proposed as recommended reading.

Examination

One written reflection note and one final class presentation seminar of 6 h. Each student makes a short presentation (15 min) of a published, relevant study within the cognitive neuroscience of vision.

Examination support material

Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.

See also our information about resitting an exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.