PSYC6503 – Imaging methods in cognitive neuroscience

Course content

This course will teach students some of the research tools needed in cognitive neuroscience. The emphasis will be on practical skills within three different methodologies, functional experiments, ERP and fMRI.

The course will take form as seminars with concentrated focus on the research tool question. Some key experiments will be used as cases.

Learning outcome

Students will learn many of the practical skills necessary to become independent researchers. In addition to becoming adept at programming and running experiments, students will learn the basics of neuroscience techniques like fMRI and ERP. This will include being a participant and an experimenter, and taking part in the analysis of data.

Up-to-date knowledge of the impact of imaging techniques on our understanding of human cognition will be acquired throughout the course.

Students will be taught about the primacy of participant safety in using imaging techniques. Also, in addition to getting an insight into the massive potential of imaging techniques to complement and improve cognitive models of the mind, students will also be confronted with the inherent limitations of the techniques, as well as a comparison of the knowledge gained by different methods.

Admission

Specialization for students enrolled in the programme of professional study in clinical psychology. Admittance only for students who have completed the 6th semester.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Students must have completed all semesters from 1 through 6 in advance.

Overlapping courses

5 credits overlap with PSY4320 – Research methods in cognitive neuroscience Part II

Teaching

This course is run together with PSY4320. Check semesterpages for that course for updated info about classes and exams:
PSY4320

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

The students will deliver practical results within each research tool. These will be put together in a (mappe) that form the basis for an essay were different methods is discussed in relation to a concrete reseacth project. The students will receive feedback before delivering the final essay.

Use of sources and citation

You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/at