PY2PNS-Perception and Neuroscience

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PY1BP BioPsychology and PY1PR Psychological Research
Non-modular pre-requisites: For Single Hons Psychology students only
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: PY2CNS Cognition and Neuroscience or PY2PNS1 Perception and Neuroscience 1 or PY2PNS2 Perception and Neuroscience 2
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Katie Gray

Email: k.l.h.gray@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Perception and Neuroscience 

Aims:

The aims of the module are that students should further their knowledge on how we sense and perceive the world, and increase their understanding of brain structure and function and how this affects human behaviour.  

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be able to describe and critically evaluate research on:

1. Cognitive, affective and behavioural neuroscience


2. Perception of visual and proprioceptive information, and how the senses interact

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

This module will cover topics in perception and neuroscience, such as visual perception, the neural bases of cognition, perception of pain, psychopharmacology, and systems of motivation, including reward and threat learning. The topics will build on the knowledge and understanding students gained from PY1BP.



 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

a) Lectures on perception and neuroscience

(b) Online discussion forum following lectures.

(c) Recommended reading in perception and neuroscience.

(d) Continuous exercises tied to course content, including web-based exercises.

(e) Seminars on selected perception and neuroscience topics

(f) Written essays addressing perception and neuroscience topics 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16	16	2
Seminars	4	4
Guided independent study:	60	60	38
Total hours by term	80	80	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	30
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

This module is assessed by a combination of coursework essay (50%) and examination (50%).

The 1 ½ hour Summer exam will require you to answer 2 questions on topics covered in the module: one on Autumn Term topics, one on Spring Term topics

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework includes 1 essay, covering material delivered in a seminar (30%) and continuous online assessment of your understanding of the material covered in lectures (20%). 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall 

Reassessment arrangements:

Examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 10 October 2019