PY2CNSA-Cognition and Neuroscience for students studying abroad

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: PY1PR Psychological Research and PY1CG Cognition and Learning
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PY2DSPA Developmental and Social Psychology for students studying abroad PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Modules excluded: PY2CN Cognition or PY2CN1 Cognition 1 or PY2NS1 Neuroscience 1 or PY2PNS Perception and Neuroscience
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Prof Philip Beaman

Email: c.p.beaman@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Cognition and Neuroscience for Students Studying Abroad

Aims:

Students should gain an understanding of theory and research into human memory including the different forms of memory (e.g., working memory, long-term memory, episodic, semantic, procedural and prospective memory) from a normal adult perspective. Students will also be introduced to topics such as psychopharmacology and reward and learning. Neuroscience methods such as brain imaging, neural mechanisms etc. will be discussed with reference to recent research.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be able to:

1. Describe and critically evaluate research on cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, as well as perception and proprioceptive information, and how the senses interact

2. Critically analyse behavioural and neuropsychological studies of human cognition

3. Understand the range of different memory phenomena, including theoretical and experimental approaches

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Topics covered in the module will be selected from a list such as:

• Human memory sub-divisions, e.g. procedural, episodic

The senses and perception of the body

The neural basis of behaviour

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• Teaching will be by lecture, supported by online assignments set each week.


• Each week's lecture will require reading and private study by the student.


• Online assessment of students' understanding of material covered in cognitive psychology and neuroscience lectures will be offered, to provide feedback on their level of understanding and help students prepare for the end-of-term test. 


• Seminars will allow students an opp ortunity to discuss the material covered in lectures and gain feedback on an essay written on topics covered in the module.


• Blackboard facilities will include links to off-site multimedia, and a Discussion Board, for interactive off-line discussion.

All contact hour arrangements are in accordance with the standard arrangements at the Host University

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	32
Seminars	4
Guided independent study:	164
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed by a combination of weekly set exercises (20%) and two coursework essays (30% and 50%).

Students will answer weekly Continuous Assessment Questions (CAQs) designed to assess an advanced understanding of the material covered weekly (20%)

Students will write two essays. One will be based on material introduced in a seminar covering topics in cognitive psychology (30%). The second will be an extended essay based on independent study covering topics in perception and neuroscience (50%). 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor 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:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Examination in August / September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020