PY3EEG-Brainwaves: Contributions of EEG research to Cognitive Neuroscience

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Adrian Willoughby
Email: a.r.willoughby@reading.edu.my

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Measuring electrical brain activity using EEG has a long history in cognitive psychology research and has been used to explore a wide variety of cognitive processes.  In this module, students will be introduced to the event-related potentials (ERPs) and oscillations associated with a number of psychological processes, such as perception, attention, language processing and sleep.  We will go on to explore how the study of electrical brain activity has enhanced our understanding of cognition.

Aims:

This module aims to:

• Provide a mechanistic understanding of the physiological processes that generate the EEG, and how it can be measured and analysed


• Provide an understanding of several EEG phenomena and the cognitive processes associated with them


• Examine the role of EEG research in advancing our understanding of human cognition

 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Describe the physiological processes underlying EEG and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different analytic techniques


• Explain and analyse evidence for the functional relationship between cognitive processes and EEG activity


• Critically evaluate EEG research relating to cognitive processes

Additional outcomes:

• Practical experience with EEG data collection techniques


• Enhanced presentation and communication skills through in-class presentations and discussions


• Critical analysis of scientific papers

Outline content:

Students will first be introduced to the physiological basis of EEG and different analytical techniques.  Subsequently, we will study a number of electrophysiological phenomena and their related cognitive processes (e.g., the P300 and attention, the N400 and language processing). 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will use a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, group discussions and in-class presentations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		17.5	2
Guided independent study:		80.5
Total hours by term		99	2
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Written assignment including essay	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

1.5 hour written exam.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

2000-word essay

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be involved in in-class presentations involving, for example, critical analysis or experiment design.  Feedback from these will help with both the exam and the written assignment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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:

Reassessment will be made by re-examination in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: None

2) Specialist equipment or materials: None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None

4) Printing and binding: None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 6 July 2021