PYMCAN-Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: BPS-accredited BSc in Psychology with coverage of Biological Psychology, or international equivalent
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Carien Van Reekum
Email: C.VanReekum@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Building on undergraduate-level knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, the purpose of this module is to engage students with the current state of knowledge and debate in a selection of topics that fall under the umbrella terms “cognitive and affective neuroscience”. Topics reflect the expertise in our School and include: emotion (including pain) and regulation of emotion, cognitive control, beliefs and decision-making, and lifespan development of cognition-emotion interaction.  

Aims:

Within the neurosciences, cognitive and affective neuroscience are relatively young disciplines and characterised by rapidly changing views, incorporating an ever expanding array of methods. The purpose of this module is to inform students about the current state of knowledge and debates in select topics within cognitive and affective neuroscience.  This module will also touch upon lifespan brain development. Topics covered in this module reflect the School’s research expertise in cognitive and affective neuroscience. Whilst the seminars cover basic research in these select topics, relevance to neurocognitive and emotional disorders will be highlighted where applicable.  

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, students should be able to: 

• Describe some of the theoretical notions or neural/neurobiological models in the study of cognitive and affective neuroscience 


• Reflect on findings from both animal and human studies 


• Be able to find, describe and evaluate recent experimental work within subfields of cognitive and affective neuroscience and independently extend the knowledge to neurocognitiveand emotional disorders. 

Additional outcomes:

It is anticipated that this module will provide the requisite theoretical background to inform subsequent careers in psychology and related disciplines with a neuroscience element, such as clinical neuropsychology. 

Outline content:

A brief introduction to the history of cognitive and affective neuroscience will be followed by seminars focusing on a range of topics, including working memory/cognitive control, emotion/pain perception and regulation, beliefs and decision-making, and lifespan development of cognition-emotion interaction 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching and learning methods include a mixture of plenary lectures, group discussions, aided by audio-visual materials available online or recorded by staff members as part of their research where appropriate. 

Students should be aware that the standards expected of them, in oral and written contributions, are higher than those expected in undergraduate work. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		15
Guided independent study:		85
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module will be assessed via a take-home exam in the form of a written essay (max length 2000 words) in which the student integrates information provided in one or more lectures and supplements lecturer-provided information and references by independent reading. Essay questions will be released after the final seminar. 

Formative assessment methods:

In-class assignments with in-class feedback intended to prepare the student for the summative assessment. 

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails the assessment, an alternative, equivalent assignment can be submitted.  The assignment and date of submission will be by arrangement with the Module Convenor and/or Programme Director but commonly is set for the resit period in August/September. Students should note however that, given the University regulations on failing credits, it may not be in their interests to resubmit the coursework.

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: 22 September 2022