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Behavioural & Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYC40004)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
A/Prof Stefan Bode
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | July |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience brings together the experimental and modelling techniques of cognitive psychology with the measurement and imaging methods of neuroscience to explain how mental processes such as perceptions, memories, and thoughts are implemented in the living, functioning brain.
This subject comprises a series of seminars exploring the mind-brain as a system that can be investigated and explained at different scales and levels of complexity, from single-cell recordings of firing neurons, to the modular systems involved in visual, spatial and auditory cognition, to the networks of neural circuits that link regions of the brain and underpin complex cognitive processes involved in attention, learning, memory, language, decision-making, and consciousness. The seminars may also explore the ways in which neuroscience informs our understanding of how behaviour, cognition and neurobiology are influenced by internal and external factors such as emotions and personality traits, pharmacological substances, sleep states of consciousness, and psychopathology.
Students will gain an appreciation of the integrative nature of cognitive and behavioural neurosciences, and of the range of methods used within the field, including methods for stimulating and recording from living neurons, methods for imaging brain structure and functioning, and techniques for modelling cognitive processes and mapping these to the underlying neural circuitry. Students will learn to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the various methods, and to assess their applicability for addressing particular research questions.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge: On completion of this subject students should demonstrate an understanding of:
- current theories, models, experimental methods, and debates in the behavioural and cognitive neurosciences;
- the experimental and modelling techniques used in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience and how they are used to investigate and explain cognitive processes and behaviour at different levels of scale and complexity;
- The strengths and limitations of the different experimental techniques used in neuroscience research.
Skills: On completion of this subject students should have developed competency in:
- evaluating current perspectives on human cognition and its neurobiological underpinnings;
- identifying appropriate experimental techniques to conduct research into the biological basis of cognitive processes and human behaviours;
- communication: including written reports and research proposals in formats consistent with those commonly used within the field of cognitive and behavioural neuroscience.
Application of knowledge and skills: On completion of this subject students should be able to apply their knowledge and skills to:
- Critically evaluate neuroscience research studies and techniques;
- Write essays and research proposals that demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical basis and experimental assessment of the biological underpinnings of human cognition and behaviour.
Generic skills
Students in this subject will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills in:
- analysis and construction of arguments
- written communication in academic assignments and reports
- verbal communication in presenting information in small group formats
- workload planning and task management
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required for this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
An accredited psychology major sequence
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Formative assessment of the content of the first four weeks of seminars, which may take the form of online quizzes, a take-home exam, or short answer questions. | Week 4 | 10% |
Essay.
| Week 8 | 40% |
A written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions or essays.
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Attendance at 80% or more of classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- July
Principal coordinator Stefan Bode Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Thirty-six hours of lectures and/or seminars. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 16 October 2020 Last self-enrol date 18 August 2020 Census date 9 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 28 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 July contact information
A/Prof Stefan Bode
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
Please note that classes are usually taught during the first nine weeks of semester 2 by way of 2 x classes each week of 120 mins/2 hours each.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
There is no recommended text book.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) Course Master of Commerce (Accounting) Informal specialisation Psychology
Last updated: 3 November 2022