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Neuroscience and the Mind (PSYC30018)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
How does the human brain—a vast, interconnected ensemble of cells—give rise to a mind capable of writing poetry, playing chess, and doing calculus? Understanding the neural underpinnings of the mental processes responsible for such complex activities is the central aim of cognitive neuroscience, the field of study dedicated to an integrated understanding of brain and mind. In this subject, students will be exposed to conceptual, methodological, and ethical issues at the centre of current debates in the field. Specifically, we will explore how brain-behaviour relationships are identified and used to inform models of cognition; methods of measuring and influencing cerebral activity; the neural mechanisms underlying a wide range of mental processes, such as attention, perception, and memory; and the implications of advances in our knowledge of the brain for psychiatric and neurological populations and society at large.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of the subject students should demonstrate knowledge of:
- The key research findings that underpin specific domains of cognitive neurosciences
- The strengths and limitations of cognitive neuroscience methods used to examine the relationship between brain function and behaviour
- Ethical considerations of conducting and interpreting human and animal cognitive neuroscience research
- How dysfunction in cortical systems is associated with symptoms of neurologic and psychiatric conditions
Skills
On completion of the subject students will have had the opportunity to develop skills in:
- Critically evaluating studies using cognitive neuroscience methods to examine brain and behaviour relationships
- Identifying and justifying meaningful and appropriate methods of investigation for cognitive neuroscience research questions
- Interpreting data accurately on the basis of appropriate analytical methods
- Evaluating and drawing conclusions from research findings so as to inform different levels of society: individual clients, policymakers, health professionals
- Communicating psychological research findings effectively in oral and written formats
Application of knowledge and skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to apply their knowledge and skills to:
- Conduct, statistically analyse and evaluate cognitive neuroscience methods to answer a psychological question
- Provide a critical evaluation of cognitive neuroscience evidence so as to inform individual or collective decision making
- Oral debate of cognitive neuroscience research approaches to discovering new basic knowledge and clinical aetiology
Generic skills
Students will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills to:
- critially evaluate studies exploring the relation between the brain and behaviour
- test hypotheses, analyse and interpret data and to communicate scientific research effectively
- develop skills in the oral and written communication of scientific research
Last updated: 3 June 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
512350 Brain, Cognition and Behaviour 3
512307 Neuroscience and the Mind
Recommended background knowledge
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects, including Biological Psychology, is recommended.Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology.
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 June 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Two written reports/essays of 1500 words each (25% each)
| During the teaching period | 50% |
An examination.
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory 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 June 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Jason Forte Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 170 hours.
Last updated: 3 June 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
- Gazzaniga, M.S., Ivry, R., Mangun, G. Cognitive Neuroscience (3rded.) New York: W.W Norton Publishers
- Hanson, S.J., Bunzl, M. (2010). Foundational Issues in Human Brain Mapping. Cambridge, UK: MIT Press
Recommended texts and other resources
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Psychology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Psychology Informal specialisation Elective subjects for B-BMED Major Psychology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 June 2023