Psychology

Cognitive Neuroscience

Module code: C8517
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of how research in cognitive neuroscience has informed our understanding of cognitive processes in the brain. Sussex has an excellent reputation of research in cognitive neuroscience and the course is taught by an expert in the field. Evidence is drawn from a wide variety of methods. These include case studies of brain-damaged individuals (similar to those featured in 'The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat'), electrical recordings of 'brainwaves' (EEG), and neuroimaging using fMRI.

These methods provide unprecedented clues about the organization of cognition in the living human brain. Following a discussion of the main methods, the remaining lectures will be organised around a series of different cognitive processes such as: recognising objects and faces, space and action, memory and amnesia, brain development, the musical brain, executive control of behaviour, and understanding numbers.

Module learning outcomes

• Critically evaluate assumptions underlying the methods of cognitive neuroscience and the implications for the interpretation of data
• Systematically understand key concepts of the functional neuroanatomy of the human brain
• Extend and apply knowledge of how cognitive impairments following brain damage/dysfunction can be used to inform models of normal brain function
• Critically evaluate theories/models within cognitive neuroscience