Prospectus

nl en

The Adolescent Brain

Course
2015-2016

Entry requirements

Developmental and Educational Psychology or a similar course. For admission requirements, please contact the study advisor

Description

This course examines adolescent development from a neuroscientific perspective. Adolescence is a period of vast change in the biological, cognitive and social domains. The 8 lectures in this course focus on social, emotional and cognitive changes during adolescence and their links to biological and neural development. The course provides an introduction to social developmental neuroscience and has a special focus on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging methods and brain development. It also covers the links between brain development and socio-emotional development during adolescence. The course uses the most recent models of brain development to extend our knowledge of current theories of adolescent development and to inform our understanding of the mechanisms behind social and emotional changes in adolescence. The course therefore offers a unique neuroscience background to understanding child and adolescent development.

Course objectives

Students will:

  • Gain knowledge of social and emotional development and its links to brain development during adolescence;

  • Acquire insight into neuroscience research methods and experimental designs; and

  • Critically discuss empirical neuroscientific studies of adolescent development in light of the most recent models of brain development.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables

Registration

Course

Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year

For information on registration periods consult the bachelor course registration

Elective

Elective students have to enroll for each course separately. For admission requirements contact your study advisor.

Exchange/Study abroad

For admission requirements, please contact your exchange coordinator.

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour lectures

Assessment method

The course mark is determined by a final written examination, which comprises (10) open essay questions.

Regulations on grade calculation.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Reading list

Papers will be announced on Blackboard.

Contact information

Dr. Berna Güroğlu
bguroglu@fsw.leidenuniv.nl