Prospectus

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Experimentation II: Neuroscientific Research Methods

Course
2016-2017

Entry requirements

Only open to MSc Psychology (research) students

Description

In this course, students will get an introduction into various psychophysiological and brain-imaging techniques (EEG, ERP, Heart rate, fMRI), and other biological techniques subserving psychology (behavioural genetics, psychopharmacology). In the practical part of the course, they will acquire hands-on experience in collecting and analysing EEG/ERP data.

Course objectives

This course is intended to provide sufficient introduction into neuroscientific research methods to understand and appreciate literature that applies these methods. After this course the student can acquire and analyse EEG/ERP with little supervision.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, work groups and exams, please select your study programme in:
Psychology timetables

Lectures
Work group sessions

Registration

Course

Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions.
Master’s course registration

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

  • 5 2-hour practical assignments (presence is mandatory)

Students are assigned to sub groups. Every student will only follow 1 heart rate training, 2 EEG/ERP data acquisition and 2 EEG/ERP data analysis meeting.

Assessment method

The assessment is based on a written exam (40% multiple choice, 40% open questions) and a group assignment (poster presentation, 20%).

The Faculty of Social 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

Band, G.P.H. (2013). Syllabus for the master course Experimentation 2: Neuroscientific research methods. Will be available through Blackboard. Powerpoint slides for the course.
Examples of other mandatory literature:

  • Amaro, E. Jr. & Barker, G.J. (2006). Study design in fMRI: Basic principles. Brain and Cognition, 60, 220-232.

  • Goldberg, T.E. & Weinberger, D.R. (2004). Genes and the parsing of cognitive processes. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8, 325-335.

  • Hannula, D.E., Althoff, R.R., Warren, D.E., Riggs, L., Cohen, N.J., & Ryan, J.D. (2010). Worth a glance: using eye movements to investigate the cognitive neuroscience of memory. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 4, 166, 1-16. DOI: 10-3389/fnhum.2010.00166

  • Lennox , B.R. (2009). The clinical experience and potential of brain imaging in patients with mental illness. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 3, 46, 1-3. Doi: 10.3389/neuro.09.046.2009

  • Woodman, G.F. (2010). A brief introduction to the use of event-related potentials in studies of perception and attention. Attention, perception, & psychophysics, 72, 2031-2046. doi:10.3758/APP.72.8.2031

Contact information

Dr. Guido Band
band@fsw.leidenuniv.nl