Entry requirements
Open to MSc Psychology (research) students.
Description
This course consists of eight small-group interactive seminars. For each seminar, one expert speaker will provide an in depth lecture on their field of expertise. These topics relate to psychological and biological mechanisms of different psychiatric disorders.
For each seminar, students prepare by reading one or more papers. For each meeting, one or two students will present a brief summary of the preparation paper(s).
The provided literature and lectures will aid students in writing their own research proposal, which consist of a critical review of the literature relevant to the assigned topic, and a proposal for future research. A first draft of the research proposal will need to be written half-way through the course (on one of the seminar topics). After this, students will participate in peer review of a proposal, and of course will receive peer feedback as well to improve the proposal in a final version.
Course objectives
After successful completion of this course, you will have:
In-depth knowledge about timely theoretical and experimental frameworks related to psychopathology from a neurobiological perspective
Experience with writing a research proposal on a timely research topic related to biological underpinnings
Experience with reviewing research proposals from peers and providing feedback
Timetables
For the timetables of your lectures, work groups and exams, please select your study programme in: Psychology timetables
Registration
Course
Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions. Master’s course registration
Reading list
Reviews/book chapters provided by lecturers (used for preparation and presentation)
Empirical papers provided by lecturers (used for written commentary)
Course information and presentation slides on blackboard
Peer review on your practice commentary
Assessment method
The research proposal and the peer review will be graded by the teaching staff.
Participation and presentation during the seminars (A: 1-10)
Peer reviewing (B: 1-10)
Final assignment: Final research proposal (C: 1-10) (1A + 3B + 6*C)/10
The Institute of Psychology follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of this fraud policy.
Contact information
Dr. Verena Ly v.ly@fsw.leidenuniv.nl