Entry requirements
First-year examination in Psychology.
Description
Cognitive neuroscience (CNS) is a multidisciplinary field that investigates traditional cognitive topics such as perception, consciousness and memory as well as topics such as social cognition, anxiety and empathy. CNS aims to gain insight into cognitive processes in the human brain. The CNS course builds on the Cognitive Psychology and Consciousness courses. The objective of this course is two-fold: on the one hand, students learn about the theories and methods of research of cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, and on the other hand, the course covers theoretical controversies and the limitations in current knowledge, and discusses possible directions for future development. This course is of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about the relationship between mind and brain. The course forms an excellent basis for students who wish to follow the Research Master’s programme in Psychology.
This course or the Minor Brain and Cognition is required for admission to the Cognitive Neuroscience track of the Research Master’s programme.
Course objectives
Students will acquire:
Specialised knowledge of the theories and methods of research in the field of cognitive neuroscience;
Oral and written skills that enable them to communicate and critically assess theoretical insights and empirical data from recent papers on the subject; and
Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the human brain.
Timetable
For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables
Lectures
Work group sessions
Exams
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 in English and 8 2-hour work group sessions in English or Dutch.
Alongside the 8 lectures on the textbook, the compulsory work group sessions use recent articles to cover specific topics in greater depth. Students give oral presentations and write a paper. The work group sessions also include a visit to the LUMC anatomical museum, which has a special display case with brain preparations for the study of brain anatomy. Attendance is compulsory for all work group sessions.
Assessment method
The final mark for the course is based on the unweighted average (i.e. 50:50) of the following 2 units of assessment:
The examination (in English) which consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions, which may be answered in Dutch or in English on the compulsory reading list; and
The combined mark for the presentation and the paper (these cannot be retaken separately).
Regulations on grade calculations.
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
Gazzaniga, M.S., Ivry, R.B. & Mangun, G.R. (2013). Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind (4th edition). New York: Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-91348-4 (hardcover) of ISBN 978-0-393-92228-8 (paperback)
Contact information
Dr. Henk van Steenbergen
HvanSteenbergen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl