Cognitive Neuroscience and Disorders

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

78 hours

Enrolment in one of the following Psychology professional training programs, 527CL, 527CN, 080CL, 080CN or MC-PSYCHCS

Completion of APAC-accredited psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards of Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit Website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The subject provides a cognitive neuroscience perspective on the brain mechanisms underlying cognitive processes that are commonly impaired in conditions confronted by neuropsychologists. The course will describe the basic cognitive neuroscience (e.g., cortical structure, function and psychopharmacology) underpinning critical cognitive processes such as memory, executive function and attention, and application to understanding dysfunction of these processes in clinical conditions.

To develop an understanding of the neural mechanisms, including structure, function and chemical processes, that underpin key cognitive and emotional processes.

To develop an understanding of the neural mechanisms, including structure, function and chemical processes, that underpin key cognitive and emotional processes.

To understand the cognitive neuroscience methods that can be used to explore the relationship between brain and behaviour.

To develop an ability to critically evaluate cognitive neuroscience research examining the cognitive and emotional sequelae of clinical conditions.

One written assignment (2000 words) a critical analysis of cognitive neuroscience research in a specific field, accounting for 50% of the total mark.

A 2 hour end-of-semester multiple choice examination accounting for 50% of final mark.

None.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

critical thinking, ability to identify the strengths and weakness of each cognitive neuroscience method so as to be a better consumer of clinical research where such methods are applied

hypothesis testing and translationalism, taking basic cognitive neuroscience findings from healthy populations and apply them to understanding the brain behaviour relationship in clinical conditions

written communication skills, use of developed verbal skills to explain the complex relationship between brain, behaviour and cognitive impairment in neuropsychological conditions