Current Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Please note that classes are usually taught during the first nine weeks of semester 2.

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

No prerequisites are required for this subject.

No corequisites are required for this subject

An accredited psychology major sequence

There are no non-allowed subjects

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 seminars in this series are designed to provide students with exposure to a wide range of topics and methods in contemporary behavioural neuroscience. Presentations will focus on the current research of staff or their research collaborators. Research methods discussed may include modelling of cognitive processes, and emotions or personality traits, diverse techniques in the psychology and physiology of sleep and addiction, structural and functional neuroimaging techniques, and quasi-experimental research with clinical samples. Research topics may include the neurobiology of sleep, emotions, auditory perceptions and cognition, and personality traits, as well as neuroplasticity and music neuroscience.

On completion of this subject students will have developed:

• an understanding of current issues in contemporary behavioural neuroscience
• an appreciation of cognitive processes, emotions and personality traits;
• an ability to use behavioural Neuroscience techniques to conduct experimental research into aspects and manifestations of behavioural neuroscience

Three x 1300 word essays due across the semester. The questions will be set by each of the lecturers involved in the subject. Each essay to be worth 33.3% of the overall mark.
Attendance at 80% or more of classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.

There are no prescribed texts

There is no recommended text book.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, the student should have acquired: A sophisticated understanding of the brain and how it relates to both normal and abnormal behaviour, with a particularly strong understanding of the research techniques that can be used to elucidate this relationship.