Length of course: 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time
Location: Regent campus
School: Social Sciences Humanities and Languages

"If understanding how the brain works is the greatest challenge left for science, cognitive neuroscience represents our best chance of rising to that challenge."

Parker et al. (2002)

What is Cognitive Neuroscience?

Cognitive Neuroscience attempts to solve the mysteries of the mind/brain connection by bringing together evidence from molecular and cellular neuroscience (including psychopharmacology), a wide range of brain imaging techniques (e.g. MRI, EEG, PET etc), computational modelling, and cognitive neurospychology.

Course Aims

This course has been developed with a very specific goal in mind: to provide graduates from cognitive science, psychology and the life sciences with the theoretical basis and, most importantly, the practical experience to enter into high level integrated research in cognitive neuroscience. Thus, graduates from this degree will not only have advanced specialised skills in one or two areas of cognitive neuroscience but they will also have a well-developed understanding and hands-on experience of the other methodologies, enabling them to fully appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of this field of research. The degree will also provide a firm foundation for students wishing to enter the clinical field since, more and more, clinicians are drawing from evidence across the whole discipline, including computational modelling. Of particular relevance to these students is the training and practice provided in aspects of clinical practice, e.g. neuropsychological assessment.

 

Core modules

Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience

This module gives you the opportunity to investigate in some depth the neuroscience of a range of clinical disorders, and to think critically about how this contributes to our overall understanding of cognition. You are encouraged to think critically about research in this field, with emphasis on treatment strategies.

Cognitive Neuropsychology

You will examine the theory and practice of developing a deeper understanding of cognitive neuroscience through the observation and assessment of cognitive functioning in patients with various forms of brain pathology.

Computational Neuroscience

This module first examines the historical development of the theoretical foundations of computational neuroscience. From within
this context it then provides practical experience in using computational modelling to represent and solve problems within cognitive neuroscience.

Independent Research Project

The project in applied cognitive Neuroscience is an extended piece of work on a relevant topic which you select, with the approval of the Course Leader. The topic will draw on knowledge, skills and methodological techniques covered by the course. This may involve an in-depth exploration of one aspect of the taught course, or a related aspect not formally covered in depth.

 

Neuro-Imaging

You will consider the range of medical signal acquisition techniques that are relevant to cognitive neuroscience, and learn what imaging techniques are available, how they can be applied, and the ways in which they can be used for research and diagnosis.

 

Neuronal System

This module develops your previous knowledge of neuronal communication to an advanced level, and provides theory and practice of some key experimental laboratory techniques. You will become better equipped to critically understand and practice aspects of cellular and molecular neuroscience relevant to cognition.

Research Methods

This module provides you with the essential analytical and practical skills required to plan, perform and report your individual research project. This is carried out within a forum, which develops a deep understanding of how the individual topics taught across the course can be effectively integrated in research.

Statistical Theory and Methods

You will build on the knowledge acquired at undergraduate level by examining advanced methods of multivariate data analysis, together with the theoretical underpinning of these methods, as applicable to applied cognitive neuroscience research.

 

The Course Teaching Team

We have a wealth of teaching experience and research expertise in each of the aspects of cognitive neuroscience with excellent facilities. The teaching team have a number of active external collaborations on research projects related to cognitive neuroscience, including Imperial College, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, Kings College, Institute of Psychiatry, Oxford Brookes University and Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge (in association with University of Cambridge).

 

Associated careers

This course is particularly suited to pursuinga  career in research, preparation for further psychology training (eg clinical psychology) or clinical training (eg radiography), or meeting the requirements for appointment or promotion with certain employers. The course also develops generic higher education and career management skills that would be of use in a wide range of careers

 

 

Entry requirements

The course is open to graduates with a good first degree in cognitive science psychology or other life science, or in any other degree that includes a background in basic neuroscience or psychobiology. Other good degrees will be considered if you can demonstrate necessary experience or knowledge in essential neuroscience. In addition to a fundamental understanding of basic neuroscience, you will also require some research skills, including some experience of experimental design, statistical
analysis and report writing. You will need fluent written and spoken English to study at postgraduate level. If your first language
is not English, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent. The University offers pre-sessional Summer programmes if you need to improve your English before starting your course.

 

Lenght of course

One-year, full time or two-year, part time

Location

Central London (Regent)

Course Leader

Dr Laura Boubert

Tel: +44 (0) 207 911 5000 x 4231
E-mail: L.I.Boubert@wmin.ac.uk

 

How to apply

Find out more information on how to apply here.