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PSY10140

Academic Year 2024/2025

Mind and Brain (PSY10140)

Subject:
Psychology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Psychology
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Klaus Kessler
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will provide an overview of quantitative research on how the mind is implemented in the human brain. The delivered content will be based on the individual research portfolios of researchers based in the Affective Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience theme of the School of Psychology (https://www.ucd.ie/psychology/research/affectivebehaviouralcognitiveneuroscience)

Students will gain unique insights into ongoing research within the ABC-neuro theme, learning about state-of-the-art methods and experimental paradigms applied in cognitive neuroscience to understand mind and brain. Lectures will cover main functions such as memory, sleep, cognitive control, language, maths, social cognition, and tap into neurodiversity incl. dyslexia and ADHD.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the experimental methods and theories used to understand mind and brain
- Critically evaluate experimental work in this field of research
- Critically reflect on theories and models in this field of research

Indicative Module Content:

- Brief overview of methods in cognitive neuroscience
- Embodied theories of cognition and behavioural neuroscience findings
- Cognitive neuroscience and theory of high-level social cognition
- Cognitive Neuroscience of executive function
- Brain and language
- False memories and memory distortion
- Maths cognition in the brain
- Neurodiversity and Dyslexia
- Neurodiversity and ADHD
- Brain and Sleep

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Specified Learning Activities

33
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The content will be primarily delivered via lectures, complemented by self-directed learning based on required further reading for each lecture. Reflective learning will form part of the coursework assessment, where a brief research project will be proposed by each student based on the module content (see assessments) .

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PSY10060 - Brain and Behaviour


 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online MCQ quiz that addresses the breadth of the Module, tapping into each lecture. It will contribute 40% to the overall mark. Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A 1000 word essay, where students propose a brief research project that describes a research question, hypotheses/predictions and a method for observation (data collection). Week 12 Graded No

60

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Quizzes will use automated feedback for MCQs. Individual comments and feedback will be provided for essays.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Nuala Brady Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Jessica Bramham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Lauren Christophers Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sarah Cooney Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Patricia Gough Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Ciara Greene Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Flavia Santos Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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