Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Developmental Neuropsychology provides a thorough grounding in cognition, neuroscience and neuropsychology, allowing integration of knowledge within a framework of cognitive science.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
Compulsory: ADVANCED COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Compulsory: ADVANCED DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Compulsory: ADVANCED READING DEVELOPMENT AND DYSLEXIA
Compulsory: COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Compulsory: FOUNDATIONS OF COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Compulsory: FUNDAMENTALS OF NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Compulsory: NEUROPSYCHOLOGY OF PERCEPTION AND ATTENTION
Compulsory: RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS IN COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Core: RESEARCH PROJECT (MSC)
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of statistics appropriate for developmental neuropsychology.
A2 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of psychological theory within the core domains of developmental neuropsychology.
A3 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of functional localisation within the brain and the neural structures supporting cognitive capacity.
A4 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of research methods and experimental design appropriate for developmental neuropsychological science.
A5 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of specialist knowledge, principles and techniques in a substantive area of developmental neuropsychology in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise.
A6 : Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of fundamental theoretical issues in the natural, social and cognitive sciences, and the philosophy of mind.
Teaching Methods
The scheme has been designed to incorporate a range of core and specialist topics within Developmental Neuropsychology. Understanding of the core topics is provided by modules in core areas within Developmental Neuropsychology. Deeper understanding of specialist topics is provided primarily by a compulsory research dissertation (A4).
While lectures are the principle method of delivery for the concepts and principles outlined in A1-A3, the department encourages learning through the integration of other teaching activities, including tutorials or discussion groups (A1-A3), laboratory research classes (A1, A3), project research and supervision (A4), and directed reading (A1-A4).
Assessment Methods
A2 is assessed by 2500-word coursework essays.
A1, A3 are assessed by practical exercises, a statistical examination and the 10,000-word dissertation.
A4 is also assessed through the dissertation.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the relative strengths of a range of theories and techniques used in developmental neuropsychology.
B2 : Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to employ evidence-based reasoning to develop coherent research plans and hypotheses.
B3 : Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to assemble and integrate evidence from a variety of sources, especially primary sources.
B4 : Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to analyse and interpret quantitative information in graphs, figures, tables, and determine what the appropriate statistical tests would be.
Teaching Methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures and laboratory classes.
B1 is developed in both lecture-based and laboratory-based courses.
B2 is central to the dissertation.
B3 is developed through lectures, guided reading and tutor led discussion groups
B4 is a key element of statistics and methods courses, and of the supervised research project.
Assessment Methods
Evaluation and integration skills are assessed through coursework essays (B1, B3).
Statistical knowledge and quantitative skills are assessed by practical exercises and an unseen examination (B4).
All intellectual and cognitive skills are assessed by the dissertation.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Graduates will be able to deploy research skills, including use of scientific databases, referencing packages, and modelling packages.
C2 : Graduates will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication.
C3 : Graduates will be able to effectively test research hypotheses using appropriate statistical techniques.
C4 : Graduates will be able to present quantitative data in tabular and graphical form.
C5 : Graduates will be able to use a range of psychological tools related to developmental neuropsychology, such as specialist software, laboratory equipment, and psychological assessment tests.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, seminars, practical classes and computer workshops are used to teach research and writing skills (C1-C2).
C3 is developed through class exercises using a range of statistical software and during the supervision of the research project.
C4 and C5. is acquired in laboratory-based project work and the research project.
C6 s developed through the supervised research project.
Assessment Methods
Research and writing skills and use of psychological tools are assessed through the coursework essays and practical exercises, and the dissertation (C2, C3, C5).
Statistical skills are assessed by a 2-hr statistical examination and the dissertation (C3 - C5).
All practical skills are assessed by the dissertation.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : A graduate will show evidence of enhanced ability to communicate ideas effectively. Communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts using a range of different aids or resources.
D2 : A graduate will show enhanced ability to be computer literate. (i) Use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present laboratory reports & essays. (ii) Use statistical software to analyse quantitative data.
D3 : A graduate will show evidence of enhanced ability to handle data and be numerate. i) Analyse and present numerical data. ii) Use statistical techniques in the process of experimental analysis and design.
D4 : A graduate will show enhanced ability to problem solve and reason scientifically.
D5 : Not applicable.
D6 : (i) Produce work that is properly presented against strict deadlines. (ii) Reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback. (iii) Work independently, and plan work effectively.
Teaching Methods
Students are introduced to appropriate statistical software from the first term, and thereafter the further development of key skills forms an integral part of their learning activity.
In particular, D1(i) is developed in laboratory classes, tutorials, and the final research dissertation.
D2 (i) and D2 (ii) are developed through the use of an extensive computer laboratory with access to the internet. These key skills are taught in laboratory courses and statistics courses throughout the year.
D3 (i) and D3 (ii) are developed primarily in laboratory courses and in the research dissertation.
D4 is developed in exercises and laboratory classes.
D6 (i) and D6 (ii) is emphasised throughout the programme and is developed by means of rigid deadlines, feedback on assignments, and discussions with class tutors.
Assessment Methods
D1 (i) is directly assessed throughout the course. All coursework must be word-processed, and laboratory-classes require statistics that are performed with dedicated computer software packages, such that students must demonstrate basic competence in computer literacy (D2 (i)).
Students are also assessed on their ability to use a dedicated statistical package (D2 (ii)). Statistical analyses are assessed in coursework and end of year examinations, such that students must demonstrate advanced competence in numeracy (D3).
Problem solving is assessed in all courses in the programme (D4) in terms of the ability to generate cogent arguments and answers to novel questions in course-work essays. The ability to generate convincing hypotheses and develop an appropriate experimental design to answer a question is mostly assessed in the research dissertation (D3, D4).
Improvement of students' own learning and performance is assessed by awarding marks in coursework and examinations for evidence of additional reading (D6 (ii)) and by imposing strict deadlines for coursework assignments (D6 (i).
