You can complete this programme in one year of full-time study, or over two years part-time. You’ll take three compulsory modules, complete a dissertation and choose an optional module.
Cognitive Neuroscience
Understanding how the brain functions typically and how it is affected by dysfunction presents one of the major challenges for research in the 21st century. As such, there is increasing demand for research training into cognitive processes of the human brain. This module brings together our expert cognitive neuroscience scientists and provides you with the opportunity to examine the scientific study of brain function across a variety of domains – including for example perception, memory, action, and decision making. You’ll also study state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience research methods, including for example fMRI, EEG, TMS and lesion-symptom mapping etc, and you’ll have the chance to undertake data analysis in practical sessions.
Psychology Lab Skills
This module gives you an introduction to the techniques and software programmes used in psychology data collection and analysis. You will receive guided hands-on experience and acquire skills that you can put to use in your dissertation research. For example, you will use E-Prime software to construct experiments, be given an introduction to MATLAB, and learn about the Qualtrics Survey platform.
Dissertation
Your dissertation is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to carry out a piece of independent research on a subject of your choosing. It also allows you to go into greater detail in the area that interests you most.
Previous dissertation topics have included:
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Facial emotion processing
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Motivated thought substitution and thought suppression
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Probabilistic learning
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Predictive processing in the sensory brain
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Effects of social anxiety on attentional bias
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Neural basis of autobiographical memories
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Conscious and unconscious processing of size constancy
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Eye movements and perceptual span during reading in Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Object ownership, but not object touch, facilitates novel association formation
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The impact of stress on cerebellar related functions
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Virtual reality as a method of diagnosis and rehabilitation of spatial neglect in stroke patients
Optional modules
You will choose optional modules to complement your studies and areas of interests. Exact modules offered will vary each year but usually include both quantitative and qualitative research options.
Research placement and professional skills
This optional module brings together our expert researchers and research organisations, along with our Careers Service, so that you gain both advanced practice knowledge and the skills you’ll need to increase your employability. In particular, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and valuable contacts by undertaking a placement in an external setting. Your module leader will help and guide you in your search for a suitable placement organisation. The type of placement is flexible, as long as you’re able to demonstrate that you’ll be utilising your research skills.
