Acquisition of knowledge about the anatomical structure and about the main functions of the nervous system. The aim of the course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge about the main brain functions ( including sight, motor planning etc ... ) and to allow the psychologists to understand the physical phenomena underlying mental processes.

The program is divided into three parts: Part I: Introduction to the biology of the nervous system cells - Introduction to cell biology (lecture 1-2); Overview on nervous system cells (lecture 3); Potential of rest and action (lecture 4-5); The synaptic transmission (lecture 6).  Part II : anatomy of the nervous system - The general organization of the nervous system of mammals (lecture 7-8); meninges and ventricular system (lecture 9); The stratification of the cerebral cortex (lecture 10); Telencephalon; anatomy; organization of white matter (lecture 11 -112-13); Diencephalon (lecture 14); Cerebellum and Medulla (lecture 16-17). Parte III: Introduction to the main systems: somatosensory system (lecture 18-19); visual system (lecture 20-21); Auditory System (lecture 22); Practical experiences (lecture 23-24).

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- Knowledge and understanding:

a. The student must demonstrate to have acquired the basic knowledge about the anatomical structure and the functioning of the nervous system

b. The student must demonstrate the understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying the synaptic transmission

- Applied knowledge and understanding: The student must demonstrate possession of the ability to use anatomical and physiological knowledge to describe the main mental functions

- Making judgments: The student will have acquired the basic ability to judge the need for the neuropsychological assessment of specific deficits in psychological and psychiatric patients

- Communication skills: Students must acquire the ability to use specific terminology in the field of cognitive neuroscience in their communication

- Learning Skills: The student will have acquired the basic ability to read reports and descriptions of the neuroscientific aspects of psychological phenomena.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Two seminars on neuropsychological cases and psychometric tests for the evaluation of patients with focal and degenerative neurologic deficits will be delivered by Dr. Cristina Mapelli and Dr. Mirta Vernice. The purpose of these seminars is to provide the students with a practical experience in the context of neuroscience.

Teaching

Theorethical lectures

Attendance

Not mandatory

Course books

Books: 1) Mark F. Bear, Michael A. Paradiso, Barry W. Connors "Neuroscienze - Esplorando il cervello" (Masson).

2) Matelli, Umiltà "Il cervello. Anatomia e funzione del Sistema nervoso centrale" (Il Mulino)

(The book by Bear et al is available also in English)

Assessment

The exam consists of two tests,

1) Written multiple choice test to assess the knowledge and arguments that will be explained in the three parts of the course. The test consists of 30 questions, each question includes 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of an incorrect response. The student has 60 minutes to complete this test.

2) Open question on one of the subjects of the course. In this case, the student is required to produce a short essay about a topic proposed by the lecturer. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the learning of the specific language of cognitive neuroscience and to evaluate the student's ability to master the concepts learned during the course by highlighting also the links between different topics.

In order to pass the examination it is necessary to take at least 18 in both tests, the final vote will be given by the average of the marks obtained in the two trials.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Theorethical lectures

Attendance

Not mandatory

Course books

Books: 1) Mark F. Bear, Michael A. Paradiso, Barry W. Connors "Neuroscienze - Esplorando il cervello" (Masson).

2) Matelli, Umiltà "Il cervello. Anatomia e funzione del Sistema nervoso centrale" (Il Mulino)

(The book by Bear et al is available also in English)

Assessment

The exam consists of two tests,

1) Written multiple choice test to assess the knowledge and arguments that will be explained in the three parts of the course. The test consists of 30 questions, each question includes 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of an incorrect response. The student has 60 minutes to complete this test.

2) Open question on one of the subjects of the course. In this case, the student is required to produce a short essay about a topic proposed by the lecturer. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the learning of the specific language of cognitive neuroscience and to evaluate the student's ability to master the concepts learned during the course by highlighting also the links between different topics.

In order to pass the examination it is necessary to take at least 18 in both tests, the final vote will be given by the average of the marks obtained in the two trials.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Foreign students can contact Professor Berlingeri to obtain the reference to the English version of the book. In addition, if they wish, they will be able to take the exam in English.