The course aims to introduce Cognitive Neuroscience by providing the neurophysiological basis of normal and pathological cognitive processes. The course aims also to introduce the different methods used by neuroscience to study the brain and behavior.

Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience, short history, overview of the nervous system and focus on the brain (Lesson 1)

Behavioral methods (Lesson 2)

Electrophysiological methods (Lesson 3)

Perception (Lesson 4)

Recognition of objects and faces, agnosias and prosopoagnosias (Lesson 5)

Attention and neglect (Lesson 6)

Neuroimaging Methods (Lesson 7)

Motor control and apraxia (Lesson 8)

Language (Lesson 9)

Reading and writing (Lesson 10)

Memory systems (Lesson 11, 12 and 13)

Psychophysiology of emotions (Lesson 14)

Sleep and consciousness (Lesson 15)

Cognitive control and frontal lobes (Lesson 16)

Consciousness (Lesson 17)

Simulation (Lesson 18)

+ 1 seminar

It is necessary to have taken the exam of Fondamenti anatomo fisiologici dell’attività psichica

The students are expected to know: 

- the cognitive functions and their neuro-physiological bases

- the Neuroscience methods used to study the brain

- how to evaluate normal and pathological behavior in the main cognitive and neuro-functional models presented during the course

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

In addition to the textbook, the teaching material will mainly concern the slides presented in class

Teaching

Frontal lectures

Attendance

Attendance is optional but is highly recommended

Course books

1. Gazzaniga et al. Neuroscienze Cognitive -esclusi i capitoli 4 e 13; capitolo 14 fino a pag. 643.

2. Bear et al. Esplorando il Cervello - capitolo 19; capitolo 15 pag. 563-570; riferimenti a capitolo 24.

3. Vallar & Papagno (a cura di) Manuale di Neuropsicologia (per approfondimenti)

Assessment

The exam consists of two written tests:

1) A multiple choice test to evaluate the knowledge of the topics covered. The test consists of 30 questions, each question has 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of incorrect answer. The student has 60 minutes.

2) An open question on one of the topics of the course. The student is asked to produce a short essay on a topic covered in the course.

To pass the exam it is necessary to take at least 18 in both tests, the final grade will be given by the average of the marks obtained in the two tests.

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

There are no differences compared to what is expected for attending students.

Course books

There are no differences compared to what is expected for attending students.

Assessment

There are no differences compared to what is expected for attending students.

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.