Programme specification

This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.

SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD

Programme: Cognitive Neuropsychology
Awarding body: University of Essex
Teaching institution: University of Essex
Department: Psychology
Final award: MSC
NQF Level of Qualification: Master
Full / Part Time Full-time
QAA Benchmark Group: None
JACS code: C862
Publication date: 26/09/2012
Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions.
Upper second-class BSc or BA degree in Psychology or equivalent. Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 250 (600) or comparable

SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.

Programme: MSC Cognitive Neuropsychology

Programme aims:

The MSc degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology is a 1-year programme of study. Its main teaching aims are: To provide an advanced education in core subjects of cognitive neuropsychological theories. To provide an advanced knowledge of appropriate statistical methodology and neuropsychological research methods. To provide a suitable foundation for graduates wishing to proceed to a programme of further postgraduate study To provide training in transferable skills necessary to meet the current requirements of graduate employers. To provide knowledge and skills (critical evaluation and argument, quantitative empirical methods, effective communication) that will prepare students for academic careers as well as a wide range of alternative careers, and will be widely sought by employers.

Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

A1 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of statistics appropriate for cognitive neuropsychology.
A2 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of psychological theory within the core domains of cognitive 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, materials and experimental design appropriate for cognitive neuropsychological science.
A5 : Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of specialist knowledge, principles and techniques in a substantive area of cognitive 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

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

B1 : Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the relative strengths of a range of theories and techniques used in cognitive 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

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

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 cognitive neuropsychology, such as specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychological assessment tests.

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Communication:  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
IT Skills:  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.
Numeracy:  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
Problem Solving:  D4 : A graduate will show enhanced ability to problem solve and reason scientifically
Working with Others:  D5 : Not applicable.
Self Learning:  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

Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:

expand paragraph   A: Knowledge and Understanding

Learning Methods

The scheme has been designed to incorporate a range of core and specialist topics within Cognitive Neuropsychology. Understanding of the core topics is provided by modules in core areas within Cognitive Neuropsychology.

Deeper understanding of specialist topics is provided primarily by completing an independent research project under supervision (A4).

While lectures are the principal 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 essaysA1, A3 are assessed by practical exercises, a statistical examination and the 10,000-word dissertation.

A1, A3 and A4 are also assessed through the dissertation.

expand paragraph   B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills

Learning 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 taught and developed by the research project completed under individual supervision.

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.

expand paragraph   C: Practical Skills

Learning 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 are acquired in laboratory-based project work and the research project.

C6 is 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, the practical exercises, and the dissertation (C3 - C5).

Data collection skills are assessed by the dissertation.

expand paragraph   D: Key Skills

Learning 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 supervised research project.

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 supervised research project.

D4 is developed in practical 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).


SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE

Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary, and view module details in the module directory.

expand paragraph   Components

Component No.Module CodeModule TitleStatus in AwardStatus in PG DiplomaStatus in PG Certificate
01PS901-7-AUFundamentals of Neuroscience and NeuropsychologyCompulsoryCompulsoryCompulsory
02PS914-7-AUResearch Methods and Statistics in Cognitive NeuropsychologyCompulsoryCompulsoryCompulsory
03OPTION FROM LIST (15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
04OPTION FROM LIST (15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
05OPTION FROM LIST (15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
06OPTION FROM LIST (15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
07OPTION FROM LIST (15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
08OPTION FROM LIST (15 CREDITS)OptionalOptionalOptional
09PS934-7-FYResearch Project (MSc)CoreCompulsoryCompulsory


SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT

Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/pgtrulesmenu.htm

Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/

See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.

External Examiner Information

  • Name: Dr Jamie Ward
  • Institution: The University of Sussex
  • Academic Role: Reader

NOTE

The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)