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PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme title: MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience

Final award (BSc, MA etc):(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document)

MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience(Exit points at Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma levels)

UCAS code:(where applicable)

N/A

Intake cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)

From 2015 intake onwards

Awarding institution/body: University College London

Teaching institution: University College London

Faculty: Brain Sciences

Parent Department:(the Department responsible for the administration of the programme)

Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences

Web page address:(if applicable)

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/icn/study/master-programmes/mschttp://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/study/masters/TMSPSYSCOG09

Method of study:Full-time/Part-time/Other

Full-time only

Criteria for admission to the programme:

Seehttp://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/degrees/cognitive-neuroscience-msc

and

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/icn/study/master-programmes/msc/msc-reqs

Length of the programme:(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry)

One calendar year full-time

Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)(see Guidance notes)

Level 7

Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS) (see guidance notes on programme specifications)

The programme is consistent with the subject benchmarking statements for psychology (QAA 207 12/07)

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http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/degrees/cognitive-neuroscience-msc

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/degrees/cognitive-neuroscience-msc

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/study/masters/TMSPSYSCOG09

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/icn/study/master-programmes/msc

Brief outline of the structure of the programme / its assessment:(see guidance notes on programme specifications)

The MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience is worth 180 UCL credits. The programme consists of eight taught modules (each worth 15 UCL credits) and an empirical research project (worth 60 UCL credits). Each element is compulsory and assessed:

1. Research Skills (Statistics): Three one-hour unseen online exams, the best two of which count

2. Communication Skills in Cognitive Neuroscience: One 1,000-1,500 word popular science article and one 3-4 min film

3. Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience I (Lesions Approaches): One 2,000-3,000 word written report

4. Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience II (Neuroimaging): Two 1,000-1,500 word written reports

5. Structure and function of the brain: Two-hour unseen written exam

6. Current Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience I (Fundamental Processes): 3-4 min multimedia presentation (narrated scientific poster)

7. Current Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience II (Elaborative and Adaptive Processes): 2,000-3,000 word essay

8. Current Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience III (Translational Research): 2,000-3,000 word essay

9. Research project: 10,000-12,000 word written dissertation

Students have the opportunity to complete one optional formative assessment (a sample essay).

Board of Examiners: Name of Board of Examiners:

Cognitive Neuroscience Board of Examiners

Professional body accreditation(if applicable):

N/A

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:

The programme aims to teach the foundations, methodology, and state of knowledge in the field of cognitive neuroscience. The course prepares students for academic research in cognitive neuroscience and related areas, and provides a basis for the application of this research in applied settings in a range of areas including marketing, teaching, and consultancy.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

A: Knowledge and understanding

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Knowledge and understanding of:Core principles and applications of cognitive neuroscience; history of cognitive neuroscience; how to study the neural bases of mental phenomena; human brain anatomy; methods of measuring brain function and structure; experimental design and statistics; ethical and safety issues in neuroimaging; neural bases of fundamental, elaborative, adaptive, and applied functions in healthy individuals across the life span and in brain-damaged patients.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies:Lectures and seminars including student presentations; discussion of key papers; problem classes; laboratory classes; public engagement classes; supervised dissertation.

Assessment:Exam/Essay/Written Reports/Public Science Paper/Short Film/Exercises/Report/Dissertation

B: Skills and other attributes

Intellectual (thinking) skills:Able to evaluate the pros and cons of different neuroimaging techniques; understand the logic of experimental design and analysis; able to design experiments on the relationship between the mind and the brain; able to choose the appropriate measure for an experimental question; able to specify appropriate psychological tasks for an experimental question.



C: Skills and other attributes

Practical skills (able to):Analyze data, including statistical analysis; program computers; design and implement experiments in the area of cognitive neuroscience; search the worldwide web for information and references; use a range of software packages, including word processing, visual presentations, and spreadsheets; apply cognitive neuroscience methods.



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D: Skills and other attributes

Transferable skills (able to):Think logically and critically; disseminate knowledge; communicate effectively in oral and written form; interact effectively with individuals and small groups; solve problems; organize and manage projects; time management; learn actively and independently; being creative; assess oneself; make decisions.



The following reference points were used in designing the programme:

the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications: (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);

the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements: (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);

the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable); UCL teaching and learning policies; staff research.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the Departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Programme Organisers: Dr Leun OttenProf Paul Burgess

Date of Production: 23 October 2008

Date of Review: 8 August 2016

Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee:

August 2016

Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee:

August 2016

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http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

SCHEME OF AWARD

MSc/MRes in Cognitive Neuroscience2015/16

The Cognitive Neuroscience programmes follow the general UCL criteria for the award of a Masters degree.

MarksEach programme is worth 180 UCL credits. The MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience consists of eight taught modules (15 credits each) and a research project of 60 credits. The MRes in Cognitive Neuroscience consists of four taught modules (15 credits each) and a research project of 120 credits. Marks for each Masters element are derived by averaging the marks of the assessments associated with that element. The overall degree mark is computed by taking the average across all element marks, weighted according to the credit value of each element. Marks are rounded to the nearest integer.

Degree awardsStudents are awarded one of four classifications: Distinction, Merit, Pass or Fail. The normal pass mark for a Masters element is 50%. Up to 25% of taught elements may be condoned at 40-49% at the discretion of the Exam Board (i.e. up to 2 taught MSc modules and 1 taught MRes module). The dissertation must always be passed at 50% or above. To achieve a:

Distinction: 1. the overall mark, based on 180 credits, is 70% or greater, and2. the mark for the dissertation is 70% or greater, and3. there are no marks below 50%, no condoned marks, no re-sit marks

and all marks are first attempts.

Merit: 1. the overall mark, based on 180 credits, is 60% or greater, and2. the mark for the dissertation is 60% or greater, and3. there are no marks below 50%, no condoned marks, no re-sit marks

and all marks are first attempts.

Pass: 1. the overall mark, based on 180 credits, is 50% or greater, and2. the mark for the dissertation is 50% or greater.

Borderline CriteriaIf the overall mark is 69% a candidate is in the borderline zone. An award of a Distinction must be made when:

1. the mark for the dissertation is 70% or above; and2. at least half of the taught credits are at or above 70%; and3. there are no marks below 50%, no condoned marks, no re-sit marks and all the

marks for the modules are first attempts.

If the overall mark is 59% a candidate is in the borderline zone. An award of a Merit must be made when:

1. the mark for the dissertation is 60% or above; and2. at least half of the taught credits are at or above 60%; and3. there are no marks below 50%, no condoned marks, no re-sit marks and all the

marks for the modules are first attempts.

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