B2976 - Hot Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - knows and can integrate literature on topics of neuroscience and neuropsychology of recent interest - can critically interpret neuroscientific evidence and integrate it with other sources - is able to argue about the weak and strong points of a neuroscientific/neuropsychological theory and to propose new avenues of investigation

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester (September-December, 2026), at the Department of Psychology - Cesena Campus (Piazza Aldo Moro, 90).

The course explores current trends and emerging theoretical frameworks in cognitive neuroscience, with particular emphasis on predictive coding and active inference as influential models of brain function. These frameworks have become increasingly important for understanding how the brain generates and tests hypotheses about the causes of sensory input, providing a principled basis for developing experimentally testable predictions.

The course examines perception as an active inference process, the evolutionary advantages of predictive processing, the brain as a prediction engine, and the neural mechanisms underlying perceptual decision-making. Finally, it discusses the distinction between adaptive and maladaptive predictions and how alterations in predictive mechanisms may contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific papers and other course materials will be made available in the course website. These readings are mandatory to pass the final exam.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, complemented with media contents such as powerpoint slides and videos. Moreover, there will be interactive presentations and collective discussions of scientific papers and current topics tackled with the methods of cognitive neuroscience. For this reason, attending the course is highly recommended though not mandatory.

Assessment methods

Written Examination

The written examination consists of three open-ended questions to be completed within 60 minutes. Answers may be written in either English or Italian.

The examination is designed to assess students' knowledge of the current trends and emerging theoretical frameworks in cognitive neuroscience presented in the course.

Each question is worth up to 10 marks. The final grade (out of 30) is obtained by summing the marks awarded for each question.

The following assessment criteria will be applied to each answer:

• Demonstrates broad knowledge and understanding of the topic being assessed (up to 5 marks);
• Shows critical analysis and the ability to integrate different aspects of the scientific literature (up to 3 marks);
• Is well written, logically structured, and clearly argued (up to 2 marks).

Honours (30 cum laude) will be awarded to students who, in addition to obtaining the maximum score, demonstrate the ability to critically elaborate upon the course material.

Final Grade Scale

• Below 18/30: Failure to answer at least two questions (knowledge limited to only a small portion of the course content).
• 18–19/30: Failure to answer one question (partial preparation of the course material) and/or only partial answers to the questions.
• 20–24/30: Partial knowledge of the course topics, with incomplete or partially developed answers.
• 25–29/30: Good knowledge of a broad range of topics covered in the course, ability to develop independent critical analyses, and appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology.
• 30–30 cum laude: Comprehensive knowledge of the course content, ability to critically analyse and integrate concepts independently, full command of the appropriate terminology, and excellent argumentative and reflective skills.

Examination Regulations

During the examination, the use of any supporting materials is strictly prohibited, including textbooks, scientific articles, notes, and electronic devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones, smartwatches).

With regard to the assessment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students must register for the examination through the AlmaEsami online system within the official registration deadlines. Students who experience technical difficulties preventing registration before the deadline must promptly notify the Teaching Office (and, in any case, before the official closing of the registration lists) and send an email to Prof. Romei. Admission to the examination under these circumstances is solely at the discretion of the course instructor.

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Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ([https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students]) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, Video Clips, scientific articles

Office hours

See the website of Vincenzo Romei