87208 - Cognition and Neuroscience (2nd cycle)

Academic Year 2018/2019

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide advanced knowledge on the neural substrates of mental processes. Theoretical, methodological and experimental contributions of contemporary neurosciences will be analyzed, integrating a variety of research methods, including behavioral, neurophysiological, psychopharmacological and neuroimaging methods. Topics covered will include attention, learning and memory, cognitive control, decisions and reward systems. Teaching is based on the integration between lectures and interactive and practical learning tools, including seminars, workshops, and discussion of scientific papers

Course contents

At the end of the course, students:

a) know the main methods of investigation in cognitive neuroscience;

b) know the biological bases of the main cognitive and affective processes;

The course content is divided into two didactic modules:

Module 1 (4,5 CFU prof. Of Pellegrino):

- Visual space representation

- Object recognition

- Selective attention

- Learning and memory

- The control of the action

- Emotional processes

- Prefrontal cortex and cognitive control

Module 2 (1.5 credits, Prof. Avenanti):

Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience

Readings/Bibliography

Slides presented during the course. In addition, we recommend the following book:

GAZZANIGA Michael S, IVRY Richard B, MANGUN George R. Cognitive neuroscience Zanichelli (2015)

Teaching methods

Lectures, presentation and discussion of experiments, projections of short videoclips, use of scientific articles

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning takes place through the final exam that ascertains the acquisition of the expected knowledge by conducting a written test lasting 1 hour.

The test consists of 4 open-ended questions on the topics covered in Module 1 (3 questions) and Module 2 (1 question);

Each correct question gives you 7.5 points for a total of 30 points.

During the exam, the use of supporting material such as textbooks, notes, computer supports is not allowed.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, video clips

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Di Pellegrino

See the website of Alessio Avenanti