MSc in Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience
This exciting MSc reflects the broad-ranging and strong neuroscience research profile of our Department, equipping you with a rigorous grounding in the theory and applications of cognitive, clinical, and developmental neuroscience. It provides a thorough coverage of the historical, philosophical and scientific bases of modern neuroscience, technological and statistical procedures, and scientific knowledge relating to contemporary research in this field.
As of September 2012 we will be offering two pathways on this MSc: A ‘Neuropsychology’ pathway and a ‘Methods and Techniques’ pathway*. For those who enrol on the ‘Neuropsychology’ pathway the emphasis will be on research and clinical aspects of cognitive neuroscience. For those who enrol on the ‘Methods and Techniques’ pathway the emphasis will be on practical hands-on training in methods and techniques used in cognitive neuroscience research.
* Subject to approval
Elliot, MSc in Cognitive & Clinical Neuroscience
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
Find out more about applying
You should normally have, or be expected to gain, an undergraduate degree in Psychology or a closely related scientific discipline (neuroscience, speech sciences, medicine, cognitive science) with a research component, of at least an upper second or equivalent. In exceptional circumstances other degrees and professional qualifications may be accepted. If your first language is not English, please check our English Language requirements.
This programme is aimed at graduates who want to undertake training in neuroscience before going on to PhD study, or to pursue or enhance a clinical career in neuroscience.
The programme will equip you with a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of cognitive and developmental clinical neuroscience, using a wide range of approaches and techniques. You have the opportunity to develop your own research interests by conducting a research project under the supervision of a member of staff.
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Contact Val West
Our MSc students during the tutorial on human brain dissection
This programme is intended primarily for graduates in Psychology, or closely related disciplines, who want to pursue further academic research (MPhil/PhD) in experimental psychology or neuroscience; to teach in higher education; or to develop further knowledge for clinical careers involving work with brain-damaged patients or people suffering from developmental cognitive disorders. Please note that the MSc itself does not lead to a clinical qualification.
The programme has been developed in partnership with the Blackheath Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre And Neurodisability Service, situated approximately a mile from Goldsmiths. For those enrolled on the ‘Neuropsychology’ pathway, during the course of the MSc, there are opportunities for some students to gain highly relevant clinical work experience through part-time/sessional employment at the Blackheath Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre And Neurodisability Service as rehabilitation assistants, and there may also be the possibility of carrying out clinical research for your dissertation in this setting.
You can find out more at www.huntercombehospitals.com and contact blackheath@fshc.co.uk for an application pack. The department has also several collaborations with local clinical sites and schools.
The programme covers a range of topics. All students enrolled on this course will study: biological aspects of brain function; introductory methods and techniques in neuroscience; statistics.
Further to these shared courses:
1) Those who have enrolled on the ‘Neuropsychology’ pathway will study clinical and cognitive neuropsychology; developmental cognitive neuropsychology. You may have the opportunity to observe clinical practice in a local specialist brain injury rehabilitation centre, and you will complete a research project leading to a dissertation.
2) Those who have enrolled on the ‘Methods and Techniques’ pathway will study: advanced methods and techniques; programming and data analysis. You will complete a research project leading to a dissertation.
What you study
The programme is based on 6 modules, described below, which include a dissertation. The number of credits per module represent the overall coursework load, which includes lecturing, practical work, tutorials and workshops.
All students enrolled on this MSc will complete the following modules:
Biological Aspects of Brain Functions (15 credits)
This course is intended to provide an understanding of brain anatomy and outlines the structure and function of the brain, from the level of neuronal transmission up to the major anatomical divisions and functions.
The course also considers the impact of genetic factors on brain development and the clinical implications of different aetiologies of brain damage.
Lectures cover the following topics: neurons and neurotransmission, brain development, cortical and subcortical structures of the adult healthy brain, brain and functions (eg sensory, somatosensory and motor systems), aetiology of brain injury, genetic background to neurological disorders and description of some clinical cases.
Introductory Methods and Techniques in Neuroscience (15 credits)
This course investigates modern techniques in neuroscience with particular emphasis on electrophysiology and neuroimaging. Lectures are supported by workshops. Methods and procedures for conducting research in cognitive neuropsychology and developmental neuropsychology are also introduced.
Lectures and workshops cover the following topics: introduction to research and techniques of investigation in neuroscience and neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders, electrophysiology: EEG/MEG, neuroimaging and functional neuroimaging (fMRI and PET), eye tracking, computational approaches (eg neural networks).
Statistics (15 credits)
This course introduces issues associated with experimental design, and a range of statistical methods will be taught.
Lectures cover the following topics: descriptive statistic, statistical inference, univariate statistics, multivariate statistics, the SPSS computer programme, presentation of statistical data in text, tables and figures.
Research Project (60 credits unit)
The project requires you to carry out an empirically or theoretically based psychological project, which can be in any area of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Development Cognitive Neuropsychology, Brain stimulation or Neuroimaging (EEG). You will give an oral presentation of your project in addition to providing a full written report.
Those students enrolled on the ‘Neuropsychology’ pathway will study the following courses:
Clinical and Cognitive Neuropsychology (45 credits)
The aim of this course is to provide knowledge of cognitive neuropsychology including underlying theories, specific research areas and clinical application of this expertise related to diagnosis and rehabilitation.
Lectures cover the following topics: introduction to cognitive neuroscience and methods in neuropsychology, neuropsychological syndromes caused by brain damage (eg amnesia, neglect, language disorders, anosognosia, object and face recognition deficits [agnosia, prosopagnosia], movement disorders [apraxia], dementia), cognitive deficits associated with psychoactive substances, psychosis and schizophrenia, neuropsychological assessment, rehabilitation of specific disorders.
Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology (30 credits)
This course introduces you to a variety of developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia and ADHD. The course also covers diagnostic issues. Lectures are supported by research seminars and tutorials.
Lectures cover the following topics: introduction and methods in developmental neuropsychology, specific language disorders, dyslexia, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, genetic disorders (eg Williams Syndrome, Down syndrome), impairment of senses (eg blindness), motor disorders, assessment and diagnosis.
Those students enrolled on the ‘Methods and Techniques’ pathway will study the following modules:
Advanced Methods and Techniques (45 credits)
The aim of this course is to provide practical hands-on training in methods and techniques used for cognitive neuroscience research.
Lectures cover the following topics: Brain stimulation – lectures and practical sessions will train students in the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); Brain recording – lectures and practical sessions will train students in the use of Electroencephalography (EEG), the analysis of EEG data and the analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data,
Programming and Data Analysis (30 credits)
The aim of this course is to provide practical hands-on training in the design of cognitive neuroscience experiments and the analysis of experimental data.
Lectures cover the following topics: Experimental design; Programming experimental stimuli in Matlab; Analysis of data using Matlab; An introduction to commonly used toolboxes (e.g. Psychtoolbox and Cogent)
Assessment
Written examinations, coursework, oral presentation, research dissertation.
Register your interest
If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.
Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK
Telephone: + 44 (0)20 7919 7171
Goldsmiths has charitable status
© 2012 Goldsmiths, University of London. Copyright and Disclaimer