Module Handbook for Masters Program
in “Cognitive Science”
I.
Basic Modules
Basic Module 1: Foundations of Cognitive Science
Scheduled for
Semester 1
Duration
One semester
Contact time
10 SWS / 150h
Self study
210h
Workload
360h
Credit Points
12CP
Exam format
One written exam covering the entire module
Prerequisites
none
Requirements for awarding credit
points
Successful completion of requirements for elective lecture courses
(depending on the bachelor or first degree) as well as one written
exam covering the entire module.
Source of grade
Written exam: 90min.
Learning objectives
The student will learn how cognitive science is understood within its
central component disciplines, especially psychology, computer
science, biology, linguistics, and philosophy. The student will gain an
understanding of how perceptual and cognitive processes function
and interact in humans, animals, and artificial systems.
Responsible for module
Ghose
Usability in other programs
Can be employed in other programs.
Lecture: Perception, Cognition and Knowledge
Format
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective, not for BA
Psychology
Instructor(s)
Schmidt, Neuser, Lachmann
Teaching format / group size
Lecture / 80
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Understanding of basic concepts, phenomena, and experimental
paradigms, with a focus on cognitive psychology and cognitive
neuroscience.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Lecture: Linguistics and Language Processing
Format
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective, not for BA
Linguistics
Instructor(s)
Allen
Teaching format / group size
Lecture/ 80
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Students will learn foundations of the structure of language,
language development, and language processing as understood
within the framework of cognitive science.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
1
Lecture: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Format
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective, not for BA
Biology
Instructor(s)
Friauf/ Junior Professor “Cognitive science” N.N.
Teaching format / group size
Lecture / 150
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The lecture will give profound insights into the basic aspects of brain
structure and function. This will cover a broad biological range, from
the cellular level down to the molecular and up to the nervous
system in total. Neuronal physiology will be a major aspect,
including the principles of excitability and synaptic connectivity.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Lecture: Analysis of complex systems
Format
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Instructor(s)
Zweig
Teaching format / group size
Lecture
Course achievement
Working sheet

Contents


Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective, not for BA
Computer science
Reading and study of original article in the area of network
analysis and complex systems
Adequete use of media
Presentation and discussion in a scientific setting
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Lecture: Introduction to Webbased Programming
Format
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Mandatory, not for
BA Computer
science, for
students without
any skills in
Computer
programming
highly
recommanded
Instructor(s)
Ebert
Teaching form / group size
Lecture / 80
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The lecture deals with basic programming concepts (algorithms,
data types, control structures) and the basic concepts of objectoriented programming (classes, inheritance). These concepts will be
practiced through written exercises and implementation tasks.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Lecture: Philosophy of mind
2
Format
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective, not for BA
Social Science,
Philosophy
Instructor(s)
Neuser
Teaching form / group size
Lecture / 20
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The lecture will discuss different concepts of mind, in a historical and
a systematical view. We will read and study original articles in the
field.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Basic Module 2: Methods
Scheduled for
Semester 1
Duration
One semester
Contact time
6 SWS / 120 h
Self study
210h
Workload
300 h
Credit Points
10 CP
Exam format
Portfolio from all seminars in module (paper with apr. 15 pages)
Prerequisites
none
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of requirements for all four mandatory
seminars, as well as a cumulative portfolio of work from those
seminars.
Source of grade
Grade for the portfolio
Learning objectives
The student will develop fundamental skills in computer
programming and data analysis with MATLAB, hone skills in scientific
writing, develop an understanding of the design and analysis of
experiments, and gain knowledge about the fundamentals of ethics
and philosophy of science and their relevance to cognitive science
research.
Responsible for module
Neuser
Usability in other programs
Can be employed in other programs.
Computational Modeling with Statistics
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 30 h
Credit points
2 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor(s)
Franke
Teaching format / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Practical exercise
Contents
Understanding of the central elements of programming and data
analysis with MATLAB; modification of data, visualization of
experimental results
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Exercise: Introduction to Webbased Programming
Format
Exercise
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 30 h
Instructor(s)
Ebert
Teaching format / group size
Exercise / 30
3
Credit points
2 CP
Course type
Elective (for
students without
any programming
knowledge highly
recommended)
Course achievement
Practical exercise
Contents
Practical exercises of the contents from the lecture
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Design and Analysis of Experiments
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 90 h
Credit points
4 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructor(s)
Mayerl
Teaching format / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Practical exercise
Contents
Theoretical foundation and history of quantitative approach to
research, fundamentals of experimental design, practical aspects of
experiment preparation and procedure, analysis of experimental
data
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Analyzing and Modeling of cognitive processes
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
60 h
Credit points
4 CP
Course type
Mandatory
2 SWS / 30 h
Instructor(s)
Franke
Teaching format / group size
Seminar (Reading Course) / 30
Course achievement
Active participation
Contents
Stochastic behavior analysis, signal processing in neuronal
networks, spectral analysis
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
4
II.
Advanced Modules
Information: The student must select 3 of the 5 advanced modules. In each of these modules,
the student must take 3 of the elective seminars/lectures to earn a total of 9 Credit Points. In
addition, the student must attend an obligatory Methods Seminar and an obligatory Research
Practicum (total 11 CPs) in each of the selected modules. Exception: In the module
Computation the student earn 12 Credit points in the elective seminars/lectures and 8 Credit
points in the Research Practica. The Research Modules includes totally 20hours participation in
experiments
In total: 3x9 CPs in elective Seminars/lectures and 3x11CPs in obligatory Research Practica
and Methods Seminars = 60 CPs
Advanced Module 1: Perception
Scheduled for
Semesters 2-3
Duration
Two semesters
Contact time
6 SWS / 90 h
Self study
180 h
Workload
270 h
Credit Points
9 CP
Format of exams
One oral exam covering the entire module (15min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of requirements for three elective seminars, as
well as one oral exam covering the entire module.
Source of grade
Oral exam
Learning objectives
The student will acquire an advanced understanding of perceptual
processes from an interdisciplinary point of view, as well as knowledge
of associated research methods.
Responsible for module
Schmidt
Usability in other programs
Can be employed in other programs.
Seminar: Visual Perception
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Ghose
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Perception of shape, color, motion, and stereoscopic depth; perceptual
organization; object recognition
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Visual Attention and Awareness
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Schmidt
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The seminar reviews important models and experimental paradigms in
attention and awareness research, using classic and recent original
papers.
Prerequisites
none
5
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Perception and Action
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Schinauer
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Spatially oriented behavior and sensorimotor integration
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Psychophysics and Signal Detection
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Schmidt
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The seminar reviews the most important psychophysical models,
including signal detection and threshold theories. Special emphasis is
on experimental techniques and practical calculation.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Special Topics in Visual Perception
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Schmidt/Ghose
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The seminar will focus on one topic from the field of visual perception
over the course of one semester. Example topics include "unconscious
perception", "perception in art", "esthetics", "applied perception", or
other topics of special interest.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Research and Methods Module
Scheduled for
Semester 3
Duration
One Semester
Contact time
Variable
Self study
Variable
Workload
330 h
Credit Points:
11 CP
Form of exams
Presentation of practical work at an annual colloquium (30min.)
Requirements for admittance
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of the Methods Seminar, and successful
presentation of the results of the Research Practicum.
Learning objectives
The student will understand basic and some more advanced methods in
research related to perception, and will attain practical research skills
through participating in research projects.
Responsible for module
Schmidt
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs.
6
Research Practicum for Advanced Module 1: Perception
Format
Laboratory Course
Contact time Self study
Variable
Variable
Credit points
9 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructors
Ghose, Schmidt, Schinauer
Teaching form / group size
Group assignments
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Group work on a practical research project (e.g. response priming
effects) under the supervision of one of the teaching staff.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Course is offered
Once per year
Methods Seminar for Advanced Module 1: Perception
Form
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
2 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructors
Schmidt
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Essential mathematical and modeling techniques, experimental design,
animal and human participant selection and recruitment, development
and preparation of experimental materials, research software (e.g.
Experiment Builder), specialized experimental equipment (e.g.
response time equipment, eye-tracker), interpretation of experimental
results
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Course is offered
Once per year
Advanced Module 2: Cognition and Knowledge
Scheduled for
Semester 2-3
Duration
Two semesters
Contact time
6 SWS / 90 h
Self study
180 h
Workload
270 h
Credit Points
9 CP
Exam format
One oral exam covering the entire module (15min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of requirements for three elective seminars, as
well as one oral exam covering the entire module.
Source of grade
Oral exam
Learning objectives
The student will gain an understanding of human and artificial cognitive
structures and processes, the acquisition and structure of human
knowledge, and the organization of artificial knowledge - all from an
interdisciplinary point of view. The student will gain an understanding
of relevant research methods and paradigms in the areas of cognition
and knowledge.
Responsible for module
Lachmann
Usability in other programs
Master Biology, Master Integrated Social Science
Lecture: Collaborative Intelligence
Form
Lecture
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Instructor
Dengel
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 20
Course achievement
Working sheet
7
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Contents
Methods supporting personal knowledge work; organizational
memories; modeling of attention and working context;
foundations of Information Retrieval search with respect to mobility,
tasks and interests; agile knowledge workflows and emergent
systems; enterprise platforms and social networks; success criteria
and evaluation methods
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer semester
Other informations
Participation in optional exercise sessions is recommended
Seminar: Collaborative Intelligence
Form
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Dengel
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Selected topics in socio-technical knowledge work (see topics for the
course on “Collaborative Intelligence”). Based on a set of publications,
participants are trained in writing scientific (summary) papers and
presenting in a quasi-scientific setting. The students are also
introduced to the process of paper reviewing.
The final presentation will be organized as a one-day-event, where
participants of the seminar will present their findings and discuss them
with the audience.
Prerequisites
Lecture “Collaborative Intelligence”
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Seminar: Human Intelligence, Problem Solving and Creative Thinking
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Lachmann, Jaarsveld, Schmidt
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Convergent and divergent thinking skills in open and closed problem
spaces, intelligence, creative production
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester (alternating years)
Seminar: Learning and Behavior
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Lachmann, Schmidt, Schinauer
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Behavioral and cognitive theories of animal and human learning, skills
and procedural learning, neural basis of learning and behavior,
interaction between cognition, motivations and emotions.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Judgment and Decision-Making
Format
Seminar
8
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Ghose
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Contemporary theory and research in thinking, problem solving,
inference, semantic memory, internal representation of knowledge,
imagery, concepts; analysis of experimental studies of human
categorization, reasoning, decision making, problem solving, creativity,
and related topics
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Human Memory
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Klatte, Lachmann
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Structures and processes in human memory, working memory
theories, memory development, memory and attention
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Special Topics on Cognition and Knowledge
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Lachmann, Klatte, Steinbrink, Schinauer
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Special topics on cognition such as (a) working memory research
(irrelevant sound effect, phonological loop limitations), (b) intelligence
and creativity (creative reasoning, training of creativity), (c) cognitive
dynamics, and others
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Research and Methods Module
Scheduled for
Semester 3
Duration
1 Semester
Contact time
Variable
Self study
Variable
Workload
330 h
Credit Points
11 CP
Exam format
Presentation of practical work at an annual colloquium (30min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of the Methods Seminar, and successful
presentation of the results of the Research Practicum.
Learning objectives
The student will understand basic and some more advanced methods in
research related to cognition and knowledge, and will attain practical
research skills through participating in research projects.
Responsible for module
Lachmann
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs.
Research Practicum for Advanced Module 2: Cognition and Knowledge
Format
Laboratory Course
9
Contact time Self study
Variable
Variable
Credit points
9 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructor(s)
Ghose, Schmidt, Schinauer
Teaching format / group size
Group assignments
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Group work on a practical research project (e.g. document analysis,
eye tracking, programming in MATLAB) under the supervision of one of
the teaching staff.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Course is offered
Once per year
Methods Seminar for Advanced Module 2: Cognition and Knowledge
Format
Seminar
Contact time Self study
2 SWS / 30 h 60 h
Credit points
2 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructor
Lachmann
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Essential mathematical and modeling techniques, experimental design,
participant selection and recruitment, development and preparation of
experimental materials, research software (e.g. E-Prime, Experiment
Builder), specialized experimental equipment (e.g. response time
equipment, eye-tracker, EEG), interpretation of experimental results.
Prerequisites
None
Course is offered
Once a year
Advanced Module 3 : Language and Linguistics
Scheduled for
Semesters 2-3
Duration
Two semesters
Contact time
6 SWS / 90 h
Self study
180 h
Workload
270 h
Credit Points
9 CP
Exam format
One oral exam covering the entire module (15min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of credit
points
Successful completion of requirements for three elective seminars,
as well as one oral exam covering the entire module.
Source of grade
Oral exam
Learning objectives
The student will attain an understanding of language and
(psycho)linguistics from an interdisciplinary point of view; as well as
knowledge of associated research methods.
Responsible for module
Allen
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs.
Seminar: Syntax
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Katsika, Allen
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Contents
Structural relations between elements in a sentence, syntactic
properties, syntactic categories and how they differ from semantic
categories, details of and constraints on 'movement' in syntax,
extent of shared syntactic properties across all natural languages,
theories of syntactic structure.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
10
Seminar: Psycholinguistics
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Allen, Katsika
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Theories and mechanisms of language perception, comprehension,
and production; relations between language, memory, and other
cognitive processes
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Sentence Processing
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Katsika
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Theories and mechanisms of sentence processing in children and
adults; cross-linguistic influence in sentence processing of
bilinguals; fundamentals of sentence processing methods (priming,
self-paced reading, eye tracking, ERP, etc.)
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Language Development
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Allen, Family, Katsika
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Contents
Theories of language development; first and second language
acquisition; bilingualism; language disorders; relations between
language development and cognitive development
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Neural Basis of Language
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Katsika, Junior Professor Cognitive Neuroscience (N.N.)
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Language localization in the brain; developmental and acquired
language impairments; relations between language and other
cognitive functions; neuroscience methods (EEG, fMRI, PET, NIRS,
etc.)
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Reading
Format
Seminar
11
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Lachmann, Steinbrink, Braet, Bergström
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Normal processes of reading; reading disorders; dyslexia
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Special Topics on Language and Linguistics
Format:
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Allen, Family, Katsika, Lachmann, Breat, Steinbrink, JP Cognitive
Neuroscience (N.N.)
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The seminar will focus on one topic from the field of language and
linguistics over the course of one semester. Example topics include
"priming", "bilingual language processing", "processing as related to
scientific writing", “psycholinguistics of language attrition”, “dyslexia”,
or other topics of special interest.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Research and Methods Module
Scheduled for
Semester 3
Duration
One semester
Contact time
Variable
Self study
Variable
Workload
330 h
Credit Points:
11 CP
Exam format
Presentation of practical work at an annual colloquium (30min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of the Methods Seminar, and successful
presentation of the results of the Research Practicum.
Learning objectives
The student will understand basic and some more advanced methods in
research related to language and (psycho)linguistics, and will attain
practical research skills through participating in research projects.
Responsible for module
Allen
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs.
Research Practicum for Advanced Module 3: Language and Linguistics
Form
Contact time
Laboratory Course Variable
Self study
Variable
Credit points
9 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructors
Allen, Family, Katsika, Lachmann, Steinbrink, Bergström, Klatte, JP
Cognitive Neuroscience (N.N.)
Teaching form / group size
Group assignment
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Group work on a practical research project (e.g. priming, eye-tracking,
self-paced reading) under the supervision of one of the teaching staff.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Course is offered
Once per year
Methods Seminar for Advanced Module 3: Language and Linguistics
Format
Seminar
12
Contact time
2 SWS / 30h
Self study
90h
Credit points
2 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructors
Allen, Family, Katsika, Lachmann, Steinbrink, JP Cognitive Science
(N.N.)
Teaching form / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Experimental design for longitudinal and cross-sectional studies,
participant selection and recruitment, development and preparation of
experimental materials, research software (e.g. DMDX, E-Prime,
Experiment Builder), specialized experimental equipment (e.g. eyetracker, EEG), interpretation of experimental results.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Once per year
Advanced Module 4: Cognitive Neuroscience
Scheduled for
Semesters 2-3
Duration
Two semesters
Contact
Self study
time
180h
6SWS/90h
Workload
270h
Credit Points:
9
Exam format
One oral exam covering the entire module (15min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of requirements for three elective seminars, as
well as one oral exam covering the entire module.
Source of grade
Oral exam
Learning objectives
The student will gain an understanding of the foundations of
neuroscience, the functioning of neurons, and the essential methods of
neuroscience.
Responsible for module
Junior Professor Cognitive Neuroscience (N.N.)
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs
Seminar: Introduction to Neuropsychology
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
60 h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Guest lecture
Teaching form / group size
Seminar/ 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Understanding of the structure and function of the brain as it relates
to specific psychological processes and behaviors. Topics include
foundations of neuropsychology, structure of the nervous system,
functional specialization of the brain, cognitive functions, research
methods, and clinical assessment and rehabilitation.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Seminar: Neural Basis of Language
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30h
Self study
60h
Credit points
3 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Katsika, Junior Professor Cognitive Neuroscience (N.N.)
Teaching form / group size
Seminar/ 30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Language localization in the brain; developmental and acquired
language impairments; relations between language and other
cognitive functions; fundamental neuroscience methods (EEG, fMRI,
PET, NIRS, etc.)
13
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Lecture: Biological Aspects of Hearing
Format
Lecture
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
90 h
Credit points
6 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Friauf
Teaching form / group size
Lecture/30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Phylogeny and ontogeny of hearing, transduction process, adaptation,
degeneration and regeneration, central auditory system, sound
localization
Prerequisites
successful completion of Basic Modules
Course is offered
Summer Semester (odd years)
Lecture: Visual Perception
Format
Lecture
Contact time
2SWS/30h
Self study
90h
Credit points
6CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Friauf, Ghose, Schinauer, Foth
Teaching form / group size
Lecture/80
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Analytic vs. synthetic approaches in the study of perception;
perceptual processes as a function of imposed stimulation vs.
exploratory processes in information pickup; phenomenal experience
vs. scientific explanation; reciprocal relationship of perceiving and
acting
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Lecture: Brain Physiology
Format
Lecture
Contact time
2SWS/30h
Self study
60h
Credit points
3CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Friauf
Teaching form / group size
Interactive lecture/30
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Electrophysiological recording techniques: 1. field potentials (EEG,
evoked potentials). 2. extracellular spike recordings (multi- and
single-unit activity, ensemble activity, spike sorting). 3. Intracellular
recordings (sharp electrodes, patch-clamp, planar patch, perforated
patch).
Modern neurobiological techniques: 1. Optogenetics (actuator and
reporter proteins). 2. Brainbow and Cre recombinase.
Neuroimaging techniques: 1. PET. 2. MRI, fMRI. 3. MEG.
Averaging signals and digitizing signals.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Research and Methods Module
Scheduled for
Semester 3
Duration
One semester
Contact time
Variable
Self study
Variable
Workload
330 h
Credit Points:
11 CP
Exam format
Presentation of practical work at an annual colloquium (30min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
14
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of the Methods Seminar, and successful
presentation of the results of the Research Practicum.
Learning objectives
The student will understand basic and some more advanced methods in
research related to cognitive neuroscience, and will attain practical
research skills through participating in research projects.
Responsible for module
Junior Professor Cognitive Neuroscience (N.N.)
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs.
Research Practica for Advanced Module 4: Cognitive Neuroscience
Format
Contact time
Laboratory Course Variable
Self study
Variable
Credit points
9 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructor(s)
Junior Professor Cogitive Neuroscience (N.N.), Friauf, Foth, Veltkamp
Teaching format / group size
Group assignment
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Group work on a practical research project (e.g. computational
neuroscience, electrophysiological recordings, MEG for structural and
functional analysis) under the supervision of one of the teaching staff.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Course is offered
Once per year
Methods Seminar for Advanced Module 4: Cognitive Neuroscience
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2 SWS / 30 h
Self study
90 h
Credit points
2 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructor(s)
Junior Professor Cogitive Neuroscience (N.N.), Friauf, Foth
Teaching format / group size
Seminar / 30
Course achievement
Practical work
Contents
Experimental design for human and animal studies, participant
selection and recruitment, development and preparation of
experimental materials, specialized experimental equipment and
related software (e.g. EEG, TMS), correlating neuronal activity with
behavior, interpretation of experimental results.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Once per year
Advanced Module 5: Computation
Scheduled for
Semesters 2-3
Duration
Semester 2
Contact time
7-9SWS/105130h
Self study
225-255
Workload
360h
Credit Points:
12CP
Exam format
One oral exam covering the entire module (15min.)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Basic Modules 1 and 2
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful completion of requirements for three elective seminars, as
well as one oral exam covering the entire module.
Grading
Oral exam
Learning objectives
Students will gain an understanding of the foundations of human
computer interaction (HCI), the typical search strategies used in HCI (in
documents and pictures), and other fields related to HCI (e.g.,
ergonomics, collaborative intelligence)
Responsible for module
Schinauer
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs
Lecture: Human Computer Interaction
15
Format
Lecture
Contact time
3SWS/45h
Self study
75h
Credit points
4 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Ebert
Teaching form / group size
Lecture/10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
The course introduces students to the theory and applications of
human computer interaction (HCI). Students should achieve an
understanding of human perception and psychology related to
HCI, as well as learn about concepts and methods of interactive
systems. The course builds on theoretical principles and
numerous examples from research and practice.
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Seminar: Visualization and HCI
Format
Seminar
Contact time
2SWS/30h
Self study
90h
Credit points
4 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructor
Ebert
Teaching form / group size
Seminar/ 10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Selected topics from visualization, such as:

VR/AR

information visualization

scientific visualization

adaptive/ mobile visualization

visualization of medical and biological data
Prerequisites
Lecture “Human Computer Interaction”
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Lecture: Biologically Motivated Robots
Format
Lecture
Contact time
3SWS/45h
Self study
75h
Credit points
4 CP
Course type
Elective
Instructors
Berns
Teaching form / group size
Lecture/10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Biologically motivated robots (Bio Bots) are systems whose
mechanical construction, sensor concepts and control methods
have been inspired by nature. The following themes will be
considered:

status of research and requirements for the development
of BioBots;

sensor systems, sensor fusion and driving concepts;

adaptive control (neural networks, fuzzy-control,
reininforcement learning, genetic algorithms and neurooscillators);

behavior-based control architectures and

application for BioBots
Prerequisites
none
Course is offered
winter Semester
Seminar: Biologically Motivated Robots
Format
Seminar
Instructors
16
Contact time
2SWS/30h
Self study
90h
Berns
Credit points
4 CP
Course type
Elective
Teaching form / group size
Seminar/10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
State of the art in science and development of biologically
motivated robots (BioBots), including sensors, sensor fusion,
propulsion systems,
adaptive approaches to steering, neuronal networks, fuzzy
control, reinforcement learning, genetic algorithms, neurooscillators and behavioral control architectures.
Prerequisites
Recommended: Basic knowledge of KI
Course is offered
Winter semester
Lecture: Case-based Reasoning
Format
Lecture
Contact time
3SWS/45h
Self study
75h
Credit points
4 CP
Instructors
Stahl
Teaching form / group size
Lecture/10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents








Course type
Elective
Case representation,
similarity measures
retrieval algorithms
adaption methods
learning methods
methodology for developing and maintaining CBR
systems
explanations and explanation capabilities of CBR systems
example systems
Prerequisites
Recommended: Basic knowledge of KI
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Research and Methods Module
Scheduled for
Semester 3
Duration
1 Semester
Contact time
4SWS/60h
Self study
180h
Workload
240 h
Credit Points:
8CP
Exam format
Presentation of methods and results of the student project (30min.)
Prerequisites
Either Lecture “Human Computer Interaction” or Lecture “Biologically
Motivated Robots”, depending on chosen project
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Successful presentation of the results of the student project
Learning objectives
Development of skills in practical research design, research techniques,
and research methods.
Responsible for module
Ebert, Berns
Usability in teaching
---
Practical Part: Human Computer Interaction
Project: Visualization and HCI
Format
Project
Contact time
4SWS/60h
Self study
180h
Credit points
8 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Instructor
Ebert
Teaching format / group size
Project/10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents
Different tasks from visualization, such as

visualization in scalar fields (implementation of algorithm like
17


marching cubes, volume rendering etc.)
visualization of vector fields: (Implementation of algorithms
like stream lines and surfaces, turbulence detection, detection
of topology, etc.)
construction of visualization framework for the implemented
algorithms with interactive graphical output
Prerequisites
Lecture Human Computer Interaction
Course is offered
Winter Semester
Service Robots and Assistance Systems
Format
Project
Contact time
4 SWS / 60 h
Self study
180 h
Instructor(s)
Berns
Teaching format / group size
Project/ 10
Course achievement
Working sheet
Contents





Credit points
8 CP
Course type
Mandatory
Learning the development tool MCA
programming of DSPs
basic sensor processing
specification of a service robot or an assisting system
implementation of a complex control task
Prerequisites
Lecture Biologically Motivated Robots
Course is offered
Summer Semester
Methods seminar included in project
Internship Module
Scheduled for
1-4
Duration
Semester 1
Contact time
---
Self study
240h
Workload
240h
Credit Points:
30
Exam format
Report to the examination comitee
Prerequisites
See examination regulation
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Internship
Grading
---
Learning objectives
The students get practical experiences in the field of Cognitive science
and can associate these experiences to the contents of the master
study.
Responsible for module
Lachmann
Usability in teaching
---
Master module
Scheduled for
4
Duration
Semester 1
Contact time
Self study
Workload
900h
Credit Points:
30
Exam format
Colloquium (30min.) and grading of the Master thesis
Prerequisites
See examination regulation
Requirements for awarding of
credit points
Master thesis with Colloquium
Grading
Colloquium, Master thesis
Learning objectives
The master thesis serves as a final exam. In the thesis, the student
proves to be able to realize a research project, including planning and
preparation, technical implementation, analysis, and communication of
the research and its results. The student demonstrates interdisciplinary
knowledge, skills and competencies in the cognitive sciences and is able
18
to develop a research agenda. The student is able to argue and defend
his results and conclusions and to reflect on methodological and
theoretical aspects of his/her research.
Responsible for module
Lachmann
Usability in teaching
Can be employed in other programs
Master thesis
Instructor
Instructors of Cognitive science
Teaching form / group size
individual
Contents
The master thesis is prepared under the supervision of
two instructors, preferably from different fields of
research.
Colloquium
Instructor
Two instructors of the Master thesis
Teaching form / group size
individual
Contents
The student argues and defends the results and conclusions of
his thesis.
19
Overview of Course and Exam Requirements including Credit Allocation
I.
Grundlagenmodule (Basic Modules)
Grundlagenmodule
Foundations of Cognitive Science
Principles and Techniques of Research
in Cognitive Science
II.
Contact Time,
Semesterwochenstunden (SWS)
Total 16 SWS
12 CP
8 SWS
10 CP
8 SWS
Schwerpunktmodule (Advanced Modules)
Module
Advanced Module
Perception
(20 CP)
Advanced Module
Cognition and
Knowledge
(20 CP)
20
Credit-Points
(CP)
Total 22 CP
CPs
Courses on respective themes
3
Visual Perception
3
Visual Attention and Awareness
3
Perception and Action
3
Psychophysics and Signal Detection
3
Special topics in Visual Perception
3
Lecture: Collaborative Intelligence
3
Seminar: Collaborative Intelligence
Notes
9 CPs must be earned through elective courses, 11 CPs must
be earned through the Research and Methods Module
9 CPs must be earned through elective courses, 11 CPs must
be earned through the Research and Methods Module
Advanced Module
Language and Linguistics
3
Human Intelligence, Problem Solving and
Creative Thinking
3
Learning and Behavior
3
Judgement and Decision-Making
3
Human Memory
3
Special Topics on Cognition and
Knowledge
3
Syntax
3
Psycholinguistics
3
Sentence Processing
3
Language Development
3
Neural Basis of Language
3
Reading
3
Special Topics on Language and Linguistics
(20 CP)
21
9 CPs must be earned through elective courses, 11 CPs must
be earned through the Research and Methods Module
3
Advanced Module Cognitive Neuroscience (20
CP)
9 CPs must be earned through elective courses, 11 CPs must
be earned through the Research and Methods Module
3
Neural Basis of Language
6
Biological Aspects of Hearing
6
Visual Perception
3
Brain Physiology
4
Advanced Module
Computation
(20 CP)
4
4
4
22
Introduction to Neurophysiology
Human Computer Interaction
Visualization and HCI
Biologically Motivated Robots (Lecture)
Biologically Motivated Robots (Seminar)
12 CPs must be earned through elective courses, 8 CPs must
be earned through the Research and Methods Module
4
Case-Based Reasoning
Research and Methods Module (5 modules in total from which 3 are selected)
Research
and
Methods
Module
9
Research
Practicum
Methods Seminar
2
Obligatory
courses. 11 CP
awarded for each
selected
Advanced
Module = total of
33 CP (for 3
selected out of
the possible 5
modules)1
Semester
offered and
exam
format: 3rd
semester;
presentation
of results
1.-4. Semester: Internship (6 weeks, 8 LPs)
Forth semester: Master thesis and colloquium (30 LPs).
1
Exception: The Advanced Module „Computing“ comprises 12 LPs in the Teaching Module and 8LPs in the Research Practicum and Methods
Module; students can select one of two practicum options with associated methods sections.
23