PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
For publication on Departmental website and to be sent to External Examiner (see guidance
notes on programme specification at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Registry/UCLStaff/ ).
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)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Intake cohort(s) to which this
programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2001 intake onwards)
MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience
(Exit points at Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate
Diploma levels)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Brain Sciences (formerly Life Sciences)
Parent Department:
(the Department responsible for the
administration of the programme)
Web page address:
(if applicable)
Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology and Language
Sciences
From 2009 intake onwards
http://www.icn.ucl.ac.uk/MSC-in-CognitiveNeuroscience/index.php
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychlangsci/students/prospective/PGT/TM
SPSYSCOG09
Method of study:
Full-time only
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Length of the programme:
One calendar year full-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
M
The programme is consistent with the subject benchmarking
statements for psychology. (QAA 207 12/07)
(see guidance notes on programme specifications)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme / its assessment:
(see guidance notes on programme
specifications)
The programme consists of eight mandatory taught modules.
Each module will be assessed, either with a 2-hour unseen
written exam, a 2,000-3,000 word written essay, or two 1,0001,500 word written reports. There is also a mandatory empirical
research project, which will be assessed with a 10,000-12,000
word dissertation.
Board of Examiners:
i) Name of Board of Examiners:
MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience
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n/a
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next
scheduled
accreditation visit:
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
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; supervised dissertation.
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/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.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars; practical experimental, statistical and
computational work; supervised dissertation.
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Exercises/Report/Dissertation
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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.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Practical experimental, statistical and computational
work; supervised dissertation.
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Exercises/Report/Dissertation
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 independently.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars; practical experimental, statistical and
computational work; supervised dissertation.
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Exercises/Report/Dissertation
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A1.aspx);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A2.aspx);
 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 Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Dr Leun Otten
Prof Paul Burgess
Date of production/revision:
22 Feb 2013
Date of Review:
February 2013
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SCHEME OF AWARD TAUGHT MASTERS DEGREE: PROFORMA
1. Requirements for Pass
50%
1.1 Please list below each element of assessment for the programme and each component of each
element (where applicable) with their relative weightings. If the weighting of the dissertation is below
25%, please provide an explanation
[On a modular programme an element is defined as each module which is assigned a credit value. Schemes of Award for non-modular
programmes shall specify which items of assessment constitute separate elements; normally, separate elements will be items of
assessment which are separately weighted in the Scheme of Award, but a different basis for defining them may be used. The dissertation
shall always be a separate element. The taught part of the programme shall be assessed by at least two separate elements and shall
normally be assessed by at least three.
On a modular programme weighted at 180 credits, the credit value of the dissertation is 60, i.e. one third of the total credit value.
1. Theories and Paradigms in Cognitive Neuroscience (15 CREDITS)
2. Generic Research Skills (Statistics) (15 CREDITS)
3. Structure and measurement of the human brain (15 CREDITS)
4. Methods in cognitive neuroscience I: lesion approaches (15 CREDITS)
5. Methods in cognitive neuroscience II: neuroimaging (15 CREDITS)
6. Current issues in cognitive neuroscience I: fundamental processes (15 CREDITS)
7. Current issues in cognitive neuroscience II: elaborative and adaptive processes (15 CREDITS)
8. Current issues in cognitive neuroscience III: translational research (15 CREDITS)
9. Research project (60 CREDITS)
TOTAL: 180 CREDITS
1.2 If all elements must be passed at Masters level (50% or above), please state this below. If some elements
may be passed at between 40 and 49% please give below the percentage and indicate if any elements or
components of elements must always be passed in order for a Pass to be awarded. The dissertation must
always be passed at 50% or above
[A Board of Examiners may allow the possibility of a condoned pass in one or more elements of assessment provided (i) that the mark
achieved in the element(s) of assessment in question is at least 40% and (ii) that the element in question is not the dissertation and (iii)
that the percentage of condoned Pass allowed does not exceed 20-25% of the total weighting of the elements of assessment for the
programme.
Up to 2 taught modules may be condoned at a pass level of 40-49%.
1.3 Please indicate any other requirements which must be satisfied in order for a Pass to be awarded, e.g. any
requirements for a placement to be completed, any formative assessment which must be completed etc.
n/a
2. Requirements for Distinction
[For Masters, Graduate Diploma and Diploma programmes, examiners shall have discretion to award a Distinction to a candidate who has
achieved an average mark of at least 70% and has additionally met the requirements prescribed by the relevant Board of Examiners for
such an award in the programme being examined. It is expected that for a Masters degree these requirements will normally include a
mark of 70% or more in the dissertation. No mark of distinction shall normally be awarded to a candidate who has failed any component of
the examination
Candidates must achieve an average mark of 70% or better overall, and 70% or better on their
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research dissertation.
2.1 If you do not wish to award Distinction on this programme, please state your reasons below.
Otherwise, please go to 2.2
n/a
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