MSc/PgDip/PgCert Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience
Previously known as MSc Applied Cognitive NeuroscienceAttendance
Full-time, Part-time
Full-time one year
Part-time two years
Starts October
At a glance
About this course
Applied cognitive neuroscience combines techniques and skills including psychometric testing, electroencephalogram (EEG) and imaging techniques for application to neuropathological and healthy groups in clinical, academic or biomedical settings. Neuropathological groups may include people with head injures, Parkinsons disease and dementia.
This course is ideal if you
are a graduate with an applied or pure science degree including psychology, biosciences and nursing, and want to pursue a research, clinical or biomedical career in neuroscience
work in a related area and wish to formalise and develop your skills, knowledge and expertise as part of continuing professional development
want to open alternative career pathways
are an EU or international student with the appropriate background and qualifications
It gives you the knowledge and skills to evaluate cognitive and brain function and dysfunction in healthy and neuropathological groups. You learn to understand the important ethical issues involved in neuroscientific research targeted at neuropathological and healthy groups, such as drug development for commercial gain.
We also build your research skills enabling you to work as an independent researcher in this area.
Our specialist learning resources include psychometric measures for assessing cognitive function and 3D model brains for understanding neuroanatomy. You learn to use specialist equipment including EEG transcranial magnetic stimulation structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) visuo-psychophysics equipment.
Some lectures are taught by guest tutors including clinical psychologists and neuroimaging experts.
You are automatically affiliated with our Brain, Behaviour and Cognition Research Group, which
delivers targeted neuroscience workshops
organises subject specific presentations
has regular research meetings
has strong collaborative links with other institutions
Associated careers
This course gives you the skills to work with diverse neuropathological groups in clinical settings.
You learn to assess and evaluate broad areas of cognitive function and dysfunction in patient groups including people with Parkinsons disease, head injury, dementia, and other neuropathological conditions.
We give you a thorough foundation in the methods of neuroscience used in academic and clinical contexts including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) electroencephalogram (EEG) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation eye tracking techniques visual psychophysics.
You can also complete further cognitive neuroscience postgraduate academic work.
Course content
Core modules
To graduate with an MSc you complete the following modules
Neursopsychopharmacology
reward mechanisms addiction and craving the role and action of drugs on the central nervous system
Neuron to neuropathology
mapping the process of neuropathology from the molecular to the brain systems level neuronal death and regeneration the effect of lesions on specific cognitive and socio-emotional functions
Cognitive neuroscience methods
psychometric testing EEG training skin conductance responses neuroimaging techniques
Business and bioethics
moral, ethical and commercial issues in biomedical research pharmacogenetics research with animals and humans human cell tissue and genetic screening
Perception and cognition
the neural mechanisms underlying perceptual and cognitive processes differences in cognitive function and neuroanatomy of healthy and abnormally developing human brains
Philosophical debates in neuroscience
consciousness mind-body dualism computational neuroscience psychosemantics
Research dissertation
An independent research project on a subject of your choice. You also complete one of the following research methods modules, depending on your educational background and statistical knowledge
advanced statistical design
fundamentals of design and statistics
Assessment
coursework seminar activities examinations dissertation
Entry requirements
Typically you need one from
a second class honours degree or above in psychology
a relevant undergraduate degree from a non-pyschological background such as biosciences or a healthcare related subject
appropriate practical or work-based experience
If English is not your first language, you need an IELTS score of at least 7.0 with 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
Full-time typically £5,355
Part-time typically £2,680 a year for two years
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £12,060 for the course
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 for the course
How to apply
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form