Cognitive and Emotional Neuroscience

Presentation

Curricular unit that aims to equip students with basic knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.

Part of this Programme

Psychology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

2 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT35-15402

Recommended complementary curricular units

N/A

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. Basic concepts in neurosciences

1.1. Etiology of main neuropsychological sindromes

2. Physiological bases of neuronal excitability

3. Neuronal activity in intact brain

4. Brain organization

4.1. Evolutionary aspects and ontogenesis

4.2. Functional neuroanatomy

5. Techniques for exploring neuronal function

5.1. Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

5.2. Basic concepts in psychophysiology: psychophysiological correlates of emotional response

5.3. Electrophysiological techniques vs. neuroimaging techniques

6. Neurobiology and psychophysiology of emotions

7. Functions of the frontal lobe

7.1. Cognitive functions in behavior monitoring

7.2. Emotional processing and prefrontal cortex

7.3. Decision making

8. Applications of study in cognitive neuroscience and emotions: brief notions

Objectives

The aim of this curricular unit is to provide basic training for the acquisition of fundamental knowledge in the relation between brain functioning and human behavior. Specifically, it aims to: a) offer students with the key knowledge for understanding the functioning of the brain at the physiological level; b) describe the main techniques used in the study of the brain; c) study the frontal lobe functions at the cognitive and emotional level; d) describe the consequences of acquired brain injuries; and e) provide scientific literacy in the field of neuropsychology and emotions.

The students should be able, at the end of this CU, to:

1) Identify the main structures on the functioning of the nervous system;

2) Relate them to the cognitive and emotional processes that determine human behavior;

3) Identify the neuropsychological consequences of acquired brain injury;

4) Analyze the literature in the area, specifically in the interface between biology and psychology.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Theoretical classes are based on expository method and are conducted with presentation of illustrative animations for a better understanding, approach and discussion of the syllabus The laboratory practice classes complement the theoretical contents using practical exercises and discussion of case-studies, exposure to multimedia contents along with the criticial analysis and discusion of scientific papers in each topic of the syllabus. The continuous assessment includes the following components: 4 written exercises on the contents of the theoretical classes (12.5% each in a total of 50%) and a group work on the practical activities, including a report (25%) and oral presentation (25%). Class attendance is mandatory. The final exam consist of a written test with a weighting of 100% in the final grade, which focus on all theoretical and practical content. As a final grade, the student must obtain a minimum grade of 10.

References

• Bear, M., Connors, B.& Paradiso, M. (2015). Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (4th ed.). NY: Masson.
• Eysenck, M.W. & Keane, M.T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A Student's Handbook (7th Edition). NY: Psychology Press.
• Kolb, B., Whishaw, I.Q. (2015). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. Worth Publishers.
• Lewis, M. (2016). Handbook of Emotions (4h Ed). New York: The Guilford Press.
• Siegel, A. & Sapru, N.H. (2014). Essential neuroscience (3rd Ed.). Baltimore: The point: Wolters Klumer, Lippincott: Williams & Wilkins.

Office Hours

Nome do docente: Jorge Oliveira

Horário de atendimento: Sexta-feira, 10h-12h

Sala: D.1.3.