MSc Cognitive Neuroscience Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			MSc Cognitive Neuroscience
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2023			Award type			MSc
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10	What level is this qualification?			7			Length of programme			1 Year
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full Time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes			For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York			Board of Studies for the programme			Psychology
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18	Lead department			Psychology			Other contributing departments			N/A
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20	Language of study and assessment			English			Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus Based
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	University of York Framework for Programme Design (PGT).
32	University of York Framework for Programme Design (PGT).
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	N/A
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	N/A
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	No				Transfers out:	No
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	The MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience offers an exciting opportunity to study at one of the leading centres of expertise in cognitive neuroscience. The degree will demonstrate how developments in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, neurology, computer science and philosophy have led to our modern understanding of the human brain. The degree is equally suitable for students who wish to pursue doctoral research and those with enthusiasm for the subject, but who would like to pursue related careers. It provides a theoretical and empirical grounding in brain imaging techniques and reveals how these techniques can lead to a deeper understanding of complex mental functions such as memory, language, emotion, perception, attention and consciousness. The degree offers hands-on training in a range of neuroimaging methods. As a result of the programme, graduates will be able to independently design and carry out independent research projects in cognitive neuroscience.
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58	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
59	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?				Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
60	PG Certificate			Exit award only	They will have a solid understanding of how neuroimaging methods can be applied to questions in cognitive neuroscience, and how appropriate experiments are designed and carried out. They will have experience with the use of core data analysis approaches in neuroimaging and general statistics.				Any 60 credits from Semester 1 and Semester 2
61	PG Diploma			Exit award only	They will have a solid understanding of how neuroimaging methods can be applied to questions in cognitive neuroscience, and how appropriate experiments are designed and carried out. They will have experience with the use of data analysis approaches in neuroimaging and general statistics. They willbe able to independently and critically evaluate evidence from cognitive neuroscience, communicating complex concepts effectively.				Complete 120 credits from Semester 1 and 2, and complete a 20 credit Literature Review in place of the Empirical Project
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63	Programme Learning Outcomes
64	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
65	1	Knowledge: Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding of how cognitive processes can be explained in terms of their underlying brain processes and how modern neuroimaging techniques (such as MRI, MEG, EEG and TMS) can be used to understand the properties of the human mind.
66	2	Critical Evaluation: Critically evaluate theories within and beyond the field of cognitive neuroscience, using empirical evidence to support their reasoning and arguments.
67	3	Analysis of Data: Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of how advanced research paradigms, research methods in neuroscience and advanced statistical analysis can be used to explain mental processes and behaviour.
68	4	Research Skills: Students will be able to identify and evaluate relevant scientific evidence from the range of methodologies used in cognitive neuroscience and thus solve complex problems using evidence-based and scientific reasoning, to identify and pose new research questions, devise new methods to address them and to consider alternative approaches to their solutions and evaluate these.
69	5	Solve Complex Problems: Design, conduct and interpret systematic, scientifically rigorous and ethically sound studies, using a combination of advanced quantitative methods, programming and statistics, supported by state-of-the-art software, in the context of methodologies used in cognitive neuroscience.
70	6	Communication: Communicate complex concepts effectively using written, oral and graphical means appropriate to the discipline, adapting the content and presentation style to make it appropriate to diverse audiences.
71	7	Management Skills: Demonstrate that they are able to work autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level, making decisions based upon complex and uncertain information, take responsibility for their own learning and professional development, and work effectively as a member of a team.
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73	Diverse entry routes
74	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
75	The Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience, Research Design and Statistics and Data Analysis in Neuroimaging modules provide core skills and knowledge from psychological research relevant to cognitive neuroscience allowing students from a diverse range of backgrounds to obtain a solid foundation in psychology, particularly in experimental design and statistical analysis of data.
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78	Inclusion
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80	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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82	Employability
83	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
84	From the beginning of the course, you will receive advice on academic and non-academic career destinations during regular meetings with your academic supervisor and the course director. You are also welcome and encouraged to attend talks on a range of career destinations organized by the Department. Many of the students on this course go on to get funded PhD positions at York and elsewhere. We are now seeing our first students getting faculty positions in prestigious universities across the world. Other students are now pursuing successful careers in clinical psychology.
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89	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
90	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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92	Year abroad					Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?
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94	Year in industry					Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?
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96	Year in enterprise
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98	Placement year
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