(MSc) Master of Science
Language and the Brain
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
None
MSC C8Q112
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.1 degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science or a related subject .
If you hold a degree in Psychology it would be preferable, though not essential, if this was British Psychological Society accredited.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
1. To provide an advanced education in core subjects of cognitive neuroscience and linguistics
2. To provide an advanced knowledge of cognitive neuroscience research techniques and instrumentation, and appropriate statistical methodology.
3. To provide a suitable foundation for graduates wishing to proceed to a programme of further postgraduate study
4. To provide training in transferable skills necessary to meet the current requirements of graduate employers.
5. To provide knowledge and skills (critical evaluation and argument, quantitative empirical methods, effective communication) that will prepare students for academic careers as well as a wide range of alternative careers, and will be widely sought by employers.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of statistics appropriate for language and the brain
A2: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of psychological and linguistic theory within the core domains of linguistics and cognitive neuroscience.
A3: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of functional localisation within the brain and the neural structures supporting language capacity.
A4: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of research methods, instrumentation and experimental design appropriate for cognitive neuroscience
A5: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of specialist knowledge, principles and techniques in a substantive area of cognitive neuroscience and language in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise.
Learning methods
The scheme has been designed to incorporate a range of core and specialist topics within Cognitive Neuroscience.
Understanding of the core topics is provided by modules in core areas within Cognitive Neuroscience and supplemented by a range of options in Cognitive Neuropsychology and related topics.
Deeper understanding of specialist topics is provided primarily by completing an independent research project under supervision (A4).
While lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles outlined in A1-A3, and A5 the departments encourage learning through the integration of other teaching activities, including tutorials or discussion groups (A1-A3), laboratory research classes (A1, A3, A4), project research and supervision (A4), and directed reading (A1-A4).
Assessment methods
A2, A5, are assessed by 2000-word coursework essays.
A1, A3, A4, are assessed by practical exercises, by statistical examination and the 10,000-word dissertation.
A1, A3 and A4 are also assessed through the dissertation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the theoretical issues and experimental techniques of cognitive neuroscience
B2: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to employ evidence-based reasoning to develop coherent research plans and hypotheses
B3: Assemble and integrate evidence from a variety of sources, especially primary sources.
B4: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to analyse and interpret quantitative information in graphs, figures, tables, and determine what the appropriate statistical tests would be
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures and laboratory classes.
B1 and B4 are developed in both lecture-based and laboratory-based modules.
B2 Is taught and developed by the research project completed under individual supervision.
B3 is developed through lectures, guided reading and tutor led discussion groups.
Assessment methods
Evaluation and integration skills are assessed through coursework essays (B1, B3).
Statistical knowledge and quantitative skills are assessed by practical exercises (B4).
All intellectual and cognitive skills are assessed by the dissertation (B2).
C: Practical skills
C1: Graduates will be able to deploy research skills, including use of scientific databases, referencing packages, and modelling packages
C2: Graduates will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication
C3: Graduates will be able to effectively test research hypotheses using appropriate statistical techniques.
C4: Present quantitative data in tabular and graphical form.
C5: Graduates will be able to use a range of psychological tools related to cognitive neuropsychology, such as specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychological assessment tests.
Learning methods
Lectures, seminars, practical classes and computer workshops are used to teach research and writing skills (C1-C2).
C3 is developed through class exercises using a range of statistical software and during the supervision of the research project.
C4 and C5 are acquired in laboratory-based project work and the research project
Assessment methods
Research and writing skills and use of psychological tools are assessed through the coursework essays and practical exercises, and the dissertation (C1, C2, C3, C5).
Statistical skills are assessed by a 2-hr statistical examination, the practical exercises, and the dissertation (C3 - C5).
Data collection skills are assessed by the dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: A graduate will show evidence of enhanced ability to communicate ideas effectively.
Communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts using a range of different aids or resources
D2: A graduate will show enhanced ability to be computer literate.
(i) Use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present laboratory reports & essays.
(ii) Use statistical software to analyse quantitative data.
D3: A graduate will show evidence of enhanced ability to handle data and be numerate.
i) Analyse and present numerical data.
ii) Use statistical techniques in the process of experimental analysis and design
D4: A graduate will show enhanced ability to problem solve and reason scientifically
D5: A graduate will show evidence of the ability to work with others in a research context
D6: (i) Produce work that is properly presented against strict deadlines.
(ii) Reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback.
(iii) Work independently, and plan work effectively
Learning methods
Assessment methods