Late submission of an assignment will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark for every day that the assignment is late (including weekend days). For example, if the assignment is worth 40 marks and your assignment is submitted 2 days late, a penalty of 2x5%x40 = 4 marks will be applied and subtracted from the awarded mark for the assignment. Work submitted more than 7 days after the submission deadline will not be marked and will receive a mark of 0. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies and requests for extensions for assignments must be made via the University’s Ask MQ System (as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy).

For written assignments, there will be 5% leeway in the word limit (e.g., up to 100 words over 2000), but beyond that you will be penalised 5% of your report mark for every further 100 words over the limit.

Questions about the assessment tasks?

Please email the unit convenor for clarification or questions about any of the assessments - the convenor is happy to discuss essay directions in advance of submission if necessary.

ABOUT THIS UNIT

This unit will engage students in critical research issues in cognitive science. We examine the assumptions and methodological issues of the main techniques used across the different fields of cognitive science (e.g., neuroimaging, behavioural, and neuropsychological techniques). The course will include lectures by experts in the various techniques and student-led analysis of recent published papers. The aim is to provide students with the tools to critically appraise published studies and the inferences made on the basis of experimental data. Activities are based on seminar attendance, directed reading of research articles, and critical discussion of research in both written and oral form.

Delivery

There will be 13 weekly seminars that run for 2 hours each.

Seminars will start in Week 1 of Session 1 on Mondays from 1.30-3.30pm in the Australian Hearing Hub, Level 3, seminar room 3.610 (Marrie), except for on the 9^th March and 6^th April which will be in the Seminar room on Level 5.

100% attendance to the weekly seminars is expected. If there are any issues with attendance, please email Prof. Anina Rich in advance of the class. All students have to participate in the discussion in the journal club seminars, which requires thorough reading of the assigned papers. 

Resources

The required readings for this unit will be nominated by students.

Recommended readings will be given by lecturers for each lecture.

Slides and readings from each lecture will be available on this unit's iLearn page.

It is the right of each student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all classes on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please enter as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones, pagers, and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others.

COGS7010 involves methods that allow us to study the brain. We therefore may use images and videos of human brains and dissections, as well as discussing patients with brain damage and animal research. It is a discussion-based interactive course, which means all students need to feel comfortable contributing to class conversations. Please treat both staff and your fellow students with the utmost respect.

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others on the basis of their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual preference, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone. The Unit Convenor is a member of the Ally Network and an active supporter of equity and diversity at Macquarie University. She is happy to provide additional support if needed.