Students

COGS3050 – Core Problems in Cognitive Science

2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Finkbeiner
Tutor
Jordan Wehrman
Contact via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp including COGS2000 or COGS202 or COGS2010 or COGS2020 or COGS2030 or COGS2040 or COGS2050
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Despite the explosive growth and progress in recent decades of the cognitive and brain sciences, the core problems of understanding attention, action, perception, memory, and language remain largely the same. This unit provides students with the opportunity to think broadly and critically about how the field has addressed these problems through a rigorous exploration of seminal research. A strong emphasis will be placed on effective scientific communication, the consolidation of acquired knowledge and skills, and the deepening of one’s understanding of cognitive science research through a final project.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain the mechanisms and processes underlying human cognitive functions.
  • ULO2: Critically evaluate theories of human cognitive function.
  • ULO3: Evaluate experimental designs, analyses, and empirical findings in terms of relevant theory and problems.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate effective scientific communication in written form.
  • ULO5: Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

General Assessment Information

COGNITIVE SCIENCE LATE PENALTY GUIDELINE

Late submission of your research project will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark for every day that the assignment is late (including weekend days). For example, because the assignment is worth 40 marks, if you were to submit it 2 days late, a penalty of 2x5%x40 = 4 marks would be applied and subtracted from the awarded mark for the assignment. Work submitted more than 14 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 that requests for extensions for assignments must be made via the University’s Ask MQ System before the due date.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid-term exam (1.5 hours, conducted in class) 25% No Week 7
Research project 40% No Week 13
Final exam 35% No Final exam period

Mid-term exam (1.5 hours, conducted in class)

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

Multiple-choice exam


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the mechanisms and processes underlying human cognitive functions.
  • Critically evaluate theories of human cognitive function.
  • Evaluate experimental designs, analyses, and empirical findings in terms of relevant theory and problems.
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

Research project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

Research project including data collection and analysis culminating in a mini research-thesis (max. 1500 words)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the mechanisms and processes underlying human cognitive functions.
  • Critically evaluate theories of human cognitive function.
  • Evaluate experimental designs, analyses, and empirical findings in terms of relevant theory and problems.
  • Demonstrate effective scientific communication in written form.
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

Final exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Final exam period
Weighting: 35%

Multiple-choice exam (2 hours) conducted during the exam period


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the mechanisms and processes underlying human cognitive functions.
  • Critically evaluate theories of human cognitive function.
  • Evaluate experimental designs, analyses, and empirical findings in terms of relevant theory and problems.
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Technology Used and Required

For this unit you will need to have access to a computer that can reliably connect to the Internet. This will be essential for completing online exams, your research project,  and in accessing the unit's web-page, which can be found at:  https://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Required Readings

The course readings will be available through the Library (see the unit's iLearn page for specific details).

Recommended Text

While this course does not have a textbook, students will find it helpful to read the chapter(s) in "A student's handbook" that are relevant for that week's lecture.  The textbook can be accessed in the Library (BF311 .E94 2015) or online through the Library's website.  The full title of the book is here:

Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive psychology: A student's handbook. Psychology press.

Delivery

Lectures: All lectures will be delivered online, starting in Week 1. The officially scheduled lecture time is Monday 9:30 - 11:00 AM. Depending on the lecturer, lectures will either be pre-recorded and uploaded through Echo360 prior to the officially scheduled lecture time or the lecture will be live-streamed via Zoom/Echo360 during the officially scheduled time. All lectures, regardless of initial delivery mode, will be recorded and made available for asynchronous viewing through Echo360.  

Tutorials: To maximise flexibility for COGS3050 students, tutorials will be delivered in both on-campus and online delivery modes. Due to social distancing requirements, you will have to attend the on-campus tutorial you enrolled in through eStudent. You will not be able to attend another on-campus tutorial class instead. If you have enrolled in an online tutorial, consult iLearn for further details.  

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Optimizing Learning

What does it take to do well in COGS3050?

This unit is taught through lectures and tutorials with support from web-based resources such as iLearn. While lectures are useful principally for introducing new concepts and knowledge, the tutorials allow for more direct interactions between instructor and students. They are your opportunity to enhance your understanding further by participating in lab-based activities and asking questions. The iLearn discussion board also allows students to discuss topics in greater depth, and may also feature contributions by staff members when there appears to be confusion among the student body. The lecture schedule is a guide only, and is intended to be flexible. On occasion, more time will be spent on certain topics if additional explanation is required. As such, material from one lecture may overlap into the next, where necessary.

Students are expected to pay close attention to all lectures and to take notes to aid their retention of the material covered. Reading assigned during each lecture should be completed before and after the date of the relevant lecture. Reading before lecture and then re-reading shortly after lecture is the best way to consolidate knowledge and enhance understanding. Attendance of, and active participation in tutorials is also mandatory.  It should be noted that according to Senate guidelines, workloads should involve 3 hours per credit point per week. This results in 9 hours per week (including lectures and practicals) for a 3 credit point unit such as COGS3050.

 

What material is examinable?

Exam questions will come from topics covered during lectures and tutorials. Where additional information on these topics is supplied in the assigned reading, this should also be considered examinable. The examinations will not feature questions on topics not covered during lectures even if they are included in the assigned reading.

Note: Assessment will be based on the successful understanding of material from lectures, tutorials and from the assigned reading. Please note that rote learning alone will not be a successful strategy, as the assessments will test for deeper appreciation of the course material in a variety of formats. Simply remembering the “facts” will not suffice. Students need to demonstrate their understanding of the principles, and demonstrate the ability to apply such understanding in new contexts.

 

iLearn

Students should check the iLearn web site at regular intervals for announcements, lecture notes, and other supplementary learning materials. It will also feature a discussion board on which students may converse about course material, or any other legitimate business related to COGS3050. Links to echo360, which will be available in audio and video format, will be included. It is recommended that students visit this site regularly and make full use of the facilities.

Academic Courtesy

It is the right of each student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please make an effort to arrive to class on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please enter the lecture theatre as quietly as possible to minimise disruption, using the back entrance if possible. Although some lecturers may allow questions during lectures, talking between students is often disruptive and is strongly discouraged. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class, and remain off for the duration of lectures and tutorials.

Social Inclusion and Diversity

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 lecturers, tutors 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 is happy to provide support to members of the LGBTIQ community.