Students

COGS7010 – Research Frontiers in Cognitive Science

2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Anina Rich
Lecturer
Lyndsey Nickels
Lecturer
Amanda Robinson
Lecturer
Paul Sowman
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

You will engage 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 unit will include seminars by experts in the various techniques and student-led analyses of recently published papers. The aim is to provide you 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.

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: identify the key critical issues in common methods used in cognitive science.
  • ULO3: demonstrate an advanced understanding of the methods available for research into cognitive science.
  • ULO2: provide critical analysis when reading academic research papers, and critically evaluate scientific methods, results and interpretations.
  • ULO4: demonstrate an advanced understanding of the common underlying assumptions in studying cognition.
  • ULO5: clearly articulate an argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences.
  • ULO6: critically analyse information from a variety of sources.
  • ULO7: Demonstrate an understanding of scientific integrity and the need for rigorous and transparent methodology and reporting of research.

General Assessment Information

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
In-class participation 10% No ongoing
Leading journal club 10% No student selected
Critical paper review 30% No 2 weeks after leading journal club (by 5pm)
Critical issues essay 50% No 10/06/2021 (by 5pm)

In-class participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 10%

This assessment involves participating, discussing and contributing ideas in class.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the key critical issues in common methods used in cognitive science.
  • provide critical analysis when reading academic research papers, and critically evaluate scientific methods, results and interpretations.
  • clearly articulate an argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of scientific integrity and the need for rigorous and transparent methodology and reporting of research.

Leading journal club

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: student selected
Weighting: 10%

This assessment involves selecting an academic research paper and leading a student group discussion.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the key critical issues in common methods used in cognitive science.
  • provide critical analysis when reading academic research papers, and critically evaluate scientific methods, results and interpretations.
  • demonstrate an advanced understanding of the common underlying assumptions in studying cognition.
  • clearly articulate an argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of scientific integrity and the need for rigorous and transparent methodology and reporting of research.

Critical paper review

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: 2 weeks after leading journal club (by 5pm)
Weighting: 30%

This assessment mimics the task of a pre-publication review, and provide a critical analysis of the selected paper, pointing out problems that should be addressed or issues that could be improved. The review needs to include a brief summary of the academic paper, identifying major and minor issues, discussing the implications and making constructive recommendations for changes that could improve the study. 1500 words maximum.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the key critical issues in common methods used in cognitive science.
  • provide critical analysis when reading academic research papers, and critically evaluate scientific methods, results and interpretations.
  • demonstrate an advanced understanding of the methods available for research into cognitive science.
  • demonstrate an advanced understanding of the common underlying assumptions in studying cognition.
  • clearly articulate an argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences.
  • critically analyse information from a variety of sources.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of scientific integrity and the need for rigorous and transparent methodology and reporting of research.

Critical issues essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 10/06/2021 (by 5pm)
Weighting: 50%

This assessment requires writing a 3000 word essay about key critical issues in cognitive science covered during the course.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the key critical issues in common methods used in cognitive science.
  • provide critical analysis when reading academic research papers, and critically evaluate scientific methods, results and interpretations.
  • demonstrate an advanced understanding of the methods available for research into cognitive science.
  • demonstrate an advanced understanding of the common underlying assumptions in studying cognition.
  • clearly articulate an argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences.
  • critically analyse information from a variety of sources.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of scientific integrity and the need for rigorous and transparent methodology and reporting of research.

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

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, conducted via Zoom

Seminars will start in Week 1 of Session 1 on Fridays from 9-11am, except for the week of the Good Friday public holiday, which we will hold at a mutually convenient time earlier that week.

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 and are available on iLearn in advance of the lecture.

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

Unit Schedule

Date

Topic

(Week 1)

Overview & experiment design/analysis

(Week 2)

Behavioural papers

(Week 3)

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

(Week 4)

fMRI papers

(Week 5)

Patient studies (single case vs. group)

(Week 6)

Patient papers

 

 

Mid-Semester Break

 

 

Mid-Semester Break

(Week 7)

Electroencephalography (EEG)

(Week 8)

EEG papers

(Week 9)

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

(Week 10)

MEG papers

(Week 11)

Neural stimulation

(Week 12)

Neural stimulation papers

(Week 13)

Summing up

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.

Changes from Previous Offering

Due to special circumstances (i.e., COVID-19), for 2021, this course will be entirely online, over Zoom.

Statement on academic courtesy

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.

Statement on 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 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.


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook