Students

COGS3050 – Core Problems in Cognitive Science

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Vince Polito
vince.polito@mq.edu.au
David Kaplan
david.kaplan@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp including COGS2000 or COGS202
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The mind and the brain are said to be the final frontiers of science. These frontiers are also of great interest to industry, government, and NGOs (non-government organisations) who wish to harness the power of the mind and the brain to solve complex problems. This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore theories of how the mind and brain work, and how to apply that knowledge to solve critical issues and improve people’s lives. A strong emphasis is placed on effective scientific communication, the consolidation of acquired knowledge and skills, and the deepening of one’s understanding of cognitive science research through hands-on scientific activities.

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.
  • ULO5: Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

Late submission of time sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Special Consideration

If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration in accordance with the special consideration policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial worksheets 10% No Throughout semester
Science communication presentation 25% No Weeks 8-10
Mini-grant proposal 40% No Week 13
Science communication writing 25% No Week 7

Tutorial worksheets

Assessment Type 1: Summary
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Throughout semester
Weighting: 10%

 

Tutorial worksheets assessing content and activities covered during the tutorials. Short (1-2 page), highly structured tutorial worksheets. 6 worksheets per session. Graded on C/NC basis. Students may miss 1 worksheet without penalty.

 
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.

Science communication presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 8-10
Weighting: 25%

 

Group presentation demonstrating critical understanding of a current research article. (15% group presentation; 10% writeup describing individual contribution to group presentation)

 
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.
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

Mini-grant proposal

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Mini-grant proposal for a new research project in the relevant field.

 
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.
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills.

Science communication writing

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

 

Written piece, similar to that found in The Conversation, to communicate science and demonstrate critical understanding of a current research article.

 
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.
  • 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

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of face-to-face and online learning activities, including readings, lectures, etc. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Readings

All required and optional readings are available through the COGS3050 iLearn page.

iLearn

You will need access to the internet to access the unit's iLearn page. Through iLearn you will be able to access the lecture recordings (Echo360), additional readings, and feedback and marks for the assessment tasks. You are also required to submit assessment tasks via iLearn, using the Turnitin submission tool. Please allow time to familiarise yourself with how to access iLearn and how to submit a Turnitin assignment. ​For further information, visit the iLearn student support page.

Lectures

All lectures will be delivered face-to-face in 4 Western Rd, Tutorial Room 220, starting in Week 1. The officially scheduled lecture time is Tuesday 5:00 - 6:30 PM. Although attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged, all lectures will be recorded and made available for asynchronous viewing through Echo360. Lecture slides will be uploaded to iLearn just before the lecture time under the lecture link in the relevant week below. 

Tutorials

All tutorials will be delivered face-to-face, starting in Week 2. Attendance at tutorials is strongly encouraged. The tutorials are designed to reinforce complex material and concepts introduced in unit readings and lectures. In addition, many tutorials are designed to help you complete unit assessment tasks.

Please check eStudent for the time of your tutorial. Changes to tutorials need to be made online via eStudent only (neither the unit convenor nor the tutor can make changes to your tutorial enrolment). After week 2, no further changes will be allowed unless supporting documentation about the reason for changing is provided and there is space in the tutorial you wish to enrol in. 

Requests for extensions, medical leave, and/or special consideration

Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies. All requests for extensions, medical leave and/or special consideration should be made prior to the due date for the assignment, are to be made directly via the University’s online Ask MQ system. Guidelines for Special Consideration can be found here. 

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook