The Integrated Brain

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Many disciplines have contributed to increasing the knowledge about brains and cognition. For example, we understand the mechanisms underlying several neural and cellular processes. At the same time, we know very much about the behavior and cognitive processes at the individual level and larger brain systems. However, the integration between this micro and macro level is often lacking. This course focuses on two approaches to bridging this gap. The first (vertical integration) explores which neuronal and network mechanisms facilitate perception and other cognitive processes. The second approach (horizontal integration) studies how functional units at the same level (e.g., brain regions) work together to implement a particular perceptual or cognitive process.

We will offer an integrated view of neural and cognitive processes and methodological techniques used to study the brain,  discussed previously in introductory courses. Examples of topics include visual and multisensory perception, decision-making, and attention. In addition to lectures, there will be a practical activity where students will explore the subject matter in depth by reading, interpreting, discussing, and researching the literature. At the end of the course, the students give a presentation about a literature study of their chosen, in a "Journal Club" format, incorporating contextual information and future implications of the results. 

Objectives

• Be able to describe the physiological organization of the brain as a hierarchy of interacting systems (synapse > cell > circuit > macroscopic network).
• Be able to explain how certain complex physiological processes are produced by such interactions (e.g., brain waves, neuromodulation, predictive processing).
• Be able to explain how certain cognitive processes depend on physiological organization and associated processes (e.g., visual perception, decision-making, free will).
• Be able to explain which, modern research techniques are appropriate to answer specific questions from cognitive/systemic neuroscience.
• To be able to critically read literature from cognitive neuroscience, and to indicate where possible pitfalls lie with regard to, for example, misinterpretations, or methodological problems.
• Present studied literature and own critical conclusions to fellow students in a clear and interactive manner.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Seminar

Lectures: The core of our course lies in the lectures, where we explore diverse brain mechanisms at various scales and unravel the impacts of their activity.

Seminars: In these collaborative sessions, students will answer a set of open questions related to the lecture's contents and discuss their answers with the instructor. During the last week, they will team up and, with the instructor's guidance, select a research paper from a provided list. Together, they'll critically evaluate the paper's findings, explore its context, and broaden their perspective by examining the study's broader questions and implications.

Presentations: Students will deliver their work in a presentation session fashioned like a Journal Club.

Independent Study: Students will also work autonomously, preparing for lectures, assessing supplementary materials, and participating in seminars.

Learning activities

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in all practical (computer) sessions, field work and seminars in the curriculum is obligatory. Any additional requirements are described per component in the study guide. Here is also described what the possible consequences are of not complying with this obligation.
  

Assessment

Assignments

The assignment is based on searching, reading, interpreting scientific literature, discussing this material, and presenting a literature study (see above).

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Exit qualifications

Via de Zichtbare Leerlijnen Creator kun je zien aan welke eindtermen de leerdoelen van deze cursus bijdragen en hoe de  vakleerdoelen, leerlijndoelen en eindtermen van de opleiding aan elkaar gekoppeld zijn:

https://datanose.nl/#program[BSc%20PB]/outcomes 

https://datanose.nl/#program[BSc%20PB]/trajectories

Contact information

Coordinator

• C.A. Bosman Vittini

Staff

• Toon Brouwer
• dr. Jan Willem de Gee
• Jisk Groot BSc
• prof. dr. Victor Lamme
• Umberto Olcese
• prof. dr. C.M.A. Pennartz
• dr. M. Suzuki