Introduction to Neuroscientific Methods and Brain Anatomy

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Starting from a decision-making theoretical framework, this introductory course focuses on three main aspects of model-based neuroscience. In the first part, students will receive an introduction to the anatomy of the human brain with a focus on cortico-basal ganglia networks.  The second part of the course introduces neuroimaging techniques: (functional) magnetic resonance imaging [(f)MRI] and electroencephalography [EEG]. In the third part, students will learn about the model-based approach where neuroscientific methods such as (f)MRI or EEG are combined with cognitive models that quantify latent psychological processes.

Study materials

Literature

• Book: An introduction to Model-Based Cognitive Neuroscience. Springer: New York. B. U. Forstmann, & E.-J. Wagenmakers (Eds).
  
  Selected readings (citations provided via Canvas)

Objectives

• Demonstrate basic knowledge about neuroanatomy from the micro to the macro scale
• Demonstrate understanding of the principles behind (model-based) neuroscientific techniques
• Demonstrate knowledge of current psychological and neurobiological theories of human (perceptual) decision-making
• Identify the advantages and pitfalls of several methods used in cognitive neuroscience
• Compare and contrast studies pursuing the same research aims with different methodologies and perspectives
• Assess the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in cognitive neuroscience
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current research on (model-based) neuroscience

Teaching methods

• Seminar
• Presentation/symposium
• Lecture
• Self-study

This course teaches the basic principles of important neuroimaging techniques and how they are used in combination with anatomical and functional studies, and cognitive models in order to advance our understanding in the field of decision making. This is done by providing lectures on a variety of topics, creating a strong theoretical basis needed to understand and interpret scientific literature. Presentations given by students are used to achieve a thorough analysis of the literature. 

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. In the case of practicals, the student must attend at least 80%. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the practical, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.
2. In the case of study-group sessions with assignments, the student must attend at least 80% of the study-group sessions. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the study group, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance is compulsory. Students are allowed to miss one of mini-quiz, which are given at the start of each lecture. If there is any reason why the student cannot attend, he/she should communicate this to the teacher or course coordinator. 

Assessment

The overall assessment is based on:

• mini-exams during class (10%)
• presentation of a research paper (30%)
• a written exam at the end of the course (60%)

The minimum grade required for the individual partials is 5.5.

Assignments

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

Additional information

This course is recommended for students with limited prior knowledge of neuroanatomy, fMRI/EEG and model-based neuroscience.

Last year's student feedback

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Anneke Alkemade