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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 211"
COURSE NAME: "Neuroscience Methods"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Francesco Gentile
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: PS 101
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces students to the various methods used to study the nervous system (e.g., EEG, functional MRI). Students will explore the kind of signals being measured (e.g., hemodynamic, electrical), the rationale for choosing different methods, the questions that can be addressed, as well as the limitations of each method. The course will include hands-on experience measuring and analyzing brain data.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Topics covered will include single cell recording, ECoG, EEG, MEG, structural and functional MRI, neurostimulation, and the analysis of the resultant data.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.       Understand the basic principles of the various methods used to study the nervous system.

2.       Understand the limitations of the resulting data.

3.       Understand the logic by which data acquired using those methods are analyzed. 

4.       Understand the key limitations of those analyses.

5.       Critically evaluate the scientific literature that deploys neuroscience methods.

6.       Communicate their research findings effectively, both orally and in writing. 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Introduction to Human Neuroimaging Op de Beeck, H., & Nakatani, C. Cambridge University Press 9781107180307      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Quizzes 24
Midterm 20
Final 30
Group Presentation 13
Writing assignment  13

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1: Introduction

Overview of the course, and a summary of the key topics.

Textbook Chapter 1

 

Week 2: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Surveying the physics behind the method

Textbook Chapter 2

 

Week 3: Structural MRI (1)

Describing MRI contrasts designed to elicit different kinds of structural information

Textbook Chapter 3

 

Week 4: Structural MRI (2): data analysis and applications

Covering key statistics employed to describe sMRI data, and applications of those statistics in neuroscience

Textbook Chapter 3

 

Week 5: Functional MRI (1)

The hemodynamic signal and its measurement / interpretation

Key issues in the design of fMRI experiments

Textbook Chapter 4

 

Week 6: Functional MRI (1)

Covering key statistics employed to describe fMRI data, and applications of those statistics in neuroscience

Textbook Chapters 6-7

 

Week 7: Review and Midterm Exam

Review and midterm

 

Week 8: Electrophysiological Imaging of the brain

The eletromagnetic field of the brain

Electroencephalography and Magnetencephalography

Textbook chapters 9-10

IntroEEGMEG - Meg Wiki (cam.ac.uk)

 

Week 9: Single-cell recording

Methods and applications (reading TBC)

 

Week 10: Electrocorticography (ECoG)

Methods and applications (reading TBC)

 

Week 11: Analysis of Electrophysiological Brain Data

Basic (textbook chapter 11) and advanced (textbook chapter 12)

 

Week 12: Neurostimulation (1): methods and analysis

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Textbook chapter 14

 

Week 13: Neurostimulation (2): applications

Emerging applications of TDCS and TMS

Textbook chapter 14

 

Week 14: Review

Review in preparation for the final exam