MSc in Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience

Master of Science

PGDip Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience

Postgraduate Diploma

PGCert in Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience

Postgraduate Certificate

Master of Science, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate

MSc in Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, PGDip Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, PGCert in Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience

PSCSCN

Core

Stage 4

Programme Structure

Neuroscience is the study of the brain and neurons. The popular sub-discipline of cognitive neuroscience combines cognitive science with neuroimaging techniques that allow mental processes to be viewed in the context of both the healthy and the pathological brain. Our increased understanding of the biological basis of cognition and behaviour has created a strong basis for the translation of this knowledge into social and clinical applications. The new interdisciplinary fields of social and clinical neuroscience are among the fastest growing research areas in psychology and offer complementary knowledge and skills for pursuing either a clinical career (such as clinical psychology) or an academic career (i.e. relevant for grounding a PhD).  
You will learn about the latest advances in these areas and develop an appreciation of the reciprocal nature of research and practice in these domains (e.g. how insights from functional neuroimaging inform our understanding of neurological disorders and how clinical observations inform neurocognitive modelling). The knowledge and skills conveyed by this programme are highly valued in the Clinical and Health professions as well as in academic research. Future clinicians will be better equipped to develop and deliver evidence-based treatment. Aspiring researchers will achieve an understanding of fundamental brain functions valuable when undertaking a PhD.  
This masters degree bridges three research and clinical disciplines: cognitive neuroscience (the study of human brain functions such as memory, perception and language), clinical neuroscience (the understanding of neurological, psychological or psychiatric illness via their neural and cognitive antecedents) and social neuroscience (the investigation of brain processes that help us communicate, feel, learn and interact with others).  
Teaching will comprise seminars, lectures, computing and statistics classes, and supervision of an individual research project. Your learning experience during the programme will be enhanced by an invited speaker’s programme of external experts who work in clinical, social or cognitive neuroscience. 
During the MSc, there will be opportunities for some students to gain highly relevant clinical experience through placements within our newly established Centre for Excellence &amp; Innovation in Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing between City St George’s, University of London and City &amp; Hackney Mind.  In some cases, there may also be the possibility of carrying out your dissertation research in these clinical settings. 
There will also be opportunities to apply for research internships with members of staff.
The specific objectives of this programme are to equip you with theoretical knowledge and research skills within clinical, social and cognitive neuroscience.  
These objectives will be met via taught modules that cover the principles of neuroscience (including brain anatomy); fundamental processes in cognitive neuroscience (i.e. memory, perception, attention, language); core findings for social and affective neuroscience; neurodevelopment and ageing; and the biological foundations of clinical psychology, psychiatry and neurology. This broad neuroscientific knowledge will be supported with training in the relevant neuroscience techniques (neuroimaging, neurostimulation and neurophysiology) and research methods for data collection and analysis. The knowledge, skills and interests you will develop during the programme will be used in your research dissertation, which will provide you with an opportunity to undertake a piece of independent high-quality research supervised by a specialist from the Department of Psychology. 
The programme is offered in two modes: one year full-time, and two-years part-time. Part-time students will undertake half of the taught modules each year. The research dissertation can be carried out in part time bases over the two years.

Critically assess the relationship between the neuroscience of clinical disorders, mental health, and treatment approaches. 

Knowledge

Demonstrate an ability to conduct high-quality research (research dissertation) and carry out independent web-based and library research 

Skills

Apply statistical methods and techniques to answer research questions in clinical, social, and cognitive neuroscience.  

Analyse the psychological impact of brain damage on patients and its potential role in triggering mental health conditions. 

Values and attitudes

Assess the ethical implications of research conducted in neuroscience settings. 



Critically evaluate research and key theoretical issues in social cognition, assessing their implications for understanding human behaviour and interaction. 

Apply professional and ethical standards when using neuroscience techniques to investigate human brain function. 

 Critically evaluate the role of a scientific approach in studying human brain function. 

Critically evaluate scientific research papers and their relevance in the domain of clinical, cognitive and social neuroscience. 

Evaluate complex arguments and their factual support. 

Demonstrate critical and analytical thinking and the ability to critically appraise research in the neuroscience domain. 

Relate the development of specific cognitive functions to underlying neurobiological structures.

Compare and contrast different mental health models in clinical practice, assessing the advantages of neuroscientific approaches. 

Be able to appropriately present (written and oral) research findings to different types of audiences including the professional community. 

Compare and contrast different methods for inferring relationships between brain mechanisms and cognitive psychological constructs, assessing their respective strengths and limitations.  

Demonstrate rigorous research practices that uphold the principles of scientific integrity. 

Demonstrate through formative/summative work proficiency in using the full range of learning resources available. 

Analyse brain functions and their neural correlates, explaining how cognitive and neural models account for human functions such as memory, vision, language, movement, and attention. 

To plan and implement empirical studies in clinical, cognitive and social neuroscience.  

Apply principles of respect and sensitivity when working with research participants. 

Integrate and synthesise information from diverse sources which may be based upon conflicting and/or complementary epistemological frames of reference. 

Demonstrate the ability to reflect critically and constructively upon professional, intellectual and personal development within the context of clinical, cognitive and social neuroscience. 

Demonstrate a sound ability to relate neuroanatomical and neurobiological approaches to cognitive functions following brain damage.  

Critically reflect on the researcher’s social responsibility in the production and dissemination of knowledge.

Interpret and adhere to ethical principles and guidelines provided by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in neuroscience research. 

Critically evaluate recent research and key theoretical issues in clinical, cognitive, and social neuroscience, including neuroanatomy, clinical disorders, mental health, and research methods in neuroscience. 

PSCSCN - Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience

The rationale for learning, teaching and assessment strategies is based on an active approach of independent learning supported by the teaching/learning team. You will be required to take responsibility for your own learning and to take advantage of the learning opportunities offered (e.g., invited speakers programme and online resources). The learning and teaching strategies for each module will expose you to a range of methods, comprising: lectures, guest lectures, seminars, group work, workshops, small group discussions, tutorials, reflective reports and one to one research project supervision. A combination of lectures (to present information), seminars (to understand and assimilate lecture material) and practical sessions (to be able to use each methodology and their associated brain data processing) will be used throughout the programme. For online learning, we will use a combination of asynchronous lectures (such as recorded videos), asynchronous activities (such as discussion forums and quizzes), and synchronous activities (such as seminars, small group discussions, tutorials, group work) to enhance your learning experience. 
Your independent learning will entail reading recommended books/papers, and ‘reading around’ the field to develop a deeper understanding. Much of this independent study will be focused on preparation of formative and summary essays and reports. 
You will be encouraged to be actively engaged during class contact time, bring your own experience to these sessions, and to develop an appropriately independent, critical and professional attitude to the material presented. You will require a high degree of independent reading, study and reflection. 
You will develop a research project (in collaboration with your supervisor) that addresses a new research question within the field of clinical, social and cognitive neuroscience. This will require a critical reflection on the current literature. Supervisors will provide additional training to use available techniques and methodology (e.g. electroencephalography [EEG], transcranial magnetic stimulation [TMS], Eye tracking, psychophysiological measurements, etc.) 
Each module will provide you with detailed feedback to help prepare you with the skills and confidence to reach your potential in summative assessment. Teaching/learning staff will be available for one-to-one interactions and feedback. 
In each module you will receive typically 30-34 hours of face-to-face contact, supported by online resources (e.g., videos and advanced readings provided on the learning platform, Moodle) for your self-directed study.

Curriculum Catalogue

Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience - MSc

PSCSCN