PSY4303 – Vision and the Brain
Course description
Course content
The course will focus on the cognitive neuroscience of the human visual system based on convergent evidence gathered with a variety of methods, which include neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI), studies of eye movements, single neural cells’ recordings, computational models, effects of localized brain lesions, as well as the study of unusual subject populations (e.g., split-brain patients, synaesthetes) and evidence from studies with non-human primates. These topics will be dealt with from both the angle of normal performance and of pathology. The course will survey interdisciplinary material from evolutionary biology, medicine, psychology, computer science, philosophy, and the visual arts. The lectures will particularly focus on the processes of visual attention, perception (of colors, object forms, and faces), mental imagery, and visual memory, and how the human brain achieves awareness of visual objects.
Learning outcome
The goal of the course is to present knowledge and principles of the functioning of our brains on how we see and understand our visual world.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is only offered to students who have been admitted to the programme as a whole (2-years). ERASMUS students and students from other master’s programmes at the University of Oslo may be admitted into this course by individual application to the department. The application has to include a confirmation from your department that the course can be a part of your degree.Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction and tuition and sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course is offered to students on the Master’s Degree Programme in Psychology. Erasmus students and students from other master’s programmes at the University of Oslo may be admitted into this course by individual application to the department. The application has to include a confirmation from your department that the course can be a part of your degree.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with PSYC6510 – Vision and the Brain (discontinued)
- 5 credits overlap with PSY4303B – Vision and the Brain
Teaching
The teaching will be given through seminars and lectures. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars. Attendance is compulsory in both seminars and lectures.
The students are required to give a presentation as part of the course. Each student will select one research article (or a few related articles) from a list provided by the instructor and they will then prepare a public presentation (maximum 20 minutes) for the class. The use of Power Point for the presentations is strongly encouraged. The instructor will evaluate each presentation as either "complete" or "incomplete".
Compulsory tuition activities are valid for the 2 next semesters after approval date.
Absence from compulsory tuition activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Examination
One essay exam consisting in a short review paper on a topic of interest within the cognitive neurosciences.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
If you are an exchange student, please note that you will receive a pass or fail for this course and this cannot be converted into an A-F grading scale.
Explanations and appeals
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.