Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Neuroscience and Society
School	School of Psychology
Department	School of Psychology
Module Code	PSYC 34217
Module Lead	Magda Chechlacz
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites	LC Genetics I - (03 23320)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	The module aims to introduce students to cutting edge research in neuroscience and its impact on society. As neuroscience is a contemporary and fast-moving field, it is important that students are conscious of the impact of advances in both new research and technological applications. Students are expected to engage with the following: - Historical perspectives of neuroscience and its impact on society - The wide variety of application of neuroscience research (not just treatment of disease) - The nature of interdisciplinary approaches in Neuroscience - The potential costs/benefits of neuroscience research on different members of society - The nature of public engagement and what constitutes successful public engagement Students additionally complete a supervised comprehensive literature review within an area of neuroscientific research. This literature review will be loosely linked to the area of research related to 3rd year project. The content of the literature review will vary according to the research area. In combination with the 3rd year project and tutorial introducing the concept of interdisciplinarity, the literature review will: - Enable the student to formulate and carry out all the phases of planning a research study using specific techniques under the guidance of an experienced supervisor/module lead. - Allow the student to gain insight and first-hand experience of the research process and interdisciplinary methods in Neuroscience. - Enable the student to develop skills in organization, project management, team-work, and communication. - Give the student experience and confidence in public presentation of their work in a professional setting. Skills: - Oral communication - Written communication - Gathering information - Analysing data - Report writing - Computing & IT - Organization and planning - Critical thinking - Problem solving - Using initiative - Flexibility
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a broad knowledge of current neuroscience research. Understand the current theoretical debates and their impact upon society. Understand the concept of public engagement and why it is important. Understand the concepts of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research Conduct a literature search, including the use of electronic sources and on-line databases. Review critically the literature on a given topic.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1.) 1.) One 2000-word essay discussing the ethical implications and impact upon society of previously debated topics. (50%) 2.) One 2000-word literature review (50%) Reassessment: Resitting module (none) – 3rd year module (not applicable)
Other
Reading List