Brain and Cognition
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Provide knowledge in the domains of computational psychology and cognitive neuroscience. This course will serve as a bridge between cognitive-neuropsychological approaches to brain functioning and the more technically-oriented classes
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
This course provides a strong background in computational psychology and systems-level neuroscience and allows students to develop integrative research interests that cross domains.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will gain a thorough critical understanding of the intellectual debates that drive these rapidly growing fields, as well as expertise in the major methods for research on higher functions, both at the cognitive and the neurobiological level. They will also learn how to define simple cognitive models.
This course provides a strong background in computational psychology and systems-level neuroscience and allows students to develop integrative research interests that cross domains.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will gain a thorough critical understanding of the intellectual debates that drive these rapidly growing fields, as well as expertise in the major methods for research on higher functions, both at the cognitive and the neurobiological level. They will also learn how to define simple cognitive models.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
MODULE 1: Experimental and computational psychology: The class will introduce the development of psychology as a science, focusing on the various paradigms that were proposed in the discipline from the 1800s to current standards. Furthermore, it will present the computational methods applied since the 50s for the purpose of investigating human behavior and the cognitive system, and discuss the relationsip between psychology and computer science.
MODULE 2: Cognitive neuroscience: This module will provide an introduction to neuroscience and the basics concept underpinning neural signalling. Furthermore, neuroimaging and neuromodulation methods for investigating cognition will be introduced, together with critical elements for data interpretation. Mentions of how the brain implements cognitive functions and sensory-motor processes will be present throughout the module. Finally, the main models of consciousness will be introduced and their neural correlates will be discussed.
TOPICS:
Module 1
1. Investigating the human mind before psychology
2. Psychology as a science
3. The experimental method in psychology
4. History of psychology through its main scientific paradigms
5. Psychology and computer science
6. The computational method in psychology
7. Distributional approaches in psychology
Module 2
1. Introduction to cognitive neuroscience and the brain-cognition relationship
2. The brain: its structure and neurophysiology
3. Methods in cognitive neuroscience
4. Neural correlates of consciousness
MODULE 2: Cognitive neuroscience: This module will provide an introduction to neuroscience and the basics concept underpinning neural signalling. Furthermore, neuroimaging and neuromodulation methods for investigating cognition will be introduced, together with critical elements for data interpretation. Mentions of how the brain implements cognitive functions and sensory-motor processes will be present throughout the module. Finally, the main models of consciousness will be introduced and their neural correlates will be discussed.
TOPICS:
Module 1
1. Investigating the human mind before psychology
2. Psychology as a science
3. The experimental method in psychology
4. History of psychology through its main scientific paradigms
5. Psychology and computer science
6. The computational method in psychology
7. Distributional approaches in psychology
Module 2
1. Introduction to cognitive neuroscience and the brain-cognition relationship
2. The brain: its structure and neurophysiology
3. Methods in cognitive neuroscience
4. Neural correlates of consciousness
Prerequisites for admission
This course requires a basic knowledge of cognitive psychology and the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.
Teaching methods
The course will consist of frontal lessons, classwork, discussion on scientific papers, and practical exercises. All course material (e.g., slides, readings, scripts) will be made available on the e-learning website of the course, so that also non-attending students can use it.
Teaching Resources
For the module "Cognition":
Brysbaert, M., & Rastle, K. (2009). Historical and conceptual issues in psychology. Pearson Education.
Sun, R. (Ed.). (2008). The Cambridge handbook of computational psychology. Cambridge University Press.
Günther, F., Rinaldi, L., & Marelli, M. (2019). Vector-space models of semantic representation from a cognitive perspective: A discussion of common misconceptions. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14(6), 1006-1033.
Reference book (helpful if you want to know more): Gerrig, R. J., Zimbardo, P. G., Campbell, A. J., Cumming, S. R., & Wilkes, F. J. (2015). Psychology and life. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Brysbaert, M., & Rastle, K. (2009). Historical and conceptual issues in psychology. Pearson Education.
Sun, R. (Ed.). (2008). The Cambridge handbook of computational psychology. Cambridge University Press.
Günther, F., Rinaldi, L., & Marelli, M. (2019). Vector-space models of semantic representation from a cognitive perspective: A discussion of common misconceptions. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14(6), 1006-1033.
Reference book (helpful if you want to know more): Gerrig, R. J., Zimbardo, P. G., Campbell, A. J., Cumming, S. R., & Wilkes, F. J. (2015). Psychology and life. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Assessment methods and Criteria
written exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions on the course topics.
1) The exam will consist of 30 multiple choice questions and 2 brief essays covering all the topics of the course.
a. Multiple choice questions will be graded 1 if correct and 0 if incorrect. If 18 or more is obtained, students will be able to access the brief essays.
b. The two brief essays will be evaluated 0-30, which will be the final grade.
2) For those students who request it, or if the teacher considers it necessary, an oral interview can be arranged: the mark obtained in the oral test will be averaged with that obtained in the written test. The evaluation criteria are: the correctness of the answers, the ability to argue, synthesize, create links, and critically discuss the course topics.
1) The exam will consist of 30 multiple choice questions and 2 brief essays covering all the topics of the course.
a. Multiple choice questions will be graded 1 if correct and 0 if incorrect. If 18 or more is obtained, students will be able to access the brief essays.
b. The two brief essays will be evaluated 0-30, which will be the final grade.
2) For those students who request it, or if the teacher considers it necessary, an oral interview can be arranged: the mark obtained in the oral test will be averaged with that obtained in the written test. The evaluation criteria are: the correctness of the answers, the ability to argue, synthesize, create links, and critically discuss the course topics.
M-PSI/02 - PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Marelli Marco, Pisoni Alberto