PSYC 2279 Fundamentals of Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience investigates the brain mechanisms underlying human mental processing. This field has its roots in cognitive psychology, the scientific study of human mental processing, and behavioral neuroscience, the scientific study of animal brain processing, which have existed for well over a century. Although cognitive neuroscience lies at the intersection of cognitive psychology and behavioral neuroscience, non-invasive methods to investigate human brain function have emerged in only the last few decades. This course will cover the methods of cognitive neuroscience along with fundamental cognitive neuroscience findings on many topics including seeing, hearing, attention, action, memory, language, and social/emotional processing.
Course overview
- Department
- Psychology and Neuroscience
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Annually
Requirements fulfilled
- Neuroscience B.S.: Foundation (24 Credits) — One of the following (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Applied Psychology and Human Development: Major electives — any Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOCY) course (no more than two electives from outside LSEHD) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Psychology B.A.: One course from the Biological/Cognitive cluster (3 credits) (Class of 2028 and After)
- Psychology B.S.: One course from the Biological/Cognitive cluster (3 credits) (Class of 2028 and After)
- Psychology B.A. (Class of 2027 and Before): Three 2000-level courses — Cognitive area (Class of 2027 and Before)
- Psychology B.S. (Class of 2027 and Before): Three 2000-level courses — Cognitive area (Class of 2027 and Before)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.33 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.46 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 1
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Scott Slotnick | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 40 of 46 |