Course Descriptions
Core
Courses
ACN
6330 (HCS 6330, PSYC 6330) Cognitive Science (3 semester hours) Cognitive and neural processing
approaches to understanding perception, attention, memory, thought, and
language. (3-0) Y
ACN 6344 (HCS 6344, PSYC 6344) Functional Human Neuroanatomy (3 semester
hours) Function of each major brain system as related to the organization and
synaptic connections of their principal nuclei. Function of each system
related to the neurological disorders associated with disease or lesions at
specific locations. (3-0) T
ACN 6346 (HCS 6346, PSYC 6346) Systems Neuroscience (3 semester hours)
Integrative systems level study of the nervous system. Aspects
of neural mechanisms and circuitry underlying regulation of motor behaviors,
sensory and perceptual processing, biological homeostasis, and higher cognitive
functions. (3-0) Y
ACN 6395 (HCS
6395, PSYC 6395) Cognitive Psychology (3 semester hours) Theory and research on perception,
learning, thinking, psycholinguistics, and memory. (3-0) Y
Methods
Courses
ACN
5314 (HCS 5314) Cognitive and Neural Modeling Lab (3 semester hours)
Auto-associative, associative, competitive learning, recurrent, and
back-propagation artificial neural network algorithms in a "hands-on"
micro-computer laboratory environment using special simulation software. Applications to
perceptual, cognitive, computational, and neuroscience problems. Emphasizes creative applications of these research methodologies.
Prerequisites: Linear Algebra and Computer Programming Experience is
recommended but not required. (3-0) T
ACN 6312 (HCS 6312, PSYC 6312) Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain
Sciences - Part I (3 semester hours). Applying,
understanding, and interpreting various statistical techniques in behavioral
science context. Participants have the opportunity to learn appropriate
statistical details for basic descriptive and inferential statistics, the
interrelationships among techniques, and computer skills required for data
analyses. (3-0) Y
ACN 6313 (HCS 6313, PSYC 6313) Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain
Sciences - Part II (3 semester hours) Topics in general linear modeling
including regression analysis correlation, simple analysis of variance,
factorial analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, between and within
subject designs, and multiple regression. Prerequisite: ACN/HCS 6312 or consent
of instructor. (3-0) Y
ACN 6316 (HCS 6316, PSYC 6316)
Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences–Part III (3 semester hours) Applying, understanding, and interpreting
various advanced multivariate statistical techniques in brain
and behavioral science contexts. Includes principle component
analyses, simple and multiple correspondence analyses, partial least square
regression, discriminant analyses, and structural equation modeling. (3-0) R
ACN 6319 (HCS 6319, PSYC 6319)
Scientific Writing (3 semester hours) Scientific writing of articles for
publication. (3-0) Y
ACN 6322 (HCS 6322) Computational Models of Language Understanding (3
semester hours). Probabilistic methods for natural language
understanding. Use of the MATLAB computer language for
instantiating specific knowledge-based computational theories of natural
language understanding. Emphasizes creative
applications of these research methodologies. Prerequisites: Computer
Programming Experience is recommended but not required. (3-0)
T
ACN 6341 Human Computer Interactions I (3 semester hours) Methods and
principles of human-computer interaction (HCI), user-centered design (UCD), and
useability evaluation. Provides broad overview of HCI and how HCI
informs UCD processes throughout product development lifecycle. (3-0) T
ACN 6342 Human Computer Interactions II (3 semester hours) Detailed exploration of human-computer interaction (HCI)
through readings in journal articles and research reports. Practical experience
in methodology typically used in the design of usable systems. (3-0) T
ACN 6343 Human Computer Interactions Lab (3 semester hours) Provides
students with resources to learn and perform hands-on, lab-based techniques
such as usability testing and cognitive walkthroughs. Emphasizes
creative applications of these research methodologies as well as the
development of critical thinking skills in a usability engineering context.
(3-0) T
ACN 6347 (HCS 6347) Intelligent Systems Analysis (3 semester hours).
Mathematical tools for investigating the asymptotic behavior of both
deterministic and stochastic nonlinear dynamical systems. Topics include:
artificial neural network architectures, Lyapunov stability theory, nonlinear
optimization theory, stochastic approximation theory, and the Gibbs Sampler. Emphasizes development of advanced analytic skills and mathematical
reasoning abilities. Prerequisites: ACN/HCS 6348
(or equivalent) or consent of instructor. (3-0) T
ACN 6348 (HCS 6348) Neural Net Mathematics (3 semester hours).
Vector calculus and vector calculus-based probability theory with artificial
neural network modeling applications. Emphasizes development
of advanced analytic skills and mathematical reasoning abilities. Intended to provide mathematics preparation for ACN/HCS 6347 and
ACN/HCS 6349. Prerequisites: Either: (1) Linear algebra,
multivariable calculus, STAT 5351, ACN/HCS 5314, or (ii) consent of instructor. (3-0) T
ACN 6349 (HCS 6349) Intelligent Systems Design (3 semester hours) Mathematical
tools for the design and evaluation of artificially intelligent deterministic
and stochastic nonlinear dynamical systems for the purposes of building
computational models in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and artificial
intelligence. Topics include Markov Random Field probability representations
and asymptotic mathematical statistical theory for parameter estimation, model
selection, and hypothesis testing. Prerequisites: ACN/HCS 6347 or consent
of instructor. (3-0) T
ACN 6351 (HCS 6351) Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience (3 semester
hours) Data analysis techniques relevant to neuroscience. Topics may
include: fourier/wavelet analysis, differential equations, and statistical data
analysis methods. May be repeated for credit with
permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: ACN/HCS 6312 or consent of
instructor (3-0) R
ACN 6372 (HCS 6372) The Neuroscience of Pain (3 semester hours) A systems-oriented course covering the
anatomical and physiologic basis of pain. The course emphasizes the similarities and differences between the
different forms of pain and describes the basic features of neural processing
of pain signals in the spinal cord and brain, the anatomy and the function of
the descending systems that can control transmission of pain signals, and
peripheral and central sensitization. The physiological and molecular basis for
treatment of pain is discussed. (3-0) Y
ACN 6373 (HCS 6373) Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring I (3
semester hours).
The anatomical and physiological basis for the use of
electrophysiological techniques in intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring
and in diagnosis of disorders affecting the nervous system. (3-0) Y
ACN 6374 (HCS 6374) Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring II (3
semester hours). The use of recordings of
neuro-electric brain potentials and their interpretation for diagnostic
purposes and for intraoperative monitoring. Prerequisite: One of the
following: HCS/ACN 6346 Systems Neuroscience, HCS/ACN 6344 Functional Human Neuroanatomy, or HCS/ACN 6373. (3-0) Y
ACN 6399 (HCS 6399, PSYC 6399) Research Ethics and Scientific Integrity
(3 semester hours) An interactive, intensive course designed to cover
critical issues related to human subjects, animal welfare, research design,
accountability of scientific actions and fraud. Course designed for
individuals intending research careers in academia or industry. (3-0) Y
ACN 7324 (COMD 7324, AUD 7324)
Seminar in Cochlear Implants and Technology for Persons with Hearing
Impairments (3 semester
hours) Overview of prosthetic alternatives to conventional amplification for
individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Topics include
candidacy determination, technology, programming/fitting of
devices, aural (re)habilitation, and awareness of controversial areas
related to cochlear implantation. (3-0) Y
ACN 7335 (HCS 7333) Computational Neuroscience (3 semester hours)
Introduction to state-of-the-art computer methods for simulation of
biologically realistic neuronal dynamics. Students must demonstrate some
degree of computer skills. (3-0) R
ACN 7367 (HCS 7367) Speech Perception Laboratory (3 semester hours)
Introduction to the field of speech processing by computer, with primary
application to research techniques in the study of speech perception.
(0-9) T
Elective
and Specialization Area Courses
Note
that the following list only represents a subset of the possible approved
elective and specialization area courses. Students in the Applied Cognition and
Neuroscience program should select their elective and specialization area
coursework in consultation with their faculty advisor or the ACN Program Head.
All courses with an HCS (Human Development and Communication Sciences) prefix
area are automatically approved elective courses. Coursework outside the
ACN
6160 Neurobiology (1
semester hour) A self-paced course providing the neurobiological foundation for
the study of speech-language pathology. This course may only be taken pass/fail. (Open to COMD
students only) (1-0) R
ACN 6310 (HCS 6310) Fundamentals of Functional Brain Imaging (3 semester
hours) This course covers topics such as principles of tracer techniques,
neuroimaging instrumentation, safety issues, brain physiology (perfusion,
metabolism, and receptor function), image processing and analysis, fundamentals
of SPECT, PET and fMRI, and critical evaluation of the functional neuroimaging
literature. (3-0) Y
ACN 6331 (HCS 6331, PSYC 6331) Cognitive
Development (3 semester
hours) Survey of cognitive development theories and research in a
variety of domains including perception, memory, language, and problem solving. (3-0) Y
ACN 6332 (HCS 6332, PSYC 6332) Perception (3 semester hours)
Psychophysical, neurophysiological, and computational foundations of sensation
and perception.
Basic senses of vision, audition, chemoreception, and tactile
processing, with emphasis on understanding the processes that take us from
neurons to perception and action. (3-0) R
ACN 6333 (HCS 6333, PSYC 6333) Memory (3 semester hours)
Theoretical frameworks for knowledge acquisition and representation. Includes information processing and neuropsychological
perspectives. (3-0) T
ACN 6334 (HCS 6334) Attention (3 semester hours) Theory and
evidence on the study of attention especially in human vision and audition.
Includes perceptual learning, information processing, and
neuropsychological approaches. (3-0) R
ACN 6339 (HCS 6339, PSYC 6339) Psycholinguistics
(3 semester hours) Classic
and current research in psycholinguistics. Includes concepts from linguistics, the biological bases of
speech and language processing, and child language acquisition. Hands-on exercises include labs on speech perception,
language acquisition, and language comprehension. (3-0) R
ACN 6340 (HCS 6340) Cellular Neuroscience (3 semester hours) Basic
neural biology and physiology and principles of synaptic transmission. (3-0) Y
ACN 6355 (HCS 6355, PSYC 6355) Judgment and Decision Making (3 semester
hours) This course examines human inferences,
judgments, decisions, and the processes by which we arrive at them. It will
focus on the fact that our social judgments are not based on the laws of
probability and chance, but on other cognitive processes that may have serious
shortcomings in important inferential and decision-making tasks. We will also
see that these processes, while ecologically efficient, systematic and often
predictable, are imperfect in today’s data-rich environment. (3-0)
T
ACN 6363 (HCS 6363) Text Comprehension Seminar (3 semester hours)
Current readings in the field of text comprehension and memory.
May be repeated for credit with instructor’s permission.
(3-0) T
ACN 6367 (HCS 6367, PSYC 6367) Speech Perception (3 semester hours) Current
topics and theories in speech perception. Topics include the acoustic
correlates of speech sounds and the problem of invariance, the perception of
speech under adverse conditions, the effects of hearing impairment, and models
of speech perception. (3-0) T
ACN 6368 (HCS
6368, PSYC 6368) Language Development (3 semester hours) Advanced study of normal oral
language development. Focus on research in child language
and recent theories of language acquisition. Prerequisite: Consent of
instructor. (3-0) Y
ACN 6V81 Special Topics in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience (1-9
semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. May be
repeated for credit as topics vary. ([1-9]-0) S
ACN 7330 (HCS 7330) Advanced Functional Brain Imaging (3 semester hours) This
course explores more in-depth topics such as neuroimaging detection systems,
clinical applications of functional neuroimaging, experimental design,
statistical techniques in image analysis and reviews of pertinent literature
using functional brain imaging to illuminate various cognitive and perceptual
processes, such as language, memory, hearing and vision. (3-0)
R
ACN 7343 (HCS 7343) Neuropharmacology (3 semester hours) Biology of
neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Includes
ionotropic and metabotropic coupling of all known classes of receptors to both
their cellular and systemic effects. Clinical efficacy, side effects,
and other issues related to drug use and abuse are covered. Prerequisite: Consent
of Instructor or either: ACN/HCS 6340 or ACN/HCS 6346. (3-0) T
Internship
ACN
7V71 Industry Internship
May be repeated for credit. This course may only be taken pass/fail.
([1-6]-0)
ACN