Cognitive Neuroscience

Summary

Dr. Jung Shu Liu introduces cognitive neuroscience, a discipline bridging psychology and neurobiology, focusing on higher-order cognition and emotions at the brain region level. The course, Psych 400, with a prerequisite of introductory psychology, covers neural imaging methods like fMRI and EEG to study cognitive functions. It also explores topics like memory, attention, and language, preparing students for further studies or careers in academia and industry.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Jung Shu Liu is a psychology professor specializing in cognitive neuroscience at the Department of Behavioral Sciences.
• 📚 The course Psych 400: Cognitive Neuroscience has a prerequisite of introductory psychology and fulfills a major requirement for cognition concentration.
• 🧠 Cognitive neuroscience bridges the gap between psychology and neurobiology by focusing on higher-order cognitive functions like memory, attention, and language at the brain region level.
• 🔬 The course covers neural imaging methods such as fMRI, EEG, and MEG, which are used to visualize brain activity during cognitive tasks.
• 👨‍🔬 Research in cognitive neuroscience explores how different brain regions work together to support cognitive functions, using paradigms like face perception and memory encoding.
• 🏫 The course provides a foundation in neural anatomy, imaging methods, and cognitive functions, preparing students for further study or research in the field.
• 👩‍🔬 Students interested in cognitive neuroscience research can join the cognitive neuroscience lab at UM Dearborn, which is equipped with EEG and eye-tracking systems.
• 💡 Studying cognitive neuroscience can lead to a deeper understanding of the human mind, preparation for graduate studies, and skills in data analysis, programming, and imaging techniques.
• 🌟 The course is designed for undergraduates and is accessible for all students interested in the subject, regardless of their background.
• ❓ Professor Liu encourages students with questions about the course or research opportunities to reach out for further information.

Q & A

What is Jung Shu Liu's position at the university?

Jung Shu Liu is a psychology professor at the department of behavioral sciences.

What is the course code for the cognitive neuroscience course taught by Professor Liu?

The course code for the cognitive neuroscience course is Psych 400.

What is the prerequisite for Professor Liu's cognitive neuroscience course?

The prerequisite for the cognitive neuroscience course is introductory psychology.

How does cognitive neuroscience bridge the gap between psychology and neurobiology?

Cognitive neuroscience bridges the gap by focusing on higher-order cognition and emotions at the brain region level, rather than the cellular or subcellular levels.

What are some of the methods cognitive neuroscience relies on to study the brain?

Cognitive neuroscience relies on neural imaging methods such as fMRI, avenir, EEG, and MEG, which provide insights into brain activity during cognitive processing.

What is an example of a simple task used in Professor Liu's research to study brain activity?

An example of a simple task used in research is showing participants a face picture and observing the engagement of various brain regions.

What brain regions are typically engaged when participants look at a face picture in an fMRI study?

Brain regions engaged include the occipital regions due to visual processing and the hippocampus due to memory formation.

How does cognitive neuroscience differ from other disciplines like biopsychology and behavioral neuroscience?

While all these disciplines bridge biology and psychology, cognitive neuroscience specifically focuses on higher-level cognitive functions like memory, attention, and language, and often uses neural imaging methods.

What are some of the cognitive functions that will be studied in Professor Liu's course?

The course will study cognitive functions such as sensation, attention, memory, emotion, and language.

What opportunities does Professor Liu offer for students interested in cognitive neuroscience research?

Professor Liu offers opportunities for students to join her lab as research volunteers, independent study students, honor thesis students, or graduate students.

What are the potential benefits of studying cognitive neuroscience for students?

Studying cognitive neuroscience can help students better understand the human mind and psychology, prepare for graduate studies, and acquire skills in data analysis, programming, and imaging techniques that can be useful for industrial jobs.