Laboratory Practice Neuropsychophysiology

Code:

P205

Acronym:

PL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methodology

Instance: 2012/2013 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPSI	28	Official Curricular Structure	3	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This aims of this course are:

1. to show key-knowledge about the psychophysiological research method;

2. to describe the general characteristics of the psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological research, as well as the phases of the acquisition of the respective indexes;

3. to define the concepts of psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological techniques, indexes, acquisition, amplification, modulation, filtering, registering and analysis;

4. to recognize variables that can be studied from physiological and neurophysiological activity, as well as the neurophysiologic bases of the signals in question;

5. to know and put into practice polygraphic and electrophysiologic procedures for the registering of EEG, PE and BEAM, manipulating Independent Variables, analyzing data and interpreting results according to neuroscientific models.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course the students must be capable of: 1. showing key-knowledge about the psychophysiological research method; 2. describing the general characteristics of the psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological research, as well as the phases of the acquisition of the respective indexes; 3. defining the concepts of psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological techniques, indexes, acquisition, amplification, modulation, filtering, registering and analysis; 4. recognizing variables that can be studied from physiological and neurophysiological activity, as well as the neurophysiologic bases of the signals in question; 5. knowing and put into practice polygraphic and electrophysiologic procedures for the registering of EEG, PE and BEAM, manipulating Independent Variables, analyzing data and interpreting results according to neuroscientific models.

Working method

Presencial

Program

The syllabus is organized in two thematic modules: Module I 
- Conceptual and methodological frame - conceptual framework of the laboratorial practice in neuropsychophysiology; - methodological framework of the laboratorial practice in neuropsychophysiology; Module II
- practice training - polygraphy - practical research in psychophysiology using peripheral indexes (HR, SCR); - EEG, ERP and BEAM: practical research in psychophysiology using CNS indexes.

Mandatory literature

Castellar, J.; Una introducción a la Psicofisiologia Clinica (2ª Ed.), Ed. Pirâmide, 2000
Aranguena, L. & Dorado, J.; Psicofisiologia: Fundamentos Metodológicos, Ed. Pirâmide, 1995
Luck Steven J.; An^introduction to the event-related potencial technique. ISBN: 978-0-262-62196-0

Complementary Bibliography

Andreassi John L.; Psychophysiology. ISBN: 0-19-502581-4
Cacioppo John T. 340; Principles of psychophysiology. ISBN: 0-521-34432-8
Hugdahl Kenneth; Psychophysiology. ISBN: 0-674-72207-8

Teaching methods and learning activities

Besides independent study and tutorial support when requested by the student, classes are merely theoretical, theoretical with practice, and laboratorial practices, organized under the following pedagogical models: 1. Plenary lectures 2. Accompanied study and/or study based on multimedia resources 3. Literature search and reviews 4. Problem discussion 5. Demonstrations and experiments (including data treatment, analysis and interpretation) 6. Individual evaluation of knowledge and skills, at the end of each module.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Behavioural biology
Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Experimental psychology
Health sciences > Neuroscience > Neurophysiology
Health sciences > Neuroscience

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Module I examination	Teste	2,00	50,00
Module II examination	Teste	2,00	50,00
	Total:	-	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Classes	Frequência das aulas	23
Independent study	Estudo autónomo	54
	Total:	77,00

Eligibility for exams

In order to get approved, students must attend to 75% of the classes, at least.

Calculation formula of final grade

Individual assessment consisting of two tests, one at the end of each module, both ranked in a zero to 20 scale. The final classification (FC) is the entire result of the arithmetic mean of the ratings obtained in the two tests, i.e. FC = (T1 + T2) / 2. Will be approved the students whose final classification is equal or more than 10 and, cumulatively, have obtained a rating of at least 8.0 in each of the tests.

Examinations or Special Assignments

NA

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who also have jobs must submit to the same test assessments, at the same dates that are planned for the general students (classes at the end of each module). A can different hour negotiated, but must be requested through letter or email to the teacher, with a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

Classification improvement

Students may request new assessments for the purpose of improving the final classification in the year that follows the one in which approval was obtained.

Observations

Students who obtain a rating lower than 8.0 in any of the tests or a final classification lower than 9.5 values, have access to an appeal examination, which date and time will be communicated.