Introduction to Neuropsychology 380-ERA-7JUL

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• describe the basic aims, scope, and applications of neuropsychology;
• explain the relationship between brain structures, nervous system activity, cognition, emotion, and behavior;
• describe the basic organization of the nervous system, including the central and peripheral nervous systems;
• explain the basic structure and function of neurons and the process of neurotransmission;
• identify major brain regions and describe their role in selected cognitive and emotional processes;
• explain the concept of localization of function and discuss its strengths and limitations;
• describe the role of neuroplasticity in brain development, learning, recovery, and adaptation;
• explain the value and limitations of selected brain imaging techniques in studying human behavior;
• describe selected neuropsychological disorders and their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral consequences;
• understand the role of neuropsychological assessment in identifying cognitive strengths and difficulties;
• analyse simple case studies of brain injury or neurological disorders using basic neuropsychological terminology;
• discuss ethical issues related to neuropsychological research, assessment, and work with clinical populations;
• evaluate the strengths and limitations of biological explanations of behavior;
• apply basic neuropsychological knowledge to everyday contexts, such as learning, attention, memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making.

Methods and criteria for assessment:

• active involvement in discussions, demonstrations, exercises, and group activities;
• demonstration of engagement with course materials and understanding of key concepts in neuropsychology;
• preparation and facilitation, individually or in pairs, of a short classroom activity, case presentation, or mini-demonstration related to brain-behavior relationships, attention, memory, language, executive functions, neuroplasticity, brain imaging, or selected neuropsychological disorders;
• brief written description of the planned activity or case presentation, including its purpose, theoretical background, procedure or structure, expected learning outcome, ethical considerations, and practical relevance;
• ability to connect neuropsychological concepts with everyday academic, clinical, and social examples;
• ability to discuss strengths and limitations of biological and neuropsychological explanations of behavior;
• ability to interpret basic examples of neuropsychological symptoms and relate them to possible cognitive or brain mechanisms;
• overall assessment of practical application, reflection, participation, and conceptual understanding.

Assessment components:
• active participation and engagement - 30%;
• short classroom activity, case presentation, or mini-demonstration - 30%
• written description or short report connected with the activity - 25%
• reflective task on brain-behavior relationships and everyday functioning - 15%

Grading scale: 2-5

5.0 - Very good

The student demonstrates very good understanding of key concepts, theories, and methods in neuropsychology. They actively participate in classes, correctly apply neuropsychological terminology to practical examples, critically discuss research findings and case studies, and prepare a well-structured classroom activity, case presentation, or mini-demonstration with a clear purpose, procedure, theoretical background, and reflection.

4.0 - Good

The student demonstrates good understanding of the main concepts and theories in neuropsychology. They participate regularly, are able to apply selected concepts to examples, and prepare a classroom activity, case presentation, or mini-demonstration that is mostly clear and relevant, although some elements may require further development.

3.0 - Satisfactory

The student demonstrates basic understanding of selected concepts in neuropsychology. They participate to a limited but sufficient extent and show some ability to connect theory with practice. The classroom activity, case presentation, or written task is completed, but may be general, incomplete, or only partly connected with course content.

2.0 - Unsatisfactory / Fail

The student does not demonstrate sufficient understanding of the basic concepts and theories in neuropsychology. They show little or no active participation, fail to complete required tasks, or submit work that does not meet the minimum academic standards or is not clearly related to the course content.

Rules for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems in This Course

In accordance with Order No. 31 of the Rector of the University of Białystok dated April 11, 2025, the following rules apply to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems within the framework of this course:

1. Permissibility and scope of AI use:
• The use of AI systems is permitted for purposes that support the educational process, including but not limited to: language and stylistic correction of texts, machine translation, searching for academic sources, generating keywords, data analysis, simulations and coding, as well as formulating research problems.
• The automatic completion of all or part of coursework or other assignments by AI systems without the instructor’s permission is not allowed.

2. Rules for AI use in written work:
• Any use of AI systems in written assignments, essays, reports, projects, coursework, etc. must be clearly indicated and properly documented.
• The scope of use, for example summarizing sources, stylistic editing, assistance with text structure, and the manner of application, for example specific prompts used and method of result verification, must be specified.

3. Tasks that must be completed without AI:
• All tasks requiring individual assessment of critical thinking, data interpretation, formulation of original conclusions, and reflection must be completed independently, without the use of AI systems.
• This applies in particular to parts of the work intended to demonstrate the student’s original contribution, such as personal analyses, interpretation of case studies, interpretation of results, and theoretical reflections.

4. Responsibilities of Students:
• Students are required to independently verify the results generated by AI systems and bear full responsibility for their use.
• Upon request from the instructor, students must present documentation of AI use or provide an explanation.

5. Consequences of violations:
• In the case of unethical or non-compliant use of AI systems, the applicable regulations on disciplinary responsibility may be enforced.

Literature:
• Banich, M. T., & Compton, R. J. (2018). Cognitive Neuroscience. Cambridge University Press.
• Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2019). Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2021). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. Worth Publishers.
• Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., Bigler, E. D., & Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological Assessment. Oxford University Press.
• Pinel, J. P. J., & Barnes, S. J. (2021). Biopsychology. Pearson.
• Sacks, O. (1985). The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. Summit Books.
• Ward, J. (2020). The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience. Psychology Press.
• Zillmer, E. A., Spiers, M. V., & Culbertson, W. C. (2008). Principles of Neuropsychology. Wadsworth.

Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb:

• Strona przedmiotu 380-ERA-7JUL w USOSweb