BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

The course introduces students to cognitive neuroscience, the discipline that investigates the neural bases of mental processes, through an approach specifically designed for students with a background in philosophy and prior familiarity with the fundamental concepts of cognitive psychology and cognitive science.
The aim of the course is not to train neuroscientists, but to provide students with the conceptual tools needed to critically engage with the neuroscientific literature, assess its philosophical implications, and understand the epistemological limits of claims made by neuroscience about the mind, consciousness, language, and behaviour.
The course follows a structured progression that, in line with the adopted textbook, moves from the main methods of cognitive neuroscience to core cognitive processes (perception, attention, memory, emotion, language), and then to more complex and philosophically relevant issues, such as cognitive control, consciousness, and free will.
Particular attention will be devoted to the relationship between neuroscientific data and theoretical models of the mind, with the aim of fostering a critical reflection on the potential and the limits of neuroscience in the study of cognitive phenomena.

By the end of the course, the student will have acquired a basic knowledge of the main concepts and theoretical models of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience.
The student will be able to:
- describe the main methods used in cognitive neuroscience and understand their potential and limitations
- explain the neural bases of major cognitive and emotional processes, such as perception, emotion, memory, and behavioral control
- understand the role of brain structures in cognitive processes and behavioral responses
- read and discuss scientific articles in the field of cognitive neuroscience
- connect neuroscientific findings to relevant theoretical and philosophical issues, such as consciousness and the relationship between mind and brain
- use the scientific terminology of cognitive neuroscience appropriately

A basic knowledge of the main concepts of general psychology or cognitive science is required, as it provides the foundation for understanding the theoretical models and processes addressed in the course.

The course addresses the main topics of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, with particular attention to the neural processes that support mental activity and regulate behavior.
The first part of the course is devoted to the organization of the nervous system and the fundamental principles of neural communication. The concepts of neuron, synapse, and neural transmission will be introduced in order to provide the biological foundations necessary for understanding cognitive and behavioral processes.
Subsequently, the course will focus on the main functional systems of the brain and on the cognitive and emotional processes that regulate behavior. Neural circuits underlying emotion and motivation, mechanisms of memory and learning, and processes supporting adaptation to the environment will be examined.
A specific part of the course will be devoted to the study of consciousness and states of consciousness, with particular attention to the theoretical and philosophical implications of neuroscience for understanding the mind.
The final part of the course will address behavior and its alterations, with reference to the main neuroscientific models that explain changes in cognitive and emotional processes.

The materials required for exam preparation will be made available on the Moodle platform in the form of lecture notes and study materials prepared by the instructor.
As a reference text for further reading, the following manual is suggested:
Maravita, A., Bolognini, N.
Fondamenti anatomo-fisiologici e neuroscienze del comportamento umano.
The use of the textbook is optional and is not required for the preparation of the examination.

Learning assessment is carried out through an oral examination.
The examination includes discussion of the course content and the presentation and critical discussion of a scientific article selected from those proposed during the course.
The assessment is designed to evaluate:
- knowledge of the theoretical content of the course
- the ability to understand and explain the main neuroscientific models
- the ability to read and critically discuss a scientific article
- the appropriate use of the scientific terminology of cognitive neuroscience
- the ability to connect course content to theoretical and philosophical issues
There is no distinction in the syllabus or examination requirements between attending and non-attending students.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

With regard to grading (i.e., the criteria used to assign final marks), the following standards apply, regardless of whether students attend the course or not:
A. Marks in the range 18–22 will be awarded when the student demonstrates:
– a sufficient level of knowledge and understanding of the course content;
– a limited ability to collect and/or interpret data and to formulate independent judgments;
– adequate communication skills, particularly in the use of discipline-specific terminology.
B. Marks in the range 23–26 will be awarded when the student demonstrates:
– a fair level of knowledge and understanding of the course content;
– a fair ability to collect and/or interpret data and to formulate independent judgments;
– satisfactory communication skills, particularly in the use of discipline-specific terminology.
C. Marks in the range 27–30 will be awarded when the student demonstrates:
– a good or excellent level of knowledge and understanding of the course content;
– a good or excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data and to formulate independent judgments;
– fully appropriate communication skills, particularly in the use of discipline-specific terminology.
D. Honours (30 cum laude) will be awarded when the student demonstrates excellent knowledge and understanding of the course content, as well as outstanding judgment and communication skills.

The course combines lectures with guided discussion sessions. Lectures are designed to introduce and discuss the main theoretical models of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and the neural processes that regulate human behavior. Some sessions will be devoted to the reading and discussion of scientific articles on specific topics, with the aim of fostering students’ active participation and developing their ability to critically interpret neuroscientific literature. Particular attention will be given to discussion and reflection on cognitive and behavioral processes in order to promote a critical understanding of the relationships between brain, mind, and behavior.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development