TREATMENT PROTOCOLS FOR NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS - 2025/6

Module Overview

Please note: This module is part of the Neuroscience stream of Level 6 optional modules and may not be running every year. In some years an alternative optional module within the Neuroscience stream may be offered instead.

This module will offer an advanced overview of neuroimaging and neurostimulation techniques used in cognitive neuroscience and the clinical conditions they are used to treat. Specifically, the module will discuss the treatment of depression, chronic pain and visual disorders such as cortical blindness and neglect. In addition, it will offer hands-on training in the use of transcranial brain stimulation during classroom tutorials.

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

SILVANTO Juha (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 40

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:
• Neuropsychological disorders such as depression, chronic pain, blindsight and neglect
• Theoretical background of neuroimaging and stimulation techniques
• Treatment of clinical disorders with state-of-the-art brain stimulation techniques
• Hands-on training on brain stimulation techniques

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Students who take temporary suspension partway through this module may not be able to complete the remaining classes for this module on their return if it is not running in the following academic year. Such students will have the choice to take a replacement module, or, if they have already completed an assessment for the original module, to attend classes from a new optional module within the same stream (area of psychology) and complete an alternative assessment based on this content that meets the learning outcomes of the original module. The specific alternative assessment will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of the application of neuroscience techniques for the treatment of neurological conditions, including best practices for designing neuroscience treatment protocols use with humans. It is also designed to develop students' ability to work collegiately as part of a team, to present work individually, demonstrate effective communication skills, and design an appropriate poster to communicate ideas effectively.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Poster - students will work in groups to develop a rehabilitation protocol using brain stimulation techniques, and then each student will design and present an individual poster to communicate this protocol (learning outcomes 3,4,5).

• Exam – a one-hour seen exam will assess your knowledge and critical engagement with the module content (learning outcomes 1, 2) with a 4-page limit.

 

Formative assessment and feedback:

The students will have two in-class sessions where they are provided with formative feedback on all the sections of their poster presentations. Students will be offered extensive formative feedback during each lecture on the use of neuroscience techniques and class discussions.

Module aims

• To provide students with an understanding of state-of-the-art neuroscience techniques used to treat clinical conditions affecting the brain
• To provide hands-on training in the use of tools frequently used in clinical and cognitive neuroscience
• To provide an understanding of how effective neuroscience experiments and treatment protocols are designed

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The core material will be delivered through weekly seminars in an interactive manner, and students will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas with the teaching staff. This will help them to develop a solid understanding of the module content.  



 



In some of the seminars, students will form groups and work together on a presentation which they will present to the whole class in the last week. They are supported in this by teaching staff who engage with them constructively, helping them to develop and fine-tune their ideas. A supportive environment will encourage group discussion and interactions to share opinions and develop their ideas. Specifically, teaching staff will guide the students in their work towards identifying a gap in the existing literature, developing a hypothesis, and to design an experiment to test these hypotheses. The resultant student outcomes will be increased resourcefulness, confidence and knowledge of the research design process.  Formative feedback will be also offered during these sessions.  



  



At the end of the module, students will present their work to their peers (see assessment below). 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSY3118

Other information

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.