PSY4314 – Research communication in cognitive neuroscience
Course content
Dissemination and communication of research to the public constitutes one of the core functions of the university. Neuroscientists engage in conversations with society through writing, talks, and participation in media, thus benefiting various parts of our community. Communication skills also benefit scientists. Communicating your own work makes you more aware of what you are actually working on. Communicating general topics to people who are not familiar with psychology and neuroscience helps you broaden your scope, and inspires new research questions. Communicating your skills may also come in handy when applying for jobs inside and outside of academia. In this course, you will learn some of the genres of research communication and dissemination within various media, including popularized essays, op-eds, public talks and interviews. Students will read and discuss examples from various sources, from Oliver Sacks to op-eds on currents topics, then write and read each other’s texts, as well as giving talks and interview each other. The course is set up as a workshop, with a lot of student participation.
Learning outcome
The students will learn to:
1) characterize different genres of writing and oral communication
2) write about difficult scientific topics in an easy-to-read manner
3) extend their scientific knowledge to new problems in life and society
4) trust their own grasp of cognitive neuroscience as well as respecting their own boundaries in the face of controversy.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
10 seminars of 2 hours each.
Examination
The examination is in the form of a term paper submission, consisting of two written papers. The students work on different written assignments during the semester, and will then choose two of these to submit at the end of the semester.
Examination support material
Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.