Cognitive Neuroscience

The human brain and its ability to adapt to the demands of the environment is the core of our course. The course will provide an excellent platform to gain knowledge of the most recent developments particularly in the field of auditory cognitive neuroscience.

The course programme will focus on speech and music functions in the framework of neuroplasticity. It will introduce both short-term and long-term learning effects in both domains, and deal with the interplay between these highly important forms of human communication. Moreover, particular attention will be given to new findings related to training and rehabilitation in educational and neurological settings.

The course will consist of tutorials on brain research methods and lectures about current topics. Furthermore, there will be several demonstrations on practical laboratory work with modern brain imaging techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), optical imaging (OI), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Additionally, poster sessions in which the students have an opportunity to introduce their projects and research outcome will be organized. The teachers and lecturers are international specialists with excellent expertise in graduate teaching.

Students will receive recommended reading materials prior to the course. These materials help them follow the lectures and take actively part in general and group discussions. Furthermore, their contents will be elaborated by the learning diaries written during the course.

The course will be organized by:

Dr. Minna Huotilainen (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and University of Helsinki)
Prof. Teija Kujala (CICERO Learning and Cognitive Brain Research Unit, University of Helsinki)
Prof. Mari Tervaniemi (University of Helsinki and University of Jyväskylä)

Please notice that the NEW application deadline for this course is May 15, 2012.
As an essential part of the online application form you must write a motivation letter. Please, using max. 300 words, describe your educational background, current interest areas (e.g., the topic of your PhD thesis), and special benefits you anticipate that this course participation would give to you.
The applicants will be informed about the results by May 31, 2012.