MSc Courses in the Department of Psychology

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1 School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences - MSc Courses in the Department of Psychology This brochure is designed to tell you about the MSc courses available in the Department of Psychology at The University of Reading. We hope that reading this brochure will make you eager to find out more about pursuing postgraduate study at The University of Reading. Contact details for further information can be found on the back pages. We'll be very happy to hear from you.

2 About the Department The Department of Psychology in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at The University of Reading is one of the UK's top Psychology departments. We have been top rated for both our research and our teaching in the latest external reviews. We have a variety of research and teaching interests and a long-standing reputation for excellence in experimental psychology, perception, learning, memory, and skilled performance. In more recent years, research has strengthened in the field of developmental psychology, ageing, virtual reality and multimedia interactions. Developmental research interests include psychopathology, perceptual & motor disorders, and language. Ageing research includes projects in perceptual and cognitive changes in normal ageing and neurodegenerative diseases. We have established strong links with other University Departments including Computer Science, Cybernetics, Health & Social Care, Food Biosciences, and Animal & Microbial Sciences, as well as with local hospitals, Health Authorities, government research institutes, and national & international businesses. These offer an exciting range of research opportunities. The School has been very successful in attracting external research funding: our grant income averages around 1,000,000 per annum and we employ over 40 research staff. In addition, we have a large number of active postgraduate students and our MSc courses are ESRC recognised for postgraduate training. We typically win around 5 or 6 studentships per year from Research Councils (ESRC, MRC, ), and a number of University funded studentships. We are based at Earley Gate on the main Whiteknights campus in a new purposedesigned building which offers specialist laboratory accommodation. To complement this, our research centre in Brain, Behaviour and Health provides facilities to support cutting-edge research into infant development, childhood disorders, healthy ageing and adult disorders. The emphasis on clinical research will be enhanced by links with local NHS facilities and professionals. Our School is also collaborating with Psychology departments at Royal Holloway, Surrey and Brunel to provide fmri scanning facilities, housed at Royal Holloway, which are available to researchers from the four departments. Why study at Reading? We provide a stimulating and supportive environment in which to conduct your research, with a number of purpose-built laboratories, extensive computing and full technical and administrative services. Our monitoring procedures support and encourage the successful pursuit of your research degree programme. Above all, we regard our postgraduate students as valuable and important members of the School, and will encourage you to become an integral part of our research community, and support you in your endeavours to become a well-qualified and successful member of the wider research environment. 2

3 Graduate facilities We offer a wide range of facilities for experimental, computational, and observational research, including a number of specialist laboratories (e.g. motor skills, virtual reality, babylabs ) and a large observation room, as well as a number of smaller, well-equipped laboratory facilities. There is excellent computing provision with access to external networks and databases, and a comprehensive reprographic service. Research Our three Research Groups support intra- and inter-group collaborations, and we cooperate actively in postgraduate supervision with other University departments. We also have well-established contacts with local schools and the health services. Access to participants for research projects is greatly facilitated by our Undergraduate Research Panel and by panels of infants and older people from the local community. Additionally, we can provide supervised access to many people suffering from neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer s, following specific training for this research. Moreover, we have many collaborative projects with colleagues in other UK universities, research institutes, and commercial enterprises which benefit our students. Cognition This group has a particular focus on Memory & Learning, with interests in both normal and impaired behaviours across the lifespan. Current research projects include: representation of intended actions in healthy older adults and Alzheimer sufferers; implicit object recognition; perceptual processing; problem solving; reasoning and decision-making. The Social and Applied Cognition Subgroup has interests in social cognition; risk taking in driving behaviours; cognitive aspects of situation awareness; the presentation of health and risk information, and health psychology. Recent Cognition Research Funded by The relationship between mere exposure and explicit memory ESRC Recognition-based Decision-making Leverhulme Trust Teaching probabilistic reasoning Nuffield Foundation Speech-read grouping effects in short-term memory Nuffield Foundation A comparative approach to investigating differential liability IMI knowledge transfer between aerospace and construction Individual differences in driving behaviours AA Foundation Communication of health information and risk EU Developmental Psychology Research in Developmental Psychology thrives at Reading. We are probably the largest multi-disciplinary group in the UK for the study of infancy, with particular strength in the area of developmental psychopathology. Research topics include: the impact of maternal communication on child development; preventive interventions for postnatal depression and its effects on child development; visual development; language acquisition; social development in infancy; development of memory; dyslexia; dyspraxia, and attention disorders in children. 3

4 Recent Developmental Research The intergenerational transmission of affective disorder Neural network modelling of the development of accommodation and vergence The role of maternal speech in early word learning The Winnicott Research Unit Community-based mother-infant intervention in South Africa The intergenerational transmission of anxiety disorders Foetal and maternal influences on infant state regulation Books and toys to enhance early visual recognition and language learning Funded by MRC ESRC Tedworth Trust Wellcome Trust NHS Executive Foundation for SIDS Dorling Kindersley Ltd Behavioural Neuroscience This group has sub-groups covering a range of areas, including: investigations of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying human behaviour and the impact of drugs on behaviour; and visuo-spatial learning and memory, and biological basis of emotion, language and memory. Human perception and movement projects include perceptual deficits in Parkinson's Disease; perception of 3D sound and speech; visual control in sport and driving, and the design of 3D virtual reality interfaces. Recent Behavioural Neuroscience Research Perirhinal and postrhinal cortex: two cortical systems for visual learning Endocannabinoid involvement in the regulation of appetite Scenes, places, paths and episodes: memory and the hippocampal complex Assessment and rehabilitation of cognitive and motor skills following stroke Supporting natural vision in teleremote environments Adaptive 3D computer environments and rehabilitation systems Visual and non-visual information for the control of steering Haptic cues in multi-point interactions with virtual and remote objects Speech perception in virtual auditory spaces Funded by BBSRC BBSRC Wellcome Trust BBSRC MSc The Department of Psychology at The University of Reading offers a suite of MSc courses based on our departmental research strengths. These are: MSc in Research Methods in Psychology MSc in Clinical Aspects of Cognition MSc in Psychology of Early Development MSc in Developmental Psychopathology These modular courses are designed to extend your practical and theoretical understanding of psychological research. You will specialise in research methods, or in one of three areas of excellence in the School, getting hands-on experience and learning practical skills side-by-side with internationally recognised researchers. 4

5 Our long-running MSc in Research Methods in Psychology delivers a wide range of key research skills in a modular, practical course. Most assignments are by coursework, and the course is designed to equip you with a wide range of problem-solving skills across many psychological disciplines. The three other specialist MSc courses are designed to be relevant to both pure research and to topics of fundamental importance in various fields of applied psychology - in particular, health, developmental and clinical psychology, and rehabilitation. On completion of your MSc, you will be well-placed to continue as a research scientist, or in any job demanding a combination of psychological knowledge and strong analytical skills. All four MSc courses are accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as research training. We firmly believe that a good grounding in research methods is necessary for the proper understanding of psychological research. All of our courses therefore give you the theoretical understanding and the methodological tools you will need, in a closely integrated manner. MSc modules offered Our MSc courses all share a number of core modules, which are listed below. Each MSc course also has a number of compulsory modules. Top-up module choice will generally be made from all remaining available modules to a total of 180 credits in all. Modules currently contributing to the course are listed below. Eventual selection of modules will reflect your chosen specialism. All modules are 10 credits unless otherwise specified. Compulsory top-up modules for each course are noted with the relevant code (R - research methods, C - clinical aspects, E - early development, D - developmental psychopathology). Core Modules taken by all Research Methods & Transferable Skills in Psychology (20 credits) Theoretical Issues for Psychologists Data Collection & Analysis 1 Data Collection & Analysis 2 Qualitative & Quantitative Data Empirical Project (60 credits) Other Modules available Research Design and Data Management (placement) Data Collection & Analysis 3 Computerised Experimentation Scientific Communication in Psychology Methods in Clinical Psychology Methods in Developmental Psychology Methods in Cognition Methods in the Study of Perception Child Development Developmental Aspects of Cognition R R R (any 3 of), D (one of) R (any 3 of), D (one of), E R (any 3 of), C R (any 3 of) E, D E 5

6 Cognitive Neuropsychology Clinical Neuropsychology Development of Psychopathology Topics in Developmental Psychopathology C C D D For example, if you select the MSc in Research Methods, you will take all of the core modules, plus Research Design and Data Management (placement) and Computerised Experimentation, plus three of the four Methods modules, plus one other top-up module, freely chosen from all those listed. MSc teaching and assessment All module teaching takes place in the first two terms (i.e. between October and April). Methods of teaching and assessment are designed to build up your skills, knowledge and confidence. For example, one of your first written assignments will be a critical evaluation of a piece of research chosen by you - not dissimilar to the kind of thing you may be familiar with from undergraduate days (though at a higher level). But you will quickly move on: next, you will produce a plan for an original piece of research and receive feedback from active researchers on your ideas. Worried about statistics? We rate our research methods teaching as some of the best available and an early activity will be an initial health check on your statistical awareness. Other assessment types include: A placement within an active research group - after which you write a brief report Writing abstracts of School seminars given by visiting researchers, often of international standing Conducting research - you undertake a group project Self-paced statistics and methods assignments Essays - for instance on theoretical issues for psychologists Examinations - in modules in which psychological content is particularly important An empirical research project. MSc research project Between April and September you work closely with your supervisor to conduct an empirical research project in your chosen specialism - (Research Methods students may choose any topic under active research in the School). One third of the course weight is given to the project. Project topics are highly varied, reflecting the breadth and depth of supervision available. We expect your project to be of a publishable standard. Recent topics have included: Maternal interaction style and cognitive vulnerability to depression Word learning in infancy Childhood anxiety and adjustment to school life Dyspraxia in school children Reading and spelling in children with autistic spectrum disorder Autobiographical memories of childhood Recognition-based decision-making Mathematical ability in English and Chinese speakers A meta-analysis of treatments for binge eating Chronic PTSD amongst refugees 6

7 Driving and risk-taking Implicit memory and advertising Risk communication and medicine taking MSc - how you apply There is no set deadline for applications but once the course is full we cannot accept any more applicants. It s therefore wise to apply as early as possible. Details of contact addresses etc will be found at the end of this document. Admission criteria Applicants will normally have at least a 2:1 (or 3.0 GPA) in Psychology or a related subject. MSc students may be offered the opportunity to transfer to MPhil or PhD registration after a year, if they wish, depending on their progress. The minimum total period of registration, including the MSc year, will be three years (PhD) or two years (MPhil). Fees and Funding MSc fees for the 2005/6 session were 3085 p.a. (full-time) or 1697 p.a. (part-time) for UK and EU students, and p.a. (full-time) or 5775 p.a. (part-time) for overseas students. It is likely that these will be increased for the 2006/7 and 2007/8 academic years. Up-to-date information on fees is available at: Bursaries may be available to both full-time and part-time applicants who make early applications. To apply for these simply state your interest in a covering letter with your application. The number of bursaries is limited and will vary each year. In some cases a bursary may cover the UK fees; smaller bursaries will contribute to study costs. Bursaries do not cover living costs. The University of Reading also offers a number of studentships to overseas students each year. For further details see: Contact Details: School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences Dr Rachel McCloy MSc Course Directors The University of Reading School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences Whiteknights Reading RG6 6AL School Main Tel: +44 (0) Direct Tel: Fax: r.a.mccloy@reading.ac.uk The University of Reading For information about the University in general: see University Main Tel: +44 (0)