Cognitive Science and Philosophy of AI MA

Core modules:
- Dissertation
- Foundations of Mind: Cognitive Science, Philosophy, and AI
- Consciousness, Cognition and Artificial Intelligence

Optional modules:

Fundamentals of Cognition

The module provides an overview of the fundamental issues in cognitive neuroscience and its contributory disciplines. The approach taken is in terms of its development over the past 50 years, providing an overview of the key concepts in the information processing approach and in cognitive science, followed by an analysis of the advances that have been made recently using cognitive neuroscience techniques. Topics include: fundamental issues in cognition (memory, attention, learning, language); theoretical approaches including cognitive neuropsychology, symbolic and sub-symbolic modelling; and methodological issues.

15 credits

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

The module provides an introduction to core aspects of contemporary neuroscience, and it will consider the current state of knowledge in the field, central theoretical issues and key practical approaches. Topics that are discussed include: neural signalling, sensation and sensory processing, movement and its central control, the 'changing brain' (development and plasticity in the nervous system) and complex brain functions.

15 credits

Neural Dynamics and Computation

This module starts with a primer on neuroscience and the role of computational neuroscience. The module will cover various modelling approaches, from classic biologically plausible to abstract-level models of neurons. The module will then move to higher levels of modelling approaches, such as neural networks and reinforcement learning. While the module emphasises methodological issues and how models can be built, tested and validated at each level, we will also draw connections to specific brain regions to motivate and illustrate the models.

15 credits

Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience

Researchers in Cognitive Neuroscience use a range of different methods and techniques to better understand the biological processes underpinning cognition. An understanding of the differences between these methods, and their advantages and disadvantages when addressing different research questions, is critical for being able to understand existing research as well as designing and conducting novel research projects. 

This module provides an introduction to a range of state-of-the-art methods used in cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience research, such as EEG, eye-tracking, and tDCS. The module comprises a mix of lectures introducing each technique, demonstrations where students will gain hands-on exposure to cognitive neuroscience equipment, and seminars where students present a recent scientific article using that method. By the end of the module, students will have acquired the knowledge and understanding of a range of cognitive neuroscience methods, their benefits and pitfalls, and be able to use that gained understanding to critically evaluate published research and design new studies. 

15 credits

Neurocognitive Modelling

This module concerns inferring and modelling neural and cognitive processes underlying human behaviour using computational means. One part of the module will cover normative models, which allow us to solve problems optimally along with their neural or cognitive representations. The other part of the module will focus on cognitive models, which involve fitting models to behavioural data to estimate latent parameters that are assumed to underlie the data and allow us to make inferences about their properties.

15 credits

Current Issues in Psychological Research

This unit describes how multiple research methods can address current debates in Psychological research. Sessions will cover a current debate and illustrate how research being conducted at the University of Sheffield and further afield is contributing to and shaping these debates. Group activities and discussions, will allow students to develop a position on contemporary debates in Psychology, informed by various research methods. Individual written work will allow students to explore one of the debates in depth allowing them to weigh up evidence, take a position on the debate and make suggestions for next research steps.The module will encourage critical appraisal, collaborative discussion and individual articulation of a position on contemporary debates in Psychology.

15 credits

Current Issues in Applied Linguistics

Current Issues in Applied Linguistics' offers students an opportunity to reflect upon, and debate, contemporary questions related to language research and language education.

The module is designed to stimulate critical thought, ask questions, advance opinions, and generally scratch our heads over some of the knottier problems in language and social life. The aim will be to explore critical current issues and social problems through the lens of language. The module seeks to introduce students to the diversity of research in Applied Linguistics, while representing the expertise of the scholars who will teach them on their degree programme. Topics will vary from year to year, covering diverse fields like language awareness, language acquisition, critical linguistics, language norms, 'correctness' and normativity, interculturality, linguistic imperialism and the global business of TESOL.

15 credits

Plus the below:
- Introduction to AI for the Humanities
- Ethics of AI and Contemporary Technology
- Advanced Statistics
- Approaches to Philosophy
- New Directions in Philosophy
- Thought, Language and Reality
- Ethics and Practical Philosophy
- Political Theory
- Language Learning and Acquisition
- Discourse Analysis
- Intercultural Communication