inf963 - Foundations of STS Eng.: Cognitive Processes (Complete module description)

No participant requirement

The module aims to provide an overview of theories of cognitives processes.
Part 1 will be a lecture on neurocognition. Students will first acquire a general understanding of the brain mechanisms of different cognitive functions and the methods used to study these functions:

• brain and cognition, methods of cognitive neuroscience
• attention, learning and memory
• emotional and social behavior
• language, executive functions

Part 2 will be a lecture on neurophysiology. Students will acquire specific knowledge about neurophysiology and neuroanatomy, learn the fundamental concepts of multi-channel EEG analysis, and acquire hands-on skills in using EEGLAB, an open-source software toolbox for advanced EEG analysis. Competencies:

• understanding of basic concepts of biomedical signal processing;
• using EEG analysis tools interactively and independently;
• understanding the complete chain of EEG analysis steps, from data import to the illustration of results;
• ability to use open source tools for EEG analysis;
• application of theoretical knowledge to practical problems of physiology.

Part 3 will be a seminar on cognitive engineering. Students will be introduced to methods, tools, and techniques (MTTs) to evaluate and predict human performance in small use cases in different domains (Aviation, Air Traffic Control, Automotive, Maritime, or Healthcare). Each student is expected to study and apply the MTT based on material and software provided and present and discuss the modeling approach and the results achieved with the other participants and experts in the seminar.
Professional competences
The students:

• neuropsychological / neurophysiological knowledge

Methodological competences
The students:

• interdisciplinary knowledge & thinking

Social competences
The students:

• written and oral presentation and discussion of scientific and technical results with others.

Self-competences
The students:

• reading, understanding, summarizing and critically evaluating scientific texts/literature

Part 1 neurocognition: 

• Ward (2015) The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology Press 

Part 2 neurophysiology: 

• Kandel et al. (2000) Principles of Neural Science, McGraw-Hill 
• Luck, S.J. (2005) An Introduction to the ERP Technique, The MIT Press 
• Van Drongelen, W. (2006 .Signal Processing for Neuroscientists, Academic Press

Part 3 cognitive engineering: 

• Paternò, F (2000) Model-Based Design and Evaluation of Interactive Applications 
• Anderson, Matessa & Lebiere (1997)ACT-R: A Theory of Higher Level Cognition and its Relation to Visual Attention. In: Human Computer Interaction 
• Wickens & Hollands (2012) Engineering Psychology & Human Performance 
• Vicente, K (2002) Ecological interface design: progress and challenges. In: Human Factors 
• Vicente, K (1999) Cognitive Work Analysis: Toward Safe, Productive, and Healthy Computer-Based Work
• Card, Moran & Newell (1983) The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction, Stuat K. Card 

• Part 1 neurocognition: Ward (2015)
• The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology Press Part 2 neurophysiology: Kandel et al. (2000).
• Principles of Neural Science, McGraw-Hill Luck, S.J. (2005).
• An Introduction to the ERP Technique, The MIT Press Van Drongelen, W. (2006).
• Signal Processing for Neuroscientists, Academic Press Part 3 cognitive engineering: Paternò, F (2000).
• Model-Based Design and Evaluation of Interactive Applications Anderson, Matessa & Lebiere (1997).
• ACT-R: A Theory of Higher Level Cognition and its Relation to Visual Attention. In: Human Computer Interaction Wickens & Hollands (2012).
• Engineering Psychology & Human Performance Vicente, K (2002).
• Ecological interface design: progress and challenges. In: Human Factors Vicente, K (1999).
• Cognitive Work Analysis: Toward Safe, Productive, and Healthy Computer-Based Work Card, Moran & Newell (1983).
• The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction, Stuat K. Card 

The module will be offered in winter terms and should be completed within one semester. Both parts will run in parallel

At the End of the lecture periods

Written exam. A bonus system will be employed.