MSc in Music, Mind & Brain

What you'll study Core courses Module title Credits. Music Perception Music Perception 30 credits This module provides you with an understanding of how we perceive, represent and process sound with consideration of the relevant methodology. We start by considering the anatomy of the auditory system and the relationship between the physical attributes of sound and our perception of these. This provides the basis for considering how we perceive the elements of musical sound, such as pitch, rhythm and timbre. We consider how music perception is acquired, from infancy to adulthood and how music perception may differ cross-culturally. Complementary practical sessions provide the opportunity to understand classic paradigms from the field. 30 credits. Cognitive Neuroscience of Music Cognitive Neuroscience of Music 30 credits This module focuses on high level aspects of musical behaviour, including learning, memory, expectation, emotion, creativity and improvisation, from a cognitive neuroscience perspective. In particular, we will consider the relationship between expectation and emotion in music listening; the extent to which language and music are functionally related and the tools available to measure creative processes in musical performance. We additionally consider how (over) learning can result in the debilitating condition of musician’s dystonia, and also how music can be used in a clinical and rehabilitative setting. Complementary practical sessions provide an empirical angle to the module. 30 credits. Foundations of Neuroscience Foundations of Neuroscience 15 credits This module covers brain anatomy and functions and modern experimental techniques to study the neural basis of behaviour. Tutors: Professor Joydeep Bhattacharya and Dr Gianna Cocchini 15 credits. Statistics and Experimental Design Statistics and Experimental Design 15 credits This lecture module will cover the foundations of statistical theory and practice in research. You will cover statistical techniques in the lectures, and learn to implement these techniques using statistical software in computer-based tutorials and workshops. 15 credits. Research Design and Analysis Research Design and Analysis 15 credits The aim of this module is to provide understanding and skills related to research design and to provide extra support for design aspects of dissertation work. Topics include: basic concepts; non-experimental methods; experimental methods; quasi-experimental methods; ethical considerations; experience using online databases and other resources; a seminar on design and statistics as principled argument. Tutor: Dr Karina Linnell 15 credits. Research Skills Research Skills 15 credits This module provides you with the core skills needed to become a successful researcher. This is achieved via two complementary strands; the first strand covers fundamental research skills: seminars on bibliographic searching, essay writing, research report writing, oral presentation skills and career planning and lab sessions in which students conduct, analyse and write up an experiment from the field of music psychology. The second strand exposes students to cutting edge research in the field of music cognition and neuroscience via the Eminent Speaker Series and involves the opportunity to produce a collaborative report from the series for the Music, Mind and brain blog. 15 credits. Research Project Research Project 60 Credits This module provides you with the chance to design and pursue a substantial, independent research project on a topic of their choosing, with expert input from a nominated supervisor. You will be offered a selection of possible projects but are also encouraged to generate their own ideas. External supervision may also possible, in cases where students have links to outside institutions. 60 Credits. Assessment Written examinations; written coursework (essays); oral presentations; research dissertation. Download the programme specification for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.