PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Cognitive and Decision Sciences
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2014 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Brain Sciences
Parent Department:
Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/study/masters/TMSPSYSCDS01
(if applicable)
Method of study:
FULL-TIME and PART-TIME
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
2.1/1st at degree level
Length of the programme:
1 year full-time
2 year part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
This programme consists in eight taught modules in total: six
mandatory core modules and two optional modules. Each module will
be assessed through either one written essay or unseen exam. There
is also a mandatory dissertation/ research project.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
MSc Cognitive and Decision Sciences
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The course will prepare students for both academic research in the cognitive and decision sciences, and provide a
basis for the application of this research in applied settings in a range of areas including marketing, finance, and
public policy.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Key principles of cognitive science;
normative principles of decision making;
relation of cognitive science to decision
making.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars, involving lecture presentations; student
presentation; discussion of key papers; supervised
dissertation
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Dissertation
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Understanding relation between
normative and descriptive models.
Understanding nature and objectives of
computational modeling. Understanding
the logic of experimental design and
analysis.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars; practical experimental, statistical and
computational work; supervised dissertation
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Dissertation
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Statistical analysis; computer
programming (matlab); experimental
design and implementation
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Practical experimental, statistical and computational
work; supervised dissertation
Assessment:
Formative: Problem sheets and problem classes;
practical computational mini-projects
Summative: Dissertation
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Logical and probabilistic thinking; learning
how to evaluate hypotheses; learning
how to model complex phenomena;
computer programming; data analysis;
presentation writing; report writing
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars; practical experimental, statistical and
computational work; supervised dissertation
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Dissertation and practical experimental and
computational mini-projects
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/default.asp;
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/default.asp);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Prof Bradley Love
Name(s):
Dr Adam Harris
Date of Production:
August 2009
Date of Review:
October 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
22/9/08
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
20/10/14
November 2014