PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

The Second Cycle Degree Course in Psychobiology and Cognitive Neuroscience aims to perfect knowledge and use of the theoretical and methodological instruments needed for analysis, research and intervention in the fields of psychobiology, general and physiological psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology and neuropsychology. Accordingly, the course aims to develop professional competences of a multidisciplinary nature in the field of sciences that study individual mental processes and their biological basis in the various stages of the life cycle (from childhood to adult and old age). The aim is to train graduates with a solid grounding which combines psychobiology, general and experimental psychology, developmental physiology, physiology, neurobiology and behavioral biology, both in the field of basic research and in its applications. In particular, the course aims to train professionals capable of accessing the specialisation in psychotherapy, or capable of working as psychologists in medical and assistance facilities, both public and private, cooperating with medical staff, families and the community. A key objective from this standpoint involves the promotion of the scientific and methodological competences needed to adopt an evidence-based approach in assessing, planning and conducting socio-medical and assistance-based interventions autonomously. These training objectives will be achieved through advanced practice in the key fields of psychology (M-PSI/01, M-PSI/02, M-PSI/03, M-PSI/04, M-PSI/07) and in related and additional fields of a medical and biological nature (BIO/05, BIO/09, BIO/13, MED/25, MED/26). These competences must be acquired during the first year of the course, whilst more specific training will be supplied during the second year of the course. The specific training concerns two main areas:
1. the psychobiology of health in which conceptual and methodological instruments for the following will be provided:
-understanding and linking the foundations of the psychological, cognitive, biological and physiological sciences to problems related to psycho-physical wellbeing, health and illnesses;
-cooperating with specialists (clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors of various specialisations) to promote the psychological aspects of prevention, care and rehabilitation of children and adults suffering from illnesses and/or disabilities.
2. Neuroscience, in which conceptual and methodological instruments will be provided for:
-analysing the anatomical and functional characteristics of the cognitive functions using cognitive models, neurofunctional and electrophysiological investigation methods and psychometric instruments;
-training researchers with expert skills in designing and conducting experimental research in psychobiology and cognitive neuroscience.
A further key objective of the course involves promoting knowledge of English in the four linguistic skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking), which will be pursued both with traditional lessons and by attending seminars given in the original language. Lastly, the development of computer skills suited to performing the professional activities will also be promoted, for written and oral communication, document and information sharing, and using software for analysing data.