Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the most exciting and fastest growing scientific fields and lends itself to be studied across many disciplines. It can provide insights into a myriad of aspects including consciousness, emotional processing, dysfunctional brain circuits and psychopathology, and neurobiological perspectives on creativity.
Core Courses
Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness + Lab
Fall/Spring, 6 Credits
Despite decades of scientific research and centuries of philosophical analysis, consciousness remains one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. What is consciousness and which brain mechanisms shape the unique sense of self, implicit in all our thoughts and perceptions? How can we transform the subjectivity of human experience to an objective topic of research? Through the lenses of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, we explore both conceptual and methodological perspectives of relevance to the study of human consciousness. We critically analyze the obstacles and challenges inherent to the study of consciousness.
Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity
Fall/Spring, 3 Credits
How do we understand creativity and the brain? This course asks you to explore and debate human creativity through neurobiological, cognitive, and psychological perspectives. Main topics include discussions of the definition of creativity, psychological and cognitive profiles of creative individuals, functional neuroanatomy, the neurochemistry of the creative processes, the neural correlates of creative thought, cognitive processes and lastly, cognitive strategies for optimizing creative output.
Neuroscience of Fear and Anxiety
Fall/Spring, 3 Credits
Fear and anxiety are related, multifaceted terms that can be explained anatomically, biologically, and psychologically. This course begins by exploring the differences and similarities between these two related experiences while illustrating their causes and effects on an anatomical and functional level. From here, we will explore the physiological, psychological, and evolutionary aspects underpinning them. Several theories and concepts behind unconsciousness, perception, and emotion are introduced in order to facilitate discussions covering fear and anxiety in everyday life, as well as their roles as a components of dysfunctional behaviors.
Core Course Study Tours
This program travels on Study Tours to the following destinations:
Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness:
- Week-Long Study Tour: Florence
- Core Course Week: Denmark
Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity:
Neuroscience of Fear and Anxiety:
Early in the semester, you delve into your academic focus during Core Course Week, in which you travel on a short Study Tour for three days in Denmark or a neighboring country, combined with a two-day seminar in Copenhagen. Later in the semester, you travel again with your Core Course on a week-long Study Tour in Europe.
While on tour, theories learned in the classroom come to life by meeting with professionals and experts in your field who contribute to furthering your understanding of course topics. Study Tours are hands-on and experiential, combining theory with practice, and expose you to additional cultural perspectives. You have the opportunity to visit sites and experts in your field of interest that you may not otherwise have access to.
Elective Courses
Add elective courses to complement your Core Course at DIS Copenhagen. You decide how to build your course load based on your needs and interests!
Electives range across disciplines and include research, workshops, studios, and even Exploration Electives, which come with a travel component.
Visit our website to view the full list of over 200 additional elective courses!
Prerequisites
Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness:
One course in neuroscience, physiological psychology, biological psychology, or cognitive psychology at university level.
Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity:
One course in neuroscience or psychology at university level.
Psychopharmacology: Substances and the Brain:
One year of biology or one course in either neuroscience, physiological psychology, or biological psychology, all at university level.
