Animal cognition

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

André Ferrara

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

In 2020/21, we will examine several issues related to the use of a memory test used as part of an ongoing research project.
After an overview of the tests used to study learning and memory in animals, we will focus on the object recognition test.
Personal work will concern the use of the test within the framework of a problem to be defined by mutual agreement with the teacher. For example :

• effect of the timing of testing on animal performance --in connection with ethics in animal research-- (leading to internship and master thesis possibilities);
• study of the neurobiological basis of object recognition memory;
• interspecies comparisons;
• studies of different processes --encoding, storage, recall--;
• different adaptations of the test to improve validity;
• different adaptations to study different cognitive processes;
• etc.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Being able to draw up the theoretical context of the chosen issue. Ultimately, there is for the psychologist, an issue needing a behavioral and/or a cognitive assessment. How the assessment is practically realized in animal subjects? How are the behavioral aspects operationaly measured? Which inferences can we make on cognition from the observed behavior?
Know how to consider the advantages and pitfalls of a behavioral and cognitive test.
Being able to present an experimental design and understand its pros and cons.  

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Oral presentation.
Written report to write from personal readings and seminar discussions.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Attendance at the seminar is mandatory.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Written report to be submitted by a date fixed by mutual agreement (January).
Participation in the seminar via Blackboard Collaborate (eCampus)

Recommended or required readings

The bibliographical research constitutes the first step of this work.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam

- Remote

written work

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

In consultation with the teacher, elaboration of an oral presentation and/or realization of a written report.
Namely evaluation of the quality of :

• the definition and presentation of the chosen issue.
• the definition of the various assessed behavioural and cognitive aspects (taking into account the potential difficulties and pitfalls).
• putting on the white coat of the researcher, the ability to formulate an experimental strategy.
• participation in the seminar.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

For scientific articles used for the seminar as well as for details of learning objectives, see eCampus.
The deadlines for the written report delivery and/or for the oral presentation will be defined with the students.

Contacts

Ferrara André (04/366.22.32 - a.ferrara@uliege.be ).