Program Overview

Program Overview

The Cognitive Neuroscience program aims to provide students with the tools for understanding the psychological mechanisms of normal and pathological behavior through knowledge of neural correlates and cognitive functioning. The program covers a wide range of cognitive abilities, analyzing the factors that influence them with an integrated approach.

Objectives

The primary educational objective is to provide students with current knowledge about cognitive functions and the underlying physiological and neural mechanisms, applying them to early evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention. The program aims to form highly competitive psychologists in the national and international job market, capable of adapting their skills and knowledge to the variables required by the market.

Program Structure

The program is divided into two years. The first year is mainly dedicated to acquiring theoretical and methodological competencies for research, clinical, and applied work in cognitive neuroscience. The courses in the first year are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge of aspects related to psychological and cognitive intervention in the field of cognitive disorders.

Course Content

• The program covers a wide range of cognitive abilities, analyzing the factors that influence them with an integrated approach.
  • Students will examine the characteristics of cognitive functions in their evolutionary aspect, both normal and pathological, considering behavioral and neurofunctional aspects of cognitive disorders acquired after brain injury.
  • They will also explore the main research techniques and data analysis, including advanced statistics and neuropsychological and neurobiological investigations.
• Some courses will focus on acquiring theoretical and methodological competencies in psychophysiology, neuropsychology, cognitive science, and analysis methodology.
• Other courses will address themes related to personological aspects that regulate social interaction and individual development, the characteristics of cognitive and affective processes, and their evolution throughout life.

Second Year Objectives

The objective of the second year is to provide students with specific tools and competencies related to the diagnosis and intervention of acquired and evolutionary cognitive disorders. This includes knowledge about the use of psychophysiological techniques for evaluating the neural correlates of cognitive deficits. Students will also delve into themes related to normal and pathological development, with particular reference to learning disorders.

Additional Opportunities

• Students can choose to deepen their knowledge in aspects of evaluation, acquiring knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence and computer science, or in historical and literary fields by accessing courses in English.
• Foreign students can use part of the credits to acquire additional linguistic knowledge, obtaining a B2 level in Italian.

Practical Training

• The program includes 20 CFU of practical training (TPV) necessary for the purposes of enabling the exercise of the psychologist profession.
• The TPV can be carried out in public or private healthcare facilities accredited with the National Health Service, or in other qualified external entities, both national and international, that have agreements with universities.
• Supervised TPV activities involve direct observation and the performance of activities aimed at learning connected to the development of competencies related to the application contexts of psychology and the procedural and relational skills fundamental to professional activity.

Conclusion

The Cognitive Neuroscience program at Sapienza University of Rome is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of cognitive functions and their neural correlates, preparing them for careers in research, clinical practice, and applied fields. With its structured approach and emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the program aims to produce highly competent psychologists capable of adapting to the demands of the national and international job market.