MSc in Music, Mind and Brain at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Abstract

AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME Research in music cognition and the cognitive neuroscience of music is undertaken in a number of laboratories worldwide, providing opportunities for graduates to specialize in an area that is increasingly becoming a mainstream topic in cognitive (neuro)science. Coverage of this area at undergraduate level, however, is rather sparse, and depends upon the level of expertise available. Nevertheless, many undergraduates develop an interest in the field through wider reading but may find it daunting to commit to a specific doctoral project without having a broader perspective. The MSc in Music, Mind and Brain (http://www. goldsmiths. ac.uk/pg/msc-music-mind-brain) aims to address the discrepancy between the growing number of research labs worldwide and the relative lack of coverage of the topic at the undergraduate level. The course is a one year full time or two year part time taught postgraduate degree that aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the cognitive and neural underpinnings of musical behaviour and to provide them with the research skills necessary to conduct a high-quality piece of independent research during their Masters degree and beyond. The coverage of both psychological and neuroscientific perspectives on music makes this course particularly unique. PARENT INSTITUTION Uf EXTERNAL LINKS As London's 'creative' university, Goldsmiths provides a fitting base for the MSc in Music, Mind and Brain. The course is strongly interdisciplinary and much of the teaching happens within the college's Centre for Cognition, Computation and Culture. The course benefits from good links with institutions such as the Institute of Education, the Royal College of Music, and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, from which we draw guest lecturers, from fields ranging from music education to music therapy and clinical neurology. TEACHING FACULTY The course is co-directed by Lauren Stewart and Daniel Mullensiefen, who bring complementary skill sets (cognitive neuroscience and experimental psychology; musicology and computational approaches) to the course. All teaching faculty have international profiles within the field: Pamela Heaton (development disorders and music); Joydeep Bhattacharya (electrophysiological studies of music), John Gruzelier (effects of neurofeedback on high level musical performance), and Geraint Wiggins (computational models of music perception and cognition). We are also fortunate to count Aaron Williamon (Royal College of Music), Jason Warren (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery), Wendy Magee (Putney Hospital for Neurodisability), Marcus Pearce (University College London), Graham Welch (Institute of Education) and Adam Ockelford (Roehampton University) among our external faculty. COURSE CONTENT Cs5TEACHING METHODS The programme includes modules in Music Perception and the Cognitive Neuroscience of Music, along with Foundations of Neuroscience, Statistics and Experimental Design and Research Skills. As part of our Eminent Speaker series, we have been privileged to host such luminaries as Ian Cross, Andrea Halpern, David Huron, Stefan Koelsch, Steven Mithen, and John Sloboda. The research project component is a significant part of the degree, comprising a substantive piece of work conducted under close supervision over an extended period of time, with the potential to lead to publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Recent topics have included an empirical study of absolute pitch in congenitally blind children; EEG-based projects on melodic expectancy; and the role of the human body in rhythm perception. Teaching style incorporates a range of approaches: from traditional teacher-led lectures, to hands-on methods sessions, student-led discussions and debates, and journal clubs. Where possible, we try to dove-tail academic aspects of the degree with the excellent cultural opportunities that are afforded by living in London. …