Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Master in psychology (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course begins with a presentation of the concept of animal model (typology, validity) followed by an overview of the main behavioral tests used in fundamental research to study learning and memory (in particular spatial and object recognition memory). Some of them, real Swiss army knives for the study of cognitive processes, will be detailed; the objective being to see how, from observable behavior, scientific inferences are made about unobservable processes. The strengths and weaknesses of such functional animal models will be examined using the ARRIVE guidelines.
Secondly, the possibilities of integrative animal models, including for alcoholism (E. Quertemont) and brain pathology (stroke, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease - A. Ferrara) will then be presented in a more specific manner; the notions of validity and translational preclinical research will be highlighted. The difficulties of the chosen integrative animal models will also be examined in the context of the reproducibility crisis and in that of ethics in animal research (ARRIVE, PREPARE guidelines and 3R rule).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To understand where the interest and contribution of cognitive and behavioural animal models lie (without neglecting their limitations and drawbacks) in psychology, neuroscience and pre-clinical research.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Active participation in the seminar. Analysis of scientific texts.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Recommended or required readings
PDF files associated with the oral course available on eCampus; reference articles provided by the teacher related to the ex cathedra course.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
See eCampus for further information.
Contacts
a.ferrara@uliege.be (tél.: +32 4 366 22 32).
equertemont@uliege.be (tél : +32 4 366 21 05).