200150 SE Theory and Empirical Research (Mind and Brain) 2 (2021W)

The course will be held in English.

[COURSE AIMS]
The course teaches the theoretical background and practical steps necessary to perform (and interpret the results of) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of the human brain. Specifically aimed at students that plan or already started a master- or doctoral thesis using fMRI.

[CONTENT]
Lectures provide the necessary content to understand fMRI data acquisition, analysis and interpretation and will give an overview of the current trends in the field. In parallel, students are asked to analyze openly available fMRI data sets using the Nipype framework (https://nipype.readthedocs.io/en/latest/). Practical sessions will take place online and will involve individual assignments as well as teamwork in small groups. During both lectures & practicals, students are asked to (a) actively participate in discussions, (b) to orally present the project outline / status during brief talks, (c) and to present a scientific poster in the final poster session concluding the course.

[TEACHING METHODS]
Oral presentations by lecturer and students, in-class participation, individual & group assignments, excursion to the fMRI scanner of the faculty (if possible).

[GENERAL COURSE INFO]
Die endgültige Platzvergabe erfolgt beim ersten Treffen. Studierende, die schon ein Thema für die Master- oder Doktorarbeit im Bereich fMRI vereinbart haben, werden gebeten, beim ersten Treffen den Titel des Themas und den Namen des Betreuers/der Betreuerin bekanntzugeben und werden dann bei der Platzvergabe bevorzugt.

[COURSE LOCATION]
Lectures on Wednesdays will be held in Hörsaal C, NIG 6. Stock. This room has a capacity of 24 persons. Practicals on Thursdays will take place online.

Unless communicated otherwise, students are expected to participate in weekly lectures in HS C. Please carefully read the rules and regulations below.

If needed, the course will be offered in “hybrid” mode, i.e., in-person for students who are able to participate “live”, and simultaneously online for students at home. Should the situation change, i.e., if in-person/hybrid lectures are not possible, the course will be offered fully online.

In any case, students are asked to actively participate. A max. of 2 dates can be missed.

[COVID SECURITY CONCEPT]

***IMPORTANT***
On-site participation will only be possible for *vaccinated* or *recovered* persons. In addition, I ask everyone to bring a PCR test not older than 48h (from Mondays) and ideally from Tuesdays. Test results will be checked when entering the lecture hall. A valid test alone (without proof of vaccination or being recovered) does not suffice.

Additionally, please carefully read the following rules and regulations by the University of Vienna:
(-) In all public areas of the University of Vienna, the use of FFP2 face masks is mandatory.
(-) During courses and exams, FFP2 face masks must also be used at the seat (except for people lecturing, oral contributions by participants).
(-) In the course rooms, only every second seat is used.
(-) Follow the hygiene rules and rules of conduct (wash or sanitize your hands regularly, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crook of your arm when coughing or sneezing, open the windows regularly, etc.).
(-) Cases of infections/positive COVID-19 test results must be reported tot he Servicedesk for students or employees of the University of Vienna.

More information: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/studying-exams/studying-on-site/