Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/human-brain
In a world where our spatial awareness is taken for granted, the Coursera course ‘The Brain and Space’ provides an eye-opening look into how our brain constructs our sense of position in the universe. This course dives deep into the cognitive mechanisms at play when we navigate our environment, making it a worthwhile endeavor for anyone interested in neuroscience, psychology, or even everyday cognition.
**Course Overview**
The course examines the incredible capabilities of our brains to create a comprehensive spatial sense from various sensory inputs. Whether it’s recognizing familiar faces, finding our belongings, or simply navigating our way through life, each action relies on our intricate spatial processing abilities. This course goes beyond surface-level understanding and delves into the scientific underpinnings of perception, memory, and cognition.
**Course Structure and Syllabus**
The course is structured into six modules:
1. **Course Introduction and Vision (Part 1)**
You’ll start with basic optical principles and how light detection works, wrapping things up with an engaging experiment testing upside-down goggles. This module sets the tone for scientifically-grounded exploration.
2. **Vision (Part 2), the Body, and Neural Signals**
This unit expands into how we perceive depth and body configuration through neural processes, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiments, such as throwing beanbags while wearing prisms.
3. **Brain Maps**
Learn about the spatial arrangement within our brains that helps us distinguish objects and boundaries. This section highlights the importance of receptive fields and how neural maps help us process information.
4. **Sound and Brain Representations**
This episode introduces how we localize sound and discusses the brain’s impressive ability to process auditory information beyond visual mapping. This module provides an abundance of content to digest.
5. **Reference Frames and Navigation**
Here, you’ll analyze how our sensory systems interact to form reference frames and how this knowledge helps us navigate through space, including insights into the vestibular system.
6. **Memory and Cognition**
Finally, the course culminates in exploring the connections between space, memory, and cognitive functions, with fascinating discussions around the research of Nobel laureates John O’Keefe and the Mosers on place fields and grid cells.
**Why You Should Enroll**
The ‘The Brain and Space’ course is an excellent choice for anyone intrigued about how our brains interpret the world. It provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications. The engaging format of the videos, along with the recommended readings from ‘Making Space,’ ensures that the course is not just informative but also engaging. Furthermore, the modules are thoughtfully structured, allowing students to digest complex scientific concepts in a manageable manner.
Overall, this course offers a profound insight into our cognitive abilities, our interactions with our surroundings, and the underlying neuroscience. Whether you are a student, a professional in a related field, or just a curious learner, ‘The Brain and Space’ will expand your understanding of both the brain and the spatial relations that govern our everyday lives.
**Join me on this fascinating journey tethered to the inner workings of the mind, and sign up for the course today!**
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/human-brain