Kevin D. Wilson

Associate Professor

Psychology

Contact

Email

kwilson@gettysburg.edu

Phone

(717) 337 - 6186

Box

Campus Box 0407

Address

McCreary Hall
Room 315
300 North Washington St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325-1400

Education

BA Swarthmore College, 1992
MA The University of Pennsylvania, 1996
PhD The University of Pennsylvania, 1999

Academic Focus

Cognitive Neuroscience

Dr. Wilson completed his PhD in Experimental Psychology with Dr. Martha J. Farah at the University of Pennsylvania and a post-doctoral research fellowship with Dr. George R. Mangun at Duke University before coming to Gettysburg College in 2004. His research combines non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) with eye-tracking and behavioral measures to study higher level visual cognition, including visual attention and object recognition. Dr. Wilson serves as co-chair of the Neuroscience program.

Courses Taught

An exploration of the field of cognitive neuroscience. Emphasis is on understanding the neural bases of higher mental functions such as memory, attention, emotion, and language. Major themes include the relationship between the mind and brain, localization of function, and the multi-methodological approach to cognitive neuroscience research. Students will be introduced to basic neuroanatomy, brain imaging, and research involving people with focal brain damage. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or permission of instructor.
Introduction to scientific method and experimental design. Emphasis is on the logical development of new ideas, kinds and sources of error in experimentation, methods of control, design and analysis of experiments, and scientific communication. Three class hours and three laboratory hours. Prerequisite: Psychology 205 and two (200-level) psychology electives; or permission of the instructor. Students must have at least 2nd semester sophomore status, or have permission of the instructor.
Advanced study of one or more specific content areas in cognitive neuroscience. Discussion focuses on current theories, experimental research, and the multi-methodological approach to cognitive neuroscience research. Laboratory work includes design, execution, and analysis of original research involving cognitive neuroscience methods. Three class hours and three laboratory hours. Prerequisites: Psychology 238 and 305.