The power of modules: how specific module content shaped Yalige Ba's research experience

Join alumnus Yalige Ba on her journey from her academic adventures in China to her successful completion of a Psychology Research Methods MSc. She explains how the engaging and well-designed modules she studied were important in giving her the skills and knowledge that now underpin her success in doctoral research.

Coming from China with a bachelor's degree in applied psychology, I was drawn to the University of Nottingham by its stats and rankings. With the School of Psychology ranked in the UK’s top 10 for research power, I knew I’d be engaged in high-quality, impactful research.

As a student, I studied diverse research areas, from behavioural neuroscience to social psychology, and had access to experimental equipment like fMRI, eye trackers, MEG, and EEG. This flexible research environment not only enhanced my learning but also paved the way for my future PhD interests.

I joined the visual neuroscience research group at the University of Nottingham in 2019 as a research MSc student and continued as a PhD student. Throughout this experience, I’ve gained a solid foundation in both theoretical and technical aspects, deepening my understanding of human vision research. The supportive professors have been invaluable, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

I’ve lived in Nottingham for five years and it offers such a unique and enriching experience that combines academic excellence with a vibrant city life and diverse community.

As an MSc student, I attended various modules that provided insights into my field. One standout was The Visual Brain: Evolution, Development, Learning and Adaptation, where I studied how human vision evolves, develops, learns, and adapts to the environment, along with gaining foundational knowledge of abnormal vision, such as amblyopia.

Another impactful module was Psychology Research in Context. Here, I not only mastered basic research methods in psychology but also studied in-depth interocular suppression in human vision.

The Research Internship module prepared me for my MSc research project on perceptual dominance in binocular vision, a topic closely related to my intended doctoral research.

Beyond theoretical knowledge, the Introduction to MATLAB Programming module equipped me with essential technical skills. As MATLAB is a core tool in psychology research, especially in vision research, I honed my skills by practicing MATLAB with a fMRI image processing task, solidifying my skill in this area.