Neuroscience degrees
Programme details | Ìý |
---|---|
Start date | September |
UCAS code | BSc Neuroscience B140 |
Duration | BSc 3 years Full Time |
Location | °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Bloomsbury |
Why study NeuroscienceÌýatÌý°×С½ãÂÛ̳?
Ìý
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ has the largest Neuroscience Research Community in Europe with over 450 Principal Investigators and 1500 Neuroscientists.
- °×С½ãÂÛ̳ has been ranked second in London and ninth in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine in the .
- You will delve into the workings of our genes, brain cells, synapses, connections and circuits and investigate how the brain typically works to perform complex tasks. This can help shed light on what happens when there are problems leading to neurological diseases and mental health disorders.
- Our carefully designed programme supports and guides you through your first and second years and then gives you flexibility and a unique choice of advanced modules covering most aspects of Neuroscience after you have built your knowledge base.
- You will be encouraged and supported to complete at least one summer internship during your studies, either at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ or a similar level university overseas, providing you with practical experience. The programme allows you to choose your own topic and supervisor for your research projects in years three and four. Both BSc and MSci students can take a library project in their third year.Ìý
- We partner with other world-leading Neuroscience institutes in London including the , the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, , the , the Institute of Neurology, theÌý, the Institute of Ophthalmology, the Institute of Child Health and .
- The is one of the largest student-led scientific societies in the UK. It hosts a mix of debates, talks and lectures as well as social activities.
What is the difference between the BSc and the MSci?
- The BSc is a three-yearÌýprogramme whistÌýthe MSci fourÌýyears.
- Both programmes are identical in years one and two.
- In year two, students on the BSc programme can evaluate their programme choice and apply to change to the MSci, contingent on their marks in the programme to date. Students on the MSci programme must achieve certain results to stay in the programme.
- InÌýyear three, BSc students will undertake a small-scale research project. MSci students will undertake a literature review.Ìý
- In year four, MSci students will undertakeÌýan original piece of research in a working laboratory.
Both BSc and MSci students are encouraged to undertake lab placements in the summer months.
Course structure overview
All years have 120 credits total. Modules are either 15 or 30 credits.ÌýYear one consists of sevenÌýcompulsory modules. This is the same for both BSc and MSci students. We offer two (one 30 credit and one 15 credit) neuroscience modules that are exclusive to neuroscience students.ÌýWe believe that the compulsory modules we have chosen will not only provide an excellent grounding across the sciences but will also allow you to find the areas about which you are passionate.Ìý
In year two students have a list of compulsory modules and a list of selective options. Students choose all but 15 credits from these two lists and then have one 15 credit free choice.ÌýIn year three, BSc students will undertake a lab-based project and MSci students a literature-based project. All students will then be able to choose between fiveÌýand sixÌýmodules.
In year four, MSci students will undertake an extended experimental project. Additionally, they will be able to choose between twoÌýand fourÌýmodules. Lab projects come as 60 or 90 credit modules and students can then fill up to 120 credits.Ìý
Year one course content
Seven compulsory modules are undertaken by all Neuroscience students:
NEUR0004Ìý Introduction to Neuroscience (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Martina Wicklein
NEUR0005ÌýFoundations of Neurobiology (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Martina Wicklein​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
BIOC0001Ìý Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Amanda Cain​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
PHOL0002ÌýÌýIntroductory Mammalian Physiology (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Richard Tunwell​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
CELL0007Ìý Cells and Development (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Sandip PatelÌý​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
BIOL0003Ìý Introduction to Genetics (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Lawrence Bellamy​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
CHEM0010Ìý Chemistry for Biology Students (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Andrea Sella​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
Ìý
Year two course content
Core courses (75 or 90 credits)
ANAT0003 Human Neuroanatomy (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Thomas Wills
NEUR0006ÌýMolecular Biology for NeuroscientistsÌý(15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Ralf Schoepfer
BIOC0007 Essential Molecular Biology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Eleni Makrinou
NEUR0007ÌýCellular Neurophysiology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Martin Stocker
PHAR0007ÌýIntroductory Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
Or
PHAR0009 Intermediate Pharmacology (30 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
Restricted options taking total to 105 credits
ANAT0002 Developmental Neurobiology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Patricia Salinas
PHOL0004 Systems Neuroscience & Research (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Margaret Mayston
CELL0010 Principles of Cellular Control (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Geraint Thomas
PSYC0007 PerceptionÌý(15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Daniel Richardson
MATH0101ÌýLinear Algebra for Data Science (15 credits) (For students with A-level Maths or equivalent)
Leader:Ìý
OrÌý
MATH0039 Differential and Integral Calculus (15 credits) (For students without A-level Maths or equivalent)Ìý
Leader: Maria Chivers & Amalia GjerloevÌý
Ìý
Open option 15 credits (timetable compatibility)
A module of your choiceÌýfrom the list above, or from a wider choice across °×С½ãÂÛ̳.Ìý
Year twoÌýis a total of 120 credits
Year three course content
Experimental research project
NEUR0001 45 credit lab-based (BSc)
NEUR0002 30 credit literature-based (BSc or MSci)
Your experimental research project will give you aÌýtaste of what a full-time career in research could include:
- Laboratory-based original research performed by you under supervision.
- A third of your final BSc year or a half to three-quartersÌýof your final MSci year.
- Choose your supervisor and your topic,Ìýand help to plan your project.
- Work alongside full-time research staff, get trained by them in experimental techniques, data analysis and data visualisation.
- Be a full member of the lab;ÌýyouÌýwill be attending and presenting at lab meetings and journal clubs.
- You are not restricted to °×С½ãÂÛ̳ teaching departments and can do your project in one of our world-leading Neuroscience partner institutes.
- Your project is examined by a written report and an oral examination.
Options 75/90 credits (Advanced) - We offer more than 30 advanced modules for you to choose. Here are some examples.Ìý
Developmental, Cellular and Molecular modules
PHOL0009 Cellular Basis of Brain Function (30 credits)
Leader: Professor Beverley Clark
PHAR0010 Neuropharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Stephanie Koch
CELL0003 Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology (15 credits)
Leader: Ìý
PHAR0018 Synaptic Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Talvinder Sihra
PHAR0011 Molecular Pharmacology (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Alasdair Gibb
Clinically Disease-related and Translational modules
ANAT0013 Pain (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýDr Sandrine Geranton
NEUR0010 (30 credits), NEUR0011 and NEUR0012 (15 credits) The Neurobiology of Brain Injury and Disease
Leader: Professor Paola Pedarzani
ANAT0012 Molecular Basis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Steve Hunt
PHAR0015 Psychopharmacology (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Neil Millar
Systems, Behavioural and Cognitive modules
NEUR0014 Neural Basis of Learning/Motivation (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Francesca Cacucci
NEUR0015 Control of Movement (15 credits)
Leader:ÌýProfessor Christopher Yeo
NEUR0017 Visual Neuroscience (15 credits)Ìý
Leader: Professor Andrew Stockman
NEUR0020 Integrative Systems Neuroscience
Leader: Professor Maria Fitzgerald
NEUR0009 Metabolic Neuroscience (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Stefan Trapp
BIOS0029 Social Neuroscience of Animal Model Systems (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Elena Dreosti
PSYC0031 Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Leun Otten
Computational Neuroscience and Biology modules
NEUR0016 Neural Computation (15 credits)
Leader: Professor Neil Burgess
NEUR0019 Foundations of Neuroinformatics (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Martina Wicklein and Prof. Kenneth Harris
CELL0014 Dynamic Biological Systems (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Philip Lewis
CELL0013 Functional Genetics of Model Systems (15 credits)
Leader: Dr Richard Poole
Year four course content (MSci only)
In the fourth year you will be able to join an existing research team in one of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ departments or institutes to conduct an extended project of original research of your choice, guided by a supervisor.Ìý
How we continually improve ourÌýprogrammeÌý
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In Neuroscience these projects have taken different forms including supporting a student to setting up a podcast, Brains talk about brains, related to and expanding on the curriculum to changing assessment methods. Ìý
The projects can also be added to a student’s CV and providing strong examples of skills in job interviews. Ìý
Interested in start-ups?
Many of our Neuroscience students are interested in start-ups, social enterprises and developing entrepreneurial skills. °×С½ãÂÛ̳'s Innovation and Enterprise division offers training, start-up grants, competitions, communities and much more, all of which are free to students on this programme.
°×С½ãÂÛ̳'s entrepreneurship community has supported over 300 °×С½ãÂÛ̳ start-ups since 2010 and raised over £280 million in investment.Ìý
Careers
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Most of our students (85%) are in employment or studying 15 months after finishing their degree, with 90% of those in employmentÌýin highly skilled work, according to theÌý.ÌýCompanies that have employed our graduates in recent years include KPMG, the UK Civil Service, Barclay's Bank, Astra Zeneca and Arabesque Asset Management. Our alumni can be found in areas such as journalism, the diplomatic services, the civil service, pharmaceutical companies, start-ups, financial companiesÌýand more.
In addition to neuroscience, we focus on teaching our students highly sought after transferable skills from the first week of the programme. These include but are not limited to teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking/evaluation, data literacy, analysis and visualisation, literacy, scientific reading, presentation training,Ìýwritten/verbal communication, IT skills and more.
As well as the development of these skills within the formal structure of the programme, °×С½ãÂÛ̳ provides many opportunities for students to practice these skills in other environments. These include summer internships, our student society NeuroSoc, the Changemakers program and our entrepreneurship/start up programs.ÌýIn addition to being enjoyable and educational, these opportunities provide students with examples of their abilities in the key skills sought by employers for their CV and to use in job interviews. These are the examples that can clearly differentiate recent graduates from the rest of the crowd and assist them in landing their first major career role.Ìý
Find outÌýmore about our graduate employability and earnings statistics atÌý.
Useful careers resources:
My °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Careers
°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Neuroscience Careers Network
Professional Development Courses
Linked In Learning
Public Engagement Training
Public PolicyÌýTraining
Our latest research
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Epithelial Physiology
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Circuits and Systems Neuroscience
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ÌýFind out more
For information on entry requirements, fees, how to apply and much more visit the BSc Neuroscience Prospectus PageÌýor MSci Neuroscience Prospectus Page.