MSc Neuroscience & Mental Health

This module will cover key concepts and research techniques in fundamental neuroscience. The content of the module will enable you to critically understand core neuroscience principles and advanced research techniques used in this area.

The module will also develop extensive and detailed knowledge in more specialised topics in neuroscience. Core Neuroscience provides the fundamental knowledge required to undertake the Function of the Nervous System and the Disorders of the Nervous System classes.

This module will provide an understanding of in vivo research, including reduction in numbers and ethical issues. You'll gain exposure to the specific research techniques used in neuroscience. It will also cover cardiovascular, immunology and cancer in vivo research. Following completion of the module, you'll also achieve an accredited PIL training certificate that is necessary for Home Office Personal License.

This class aims to provide engineers and scientists with a better understanding of what it takes to create and grow technology-based businesses. Specifically it aims to provide you with:

• an appreciation of the intrinsic value of entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation activities to business
• a set of frameworks to better understand and more successfully engage in high-tech business opportunities
• a better appreciation and understanding of management in a complex, uncertain and interdisciplinary high-tech business environment

Functions of the Nervous System will introduce general concepts of functional neuroscience (the neural processes involved in the translation of sensory data arriving in the brain into actions/outcomes) building on the Core Neuroscience module.

You'll develop a general understanding of how brains initiate actions using sensory information from external and internal environments, and how cognitive processes are involved in this. The importance of sleep, behavioural state control and the brain systems that regulate them will be examined, along with the systems involved in language.

This module will illustrate the many sources of scientific information available electronically. It will also show how to construct effective search protocols to find relevant information and present it using graphical means and oral presentations.

It will enable you to understand, choose and use appropriate statistical methods to aid the collection and interpretation of data in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, and associated industries.

You'll be encouraged to engage in debate on:

• scientific hypotheses
• regulatory affairs & research funding
• in vivo experimentation
• human stem cell therapies

You'll be introduced to the concepts of:

• skills evaluation and personal effectiveness
• time management, planning and Gannt charts
• decision-making processes and review
• information and data management
• good laboratory practice
• peer interaction, communication and networking
• preparing a CV, career planning and applying for future positions

Disorders of the Nervous System will cover various aspects of multiple brain disorders ranging from childhood disorders to diseases of the elderly.

This module will explore how understanding the pathology of nervous system diseases can identify therapeutic targets, which can be used for the design of novel disease interventions. You'll also explore challenges that neuroscientists have faced in translating novel targets into clinical applications and how we are overcoming these hurdles.

The module will enable you to thoroughly understand the underlying disease principles and commonalities of different nervous system diseases. It will also encourage you to critically assess scientific literature, hypotheses and the latest neuroscientific experiments.

Disorders of the Nervous System will further enable you to gather extensive knowledge about new ways to target nervous system disorders. You'll learn novel approaches to drug discovery, pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.

This module will further improve skills in scientific literacy and writing, applying techniques learned in semester 1. You'll develop skills in experimental design and complex data analysis. The module provides extensive experience in writing succinct and well-researched scientific text. You'll also come to understand the way in which scientific review papers are researched and constructed, as well as how professional fellowship and grant applications are written.

This module will develop your:

• scientific knowledge
• understanding of clinical conditions and their diagnosis
• understanding of the major targets and issues in the field
• ability to retrieve and collate published science
• skills in presenting findings orally (as individuals, or as part of a collaborating team)
• skills in producing high-quality scientific writing tailored to its destination (popular science, papers, lab reports, grant applications etc.)

You'll undertake a 10-week research project over the summer within one of our neuroscience research groups. The research specialisations of these groups currently include brain cell function and signalling; systems neuroscience; how the brain operates and becomes dysfunctional in disease; Alzheimer’s disease; cognitive and hearing disorders; multiple sclerosis; stroke and schizophrenia. We use techniques including:

• behavioural studies
• biomaterials
• circuit mapping
• electrophysiology
• functional genomics
• genetic engineering
• imaging
• immunomodulation
• machine learning
• network modelling
• optogenetics
• stem cells
• tissue engineering

Additionally, there's the potential for some research projects to be placements within industry, dependent on availability.