Neuroscience  (SNS1)

This programme is aimed at students who wish to pursue careers in neuroscience and related disciplines in academic, industrial and clinical settings. In this neuroscience program, students gain hands on experience of one the fastest growing fields of scientific research, and one which impacts all aspects of life. Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major economic burden on developed societies and their prevalence is increasing worldwide with increasing life expectancy. Modern neuroscience is multidisciplinary, integrating molecular, cellular, developmental and computational biology with genetics, medicine, cognitive science and computational biology. All of these disciplines are integrated into the programme, so that the student gains a comprehensive education in all aspects of the broad subject area that is neuroscience. Our students become active, motivated, autonomous learners: throughout the programme we encourage the development of critical thinking and the ability to interpret scientific data objectively. Our students acquire a detailed, specialized knowledge of the nervous system in parallel with an understanding of fundamental research methods that are used to investigate how the nervous system functions and is disrupted in disease. We provide an optimal learning environment to inspire students to develop their own research skills, and nurture the ability to work efficiently as individuals or within a team. We motivate our students to become good communicators and help them to develop their own and others’ leadership and advocacy skills.  The curriculum utilizes lectures, tutorials and individual and team projects and on-line discussion forums are a key element in the programme’s design. Students will gain valuable first-hand experience of scientific research in a laboratory environment in their final year project. A variety of assessments are used throughout the programme: in addition to multiple choice and essay style examinations valuable research experience is embedded into numerous other assessements, including practical classes, online computer aided learning, presentation/poster development, literature review and essay/project writing .

 

1 - Apply sophisticated research methods in evaluating, analysing and understanding neuroscience.
2 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills and utilise these to investigate and review the most recent scientific research literature
3 - Demonstrate skill in oral communication and scientific writing: be able to communicate expertly in discipline specific language to reveal a great depth of understanding to a professional audience.
4 - Master the laboratory environment to work equally efficiently whether as an individual or as a member of a team. Be able to articulate goals and plan experiments equally well either as an individual or as a team member.
5 - Display a broad understanding of nervous system function/dysfunction and the research skills needed to study disorders of the nervous system
6 - Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of neurochemistry, neurogenetics, neuropharmacology and neurophysiology and the research techniques used to study them
7 - Manifest a clear understanding of the importance of personal integrity and research ethics
8 - Demonstrate skill in forming scientific hypotheses and implementing all aspects of basic research including project design, experimental analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis and formation of conclusions
9 - Exhibit a profound understanding of the relationship between neuroscience and related bodies of knowledge and fields of activity to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
10 - Evidence mastery of the use of state the art technologies in neuroscience and proficiency in the application of a variety of advanced scientific methods in a laboratory environment.
11 - Harness skill in oral communication and scientific writing gained in the programme to engage in outreach activity to communicate and explain neuroscience to the general public
12 - Demonstrate knowledge of scientific innovation and drug discovery in the field of neuroscience

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Over the past few decades, Neuroscience has emerged as an exciting, interdisciplinary area of research.

Neuroscience is the study of nerve cells and attempts to understand how these cells interact with each other to form the brain and regulate body functions and human behaviour. The malfunction of the nervous system lies at the heart of a number of devastating and currently incurable conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Neuroscience research probes the mechanisms underlying such malfunctions with a view to helping in the discovery of drugs to prevent or manage these disorders.

Disciplines such as cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, psychology and other branches of the life sciences are integrated in Neuroscience in order that the brain and nervous system can be understood from a number of levels of analysis.

Application of new molecular and genetic approaches, in combination with more traditional psychological and behavioural approaches, has resulted in dramatic advances in our understanding of how the brain functions in health and disease.

Neuroscience also forms a link with computer science and control systems engineering in the development of the technology required for creating smart machines, robotics and artificial intelligence. UCD neuroscientists employ state-of-the-art techniques to study the nervous system at the molecular, cellular and behavioural levels.

Neuroscience graduates have the opportunity to follow many different career paths. You may choose to continue your education by pursuing a postgraduate degree programme. Alternatively, you can obtain employment in: - Pharmaceutical industry - Agrochemical industry - Medical technology industry - Research institutes - Government agencies As trained scientists, many graduates are highly sought after by large multinational organisations and go on to careers in: - Management - Accountancy - Marketing - Law - Publishing

Dr John O'Connor UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research Belfield, Dublin 4 Tel: +353 1 716 6765 Email: john.oconnor@ucd.ie Web: www.ucd.ie/horizons

Stage 3

Students take eight core modules and at least two options. Additional option modules can be selected from the BSc programme to complete Stage 3 or alternatively, 10 credits can be selected from elective module. If you are interested in doing a Internship as part of Stage 4, you must indicate your interest now (in Stage 3). See full details here

Stage 4

Students must take 60 credits of modules (core and options) from within the BSc programme. Students take 5 core modules. Students taking NEUR40060 or BMOL40100 must also take at least one module from Set B.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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