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 who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.
Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.
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.

You may apply to study abroad for either a semester or a year through the Erasmus programme or on a non-EU exchange.

UCD has over 200 Erasmus partners in Europe and an increasing number of non-EU exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.
Please visit the Erasmus section by clicking on the International Office link at the top of this page.

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

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

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.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
BMOL30040	Receptor-mediated cell signalling	Autumn	5
NEUR30080	Neuromuscular and Membrane Biology	Autumn	5
PHAR30080	Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Illness	Autumn	5
STAT20070	Data Modelling for Science	Autumn	5
NEUR30010	Principles of Nervous System Development	Spring	5
NEUR30060	Sensory Neuroscience	Spring	5
NEUR30070	Higher Cortical Function	Spring	5
PHAR30040	Development and advanced pharmacology of the nervous system	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Select at least 2 options
BMOL30030	Regulation of Gene Expression	Autumn	5
BMOL30090	Immunology	Autumn	5
MEIN30240	Bioinformatics	Autumn	5
BMOL30020	Molecular basis of disease	Spring	5
CELB30090	Advanced Cell Biology	Spring	5
GENE30030	Genetic Basis of Disease	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Select at least 2 options
Stage 4 Core Modules
NEUR40020	Physiology of Synaptic Plasticity	Autumn	5
BIOC40060	Advanced Neurochemistry	Spring	5
NEUR40010	Molecular Neuroimmunology (UG)	Spring	5
NEUR40030	Modulation of Synaptic Signalling	Spring	5
NEUR40070	Advanced Topics in Neural Development and Degeneration	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)1OF: Set A Choose one:
BMOL40090	Research Project (Erasmus)	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	25
BMOL40200	Industry Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	25
NEUR40060	Neuroscience Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	20
BMOL40100	Biomolecular Sci Research Proj	Autumn	15
BMOL40400	Core Techniques in Biomolecular and Biomedical Science	Autumn	15
Stage 4 Options - A)1OF: Set A Choose one:
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: Students taking BMOL40090 (Research Project, Erasmus, Bochum, Copenhagen) OR BMOL40200 (Industry Research Project) are exempt from the requirement to select from Set B. Students taking NEUR40060 or BMOL40100 or BMOL40400 must select at least one option from Set B.
NEUR40080	Molecular and Cellular Biology of Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies	Autumn	5
PHAR40070	Advanced Neuropharmacology:Cognition, Neurodegeneration and Psychiatric Disorders	Autumn	5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: Students taking BMOL40090 (Research Project, Erasmus, Bochum, Copenhagen) OR BMOL40200 (Industry Research Project) are exempt from the requirement to select from Set B. Students taking NEUR40060 or BMOL40100 or BMOL40400 must select at least one option from Set B.
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN1OF: Students taking NEUR40060 select TWO modules from Set C. Students taking BMOL40100 or BMOL40400 select THREE modules from Set C. Students taking either 25 credit module (BMOL40090 or BMOL40200) are exempt from Set A modules in the Autumn and should select additional option modules in Spring to a total of 60 credits.
GENE40070	Genetic Basis of Behaviour	Autumn	5
NEUR40080	Molecular and Cellular Biology of Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies	Autumn	5
BIOC40030	Advanced Cell Signalling	Spring	5
BIOC40220	Hot topics in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Spring	5
BMOL40340	Regenerative therapeutics	Spring	5
GENE40030	Advanced Mechanisms of Gene Regulation	Spring	5
GENE40050	Human Genetics & Disease	Spring	5
PHAR40040	Emerging therapies: Cloning, gene therapy and stem cells	Spring	5
PHAR40050	Drug Discovery and Development I	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN1OF: Students taking NEUR40060 select TWO modules from Set C. Students taking BMOL40100 or BMOL40400 select THREE modules from Set C. Students taking either 25 credit module (BMOL40090 or BMOL40200) are exempt from Set A modules in the Autumn and should select additional option modules in Spring to a total of 60 credits.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSCI001	Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47