Neuroscience BSc

Program Overview

The BSc Neuroscience program at the University of Exeter provides a comprehensive understanding of the human nervous system, emphasizing critical thinking, communication skills, and practical experience. Students participate in research projects, specialize in areas of interest, and are prepared for careers in neuroscience, healthcare, and related fields. The program offers an optional Professional Training Year, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and teaching by expert academics.

Program Outline

The program emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and the development of in-demand skills such as statistical methods and analysis.

• Develop critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze complex scientific data.
• Enhance communication skills across a range of media, including written, oral, and visual presentations.
• Acquire practical skills in statistical methods and analysis.
• Participate in research projects and contribute to scientific discovery.
• Prepare for a variety of careers in neuroscience, healthcare, and related fields.

Outline:

The BSc Neuroscience program is a three-year program, with the option to add a Professional Training Year (PTY) for a total of four years. The program is structured into three stages, with a focus on core neuroscience modules in the first two years and more specialized modules and research opportunities in the final year.

Year 1 (Stage 1):

• Compulsory Modules:
• Methods in Neuroscience (30 credits):
Introduces practical and theoretical grounding in neuroscience research methods.
• Integrated Human Physiology (30 credits): Explores the relationship between the nervous system and other bodily systems, including respiration, metabolism, digestion, and the immune system.
• Introduction to Neuroscience (15 credits): Covers key concepts related to the form and function of nervous systems, including signal transmission, development, and anatomy.
• Introduction to Genetics (15 credits): Provides a foundation in genetics, essential for understanding the biological basis of neuroscience.
• Medical Cell Biology (15 credits): Explores the structure and function of cells, particularly relevant to the nervous system.
• Chemistry of Life (15 credits): Introduces the chemical principles underlying biological processes.
• Academic Support and Development (0 credits): Provides regular academic support and guidance for personal development.

Year 2 (Stage 2):

• Compulsory Modules:
• Advanced Methods in Neuroscience (30 credits):
Builds upon the first-year methods module, further developing skills and knowledge for understanding contemporary neuroscience research.
• Neuropharmacology (15 credits): Explores the role of receptors and how drug-induced changes in signaling affect physiology and behavior.
• Neural Circuits (15 credits): Examines the structure and function of neural circuits, including their development, study, and dysfunction in disease.
• Neuroanatomy (15 credits): Provides a detailed examination of the structure of the nervous system.
• Medical Genetics (15 credits): Covers the genetic basis of disease.
• Introduction to Pharmacology (15 credits): Introduces the principles of drug action.
• Immunopathology (15 credits): Explores the role of the immune system in disease.
• Coding for Medical Scientists (15 credits): Introduces programming skills relevant to medical research.
• The Biology of Cancer (15 credits): Explores the biological basis of cancer.
• Introduction to Clinical Psychology (15 credits): Introduces the field of clinical psychology.

Year 3 (Stage 3):

• Compulsory Modules:
• Neuroscience Research Project (45 credits):
Students undertake an independent research project, contributing to original neuroscientific understanding.
• Frontiers in Neuroscience (30 credits): Focuses on the neurobiology of nervous system disorders, presented by experts in the field.
• Optional Modules:
• Psychology Applied to Health (15 credits):
Explores the application of psychology to health issues.
• Neuroendocrinology (15 credits): Examines the interaction between the brain and endocrine system.
• Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits): Delves deeper into the cognitive neuroscience of perception, attention, and working memory.
• Neuroimmunology (15 credits): Explores the interaction between the nervous and immune systems.
• Science Communication (15 credits): Develops skills in communicating scientific information to a variety of audiences.
• Pain, the Brain and Analgesia (15 credits): Explores the neurobiology of pain and analgesia.
• Brain and Behaviour (15 credits): (Can be taken if not taken in Year 2)
• Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits):
(Can be taken if not taken in Year 2)
• Neuroanatomy (15 credits):
(Can be taken if not taken in Year 2)
• Pharmacogenomics (15 credits):
Explores the genetic basis of drug response.
• Rational Drug Design (15 credits): Introduces the principles of drug design.
• Medical Genomics (15 credits): Covers the application of genomics to medicine.
• Applied Data Science (15 credits): Introduces data science techniques relevant to medical research.
• Introduction to Clinical Psychology (15 credits): (Can be taken if not taken in Year 2)

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Multiple-choice tests: Assess factual knowledge and understanding.
• Essays: Encourage critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
• Structured practical exams: Evaluate practical skills and knowledge.
• Reflective essays: Promote self-reflection and critical analysis.
• Oral and poster presentations: Develop communication skills and the ability to present research findings.
• Scientific report writing: Enhance scientific writing skills and the ability to communicate research findings effectively.
• Short-answer question tests: Assess understanding of key concepts.
• Independent project work: Develop research skills and the ability to conduct independent research.

Teaching:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods to engage students and facilitate learning, including:

• Structured small group learning sessions: Students work in small groups to explore key scientific concepts and systems through interactive triggers, such as patient-based case studies, current medical breakthroughs, and research extracts.
• Lectures and seminars: Large group lectures and research seminars delivered by academics and external speakers provide a broader perspective on the field.
• Practical laboratory sessions: Students develop laboratory skills in the biosciences teaching laboratories, equipped with instruments for observational, experimental, and numerical aspects of biosciences.
• Online learning: The university's virtual learning environment provides access to electronic journals, study guides, interactive learning materials, formative assessments, and group discussion forums.

Careers:

The BSc Neuroscience program prepares students for a variety of careers in neuroscience, healthcare, and related fields, including:

• Postgraduate study: MSc or PhD in neuroscience or related fields.
• NHS-entry: Scientist Training Programme (STP) or Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS).
• Industry: Research and Development, Clinical Trials, Sales and Marketing.
• Scientific Officer: Positions in public, private, or third sector organizations.
• Graduate entry to Medicine or Dentistry: The program provides a strong foundation for further study in these fields.

Other:

• The program offers an optional Professional Training Year (PTY) between the second and third years, providing students with valuable work experience in a research or health intervention setting.
• Students can choose to specialize their degree by selecting optional modules in areas of interest, such as cognitive neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, or neuroimmunology.
• The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, drawing on knowledge from neuroscience, medical sciences, and biosciences.
• Students have the opportunity to present their research at conferences and co-author research papers.
• The program is taught by experienced and renowned academics who are actively involved in research.

UK students: £9,250 per year International students: £29,700 per year