MSc Translational Neuroscience

This course is designed to provide high quality training to tomorrow's neuroscientists, who will play a vital role in not only understanding what causes neurological and psychiatric disorders, but also developing better treatments and cures. The World Health Organisation recently listed neurological and psychiatric disorders as a global emergency, with the numbers of people affected by such disorders predicted to markedly increase over the next 25 years as life expectancy increases globally. For the vast majority of neurological and psychiatric disorders, there are no effective treatments. Uniquely, this course will provide theoretical and practical training to students in the various methodologies utilised in translational research for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat neurological and psychiatric conditions. The taught component of the course will be delivered by academics/clinicians at the forefront of research and clinical practice, and will equip you with an excellent foundation in neuroscience, particularly in how the different cellular components in the central nervous system physiologically work together to control brain function, and how this malfunctions in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The research component will allow you to explore a particular neurological or psychiatric disorder in greater depth, and apply cutting-edge research techniques to help determine the causes and assist in the development of novel therapies for such disorders. This course will consequently provide excellent training for students, whether they wish to pursue an academic or industrial research career, in which they can play a vital role in better understanding the causes of neurological disorders, or developing better treatments or cures. Assessment methods involve the following: Dissertation; Essays; Oral presentations; Poster presentations; Practical reports/write-ups; written design of research projects and Written exams (short and long answers).