The Neuroscience with Psychology programme aims to instil a broad base of knowledge regarding the functioning of the nervous system. This is done via a bottom-up approach through an understanding of the nervous system at a molecular and cellular level, but also via a top-down approach through behavioural neuropsychology.
Neuroscientists have to push technologies to the limit to study the nature neural function by recording from individual nerve cells and even from single molecules to understand diseases. Neuroscience research aims to understand diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. It can also include work on the optic nerves, cardiac function, sense of smell, difficulty in swallowing, weakness in the muscles and other diseases and health problems since many of these have a neural basis.
In your fourth year you will undertake a year's industrial placement and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc. Placements vary considerably but, in general terms, you will have the opportunity to do a placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment where you will be able to develop a breadth of practical experience to complement your degree programme and enhance your employability.
Year 1
In year 1 you will take courses in Medical Sciences, Psychology and Chemistry for Life Sciences plus additional courses selected from science and other areas.
Compulsory Courses
Introduction to Medical Sciences (SM1001)
Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (PS1009)
Chemistry for the Life Sciences 1 (CM1020)
The Cell (SM1501)
Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (PS1509)
Chemistry for the Life Sciences 2 (CM1512)
Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 2
Year 2 courses are taken in Physiology and Psychology combined with courses delivering key skills applicable to Neuroscience.
Compulsory Courses
Physiology of Human Cells (BI20B2)
Foundation Skills for Medical Sciences (SM2001)
Advanced Psychology A - Concepts and Theory (PS2017)
Physiology of Human Organ Systems (BI25B2)
Research Skills for Medical Sciences (SM2501)
Advanced Psychology B - Concepts and Theory (PS2517)
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 3
Year 3 courses provide a systematic study of nerve cell communication at ascending levels of integration. These are accompanied by parallel courses in Biological Psychology, Memory and Language and Perception.
Compulsory Courses
Perception (PS3012)
Biological Psychology (PS3014)
Working Out? Placement & Career Skills (BT3006)
Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology (BM3502)
Cognitive Neuroscience (PS3524)
Neuroscience Research Topics (BM3804)
Optional Courses
Select one of the following courses:
Mechanisms of Disease and Principles of Chemotherapy (PA3802)
Epithelial Physiology (PY3803)
Plus select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
Mechanisms of Disease and Principles of Chemotherapy (PA3802)
Epithelial Physiology (PY3803)
Year 4
You will spend year 4 on placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment.
Compulsory Courses
Industrial Placement (BT5007)
Year 5
The Honours year aims to explore in depth, specific areas introduced in third year. An important feature is the ten-week research project, carried out in research laboratories at the University or in local research institutes.
Compulsory Courses
Brain Function and Malfunction (AN4002)
Advanced Molecules, Membranes and Cells (BM4004)
Developmental Neuroscience (PY4302)
Physiology Project (PY4501)
Medical Science Data Analysis Paper (SM4901)
Medical Science General Essay Paper (SM4902)
Neuroscience graduates find employment in the biomedical research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Others choose further study in related areas such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, dietetics, physiotherapy and teaching.
An understanding of contemporary biology combined with your wider graduate skills will give you a broad choice of potential career options such as bioethics, law, journalism, and health economics.
Additional career options include the Scientific Civil Service, the Health Service, patenting, medical sales, the software sector, management and administration. Some graduates have set up their own businesses.
Our degree programmes are built to enhance your employability and three flagship options give our degrees a distinctively different flavour from many others. All our degrees offer:
A 10-week full time research project in the final year which will provide you with valuable experience of working in a medical science research environment
An industrial placement year and graduation with an undergraduate MSci
Highly relevant and sought after experience in bio-business aimed at giving you an understanding of the commercialisation of scientific ideas and an opportunity to learn about the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
Insurance - Single: 300 (£) per year
