- UCAS course code
- 3L47
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Science (MSci)
MSci Neuroscience
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: 3L47 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Additional expenses
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Course unit details:
Neuropharmacology of Human Health (E)
| Unit code | BIOL31671 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Neuropharmacology of Human Health presents key topics at the forefront of modern neuropharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on how the molecular and cellular basis of function of major excitatory, inhibitory and modulatory neurotransmitter receptor systems operate under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. You will gain active knowledge into the role of neurotransmitter systems in the generation and therapy of diverse, but significant, neuropathological disorders.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drugs & the Brain | BIOL21312 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
BIOL31671 Pre & Co-requisites is BIOL21312
Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide a thorough understanding of key neurotransmitter systems and how these systems function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. You will gain insight into how these neurotransmitter systems are targeted to provide therapeutic benefit in the clinic.
PLEASE NOTE: This unit has restricted numbers and it may not be possible for students to be enrolled on this unit during the two-week course unit change period at the start of semester 1.
Learning outcomes
• Understand the importance of neurotransmission for health and disease.
• Describe the known signalling defects underlying specific neurological diseases and the consequences of these defects to neural circuit function and whole organism behaviour
• Describe the application of appropriate research methods used to investigate these processes and to identify aberrant signalling mechanisms
• Understand and interpret primary research findings and describe how these have been used to develop clinical treatments
• Understand how to find, identify and interpret key data, concepts and ideas and to pass these on to others
Syllabus
For all areas, there will be material detailing basic principles and building on those from the prerequisite unit (BIOL212312 Drugs and the Brain). The topicality and importance of these areas will then be underscored by additional material designed to foster critical thinking.
- Neurobiology and pharmacology of addiction.
- Role f glutamate in schizophrenia and stroke.
- Role of acetylcholine in Alzheimer's disease.
- 5-HT and psychedelics.
- Brain regulation of metabolism.
- Rhythms in mental health and disease.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Multiple sources of information often provide conflicting views. The student needs to balance what they read to reach an appropriate conclusion.
- Oral communication
- Students are encouraged to ask questions during and after lectures
- Research
- Expectation that the student will undertake additional reading to understand and extend knowledge provided in lectures
- Written communication
- Summative exam answers (essay)
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 10% |
| Written exam | 90% |
2 hour examination (90%) consisting of: Section A (1 hour) - answer 1 essay question from a choice of 3. Section B (1 hour) - answer 1 essay question from a choice of 3. Other - Blackboard self-directed activity (10%). Each lecture block will have an associated element of self-directed activity to allow for assessment of learning and feedback on understanding. These activities will reinforce lecture material.
Feedback methods
Interactive sessions will allow discussion and formative feedback to students. Each lecture block will have an associated element of self-directed activity to allow for assessment of learning and feedback on understanding (this activity will collectively be worth 10% of the final mark).
Recommended reading
Specified reading will be advertised on Blackboard for each block of material.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 80 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Susan Cochran | Unit coordinator |