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Postgraduate coursework degrees

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Overview

Traditionally research has been divided into a series of distinct departmental specialties, but as science has advanced it has become clear that the study of human biology and behaviour is fragmented and the traditional divisions within health research may be a barrier to the progress of scientific discovery. The further advancement of research into the amelioration of disorders of the brain and mind can be optimally achieved in a model which acknowledges the integral link between laboratory and clinical research.

The postgraduate coursework available at the BMRI strongly promotes the idea of interdisciplinary research, broadening the scope of investigation to address disease areas of the brain and mind rather than disparate biomedical disciplines. For example, in the search to ameliorate Dementia, whether the postgraduate student is scientific or clinical, they will receive core training which exposes them to the connection between basic laboratory research in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Prion disease; access to human imaging facilities for research to better understand active processes within the brain; clinical neuropsychological principles and interventions in degenerative dementias such as cognitive behavioural therapy and the clinical treatment of movement disorders. It is this link between basic and clinical research that is particularly promoted by the Brain & Mind Research Institute. This provides a unique opportunity for students to have access to specialised training and will equip them with a valuable understanding of interdisciplinary research, open opportunities for future research collaborations, as well as refining specific skills and methodology in mental health research and clinical service provision.

There is a demonstrated need to improve the training capacity of the higher education sector to meet national labour market needs in mental health research service provision. The Brain & Mind Research Institute brings together basic, translational and clinical researchers, community clinicians, clinical practices and non-government community organisations, networks, professional societies and industry to foster the development of new professional interactions, programs and research projects.

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Entry requirements

  • Bachelor degree in relevant discipline
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Articulation pathways

There are three points at which students may elect to graduate:

  1. Upon successful completion of 24 credits points of coursework students may graduate with a Graduate Certificate of Brain and Mind Sciences.
  2. Upon successful completion of 36 credit points of coursework students may graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Brain and Mind Sciences.
  3. Upon successful completion of a total of 48 credit points of coursework students graduate with a Master of Brain and Mind Sciences.
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Course structure

Graduate Certificate in Brain and Mind Sciences

(24 credit points) coursework comprises of the four core units of study (each unit of study is six credit points).

Graduate Diploma in Brain and Mind Sciences

(36 credit points) coursework comprises:

  1. The four core unit of study (each unit of study is six credit points), and
  2. Two elective units of study (each unit of study is six credit points).

Master of Brain and Mind Sciences

(48 credit points) coursework comprises:

  1. Four core units of study (each unit of study is six credit points), and
  2. Two elective units of study (each unit of study is six credit points), and
  3. Two research activities (total of 12 credit points). The research activities are a capstone experience and are conducted in a subspecialty area chosen by the student.
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Master of Brain and Mind Sciences in Psychiatry

(72 credit points - 3 years part-time)

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Overview

The current Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) training regulations require all basic trainees (in the first three years of specialist psychiatry training) to demonstrate satisfactory progress in a recognised formal education course.

Considering the changing pace in the neural sciences, particularly in the last decade in relation to psychiatry, the BMRI recognised the need for the establishment of a formal education program at postgraduate level focused on brain and mind sciences and research that is appropriate for psychiatry trainees.

The learning and teaching objectives of the Master of Brain and Mind Sciences in Psychiatry will be consistent with the education based objectives of RANZCP Curriculum for Basic Training and the Faculty of Medicine principles of modern adult education, including independent learning, peer interaction and effective skill development.

The main aim of the course will be to provide the psychiatry trainee with a thorough evidence based education in the brain and mind sciences and research in relation to psychiatry, through the core units of study and via a series of relevant elective units of study. In the second semester of the third year of the part-time course students will be required to conduct supervised research activity that will act as a capstone experience.

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Entry requirements

  • Bachelor degree in relevant discipline
  • Accredited psychiatry trainee
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Course structure

The coursework comprises:

  1. Four core units of study (each unit of study is six credit points), and
  2. Six elective units of study (each unit of study is six credit points), and
  3. Two research activities (total of 12 credit points). The research activities are a capstone experience and are conducted in a subspecialty area chosen by the student.
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Articulation pathways

There are four points at which students may elect to graduate:

  1. Upon successful completion of 24 credits points of coursework students may graduate with a Graduate Certificate of Brain and Mind Sciences.
  2. Upon successful completion of 36 credit points of coursework students may graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Brain and Mind Sciences.
  3. Upon successful completion of a total of 48 credit points of coursework students graduate with a Master of Brain and Mind Sciences.
  4. Upon successful completion of 72 credit points of coursework students graduate with a Master of Brain and Mind Sciences in Psychiatry.
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Units of study

Core units of study

History, Philosophy and Ethics of Brain and Mind Sciences

The history and philosophy section of this core unit examines the conceptual foundations of cognitive neuroscience in the context of animals’ psychological abilities. These foundations are constituted by the relationships among the psychological concepts involved in investigations into the neural underpinnings of human cognitive, affective and volitional capacities. What does it mean to be human? What is meant by a given neuroscientist’s claims concerning brain and mind? Why does a particular neuroscientist think that experiments undertaken illuminate the psychological capacity being studied? What are the conceptual presuppositions of the questions asked? Within this unit of study the student will examine historically significant cases where concepts were misconstrued, misapplied, or stretched beyond their defining conditions of application. For example, how do we understand vegetative states and locked in syndrome?

The ethics section of this core unit examines the ethical considerations that arise from the rapid pace of research that has led to new ways of understanding brain function. New treatments for brain disorders are on the horizon and imaging technology now allows us to see the brain in action. Such progress will lead to a multitude of ethical, legal and social challenges. What are the personal, social and legal consequences of being able to more accurately predict patterns of individual behaviour? Is taking drugs to improve cognitive performance in school or in the workplace akin to drugs in sport? What are the ethical, legal, medical and social consequences of finding genes for common disorders like Alzheimer’s, depression and schizophrenia? Will patients be discriminated against by insurers and employers? How can patients with cognitive impairment give informed consent? The scope of these questions is enormous, and the majority of cultural, philosophical, ethical and legal standards have not kept up with the rapid pace of technology. The goal of this part of this core unit of study is to help students to identify key ethical, legal and social aspects of brain research in an attempt to develop protocols for thinking about potentially problematic areas. This unit is essential to the further study of brain and mind sciences.

Brain and Mind Sciences I

The purpose of this core unit of study is to ensure that students have the most up-to-date understanding of: neuroanatomy (includes the development of anatomic structures and the organisation of the nervous system); neurobiology (includes the cellular and molecular biology of neurons, synaptic transmission and neural networks); neural function (includes perception, cognition, emotion and behaviour). Students will then focus on comparative neuropathology.

Brain and Mind Sciences II

Students will be able to build on the Brain and Mind Sciences I unit of study in specific areas. Students will examine the more translational and clinical aspects of the brain and mind sciences including structural and functional neuroimaging (PET, MRI, MRspectroscopy, fMRI), genetics of brain and mind sciences, gene and environment interaction, neuropharmacology including in-depth psychopharmocology, and neuropsychiatry. The unit is at a depth appropriate to specialised research or clinical practice in brain and mind sciences.

Pathways to Illness

This Unit of Study is designed to provide you with a deeper understanding of how genetic and environmental risk factors affect the developing nervous system to generate the clinical symptoms of a disordered mind. You will learn to use new neuroscience tools to understand which specific environmental factors, occurring at which specific points along the genetic and developmental course, have the capacity to result in perturbations of central nervous system function. This introductory unit of study will provide a foundation for advanced learning in other units of study including Brain and Mind Disorders in Childhood to Youth, Brain and Mind Disorders in Young People and Chronobiology and Sleep in Psychiatry.

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Proposed elective units of study commencing from 2011

Students with a subspecialty interest will be able to stream their elective choices and capstone experience to reflect their subspecialty. The following electives have been proposed and are subject to approval for 2011:

  • Clinical Leadership and Management
  • Psychosocial Interventions and Service Delivery Systems
  • Brain and Mind Disorders in Childhood to Youth
  • Brain and Mind Disorders in Young People
  • Brain and Mind Disorders related to Ageing
  • Applied Neuropsychopharmacology
  • Clinical Molecular Neurosciences
  • Animal models in Neurological Research
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Drug Design
  • Human and Experimental Neuropathology
  • Genetic Principles of Neural Development
  • Neuropsychology, Psychological Assessment and Intervention in Brain and Mind Sciences
  • Assessment and Diagnosis of Common Mental Health Disorders
  • Mental Health Management of Common Mental Health Disorders
  • Principles in Chronobiology and Sleep
  • Chronobiology and Sleep in Psychiatry
  • Research Activity 1 and 2
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Associated Courses

Master of Molecular Imaging

The Faculty of Health Sciences offers a Master of Molecular Imaging, and elements of this course are taught at the BMRI campus. Some units of study from this course are electives for the Graduate Diploma in Brain and Mind Sciences or Masters in Brain and Mind Sciences.

This course explores in depth the scientific principles and applications of the key molecular imaging technologies in life science research and biotechnology. It will appeal to talented graduates who wish to develop their skills in a range of advanced imaging methodologies and apply them to challenging problems in biomedicine and health.

Molecular imaging is a form of biomedical imaging, which is rapidly growing in importance in the applied life sciences. The key technologies for imaging the molecular signatures of disease in humans and animal models are PET, SPECT and MRI. These technologies are continually evolving as scientists and engineers develop new approaches and new applications.

This course gives graduates the opportunity to discover this rapidly evolving field and play an important role in its further development. It will prepare graduates to work in multi-disciplinary teams that advance these technologies beyond their current capabilities to meet the future challenges in biomedicine.