Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the brain and employs many of the basic sciences in attempting to understand the brain as the basis of all human behaviour. Important aspects of behaviour can be studied at the level of individual nerve cells, their properties and the ways they communicate with one another.

Neuroscience embraces studies that cut across boundaries between traditional subject areas. As reflected in the structure of this major, it ranges from anatomy to neuronal function, from the cellular and molecular biology of the neuron to complex phenomena such as perception and emotion, from the regulation of breathing and blood pressure to movement of the body, from development to ageing, from normal cognition to mental illness and neurodegeneration.

The study of the brain is informed by research in genetics, proteomics, cell biology, invertebrate biology, evolution, anatomy, histology, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, immunology, medical physics, bioengineering, psychology, computation theory and the history of the scientific method.

How do you study Neuroscience?

You can study neuroscience in the Bachelor of Science, Advanced Science, Psychology, Medical Science and Liberal Arts & Science courses.

What will you study?

A major in neuroscience is designed to provide you with a foundation in the basic biology of the brain and the fundamentals of cognition. You can focus your cross-disciplinary studies with a molecular, cellular, anatomical or behavioural concentration. Or you can choose to spread your studies across the whole range, or choose to concentrate on a particular approach in third year.

What do neuroscientists do?

Research in neuroscience is vibrant and an international priority area. New knowledge gained from the field of neuroscience has a significant impact on attempts to solve major problems in health, such as neural disease and dysfunction and current social problems such as addiction and longer term social issues such as aging. This major will allow you to pursue further studies in neuroscience, work in one of the many rapidly growing areas in the pharmaceutical, medical or biotechnology industries, or pursue a professional course in medicine or psychology.