Master of Neuroscience

The Master of Neuroscience coursework program is an initiative of QBI’s Professor Perry Bartlett and Professor Deborah Terry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Suited to both international and domestic students who wish to shift their career focus to neuroscience, the Master of Neuroscience is designed to train highly-qualified individuals for independent research and teaching careers. The program also provides excellent theoretical and practical grounding for those wishing to pursue PhD studies. Having a quota of 12 ensures that students are well taken care of during their program.

The program is coordinated by QBI and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, but also spans many other exceptionally strong centres for neuroscience research at UQ. Providing research training and core professional skills, the program is a pathway to specialist streams including molecular and cellular neuroscience, neural imaging and computational neuroscience, developmental neurobiology, cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, visual and sensory neuroscience and epigenetics.

The Master of Neuroscience runs for three semesters (24 units), though students with Honours or equivalent can complete the program in two semesters (16 units).

The compulsory courses are:

• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (NEUR7006) which is concerned with cell and molecular biology of the neuron.
• Systems Neuroscience: Sensory and Motor (NEUR7004) uses a systems approach to explore the brain with respect to circuits that integrate and process information.
• Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience (NEUR7005) is concerned with the elucidation of the neural basis of cognitive and behavioural phenomena.

Some of the projects that Master of Neuroscience students have undertaken in the past include:

• Activation of adult mouse spinal cord neural system stem cells by in vitro depolarisation
• Axonal degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans motor neurons as a model of motor neuron disease (MND)
• Understanding of actions and motor intentions in the parieto-frontal mirror circuit

Compulsory Lecture Courses

The three core lecture-based courses (NEUR7006, NEUR7004 and NEUR7005) form the theoretical component of the Master of Neuroscience program. Together, these courses are designed to provide a comprehensive and mutually complementary introduction to Neuroscience and they can be completed in any order. Together with the three Master of Neuroscience laboratory rotations, these courses provide a cohesive introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of Neuroscience.


Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (NEUR7006) is concerned with cell and molecular biology of the neuron. Advanced treatment of the following specific topics will be given by selected research experts: cytology of the neuron; synthesis and trafficking of neuronal proteins; ion channels; G protein-coupled receptors; synaptic transmission; trans-synaptic signalling; modulation of synaptic transmission; and molecular pathological processes underlying neural disorders. Students who do this course will be given an up-to-date understanding of how the nervous system works at its most fundamental level. It will also provide the latest knowledge on our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of some key nervous system disorders. The assessment will involve weekly assignments and a presentation. Students need to have completed an appropriate undergraduate degree and have a basic understanding of Physics, Physiology, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology. This course will be offered in Semester Two, 2011 and again in Semester One, 2013, i.e. every third semester.

The Systems Neuroscience (NEUR7004) will use a systems approach to explore the brain with respect to circuits (both sensory and motor) that integrate and process information. Sensory systems such as vision, hearing and taste and the pathways responsible for detecting temperature, pain and the level of muscular contraction will all be examined in the context of synaptic transmission, filtering and feedback mechanisms. Motor systems initiating and controlling movement, pattern generation, timing and muscular force will be investigated in the context of balance, posture, coordination, strength and fatigue. Sensory-motor integration will also be investigated with respect to interactions with other cognitive tasks through the mirror neuron system, plasticity (during development/growth and in old age) and in abnormal conditions such as disease or after a lesion. This course will be offered in Semester One, 2012 and again in Semester Two, 2013, i.e. every third semester.

The Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience (NEUR7005) course is concerned with the elucidation of the neural basis of cognitive and behavioural phenomena. The course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of neuroscientific approaches to research in selected areas of psychology, such as attention, fear and fear learning, or object identification. The material will be presented in lectures that are embedded in guided readings. The content will be elaborated in small group tutorials and practicals that will permit hands-on experience with the research techniques used in neuroscientific research. Assessment will involve a final exam and a 4000 word literature review and research proposal. This course will be offered in Semester Two, 2012 and again in Semester One, 2014, i.e. every third semester.

Placement Courses

The program requires students to undertake either 2 lab rotations for the #16 unit program or 3 lab rotations for the #24 unit program. Each rotation is a supervised 300 hours laboratory experience designed to provide a comprehensive and complementary introduction to Neuroscience research experience. The rotations will involve placement in a neuroscience laboratory in a wide number of participating schools, including QBI, the Schools of Psychology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Human Movement Studies, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Microbial and Molecular Biosciences, Information Technology & Electrical Engineering, the Perinatal Research Centre/Centre for Clinical Research, the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the Centre for Advanced Imaging and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR).

Eligibility and Application process

Please go to The University of Queensland's Courses and Program website (http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5486 for the #16 unit option or http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5487 for the #24 unit option) for information on the application process and eligibility requirements (including English Proficiency requirements).

Closing Date

To commence study in semester 2 - April 1 of the year of commencement.

To commence study in semester 1 - October 1 of the previous year.

Contact Us

Dr Blake Chapman, Research Higher Degree Recruimtent Officer, Queensland Brain Institute.

The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, 4072 Australia


Tel: + 61 7 3346 6364

Fax: + 61 7 3346 6301 


Email: mneurosci@uq.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Number 00025B CRICOS Code (Master of Neuroscience) 068262E
 

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