The Human Neuroscience BSc is a three year course which introduces students to the emerging discipline of neuroscience.

We are at the beginning of what has been called ‘The New Century of the Brain’. New technologies and new understanding of biology and behaviour are driving development in this vibrant and expanding field.

The Human Neuroscience BSc places special emphasis on human aspects of the field: cognitive neuroscience, diseases and disorders of the nervous system and clinical and psychological topics.

Graduates will be prepared for further advanced studies in neuroscience or careers in industry or healthcare settings.

 

The Human Neuroscience BSC is a specialised degree course for highly qualified students that will provide instruction in cutting-edge neuroscience.

Understanding the brain is a critical scientific challenge that brings together biology, medicine and psychology.

The Human Neuroscience BSC has a human focus but a broad multidisciplinary scope, with modules drawn from Biosciences, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Computer Science, Psychology, Philosophy and Medicine.

The field is rapidly expanding under the influence of new technologies and collaboration across traditional disciplines. It addresses a number of social challenges including brain disease, mental health problems and maintaining health in an aging population.

In the first year, there is a range of core modules that provide the biological and behavioural basis for more in-depth analysis in subsequent years. Topics covered include the physiology of nerve cells, pharmacology, evolution, genetics, perception and memory.

In the second year, there are a number of options available for selection. These include cognitive neuroscience topics (eg, perception and movement), sport and exercise science topics (the control of human movements), computational approaches to data analysis, and even the philosophy of the mind-body problem. Additional options allow further in-depth study of neurophysiology and pharmacology, evolution and human behaviour.

In the final year, students undertake an extended research project, under the supervision of internationally recognised experts with access to state-of-the-art laboratories for MRI, EEG, TMS, tDCS, eye-tracking, visual attention, psycholinguistics, motion tracking, posture and balance, food and nutrition, social cognition, neuropsychology, and child development..

   

Why Study this Course?

There are many reasons to study the Human Neuroscience BSc at Newcastle:

  • We are ranked 1st in the Russell Group for graduate prospects – Complete University Guide 2019.
  • This course offers a broad range of knowledge across three main areas: Psychology, Biosciences and Medicine.  There is special emphasis on human aspects of the field: cognitive neuroscience, diseases and disorders of the nervous system.
  • You will have the opportunity to take a year abroad in between your second and third years, in a location such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore.
  • 96.8% of our graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.
  • New investments – The Centre for Human Brain Health is an inter-disciplinary brain research facility established with the mission of understanding what makes a brain healthy, how to maintain it, how to prevent and reverse damage and how to develop the next generation of interventions and tools for personalised brain healthcare.  The Institute for Mental Health  has been created to improve the care and outcomes of those suffering from problems in their mental health, and to ensure a sustained impact on public policy and practice.

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Human Neuroscience BSc (Hons)

Course Level:

Undergraduate

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U494

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (3 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Year 1

Compulsory modules:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology
  • Genetics 1
  • Foundation of Neuroscience
  • LC Foundation of Pharamcology
  • Research Methods A for Neuroscientists
  • Research Methods B for Neuroscientists
  • Developing Skills for Psychologists/Neuroscientists 1: Making it work at University
  • Developing Skills for Psychologists/Neuroscientists 2: Engaging professionally

Year 2

Compulsory modules:

  • Neuroscience Methods 1
  • Neuroscience Methods 2

Optional – example optional modules may include:

  • Current Research in Neuroscience 1
  • Current Research in Neuroscience 2
  • Neuroscience, Endocrinology and Reproduction
  • Neural Basis of Vision and Action
  • Social and Cognitive Development
  • Evolution of Humans and Other Animals
  • Introduction to Psycholinguistics
  • Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms
  • Control of Human Movement
  • Human Structure and Function
  • The Mind-Body Problem
  • Introduction to Forensic Psychology
  • Genetics II
  • Cell and Developmental Biology
  • Philosophy of Mental Health
  • Science and Nature
  • Foundations of Data Science

Year 3

For Semester 1, students will choose 1 module from an available list of optional modules.  For Semester 2, students will choose 2 modules from an  available list of optional modules..  Hence, students will take 3 optional 20 credit modules over the two semesters. Only the modules on the list provided by the School are available.  The list will include modules in Psychology , Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Biosciences, Philosophy and Computer Science, where such modules have relevance to neuroscience and the programme learning outcomes.  Where modules are oversubscribed access is determined by past performance

Compulsory modules:

  • Neuroscience Research Project 
  • Neuroscience and Society

Optional – example optional modules may include:

  • Neurobiology of Mental Illness
  • Visual Cognitive Neuroscience and Art
  • Understanding Emotions
  • Why We Eat What We Eat:  Psychological Perspective on Appetite
  • Neuroimaging: A Toolbox for Understanding the Human Mind
  • Sleep
  • Brain Damage and Aging in the Attentional System
  • The Mind Detective: Understanding how the mind works by looking at what happens when it is damaged
  • Antisocial and violent behaviours: A multilevel perspective
  • Human Evolution
  • Cellular Neurobiology
  • Human Health and Disease
  • Motor Learning and Neuroplasticity
  • Minds, Brains and Computers: Issues in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science
  • Global Bioethics 
  • Prejudice, Race and Gender 

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

 

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.