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MSc Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry
King's College London

About

MSc Neuroscience students at the Institute of Psychiatry will study a block of three broad-based neuroscience modules during their first term. During the second term they will choose a further taught module on current research in one of seven specialities, Behavioural Genetics, Addiction Biology, Developmental Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, Neuroimaging, Functional Neuroimaging and Tractography and Cognitive Neuroscience. The research project will occupy the third term. For further details see Programme Structure

These research-rich specialised taught modules and research projects will be offered by:

The introduction of optional modules in 2009 provided an exciting opportunity to specialise in one of several fast-developing areas of neuroscience while continuing to study the wide range of subjects listed below.

(i) neuroanatomy and neuropathology (ii) cell biology
(iii) neurotransmission (iv) cell signalling
(v) neurogenetics (vi) developmental neurobiology
(vii) neuronal plasticity (viii) neuroimmunology
(ix) systems neuroscience (x) addiction biology
(xi) neuropsychology of mental health (xii) neuroimaging
(xiii) neurodegeneration  

The changes are a response to rapid developments in molecular cell biology, genetics/genomics, proteomics and MRI that have led to a greater understanding of psychiatric and neurological disease. While most students applying to the programme have a degree in a basic biomedical science, a broader range of applicants are becoming interested in the programme. These include:

  • clinicians and psychologists eager to understand current knowledge and to apply it in their own research or practice and;
  • students with backgrounds in the physical sciences, mathematics or computing keen to develop, for example, more advanced methods of analysing data from MRI and genetic studies.

The programme aims to provide students with a greater understanding of mechanisms underlying brain function in normal and pathological conditions that they can then pursue in either the laboratory or the clinic.