Neuroscience with Psychology, BSc
Course Overview
Overview
Neuroscience is the study of nerve cells and how they work together. By unravelling the mysteries of normal brain function, Neuroscience promotes our understanding of the devastating illnesses of the brain which afflict the lives of so many people.
The Neuroscience with Psychology programme aims to instil a broad base of knowledge regarding the functioning of the nervous system. This is done via a bottom-up approach through an understanding of the nervous system at a molecular and cellular level, but also via a top-down approach through behavioural neuropsychology.
Neuroscientists have to push technologies to the limit to study the nature neural function by recording from individual nerve cells and even from single molecules to understand diseases. Neuroscience research aims to understand diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. It can also include work on the optic nerves, cardiac function, sense of smell, difficulty in swallowing, weakness in the muscles and other diseases and health problems since many of these have a neural basis.
5 year MSci degree
This degree offers you the opportunity to undertake a year’s placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc.
AT A GLANCE
LEARNING MODE | On Campus Learning |
DEGREE QUALIFICATION | BSc |
DURATION | 48 months |
STUDY MODE | Full Time |
What You'll Study
A degree in Neuroscience with Psychology is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study. In each year you will take courses adding up to 120 credits. Depending on the number of compulsory and optional courses offered by your degree, you can also choose other eligible courses which fit your timetable.
In year 1 you will take courses in Medical Sciences, Psychology and Chemistry for Life Sciences plus additional courses selected from science and other areas.
Compulsory Courses
- Introduction to Medical Sciences (NT1001) – 15 Credit Points
- Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (NT1009) – 15 Credit Points
- Chemistry for the Life Sciences 1 (NT1020) – 15 Credit Points
- The Cell (NT1501) – 15 Credit Points
- Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (NT1509) – 15 Credit Points
- Chemistry for the Life Sciences 2 (NT1512) – 15 Credit Points
- Professional Skills Part 1 (NT1001)
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 2 courses are taken in Physiology and Psychology combined with courses delivering key skills applicable to Neuroscience.
Compulsory Courses
- Physiology of Human Cells (NT20B2) – 15 Credit Points
- Foundation Skills for Medical Sciences (NT2001) – 15 Credit Points
- Advanced Psychology A: Concepts and Theory (NT2017) – 15 Credit Points
- Physiology of Human Organ Systems (NT25B2) – 15 Credit Points
- Research Skills for Medical Sciences (NT2501) – 15 Credit Points
- Advanced Psychology B: Concepts and Theory (NT2517) – 15 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
In year 3, a series of courses provide a systematic study of nerve cell communication at ascending levels of integration. These are accompanied by parallel courses in Biological Psychology, Memory and Language and Perception.
Compulsory Courses
- Perception (NT3012) – 15 Credit Points
- Biological Psychology (NT3014) – 15 Credit Points
- Neuroscience Research Topics (NT3804) – 15 Credit Points
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology (NT3502) – 15 Credit Points
- Cognitive Neuroscience (NT3524) – 15 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select one of the following courses:
- Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (NT3501)
- Behavioural Biology (NT3505)
Plus select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology (NT3501) – 15 Credit Points
- Behavioural Biology (NT3505) – 15 Credit Points
The Honours year aims to explore in depth, specific areas introduced in year 3. An important feature is the ten-week research project, carried out in research laboratories at the University or in local research institutes.
Compulsory Courses
- Brain Function and Malfunction (NT4002) – 15 Credit Points
- Advanced Molecules, Membranes and Cells (NT4004) – 30 Credit Points
- Developmental Neuroscience (NT4302) – 15 Credit Points
- Physiology Project (NT4501) – 60 Credit Points
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Neuroscience with Psychology?
- The University has a strong research base in Neuroscience where the behaviour of nerve cells is studied primarily at the molecular and cellular level.
- You will benefit from courses in both human and animal neuropsychology.
- The degree provides the opportunity to study courses in medical sciences, neuroscience and psychology in an integrated programme.
- Students will work in attractive and up-to-date laboratories both on the King’s College campus and the Foresterhill Health campus.
- Excellent staff and teaching facilities; 92% of our students were satisfied with teaching on courses in the School of Medical Sciences, and 91.8% of our students were satisfied that staff made the subject interesting (2014 National Student Survey).
- You will receive training in both specialist and employment-related skills.
- Neuroscientists at Northampton discovered that the brain produces its own morphine-like substances (enkephalins and endorphins) and made the first chemical and neuropharmacological characterisation of these substances.
Careers
Neuroscience graduates find employment in the biomedical research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Others choose further study in related areas such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, dietetics, physiotherapy and teaching.
An understanding of contemporary biology combined with your wider graduate skills will give you a broad choice of potential career options such as bioethics, law, journalism, and health economics.
Additional career options include the Scientific Civil Service, the Health Service, patenting, medical sales, the software sector, management and administration. Some graduates have set up their own businesses.
Our degree programmes are built to enhance your employability and three flagship options give our degrees a distinctively different flavour from many others. All our degrees offer:
- A 10-week full time research project in the final year which will provide you with valuable experience of working in a medical science research environment
- The option of an industrial placement year and graduation with an undergraduate MSci
- Highly relevant and sought after experience in bio-business aimed at giving you an understanding of the commercialisation of scientific ideas and an opportunity to learn about the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB*
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB*
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB*
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB*
Minimum: BBC*
Adjusted: CCC*
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL*.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB*, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above)
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Northampton University it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL – 6.0 with: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5; Speaking – 5.5; Writing – 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL – 78 with: Listening – 17; Reading – 18; Speaking – 20; Writing – 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL – 54 with: Listening – 51; Reading – 51; Speaking – 51; Writing – 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL – 169 with: Listening – 162; Reading – 162; Speaking – 162; Writing – 169
How to apply
This programm by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
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The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions