Neuroscience (B141)

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 480 credits.

There are options to switch to any other course in the Bioscience suite or to another four-year MSci after Year 1. You can also choose to study abroad during Year 2.

You are required to take:

• Biochemistry (15 credits)
• Genetics and Molecular Biology (15 credits)
• Cell Biology and Neuroscience (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Physiology and Anatomy (30 credits)
• Fundamentals of Pharmacology (15 credits)
• Skills for the Biosciences (15 credits)

There are no optional modules in year 1

We review our modules on a regular basis in order to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant courses of study. The optional modules offered may therefore change.

2nd Year

You are required to take:

• Neuroscience (30 credits)

• Neuroscience & the Mind (15 credits)

• Physiology & Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System (15 credits)

• Essentials of Embryology (15 credits)

• Psychology 1 (15 credits)

• Gene Cloning & Expression A (15 credits)

You are also required to take one of the following optional modules:

• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (15 credits)

• Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Mind (15 credits)

You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for your second year at one of our partner universities, which currently include:

• The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden
• The University of Melbourne, Australia
• National University of Singapore
• The University of California
• The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

You may be required to fulfil additional entry requirements for this option.

Alternatively, you may apply for an extra-mural year, to be taken between the second and third years if selected. Students apply directly to placement providers through a process facilitated by the university. Placements, either in the UK or overseas, may be in a pharmaceutical company, a government research establishment or academic research institute. Courses incorporating the extra-mural year are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Students are not encouraged to undertake the extra-mural year when undertaking the MSci. Any applications will be considered on a case- by-case basis.

We review our modules on a regular basis in order to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant courses of study. The optional modules offered may therefore change.

3rd Year

In your final year you will choose one of the following pathways:

1. Neuroscience - Laboratory Research

This pathway features a major neuroscience project within a research laboratory. It can be on a wide range of topics within cells, systems, developmental neuroscience or neurodegeneration.

2. Neuroscience and Neuropsychology

This pathway features a psychology research project.

3. Neuroscience - Literature and Practical Topics

This pathway features a literature-based neuroscience project (15 credits) and a shorter laboratory-based module comprising structured experimental sessions.

Neuroscience - Laboratory Research Pathway

You are required to take:

• Laboratory-based Project in Neuroscience (45 credits)

• Principles of Neurobiological Research (15 credits)

You are also required to take one of the following options:

• Developmental Neurobiology (30 credits)

• Perspectives on Pain & Nervous System Disorders (30 credits)

You are also required to take one of the following options:

• Mechanisms of Development (30 credits)

• Cellular and Systems Neuroscience (30 credits)

• Memory Mechanism in Health & Disease (15 credits)
  
  
• Imaging the Brain, Reading the Mind (15 credits)

Neuroscience and Neuropsychology Pathway

You are required to take:

• Cognitive Neuropsychology (30 credits)

• Research Methods and Statistics Psychology Project (30 credits)

Neuroscience - Literature and Practical Topics

You are required to take:

• Literature based Research Project in the Neurosciences (15 credits)
  and/or
• Project Design in Neuroscience (30 credits)

Neuroscience - Laboratory Research Pathway

There are no optional modules

Neuroscience and Neuropsychology Pathway

Take sufficient credits to bring your total for the year to 120, from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• Cellular & Systems Neuroscience (30 credits)

• Memory Mechanisms in Health & Disease (15 credits)

• Imaging & Brain, Reading the Mind (15 credits)

• Pharmacology of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders (15 credits)

• Neuroendocrinology (15 credits)

Neuroscience - Literature and Practical Topics Pathway

Take sufficient credits to bring your total for the year to 120, from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• Cellular and Systems Neuroscience (30 credits)

• Pharmacology of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders (15 credits)

• Neuroendocrinology (15 credits)

• Behavioural Science (15 credits)

• Developmental Neurobiology (30 credits)

• Cellular Basis of Drug Dependence (30 credits)

• Perspectives on Pain & Nervous System Disorders (30 credits)

• Experimental Topics in Neuroscience (15 credits)

• Mechanisms of Development (30 credits)

• Memory Mechanisms in Health & Disease (15 credits)

• Imaging the Brain, Reading the Mind (15 credits)

During year three you can apply to transfer to the four-year MSci Integrated Pharmacology and Physiology for Research, on which you will be required to take a 90-credit research project usually at an external industrial provider within the UK during your fourth year.

A contribution by the university is given to cover additional living costs during the project up to a maximum of £2,000.

4th Year

You are required to take:

• Research Project in Neuroscience (60 credits)

• Project Design and Research Methods in Neuroscience (30 credits)

In addition, you are required to take one 30 credit module from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• Psychiatric Genetics Research (30 credits)

• Developmental Neurobiology Research (30 credits)

• Neurodegeneration Research (30 credits)

• Neuroimaging Research (30 credits)

• Cognitive Neuroscience Research (30 credits)

• Neural Stem Cells and Nervous System Repair (30 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.