Neuroscience BSc (Hons)

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Psychology and Biology alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take two to three Psychology and Biology modules per semester during your first two years, and four to five per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).

1st Year

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:

• Biology 1: an introduction to molecular and cellular biology, covering cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
• Biology 2: an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth, which addresses key elements of organismal and ecological aspects of life.
• Psychology 1: introduces the theoretical foundations, historical perspectives and modern developments of psychology, and provides a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.
• Psychology 2: expands upon the topics discussed during Psychology 1 and continues to introduce the variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:

• Cell Biology: introduces the concept of ‘a cell’, moving on to discuss different types of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Cell Systems: discusses how cells interact with one another to form complex tissues and organisms.
• Psychology 1 (second year): covers the relations between different aspects of psychology in addition to providing more in-depth coverage of material taught in the first year. It also contains a methodology component covering laboratory and field techniques.
• Psychology 2 (second year): provides a more advanced treatment of a number of areas in psychology and extends the range of teaching from Psychology 1.

You will also choose two additional modules out the following selection:

• Biochemistry: examines major biological macromolecules, the common motifs which occur in metabolic reactions, the properties of enzymes catalysing these reactions, and the approaches to characterise the small molecule complement (metabolites) of biological systems.
• Comparative Physiology: covers the principles of physiological adaptation in a range of animals, including examples from all major taxa and from all habitats.
• Ecology: introduces basic concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity.
• Evolutionary Biology: an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.
• Invertebrate Zoology: surveys the major invertebrate groups, emphasizing the diversity of body plans while demonstrating how the common functional requirements such as feeding, reproduction, respiration and excretion are achieved.
• Molecular Biology: provides an introduction to modern molecular biology, covering fundamental biological processes such as transcription, translation, DNA replication and repair.
• Research Methods in Biology: helps students develop essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem solving.
• Vertebrate Zoology: explore the diversity of vertebrate animals, beginning with the closest relatives of vertebrates and the evolutionary origins of the group.

If you decide to take Neuroscience in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules ranging from clinical and developmental psychology to cognitive, behavioural, cellular and molecular neuroscience.

Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Cognition
• Neurodegeneration and Aging
• Neuromodulation
• Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience
• Sex Differences and Gender Development
• Synaptic Transmission.

In fourth year, students can conduct a research project which will involve extensive laboratory or field research to investigate a problem broadly within biology, psychology or neuroscience. The project will culminate in the production of a high-quality report that demonstrates a deep understanding of the chosen area of research.

The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above.