Medical Neuroscience, MSc

Study Medical Neuroscience at a Top UK Medical School

Man looking at scan of brain

Course Overview

Medical Neuroscience is the study of the brain and nervous system, examining its structure, function, chemistry, and physiology to better understand medical conditions relating to the nervous system and working as a framework for understanding human behaviour.

This course will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of Medical Neuroscience using an integrated learning approach that utilises a mix of on-campus evidence-based teaching and online learning, alongside the delivery of key practical laboratory skills.

Why Medical Neuroscience at Swansea University?

  • 100% of our research was considered internationally excellent in terms of our impact (REF2021).
  • Postgraduate students have access to facilities in the £100 million Institute of Life Science (ILS) building
  • ILS has clinical research of social importance as a focus, through links with NHS and industrial partners
  • Supported by Research active teaching staff
  • High-quality support for MSc student research projects

Your Postgraduate Medical Neuroscience Experience

As part of your degree, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for clinical, in vivo, in vitro and in silico research methods. These include the Institute of Life Science (ILS) Clinical Imaging Suite which overlaps the University and Singleton Hospital campuses and features adjoined 3T MRI and high-resolution CT imaging, high-resolution microscopes, mass spectrometers, DNA sequencing, and access to supercomputing.

You will also benefit from the close working relationship between Swansea University and the NHS in Wales. It will provide you with the ideal circumstances for collaborative teaching and research. We also have strong links with the UK Research Council, Welsh Government, and numerous national and international connections.

Topics likely to be covered

There are several topic areas covered within the programme that will allow you to develop and enhance your specialist knowledge of Medical Neuroscience. The investigation of the biology of the nervous system will allow you to generalise this biology to common situations in Medical Neuroscience and critically appraise current evidence for common topics in Medical Neuroscience, such as:

  • Foundations of Medical Neuroscience (covering the structure and function of the nervous system, core principle of molecular, cellular, behavioural and systems neuroscience, Neuronal transmission, and synaptic physiology, measuring brain activity and Neuropharmacology)
  • Laboratory Measurement Techniques for Medicinal Chemistry and Nanomedicine
  • Contemporary Issues in Medical Science
  • Science Communication
  • Medical Neuroanatomy
  • Neurodegeneration and repair
  • Postgraduate Taught Masters Dissertation

Medical Neuroscience Employment Opportunities

This course has been designed to provide you with a challenging, but enriching, academic experience that is geared towards you developing a career in Medical Neuroscience and the Life Science sectors.

This course will equip graduates with the attributes and abilities to undertake continued study, highly skilled employment, or gain access to the professions. This will include healthcare, Medical Neuroscience, and life sciences in Wales and beyond.

This course aims to produce well-rounded, highly skilled, and knowledgeable scientists with transferable professional practice attributes, providing strong foundations that could improve employment prospects and prepare you for life-long learning via continued professional development.

Modules

Modules typically include: 

  • Foundations in Medical Neuroscience
  • Medical Neuroanatomy
  • Contemporary Issues in Medical Science
  • Neurodegeneration and Repair  
  • Advanced Learning, Memory and Cognition
  • Laboratory Measurement Techniques for Medical Sciences
  • Science Communication
  • Postgraduate Taught Masters Dissertation