The MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience is a stand-alone postgraduate course in neuroscience offering both taught and research components. This one-year neuroscience programme is aimed particularly at those who want to prepare for later studies at PhD level, clinicians and others who want graduate-level research training but for whom a full PhD might not be required or appropriate, and graduates who plan a career in translational neuroscience, including careers in the pharmaceutical industry.
This course offers both taught and research components including a project rotation, research training modules, lectures, seminars and workshops, and the opportunity to undertake a wide variety of generic skills training. Students will participate in a symposium where they will have the opportunity to present their research.
The programme is a one-year master’s course with both taught and research components. Students selected onto the course will follow the structured MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience research training. The aims of this one-year, full-time research training course are as follows:
- to give the student experience of research work;
- to expose them to a variety of laboratory environments and the balance of self-sufficiency and teamwork needed in a researcher;
- to introduce them to the basic skills of experimental design, project management, time management etc. needed in research;
- to familiarise the student with the practicalities of laboratory research, imparting an understanding of the nature of bench research, of record keeping and data handling, and of good laboratory practice;
- to introduce them to basic analytical techniques needed to understand and contextualise their research;
- to familiarise them with basic scientific writing and presentation skills.
The additional objectives that are specific to this programme will be:
- to attract students from a wide range of backgrounds into neuroscience by providing a taught module with a basic overview of neuroscience;
- to provide students with thorough training in neuroscience methods, data analysis and statistics techniques;
- to give students the necessary basic yet broad understanding of neuroscience to prepare them for future PhD studies; and
- to provide students with adequate experience in neuroscience research to enable them to make an informed choice of PhD project if they so wish.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the master’s course, students drawn from a diverse range of subject backgrounds are all expected to have:
- developed a broad understanding of modern research techniques, and thorough knowledge of the literature applicable to research in topics related to neuroscience;
- been exposed to a number of theoretical approaches to brain science and trained in critical thinking in the area;
- acquired specific expertise in neuroscience research methods and statistics;
- demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field;
- acquired knowledge of a broad range of interdisciplinary research areas and supervisors to inform their choice of PhD projects if applicable; and
- undertaken training in generic and transferable research skills including the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies.
Continuing
Students wishing to progress to the PhD after completing this MPhil course must apply via the University’s online portal. They will be required to pass the MPhil degree at a sufficient level to satisfy the Postgraduate Education Committee of the Faculty or Department they are applying to that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.
Expected Academic Standard
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK II.i Honours Degree.
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
For this programme, applicants should already have or expect to obtain at least an upper second-class honours or equivalent in any subject relevant to the programme (including neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, medicine, statistics, epidemiology, physics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and related subjects).
Course Website
( https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpdmpbtn )
