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Student number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M.Sc.
Neuroscience
Pre Information for
Module Selections
2019 | 2020
Course Director:
MSc Neuroscience Prof. Dev
School of Medicine
Trinity College Dublin
Ro
M.Sc.
Neuroscience
Course Handbook
Pre Information
2019 | 2020
Name:
Student number:
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Foreword
Congratulations and welcome to the M.Sc. Neuroscience programme in Trinity College Dublin.
This Handbook contains information regarding the course and also provides you with
information about the facilities available to you.
Throughout the course you will gain a broad based appreciation of neuroscience, and will also
receive in depth instruction in certain specialised areas of neuroscience from both a
theoretical and practical standpoint. In addition to neuroscience specific knowledge and skills,
this M.Sc. programme will allow you to become proficient in a range of transferable skills such
as data handling & statistics, computing, library and laboratory resource skills, and written/oral
communication skills. A major part of the year is an individual research project that counts for
30% of your degree marks.
Due to the multidisciplinary nature of Neuroscience, this M.Sc. course will be demanding and
will require you to be committed to your studies. Students are expected to work hard and
take complete responsibility for their own learning. However, you should always feel free to
seek advice and guidance from members of teaching staff.
The multidiscliplinary M.Sc. in Neuroscience attracts students with a variety of academic,
cultural and international backgrounds. Considering the diverse academic backgrounds of
your M.Sc. class, in addition to learning within the context of formal lecture and workshop
sessions, we encourage co-operation with your fellow students to learn from each other along
the way and enhance your overall experience.
Should you have any queries about any aspect of your training, then do not hesitate to contact
me or your research supervisor. To help orientate you to the regulations and guidelines that
apply to postgraduate students at Trinity, you should consult the website at:
http://www.tcd.ie/Graduate_Studies/, OR, Part #2 of the University Calendar.
Please note an Introductory Session will take place on Mon 02 Sep 2019 at 10am in the Teaching
Laboratory (2nd Floor), Trinity Biosciences Institute (TBSI), just before we start the first
laboratory. We will meet you at the lobby of TBSI at 9.30am Mon 02 Sep 2019.
Wishing you every success and hope that you enjoy your time in TCIN over the next year.
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Course Objectives
This course aims to provide multidisciplinary training in the neurosciences, in topics ranging
from molecular to behavioral. The course will equip participants with the skills to progress
into a career in biomedical, neuropsychological or pharmaceutical research, or to embark on
a doctoral programme.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
• Describe in detail the structure and function of the nervous system, and how the nervous
system interacts with other systems in the body
• Synthesise and critically evaluate published information and present it in written or oral
format to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
• Recognise the value of scientific enquiry and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical
responsibility of scientists
• Show proficiency in searching literature databases and analysis and presentation of data
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MSc Neuroscience
1 Year Full Time (FT) Course Structure
Module Module title ECTS Term
code Module Coordinator Exams/Coursework
Six Compulsory Modules
PG-7903 Experimental Neuroscience (EXP) 5 Michaelmas
Prof. K.K. Dev Lab Assessment
PG-7904 Current Experimental Techniques (TEQ) 5 Michaelmas
Prof. K.K. Dev Lab Assessment
PG-7912 Experimental Research Skills (ERS) 5 Hilary
Prof. K.K. Dev Lab Assessment
PG-7905 Statistical Skills (STA) 5 Hilary
Prof. M. Caldwell End of Module Assessment
PH-7100 Biochem. Basis Neuropharmacology (BBN) 5 Michaelmas
Dr. A. Harkin End of Module Assessment
PG-7909 Literature Review (REV) – DL 5 Michaelmas
Prof. K.K. Dev Literature Review
Total 90
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MSc Biomedical (Neuroscience)
1 Year Full Time (FT) Course Structure
Module Module title ECTS Term
code Module Coordinator Exams/Coursework
Six Compulsory Modules
PG-7903 Experimental Neuroscience (EXP) 5 Michaelmas
Prof. K.K. Dev Lab Assessment
PG-7904 Current Experimental Techniques (TEQ) 5 Michaelmas
Prof. K.K. Dev Lab Assessment
PG-7912 Experimental Research Skills (ERS) 5 Hilary
Prof. K.K. Dev Lab Assessment
PG-7905 Statistical Skills (STA) 5 Hilary
Prof. M. Caldwell End of Module Assessment
CM-7144 Clinical Research BioMed (CRM) 5 Michaelmas
Dr. H. Windle In course Assessment
PG-7909 Literature Review (REV) – DL 5 Michaelmas
Prof. K.K. Dev Literature Review
Total 90
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MSc Neuroscience
2 Year Part Time (PT) Course Structure
In Year 1, students take 7 core modules and in Year 2 complete 5 modules. In Year 2, students will
choose 2 of 3 elective modules, the remaining 3 core modules and carry out the research project.
Total 90
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Core and Elective Modules
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CUT AND RETURN YOUR SELCTON TO PROF DEV
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Choosing Your Modules
CUT AND RETURN YOUR SELCTON TO PROF DEV
BioMed Neuroscience
(FT – full time course)
PLEASE RETURN/PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE AND COMPLETE
RETURN BY End of First Week TO Prof Dev
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CUT AND RETURN YOUR SELCTON TO PROF DEV
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Module Statistics Previous Marks
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Short Module Descriptors
This module will deal with the structure and function of the nervous This module will focus on biologics as drugs and describe novel
system. Lectures will focus on gross anatomy and functions of the molecular methods used to alter receptor function. You will be
central and peripheral nervous systems; ventricles and CSF; presented with various processes and challenges faced in
vasculature of the brain; ion channels; synaptic transmission; sensory, pharmacology and drug development, presenting real life case
motor and limbic systems; plasticity, memory and learning. studies. The module will offer a number of workshops and seminars
to provide insights into intellectual property/technology transfer,
pharma, biotech and high growth companies. All students will be
PH-7100: required to present a therapy on a selected disease topic that will
provided to them. A percentage of the mark will be given to
Biochemical Basis of involvement in discussions and questions raised during the sessions.
Neuropharmacology (BBN) Students will be required to attend ALL sessions.
EE-7900:
PG-7907:
Neural Engineering
Journal Club (JRC)
(ENG)
(DL Module)
This module will introduce students to neural engineering from a
neuroscience perspective. Students will learn how to apply This module will require critical review of literature and delivery of
engineering principles to understand the excitation of nerve and oral and written presentations on an animal model of disease
assigned to them. Each student will research their given topic.
muscle, the generation of bioelectric signals and the artificial
Students will have to select, comprehend, present and critically
stimulation of biological tissues. Methods of stimulating, recording
analyse a number of research articles around their topic. A
and analysing neural systems will be examined in detail. The basic
percentage of the mark will be given to your involvement in
principles and methods studied will then be applied to examine discussions and questions raised during the journal clubs. You are
specific neuroscience applications of neural engineering, such as required to attend ALL the sessions. Students will have to
biomarkers for neurological disorders and neuroprostheses. demonstrate their understanding of the translational benefits and
limitations of animal models used in the area of neuroscience.
PR-7908:
Neuroimaging
(IMG)
This module will deal with the theory of imaging techniques such as
MRI, functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging and application of
these imaging techniques in the neurosciences and medical sciences.
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RESEARCH PROJECT MODULES EXPERIMENTAL BASED MODULES
PG-7909:
PG-7903:
Literature Review
Experimental Neuroscience
(REV) (DL Module)
(EXP)
Students will prepare a literature review on background to their
This is the first experimental focused module of the course. A
research project. practical and theoretical introduction to laboratory skills will be given
in this module. The module will then focus on molecular biology
techniques used in neuroscience research and that you will likely
PG-8000: apply in your research projects. All experiments will be conducted in
the Physiology Teaching Laboratory (TBSI, 2nd Floor).
Research Project
(PRJ)
Students will conduct a research project in one of the Neuroscience PG-7904:
laboratories across campus, including those contributing to TCIN, TBSI Current Experimental Techniques
and School of Medicine.
(TEQ)
This is the second experimental focused module of the course. This
module will cover cell staining & microscopy techniques as well as
biochemistry methods used in neuroscience research and that you
will likely apply in your research projects. All experiments will be
BIOMED TRACK MODULE ONLY conducted in the Physiology Teaching Laboratory (TBSI, 2nd Floor).
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General Neuroscience Textbooks
v At a Glance Series (the Directors recommendation)
Medical Pharmacology at a Glance, 7th Edition by Michael J. Neal
Immunology at a Glance, 10th Edition by J. H. L. Playfair, B. M. Chain
Neuroanatomy & Neuroscience at a Glance, 4th Edition by Roger A. Barker, Francesca Cicchetti
Medical Statistics at a Glance. A. Petrie and C. Sabin
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-324121.html
These set of books are a good introduction to neuroscience, neuroanatomy, pharmacology,
immunology and many others.
v Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain (2nd Ed) by M.F. Bear, B.W. Connors, M.A. Paradiso
(2001) Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; ISBN: 0781732557.
A good basic text
v Fundamental Neuroscience by M.J. Zigmond, F.E. Bloom, S.C. Landis, J. Roberts, L. Squire
(1998) Academic Press; ISBN: 0127808701
A very comprehensive reference text
v Principles of Neural Science (3rd. Ed) by E.R. Kandel, J.R. Schwartz & T.M. Jessel (2000)
McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0071120009
A good reference text
v In Search of Memory, The Emergence of a New Science of Mind by E.R. Kandel (2007) W W
Norton & Co Inc; ISBN 0393329372
Written by the Nobel prize winner Eric Kandel, this book takes you on fascinating historical
journey on the emergence of neuroscience as a scientific discipline
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Useful Websites
Reference databases
Pubmed
Pubmed is a database of journals kept in the National Library of Medicine, USA. It contains
journals from 1960’s up to the present day. It gives abstracts for almost all articles, and
contains links to many full text articles available to TCIN
http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
Science Direct
Science direct is a web-based database of Elsevier Science journals. It contains 1200
scientific journals and access to full-text articles. You can download full text articles from
1995 onwards within TCIN. From outside the college only abstracts are available.
http://sciencedirect.com
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