Neuroscience and Cognition – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The basic outline of the study programmes of the Life Sciences Master’s programmes will be maintained in order to enable you to develop your own Master’s plan and to facilitate interdisciplinary interactions at the interfaces between scientific disciplines and programmes. The study programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS.
The Neuroscience and Cognition programme offers you the opportunity to choose one of two tracks:
As part of the Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience track, you study the development, functioning, adaptation and pathogenesis of the nervous system. For your research projects, you can choose any of the subjects from the entire range of neuroscience topics from the level of the gene to the whole organism, from humans to animals, and from ethology to behavioural disorders. You will learn techniques addressing the molecular, cellular, network and behavioural level. Many research projects focus on patients with neurological and psychiatric conditions and the associated animal models. You have the option of completing your second research project abroad. The Track Coordinator is Dr Pierre de Graan (p.n.e.degraan@umcutrecht.nl).
As part of the Cognitive Neuroscience track, you investigate the relationship between the central nervous system and cognitive skills. You examine how a normal system functions and try to understand perception and motor behaviour in terms of the physical properties of the environment, as well as study the consequences of neuropathology on normal functioning. Disturbances of cognitive functioning are a key area of clinical research, which can help to lead to a better understanding of normal functioning. This track, too, offers the opportunity to complete part of the programme abroad. The Track Coordinator is Prof. Albert Postma (A.Postma@fss.uu.nl).
Theoretical courses (15 ECTS)All Graduate School of Life Sciences programmes devote ten weeks to theoretical courses. The Neuroscience and Cognition Master's programme starts with the ten-week 'Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Cognition' introduction course.

Major Research Project (51 ECTS) and Minor Research Project(33 ECTS)Neuroscience and Cognition Master’s students are required to complete a major (51 ECTS) and a minor (33 ECTS) research project. You may complete both projects while working as part of one of the participating groups. For your second research project, you are encouraged to go abroad. In completing the research projects, you will gain practical experience in scientific research and learn to analyse data, write reports and give oral presentations.
Electives (12 ECTS)Your electives can be used to address deficiencies in your previous education, complete additional theoretical courses or extend a research project.
Master’s thesis (7.5 ECTS)Students are required to write a Master’s thesis based on a literature review of a relevant subject. The Master’s thesis should present a clear and thorough overview of recent literature addressing the topic in question. It should include an in-depth discussion, demonstrating their ability to critically evaluate hypotheses and results, presenting their own views and drawing conclusions that point to new research.
Seminars(1.5 ECTS)During the course of the Master’s programme, you have to attend at least ten seminars.

Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: Netherlands