Description

Contents

Duration: 24 months (120 ECTS), starting September 1

Year 1

* Introduction to BCN
* Integrative themes
* Four track specific modules
* Minor Research project
* Colloquium
* Minor thesis symposium

Year 2

* Essay
* Three advanced modules
* Major Research project
* Major thesis symposium

Programme content

The main focus of this two years research master is to train students to become independent researchers. Hereto, a large proportion of the program is devoted to two research projects in which the students are embedded in successful research groups or institutes to conduct their own research. Students are encouraged to chose their own research subject and lab, either within the Netherlands or abroad. Apart from these research projects, intense courses in a variety of modern topics on molecular neuroscience, cognition and behaviour will be provided.

The first year starts with four courses (5 ECTS each) that address a wide range of track related topics to bring the students to "state of the art" research level. Furthermore, the first semester consists of two courses that are shared among all three tracks. The first one (4 ECTS) gives an introduction to the research done in the context of BCN at the University of Groningen. The other course (3 ECTS) discusses topics related to research such as writing grant proposals, project management, ethics, etc. At the second semester the first Research project (minor thesis, 29 ECTS) will provide the graduates with the initial experience in each stage of a research project. The first year ends with a symposium (1 ECTS) about the minor research project that is directed to a broad audience.

During the first part of the second year, BCN MSc students will be required to spend 15 ECTS on optional courses. Part of the optional courses are especially designed for BCN, other courses can be chosen from different faculties. Furthermore, an essay (4 ECTS) has to be written. The rest of the year is dedicated to the second Research project of the curriculum (major thesis, 40 ECTS). This Research project requires a great deal more independence of the student than the first one. The second year ends with a symposium (1 ECTS) about the major research project that is directed to a broad audiance.

* Track B: Animal and human behaviour

This track is designed for students who are familiar with the basictheoretical foundations of behavioural research. They follow the "four whys" of the evolution, function, causation and development of behaviour. Thorough evolutionary insight is necessary for guiding the causal analysis of behaviour. Hence we link the functional and physiological analysis of behaviour. Evolution and Ontogeny of Behaviour is a further key to understand the complex regulation of behaviour in adulthood, the origins of individuality and the constraints and plasticity in behavioural adaptation. The modules Individuality: Genetics and Neurobiology as well as Neuroendocrine Basis of Behaviour are set up to study the molecular basis of behaviour. The B-track also includes timing of behaviour. The general principles of daily timing are ubiquitous in life as evolved on a rotating planet and are prime examples of unification in the diverse and complex phenomena together called behaviour.

* Track C: Cognitive neuroscience and cognitive modeling

This research track focuses on cognitive processing from psychological, neurological and modelling perspectives. The psychological aspect is covered in expert courses on psychological phenomena such as learning, memory and attention. The neurological aspects entail specialized courses on neuroscience, both from functional, clinical and biological perspectives, and training in different methodologies (e.g., fMRI, TMS, EEG) to study brain processes. The modelling aspects focuses on abstract characterization of cognitive processing. These characterizations can take the form of statistical or computational models. This enables researchers to establish causal relations between behavioral and neurological phenomena and cognitive theories. These aspects are reflected in the program offered in the first year. The first year consists of a core program of three courses and an elective program of five courses of which one has to be elected. The combination of core and elective courses enables students to focus their education on their personal interests, while at the same time ensuring that all students have a strong background in the major perspectives.

* Track N: Molecular and clinical neuroscience

The curriculum comprises a variety of modern topics on molecularneuroscience. The specific expertise of the various neuroscienceresearch groups in Groningen, including cell biology, biologicalpsychiatry, medical physiology, neurology, the PET-centre and theNeuro-Imaging centre warrants high level teaching and researchprojects. The four modules of the first year address a wide range oftopics concerning molecular neuroscience and molecularneuropathology. The modules are designed to bring the studentsto state-of-the-art research level addressing (Neuro-) Genetics,Functional Neuroanatomy, Glia- and Stem Cell Biology in Neuroimmunology and Brain Pathology.

Requirements

* The basic requirement for this Research Master´s programme is a Bachelor´s degree of three years in a related field at a satisfactory university level.
* A thorough selection of the candidates based on their resume, their degrees and their English proficiency (TOEFL score of 580) will precede the admission.
* The Admissions board of the programme reserves the right to decide on access to the programme.

English Language Requirements