BSc Neuroscience
What is Neuroscience?
Neuroscience is the study of the brain and the nerves that make up the nervous system. The brain controls all bodily activities, ranging from heart rate and sexual function to emotion, learning and memory.
Ultimately, it shapes our thoughts, hopes, dreams and
imagination. In fact, the brain is what makes us human.
We will take you on an amazing journey. You will cover all major areas of neuroscience from the molecular to the clinical/pathological from an anatomical, pharmacological, physiological and molecular biological viewpoint. You will learn about the disorders of the nervous system such as: neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s), obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Neuroanatomy and physiology
Throughout the neuroscience degree, the anatomy and physiology of the brain and nervous system are of utmost importance, from a cellular level up to how entire sensory systems function to allow us to integrate information and respond accordingly. You will study the basic systems and structures of the brain, the chemical pathways, the mechanisms of sensory and motor function, and the higher brain functions such as memory and emotions.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with the body. Throughout the course the pharmacology of the various different brain systems will be integrated into your studies. You will explore the changes in pharmacological systems and chemical messengers in the brain, both in health and in neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and drug addiction. You may also study topics such as toxicology and chemotherapy.
Molecular neurobiology
You will be introduced to a range of techniques which allow us to study the basic building blocks and signalling elements which direct the development and maintenance of the central nervous system, changes which occur in health and disease, and methods to engineer and alter molecular, cellular and whole-organism physiology.
Why study Neuroscience?
Neuroscience – the "final frontier" in biology
Neuroscience is a field which encompasses the major remaining challenges in biology. The brain is the most complex organ of the body and the organ from which we still have the most to learn. The subject area is rapidly expanding, with research into areas such as: the molecular basis of cognition and memory, development and stem cell technology, neuropathological disorders, spinal cord injuries, neural networks, artificial limbs, emotional and psychological disorders.
This course is designed to give you the best possible start into this fascinating field with its incredibly diverse opportunities, working with researchers at the fore-front of their field, and studying questions such as:
- How does our brain process and integrate information from the world around us?
- What is consciousness?
- Can we treat spinal cord injuries and so limit effects such as paralysis?
- How do we form and store memories?
- Is there a mechanism within the brain to prevent obesity?
- Can we develop more effective treatments or possibly even cures for the growing number of neurological diseases and mental disorders.
BSc Neuroscience: B140
This course offers:
exciting up-to-date topics such as: sensory and motor processing, nervous system development, current research into neuropathological disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy, and research techniques such as electrophysiology and fluorescence imaging
- wide range of options
- teaching delivered by our respected team of neuroscientists
- the chance to study in a Faculty ranked 4th in the UK for research in biological sciences by the leading scientific journal ‘Nature’ based on the numbers of staff producing research that was “world leading or internationally excellent”
- excellent career prospects
- high levels of student satisfaction
- practical sessions in first-class purpose-built teaching labs using research-grade equipment
- opportunities to work on contemporary issues with expert researchers during your final year project
- A vibrant, cross disciplinary, neuroscience research environment - NeuR@L
- the opportunity of a career-enhancing industrial placement year
- the chance to study abroad
- all the facilities and lifestyle opportunities of a major university
- outstanding personal development opportunities including our distinctive Leeds for Life scheme
Entry Requirements
Title |
BSc Neuroscience |
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UCAS code |
B140 |
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Qualification |
BSc (Hons) |
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Duration |
3 years (standard) |
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| 2012 entry requirements: | A Level or Advanced Higher AAA-BBB from 3 A2/Advanced Higher including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry plus another science or science-related subject. General studies excluded. More qualificationsIf you have qualifications which are not listed here, please contact the admissions officer before applying to determine if your qualifications are suitable for entry.
Science and science-related subjectsScience subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics We consider applications on an individual basis and an offer will depend on the information given on your UCAS form. Applications are assessed from a combination of the following; the balance, nature and quality of A2, AS and GSCE subjects (or equivalents); the referee's comments and your personal statement. |
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Admissions policy |
Download our Admissions Policy for 2012 entry. (PDF format). This includes information on the application process, our admissions intake and the selection process. |
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Admissions enquiries |
Maureen Cummings |
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Admissions tutor |
Dr. Charlotte Haigh |
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Department |
Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School |
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Programme Leaders |
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Course brochure |
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Course Structure
In the first and second years, lectures, practicals and tutorials are the most important forms of teaching. You will have lectures and tutorials each week, and regular laboratory sessions. In the final year, you will be able to choose your favourite topics to study under the guidance of leading experts; your research project will take up about one third of your time with the rest devoted to lectures and tutorials. Formal examinations are held twice a year, in January and May/June, to spread the assessment load.
Modules
All degree programmes are modular and offer wide choice.
Modules may be core (you have to take them), optional (you can choose from a list of alternatives) or elective (you have a free choice); the balance depends upon your year and programme of study. We offer a wide range of modules. Examples include:
Neuroscience Year 1
Foundations in Biomedical Sciences
Biology of the Mind
Neuroscience Year 2
Neurobiology
Mechanisms of Brain Function
Neuropharmacology
Neuroscience Year 3
Systems Neurophysiology
Advance Topics in Neuroscience
Research Projects
Final year students choose an individual project from a wide range of topics to suit their interests and career aspirations. The project is an original study which may be laboratory-based or a critical review of the literature. Alternatively, students may develop an educational package for use in teaching or a “Science and Society” activity for communicating our science to the general public. All projects are supervised by an academic member of staff. These projects are an important way for students to learn about independent scientific research and develop important skills for future employment.
"Central satiety pathways and obesity"
"Properties of neuronal circuits underlying control of the heart rate and blood pressure"
"Recording the channel activity in Alzheimer's disease brains"
Some of our students have been fortunate enough to get their final year research project data published in a scientific journal, including:
- Mathew Lamont (BSc Neuroscience 2008): An electrophysiological analysis of deep cerebellar nuclei, with particular focus on Kv3 channels in Bioscience Horizons (an undergraduate research journal)
- Millegan, C.J., Edwards, I.E., Deuchars J.D. (2006) “HCN1 ion channel immunoreactivity in spinal cord and medulla oblongata” Brain Research, 1081 (1): 79-91.
Visit the Studying with us pages to find out more about studying in the Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate School.
Please be aware that course details do change from time to time. ...
... If in doubt, please contact us to verify course content and availability. Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information on this website is accurate at the date of publication it does not accept liability for any inaccuracies. The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or services at any time without liability even after students have registered at the University. The University's contract with its students does not confer third party benefits for the purposes of Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999.
Careers
Neuroscience graduates enjoy excellent career prospects as their training opens up opportunities in scientific and non-scientific careers alike. BSc Neuroscience fosters the development of transferable "graduate skills" which are highly valued by employers throughout the world.
"I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after the degree finished, but doing a placement at the research labs within the University of Leeds has helped me to decide that I would like to pursue a career in neuroscience research."
Rachel Powis, BSc Neuroscience student
Scientific careers: Many graduates go on to medicine and healthcare professions or into careers in research in the pharmaceutical and related industries or academia.
Non-scientific professions: Our graduates acquire skills of numeracy, analytical thinking, data handling, and creativity in problem solving, all of which equip them for jobs in non-scientific careers such as sales and marketing, accountancy, finance, patent work and journalism.
Further study: Some go on to further study e.g. PhD, MSc, medicine, dentistry.
Recent graduate jobs include:
- Postgraduate medical student
- PhD student, University of Leeds
- Auxillary Nurse (Neurosciences), NHS
- Officer, British Army
- Technician, University of Birmingham
- Quality Control Analyst, Avecia
Read about more BSc Neuroscience graduates...
Industrial Placements Scheme
Our industrial placement scheme can help give you the edge over other candidates. Find out more...
Biological Sciences Careers Support
Leeds graduates have an excellent reputation amongst employers. The University is one of the top ten ‘most-targeted’ universities by the UK’s top graduate employers according to the 2011 High Fliers’ Survey. We work closely with the University Careers Centre to support our students with information and opportunities.
We have launched a new series of weekly careers workshops designed especially for biological sciences students to help develop their career opportunities and find out about possible career avenues. We also organise an annual Bioscience Careers Fair, offering a chance to meet bioscience employers, speak to alumni, attend workshops and get masses of information.
Alumni Mentoring Network
Registered students have access to our Alumni Mentoring network. Networking is one of the most effective ways to find out more about different career opportunities.In an increasingly competitive employment market it is vital to be well-informed and there really is no substitute for talking to people who have firsthand experience of the work that interests you. Leeds Alumni Mentoring Networkgives students thechance to make contact with Leeds alumni (graduates) to explore career options, gain tips on entry into specific careers and receive supportive advice on developing your career plans.
Careers resources
News
Uncovering the genetic causes of bipolar disorder could lead to new treatments
Leeds researchers investigating the genetic causes of bipolar disorder have identified two new drugs - one of which has already been found safe in clinical trials - that may be effective in treating the disorder.
The research, published today in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), used a strain of genetically modified mice that exhibit symptoms very similar to humans in the manic phase of the disorder.
The Leeds researchers found that the mice showed decreased activity of the NKA enzyme, as well as increased activity of a protein called ERK. Drugs known to have an effect on these two elements were administered to the mice, including Rostafuroxin and SL327, and both reduced their mania-like behaviour.
"We think there is enough evidence now to start screening people with bipolar disorder to look for genetic mutations in the same NKA enzyme as that affected in our mice," says Dr Steven Clapcote. "This will help us identify whether there is a group of bipolar patients that may be responsive to the novel treatments we have tested in the mice." Read more...
Leeds inflammation research opens route to better pain relief
Research at the University of Leeds could pave the way to a new generation of painkillers by providing a new theory of how inflammation causes pain.
An international group of scientists led by Dr Nikita Gamper of the University's Faculty of Biological Sciences has discovered how two proteins play a key role in the way we feel pain, offering new targets on which drug development can be focused. The findings have been published online in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
"Pain originates from a series of electrical signals sent by nerve cells in outlying areas of the body to the central nervous system and ultimately the brain," said Dr Gamper. "We still know very little about the mechanism by which these signals are generated, so existing painkillers are non-specific, designed to generally dull the reception of the signals in the central nervous system.
"Because they target the central nervous system, some stronger pain killers can provoke severe side effects, such as disorientation, drowsiness or nausea - and many of these drugs are addictive. Our research is trying to better understand where pain originates, to enable more targeted drugs to be developed that avoid these side effects." Read more...
Contact us
BSc Neuroscience Admissions Team
Admissions Tutor: Dr. Charlotte Haigh
Admissions Officer: Maureen Cummings
Tel: +44(0) 113 343 4226
biomed.admissions@leeds.ac.uk
Fax: + 44(0) 113 343 3091
By post:
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Faculty of Biological Sciences
7.10 LC Miall Building
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
How to find us
We are located near the city centre and the local signposting can be a bit tricky, so please allow plenty of time to get here. The Faculty of Biological Sciences is located in the southern part of the University of Leeds campus. Look out for the green and white signposts on campus to help you find your way.
Check the Campus Map
Download the Leeds CityBus route and timetable (this is not operated by the University of Leeds)
Visit the University of Leeds travel pages
If you are using sat-nav our postcode is LS2 9JT
On open days there is a biological sciences information point in Chancellors Court near the Roger Stevens Lecture theatres.