MPsych (Hons) Human Neuroscience

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This programme provides the in-depth knowledge and practical training in human neuroimaging designed to put you on a path to a career in neuroscience. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, the direct experience gained using our new state-of-the-art neuroimaging facility will give you some of the most sought-after skills in the discipline. Advanced instruction in neuroimaging data manipulation, signal processing and interpretation then build on these operation skills. These provide a thorough understanding of the entire neuroscientific research cycle from design to dissemination that will give you a competitive advantage for further study.

Understanding where your degree subject could take you is an important first step in career planning. Due to the transferrable nature of the skills you gain from your studies, you may discover that there is a much wider range of opportunities open to you within this profession that you may first appreciate. Find out more about where your degree could take you.

• Four year integrated masters programme, build the foundations of a thorough knowledge of psychology through the first three years of our BSc course, but then extend it with an additional year of masters level study specialising in Human Neuroscience.
• Benefit from integration with our new BRIC, offering state-of-the-art facilities for fMRI, EEG, and other neuroscience techniques.
• Our hands-on approach to learning embeds practical activities throughout the programme, with neuroimaging advanced practice providing hands-on experience in the operation of specialized equipment.
• Work with world-leading neuroimaging researchers and engage in an original neuroscience research topic of your own choosing.
• Elective modules allow you to shape the specialist neuroscientist you want to be.

• Year 1

• Your first-year modules provide a foundation of knowledge and skills across the breadth of psychology. Immersive modules integrate theory and practical workshops to provide a deeper exploration and of the psychology of learning and relationships. You will learn about the current debates in psychology, and how our knowledge connects and informs other disciplines.

  Core modules

  • Learning (PSYC411)

    This module explores how we gather information, with an emphasis on the scientific method. The module will introduce students to different perspectives on learning, including how to learn effectively, the biological and cognitive basis of learning, and social learning.

  • Psychological Science (PSYC412)

    This module will provide an introduction into a broad range of fundamental topics in psychology. Across eight independent topics, from across the entire breadth of psychology, students will learn key theories. Students will also learn how those theories have been applied to real-world situations and will be asked to explore these theories in practice in Labplus activities.

  • Debates in Psychology (PSYC413)

    This module covers both current and historical debates in topics drawn from across the breadth of psychology, involving discussion of theoretical issues and application and practice. The module will involve independent study sessions exploring some of the empirical differences seen in the literature and practice, and tutorial sessions will support extended writing development.

  • Relationships (PSYC414)

    This immersive module focuses on the Psychology of Social Relationships across the lifespan. This topic is introduced and analysed from different disciplines in Psychology, including Developmental, Social, Biological, Clinical and Individual Differences perspectives. Lectures introduce methodologies, key findings and concepts for understanding Social Relationships. Lectures will be supported by workshops and tutorials.

  • Topics in Psychology (PSYC415)

    This module will provide an in-depth exploration of four topics from core areas of psychology. Each of the topics will run for four weeks with interspersed group-based linked Labplus activities. These will allow students to get involved in a continued project, within the scope of a particular topic, which might involve data collection and subsequent statistical analysis of that data.

  • Connecting Psychology (PSYC416)

    This module will link psychology to other disciplines by exploring how the study of human and animal behaviour is investigated in collaboration with scientists and practitioners in a variety of other fields. A series of topics will be interspersed with independent study activities that allow students to get involved in a continued project, involving data collection and analysis.

• Year 2

• With a focus on developing research and practical skills. You will get additional hands-on experience in designing and testing your own experiments and get to grips with key concepts in cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology.

  Core modules

  • Career and Placement Planning (CPIE202)

  • Cognition and Biological Psychology (PSYC513)

    This module covers four core areas of psychology each with 2 sub-topics: Perception & Attention; Learning & Memory; Cognition & Language; Neuroscience & Comparative Psychology. The biology of cognition will be covered within each of the four core areas, integrating them. Each core area will be covered in 12 hours of lectures. The first hour will cover CHIP issues and the last hour integration within/between topics.

  • Individual Differences, Social and Developmental Psychology (PSYC514)

    This module covers three core areas of psychology - individual differences, social cognition, and human development. Each core area will be covered in 16 hours of lectures. The first hour will cover CHIP issues and the last hour will focus on integration within/between topics.

  • Health and Wellbeing (PSYC515)

    The module explores the multiple factors that determine health-related behaviours, introducing professional areas of health, clinical and forensic psychology.

  • Applied Psychology (PSYC516)

    This module explores the contribution of psychology to success in education and work. It considers different approaches to educational assessment, risk communication, and behaviour change.

  • Research Skills in Practice 1 (PSYC519)

    In this module students develop an understanding of the processes involved in undertaking and communicating research of increasing complexity. Students work in supervised groups to develop research questions on the association of factors and test them using empirical methods. Results are communicated via both oral presentation and written report. Methods workshops are also provided.

  • Research Skills in Practice 2 (PSYC520)

    In this module students develop an understanding of the processes involved in undertaking and communicating research of increasing complexity. Students work in supervised groups to develop research questions on group differences and test them using empirical methods. Results are communicated via both oral presentation and written report means. Methods workshops are also provided.

• Optional placement year

• If you choose, you can take an optional work placement after your second year, applying your knowledge of psychology in a variety of real-world contexts offered through our established partners.

  Core modules

  • Placement: Psychology (CPIE501)

    During this 36 week placement, students will begin to apply their psychological knowledge in the workplace and develop the range of skills required to work within the specific placement setting. This zero-credit module is also home to timetabled careers talks and information for Stage 3 students who are away on placement.

• Year 3

• You can explore the areas of psychology and neuroscience that interest and benefit you the most, with complete freedom of choice across a wide range of current psychology and neuroscience topics, allowing you to shape the psychologist and neuroscientist you want to become. You will also work on a research question of your own choosing in a supervised psychology or neuroscience-focused research project.
  

  Core modules

  • Current Topics in Psychology 1 (PSYC601)

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • Current Topics in Psychology 2 (PSYC602)

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • Current Topics in Psychology 3 (PSYC603)

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • Current Topics in Psychology 4 (PSYC604)

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • Research Project (PSYC605)

    Students, supported by academic supervisors and specialist workshops, are required to conduct a complete piece of research, from establishing a research area, formulating a research question, conducting a literature search, designing and conducting a study that meets appropriate ethical standards, analysing the data and communicating the research verbally and in writing.

• Final year

• In the final year core modules deliver advanced instruction on the fundamental underpinnings of human neuroscience. In-depth knowledge of neuro-anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology provide the context for technical instruction on the applications of human neuroimaging techniques and data handling. Elective modules provide in-depth knowledge of the physics and key theoretical issues in neuroimaging research. These then form the basis for skills-based training in the practical aspects human neuroimaging, with hands-on advanced practice across a range of cutting-edge brain imaging methods. Finally, with supervision and guidance of world-class neuroimaging researchers you will bring your new knowledge and skills to bear on a research question of your own choosing in the neuroscience research project. 

  Core modules

  • Personal and Professional Development (PSYC750)

    This module will enhance students awareness of the transferable skills they possess, focus thinking about future employment, spur reflection on recent learning, and promote the effective use of feedback to enhance academic performance.

  • Foundations and Applications of Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation (PSYC775)

    This module provides an overview of key concepts in neuroscience that form the basis of neuroimaging and neurostimulation techniques. It also covers the key principles of major neuroimaging, neurostimulation techniques including electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and (functional) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/fMRI) illustrating their use in human neuroscience research with examples.

  • Advanced Practice in Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation (PSYC784)

    This research rotation module provides an immersive experience for students, enabling them to obtain first-hand experience of state-of-the-art neuroimaging & neurostimulation techniques through engagement with active research labs. Rotations will cover technical aspects of safety & data acquisition and enable students to engage with proper data collection, signal processing, & analyses based on technique-specific methods.

  • Neuroscience Project (PSYC785)

    In this module, students select, develop, and carry out an original group research project on a topic associated with their specialist area of interest using a neuroimaging or neurostimulation technique. The module comprises an independent piece of research work conducted by the students within a group and written up as an independent research paper.

  Optional modules

  • Issues in Cognitive and Brain Science (PSYC771)

    This module focuses on how cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience approaches and techniques can be combined to provide convergent evidence for understanding the mind.

  • The Physics of Neuroimaging (PSYC778)

    This module covers advanced knowledge of the biophysical principles underpinning non-invasive neuroimaging & neurostimulation techniques that are widely used in human neuroscience. This relates to image formation, optimization, acquisition & processing for imaging methods & to parametrization for stimulation methods.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

MPsych Hons Human Neuroscience Programme Specification 6807

UCAS tariff

120 - 128

A level
120–128 points from a minimum of three A levels from any subjects (excluding General Studies).

BTEC 18 Unit National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DDM – any subject

International Baccalaureate
30 points overall

Access courses
Pass Access to HE Science/Combined Science/Humanities/Social Sciences course with 60 credits overall, to include 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at distinction and 15 credits at merit or higher.

GCSE
5 GCSE subjects at a pass are preferred and this does not necessarily need to be Mathematics and English subjects.

Other
English Advanced 4+ (A1) or 5 (A2/B); Standard 5+ (A1) or 6 (A2/B). Maths – Standard 4.

Extended entry requirements

• English language requirements
• We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Other international qualifications considered – please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.