Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience MSc

Program Overview

This 12-month MSc program in Neuroscience prepares students for careers in research, healthcare, or industry through in-depth training in contemporary neuroscience, scientific programming, data analysis, and cutting-edge neuroimaging. The program's modules cover fundamentals, neural dynamics, and modeling, as well as research methods in cognitive neuroscience, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field. Students also conduct a research project with world-leading experts, fostering practical skills and research experience.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This 12-month MSc program provides in-depth training in core aspects of contemporary neuroscience, encompassing sensation and sensory processing, understanding complex brain functions, and artificial intelligence. The program prepares students for careers in research, healthcare, industry, or further study at the PhD level.

Objectives:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of neuroscience and research methods in cognitive neuroscience.
• Develop practical skills in scientific programming, data analysis, and cutting-edge neuroimaging.
• Conduct a research project in cognitive neuroscience with a world-leading expert in the Department of Psychology.
• Prepare for an exciting career in research, healthcare, industry, or further study to PhD level.

Description:

The program introduces students to core problems in computational and cognitive neuroscience, adaptive behavior, and artificial neural networks. It covers experimental cognitive psychology techniques, including computational modeling, data analysis, and cutting-edge neuroimaging. Students will have the opportunity to apply these techniques in their research projects.

Outline:

Modules:

• Fundamentals of Neuroscience (15 credits): This module provides an introduction to core aspects of contemporary neuroscience, covering neural signaling, sensation and sensory processing, movement and its central control, the 'changing brain' (development and plasticity in the nervous system), and complex brain functions.
• Neural Dynamics and Computation (15 credits): This module covers various modeling approaches, from classic biologically plausible to abstract-level models of neurons, and explores higher levels of modeling approaches, such as neural networks and reinforcement learning.
• Scientific programming in computational and cognitive neuroscience (15 credits): This module develops practical skills in scientific programming, covering basic programming concepts, visualization techniques, analysis of neural data, and running simulations.
• Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits): This module introduces students to a range of state-of-the-art methods used in cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience research, such as EEG, eye-tracking, and tDCS.
• Neurocognitive Modelling (15 credits): This module focuses on inferring and modeling neural and cognitive processes underlying human behavior using computational means, covering normative models and cognitive models.
• Research Project in Cognitive Neuroscience (75 credits): This module allows students to work on an extended research project within computational neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, systems neuroscience, or analysis of brain imaging data.
• Systems Neuroscience (15 credits): This module provides an advanced understanding of the brain's major computational systems and the theoretical or model-driven approaches to research of these topics.

Assessment:

• Formal examinations
• Coursework (essays, poster presentations, coding assignments)
• Dissertation

Teaching:

• Hands-on laboratory sessions
• Problem-solving classes
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Individual projects

Careers:

• Roles within deep learning, machine learning, or artificial intelligence
• Analysis and visualization of data within hospitals, other healthcare providers, or the pharmaceutical industry
• Careers in research, understanding major diseases like stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy within academia or governmental organizations.
• PhD in areas including neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and brain interfaces
• Clinical training

Other:

• The University of Sheffield is home to the Neuroscience Institute, which brings together internationally-recognized expertise in medicine, science, and engineering to improve the lives of patients and families affected by neurological, sensory, and developmental disorders.
• The program is interdisciplinary and suitable for students with backgrounds in biology, engineering, physics, mathematics, psychology, or medicine.
• The program is designed to ensure that students gain in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of neuroscience and research methods in cognitive neuroscience, ready for an exciting career in research or industry.
• The program is a great preparation for a PhD in areas including neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and brain interfaces, or to begin clinical training.

Home (2024 annual fee) : £12,070 Overseas (2024 annual fee) : £32,350