Objectives and competences

The master's degree Neurosciences provides interdisciplinary training in subjects ranging from molecular biology to cognitive studies and neuroimaging in order to equip future researchers in basic and clinical research with the knowledge needed to address problems by means of a cross-disciplinary approach and to become skilled members of laboratories in public and private institutions. The program is also designed for professionals (physicians, psychologists, veterinary scientists, etc.) who want to refresh and update their knowledge of the most important areas of the neurosciences. Research is the primary focus of the master's degree Neurosciences.

.The master's degree is intended for applicants interested in the following issues:
  • How the human brain codes colour vision or oral discourse.
  • The molecular and cellular bases of drug addiction.
  • Why neurons do not regenerate spontaneously.
  • The physiological mechanisms of complex behaviours, such as memory and learning.
  • Understanding psychiatric disorders from a biological viewpoint.
  • The advances made in pharmacological and regenerative therapies to treat neurodegenerative disease and central nervous system trauma.
  • The use of animals in experiments to study neurological disease. The master's degree Neurosciences broadly addresses these issues and many others.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Biology
Branch of knowledge
  • Biomedical sciences
  • Behavioural sciences and psychology
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits60
Number of places available60
Length of course1 academic year
Language(s) of instructionCatalan, Spanish and English
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationFAUSTO A ULLOA DARQUEA
ESTER VERDAGUER CARDONA
E-mailmasterneurociencies@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
InteruniversityYes
Main universityUniversitat Barcelona
Universities
  • Universitat Barcelona
  • Universitat Pompeu Fabra
  • Universitat Rovira i Virgili
  • Universitat Lleida
Bridging coursesYes

Objectives and competences

Objectives

The general objectives of the master's degree are as follows:


  • To acquire cross-disciplinary knowledge to ensure a multidisciplinary vision of the tasks performed by scientists.

  • To develop the ability to apply the scientific method, using creativity, logic and critical thinking.

  • To update molecular and cellular knowledge and integrate this knowledge in order to address topics such as understanding, preventing and treating diseases of the nervous system.

  • To attain training as scientists in the biomedical field who can then act as bridges between basic and clinical research.

  • To promote interaction between the academic and business worlds, and foster the development and management of R&D centres and research foundations.

  • To attain training as an expert in the biomedical field of the neurosciences who can conduct teaching.

Competences

Generic competences:


  • Capacity for fluent public speaking.

  • The ability to understand that scientific knowledge is cross-disciplinary and ensure a multidisciplinary vision of the neurosciences.

  • The ability to apply the scientific method, using creativity, logic and critical thinking in the various fields of the neurosciences.

  • The ability to understand the importance of the interaction between the academic and business worlds in the promotion of innovation and transfer.

  • The ability to exercise profound respect for ethics and intellectual integrity.

  • The ability to communicate results using various means of dissemination, while also understanding their limitations.

Students will acquire specific competences related to three teaching blocks:

1. Normal functioning of the nervous system.

2. Disorders and aging of the nervous system.

3. Methodology used in the study of the nervous system.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The master's degree is designed for highly motivated students who want to acquire new knowledge in disciplines not covered in their completed studies or who would like to deepen their current knowledge.

Applicants should have prior knowledge of one or more of the following areas:


  • Cell biology, molecular biology, fundamental chemistry, fundamental physics, human or animal physiology, psychobiology and pharmacology.

  • Psychology, human or animal neuroanatomy, biophysics, histology and human or animal organography, developmental biology, genetics, organic chemistry, protein structure and functions, neurology, neuropathology and animal biology.

Applicants should also have expertise in the use of one or more specialized programs and possess strong reading comprehension of texts written in English.

Positive consideration will be given to the completion of subjects at universities other than the applicant's home university, for example on an Erasmus program, and to the submission of a letter of recommendation from research groups working in the general field of neurosciences.

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Specific requirements

Applicants should hold an official bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree in one of the following disciplines: Biology, Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Biotechnology, Biomedicine or equivalent, Genetics, Physiotherapy, Biomedical Engineering or other bachelor's degree related to life sciences and engineering disciplines. Applications from students with other degrees will be considered as long as they are supported by a research group in the area of neurosciences.

It is also recommendable to have completed the bachelor's degree subjects Cell Biology and Psychology. Students who have not completed these subjects prior to enrolment will be required to complete bridging courses covering their general content. Each bridging course has a study load of 2.5 ECTS credits and has been specifically designed for students enrolling in this master's degree program.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

- First period: 1 February - 7 June 2024.
Notification of resolutions: 17 June.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

Notification

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned


 

Calendar: July (18 -28) and September (12 -17).

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Compulsory 18
Optional 25
Compulsory placements 0
Compulsory final project 17
TOTAL 60

List of subjects

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: BC for admission to the Master's Degree in Neuroscience
Principles of Cell Biology and Molecular Biology Optional 1st semester 2.5
Principles of Psychobiology Optional 1st semester 2.5

Bridging courses

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: Neurosciences
Advanced Cellular Neurophysiology Optional 1st semester 2.5
Advanced Techniques in Cell Engineering and Histology Optional 1st semester 2.5
Advanced Techniques in Neuroimaging Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Analysis of Neuroimaging Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Animal Models and the Generation of Transgenic Animals Optional 1st semester 2.5
Basic Techniques in Neuroscience Optional 1st semester 2.5
Biological Psychiatry Optional 1st semester 2.5
Cell and Molecular Biology of the Neuron Compulsory 1st semester 3
Cell and Molecular Neurobiology of Ion Channels and Transporters Optional 1st semester 2.5
Cell and Molecular Principles of Plasticity and Learning Optional 1st semester 2.5
Computational Neuroscience Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Evaluation of Behaviour in Animal Models Optional 1st semester 2.5
Final Project Compulsory 2nd semester 17
Human Brain Function: Brain Waves Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Human Neuroanatomy for Neuroscientists Optional 1st semester 2.5
Ischemia and Neurovascular Diseases Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Neural Development Optional 1st semester 2.5
Neurobiology of Addiction Optional 1st semester 2.5
Neurobiology of Glial Cells Optional 1st semester 2.5
Neurobiology of Pain Optional 1st semester 2.5
Neurobiology of the Neuromuscular System Optional 1st semester 2.5
Neurobiology of the Senses Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Neurocognitive Development Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Neuroimaging and Cognition in Human Pathology Compulsory 1st semester 3
Neuropharmacology and Regenerative Medicine Compulsory 1st semester 3
Neuropsicologia: Funcions Executives i Lòbul Frontal Optional 1st semester 2.5
Neuropsychology of Ageing and Dementia Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Neuroregeneration Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Neurotoxicology Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Neurotransmission Compulsory 1st semester 3
Pathophysiological Principles of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders Compulsory 1st semester 3
Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience Compulsory 1st semester 3
Signal Analysis Optional 2nd semester 2.5

Previous years

Placements

Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.





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