Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the brain and employs many of the basic sciences in attempting to understand the brain as the basis of all human behaviour. Important aspects of the study of behaviour can be studied at the level of individual nerve cells, their properties and the ways they communicate with one another.
Neuroscience embraces studies that cut across boundaries between traditional subject areas. As reflected in the structure of this undergraduate major, it ranges from concern with processes within nerve cells at the molecular level to complex phenomena such as perception and emotion, from the regulation of breathing and blood pressure to movement of the body, from development to ageing, from normal cognition to mental illness and neurodegeneration.


The study of the brain is informed by research in genetics, proteomics, cell biology, invertebrate biology, evolution, anatomy, histology, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, immunology, medical physics, bioengineering, psychology, computation theory and the history of the scientific method.


A major in neuroscience is designed to provide a foundation in the basic biology
of the brain and the fundamentals of cognition. Students are able to focus their cross-disciplinary studies with a molecular, cellular, anatomical or behavioural concentration. Students may choose to spread their studies across the whole range, or choose to concentrate on a particular approach at senior level.

How do you study Neuroscience?

You can study neuroscience in the Bachelor of Science, Advanced Science, Psychology, Medical Science and Liberal Studies degrees.

What do Neuroscientists do?

New knowledge gained from the field of neuroscience will have a major impact on attempts to solve major problems in health, such as neural disease and dysfunction and current social problems such as addiction and longer term social trends such as aging. This major will prepare graduates to pursue further studies in neuroscience, work in one of the many rapidly growing areas in the pharmaceutical, medical or biotechnology industries, or pursue a professional degree in medicine or psychology.

Further Studies

Research in neuroscience is vibrant and an international priority area. There are
many opportunities for high-achieving students to undertake honours study
within the field of neuroscience. Honours projects are typically undertaken within
the respective schools and disciplines such as physiology, anatomy, pharmacology,
psychology, pathology and associated institutes. Students should canvass potential project supervisors during their senior studies for details of projects, admission criteria and enrollment details.