Systems Neuroscience, MSc

About Systems Neuroscience, MSc - at University of Sheffield

It's widely recognised by modern neuroscience that taking a systems approach to exploring the brain is vital to understanding brain function. Systems neuroscience focuses on the interactions between neural structures in networks that influence sensori-motor control and information processing. It's these interactions that provide us with a foundation for understanding the relationship between brain structure and brain function that underpins behaviour.

This 12-month course is designed to provide you with in-depth training into the core problems in systems neuroscience, and will develop your understanding of the disciplines and techniques used to address these problems such as computer simulation modelling, data visualisation and neuroanatomy.

Over three months you'll work on your research project in Cognitive Neuroscience with one of our world-leading experts in the Department of Psychology. Your research topic could range from theoretical to basic neuroscience. You may have the opportunity to collect and analyse real-life cognitive brain science data, using state-of-the-art equipment, before presenting your findings at our summer student-led conference.

The project gives you the opportunity to put your new techniques in experimental neuroscience into practice, while exploring ideas at the cutting-edge of cognitive neuroscience. It's common for MSc research projects to form the basis of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Example research projects

• Impaired neurovascular coupling in hAPP-J20 Alzheimer's mice models following electrode insertion
• Investigating the effect of 5-HT2a receptor agonist 1P-LSD on cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood oxygenation in an animal model
• The contribution of cortical interneurons to neurovascular coupling: An optogenetic study
• An examination of parvalbumin expressing interneurons in murine models of autism spectrum disorder

Example past papers published, including student authors

• Brooke JM, James SS, Jiminez-Rodriguez A, Wilson SP (2022) Biological action at a distance: Correlated pattern formation in adjacent tessellation domains without communication. PLoS Computational Biology. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009963
• Wilson SP, James SJ, Whiteley DJ, Krubitzer LA (2019) Limit cycle dynamics can guide the evolution of gene regulatory networks towards point attractors. Scientific Reports 9: 16750. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-53251-w
• Bruyns-Haylett M, Luo J, Kennerley AJ, Harris S, Boorman L, Milne E, Vautrelle N, Hayashi Y, Whalley BJ, Jones M, Berwick J, Riera J & Zheng Y (2016) The neurogenesis of P1 and N1: a concurrent EEG/LFP study. NeuroImage .
• Dickinson A, Jones M & Milne E (2016) Measuring neural excitation and inhibition in autism: different approaches, different findings and different interpretations. Brain Research .
• Slack R, Boorman L, Patel P, Harris S, Bruyns-Haylett M, Kennerley A, Jones M & Berwick J (2016) A novel method for classifying cortical state to identify the accompanying changes in cerebral haemodynamics. Journal of Neuroscience Methods , 267, 21-34.

If you have a passion for understanding the brain and behaviour, whether your background stems from biology, engineering, physics, mathematics, psychology or medicine, this interdisciplinary course has been designed to ensure that all students gain in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of neuroscience, ready for an exciting career in research or industry.

The University is home to the Neuroscience Institute which brings together internationally-recognised expertise in medicine, science and engineering to improve the lives of patients and families affected by neurological, sensory and developmental disorders.

Other courses in cognitive neuroscience

We offer MSc courses that cover the full breadth of cognitive neuroscience, from the biological basis, to imaging and simulation, allowing you to discover the area that you're most interested in:

MSc Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience

MSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging

Notes about fees for this course

The fee listed is for the advertised mode of study. If you're studying for an alternative qualification or via a different mode of study (eg full-time, part-time) then the fee could be different. Due to inflation, the fee for Home students could also increase after your first year of study. Use Sheffield's fee calculator or contact the Student Fees team to check.

Fee status help

Funding for postgraduate taught courses

Department bursaries

Each year we offer two bursaries to students on this course. If you're awarded a bursary you'll receive a £1,500 reduction in your tuition fees. These bursaries are awarded on a competitive basis, based on:

• academic performance as indicated by a grade point average and transcript
• other relevant skills and knowledge (for example, programming courses outside the degree or relevant work experience)
• research activity (co-authoring papers, conference presentations, etc)
• personal statement, which should include information on why you want to do the course you have applied for and how it fits with your aspirations

Entry requirements

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