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Study Neuroscience at Otago

Apply for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) through the Dunedin campus in 2020

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Apply for the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) through the Dunedin campus in 2020

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Apply for the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) through the Dunedin campus in 2020

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Apply for the Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad) through the Dunedin campus in 2020

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Apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) through the Dunedin campus in 2020

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Overview

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and the networks of neurons that transmit signals around the body.

You will study normal nervous systems as well as situations in which the nervous system does not work properly.

Problems studied include:

  • Mental illness
  • Neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease)
  • Brain injury (such as from a stroke or a car accident)

Neuroscience is a subject in its own right, but you can also think of it as being made up of the “neuro” part of each of a wide range of other subjects, including Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Zoology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Pharmacology.

The University of Otago is the only New Zealand university that offers an undergraduate major in Neuroscience.

There are also opportunities for keen postgraduate students to work with the many internationally-recognised Neuroscience researchers at Otago.

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Career opportunities

A BSc or BASc majoring in Neuroscience prepares you to work as a laboratory technician, research assistant, research manager, or policy analyst.

It also provides a convenient first degree if you want to later specialise in professional or applied fields such as medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry, audiology, or nursing.

You may also enter the general scientific or business workforce, as employers value the generic skills acquired while studying science.

Students who complete a PhD in Neuroscience are sought after for research positions in academic or industrial settings, such as universities, research institutes, and biotechnology companies.

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Contact details

Neuroscience Programme

Tel +64 3 479 4205
Email neuroscience@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/neuroscience

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Qualifications

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Papers

See the full list of Neuroscience (NEUR) papers.

Papers other than those with a NEUR code are taught as part of the Neuroscience Programme.

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Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Neuroscience

Level Papers Points
100-level

CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology

HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1

PSYC 111  Brain and Behaviour

either CHEM 191 or PHSI 191

one further paper from BIOC 192, BIOL 112, or HUBS 192, CHEM 191, PHSI 191

Note: CELS 191, HUBS 191, and CHEM 191 and/or PHSI 191 should be taken in the first year of study to ensure unimpeded progress through the major subject requirements.

18

18

18

18

18
200-level

ANAT 242  Neurobiology

PHSL 231  Neurophysiology

PSYC 211  Brain and Cognition

One of:

18

18

18

18
300-level

Four of:
ANAT 332 (taken in 2019 or 2020), ANAT 335, ANAT 336, NEUR 302, NEUR 303, PHAL 303, PHSL 341, PHSL 342, PSYC 313, PSYC 317, PSYC 319, PSYC 323, ZOOL 314,

Note: No more than three 300-level PSYC papers may count towards the major subject requirements.

 72
Plus

126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science

 126
Total   360

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Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Neuroscience

Papers

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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Neuroscience

Papers

Or

Notes:
(i) Papers with PSYC codes are worth 10 points each, and all other papers are worth 20 points each.
(ii) With approval from the Neuroscience Programme Director, one of the listed papers may be replaced by another 400-level paper.
*PHSL 474 may only be taken by students supervised in the Department of Physiology.

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Master of Science (MSc) in Neuroscience

Papers and Thesis

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Minor Subject Requirements

Neuroscience as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree

Level Papers Points
100-level

See below

Prerequisites for 200-level papers are listed in the Prescriptions

  
200-level Three of:
ANAT 242  Neurobiology
PHAL 211  Introductory Pharmacology
PHSL 231  Neurophysiology
PSYC 211  Brain and Cognition		 54
300-level

Two of:
ANAT 332  Cell Biology (taken in 2019 or 2020) or  ANAT 335 Neurobiology  or  ANAT 336 Selected Topics in Neurobiology
NEUR 302  Special Topic
NEUR 303  Neuroendocrinology
PHAL 303  Neuropharmacology
PHSL 341  Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurophysiology (I)  or  PHSL 342 Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurophysiology (II)
PSYC 313  Cognition and Neuropsychology  or  PSYC 317 Biopsychology  or  PSYC 319 Comparative Cognition  or  PSYC 323 Sensation and Perception
ZOOL 314  Neurobiology

 36

Note: Prerequisites for 200-level papers are listed in the Prescriptions section of the Guide to Enrolment.
Total   90

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