Neuroscience is all about understanding how the brain and wider nervous system works, and it's one of the fastest growing areas of science.
The University of Otago is the only New Zealand university to offer an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience.
Neuroscientists apply a wide range of scientific disciplines, including Anatomy, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology, and Zoology. As an interdisciplinary programme, Neuroscience is taught by staff from varied departments across the University. Each teaches a separate “neuro” component, resulting in a coherent and integrated subject.
Why study Neuroscience?
The brain is a final frontier… a last great unknown.
Neuroscientists are its explorers. They try to understand how the brain functions, how it deals with injury or damage, and how it develops and changes over time.
What they find helps neurologists, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists – and provides important models for high-level information processing and robotics.
Knowing how the brain perceives stimuli and controls movement helps those working on human performance, from sports science to space medicine
Background required
Taking chemistry and biology until Year 13 is recommended. Students without good marks in chemistry are strongly advised to enrol in the Chemistry Bridging paper (BP607) during Summer School, prior to their first year of study.
What papers will I take?
First year
Essential first-year papers provide introductions to cellular biology (CELS 191); human biology, particularly of the nervous system (HUBS 191); and biological psychology (PSYC 111).
Additional papers are required – most students choose chemistry (CHEM 191) but other options are available.
Please see our website for more details.
Note that most of these papers are included in the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) course, with the exception of PSYC 111. Students who start their degree in HSFY and then change to Neuroscience can take PSYC 111 in their second year.
Second year
Here you can begin to “custom design” your Neuroscience degree. Neuroscience students take core papers in psychology, anatomy and physiology; as well as choosing optional papers from zoology, pharmacology, biochemistry and genetics.
Third year
Following their interests, third-year students choose from a variety of papers covering advanced topics in neuroscience, with an emphasis on the latest findings in research.
How will I study?
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Neuroscience at Otago, teaching styles vary between papers. Many first- and second-year papers are taught through a combination of lectures and laboratory sessions, while third-year papers will include group projects and discussions. Assessments are varied and include written examinations and laboratory reports.
Career opportunities
To become a neuroscientist, you would need to complete postgraduate study following your Bachelor of Science (BSc). With a BSc(Hons), postgraduate diploma or master’s degree, you could have an exciting research career in a university, research institute, or in the pharmaceutical industry. With a PhD, you could be a leader in new research, combined with teaching at a university or in a research institution.
Neuroscience also provides a convenient first degree for those proceeding to postgraduate specialisation in professional or applied fields, such as law, medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, audiology or bioengineering.
Graduates with a BSc in Neuroscience possess valuable skills that are widely sought after by employers, including technical expertise in areas where there is a global shortage of skilled workers. You can read what some of our graduates have been up to on our website.
Neuroscience research at Otago
Neuroscientists at the University of Otago are involved in a range of exciting research. Neuroscience students learn about cutting-edge research being conducted at Otago, as well as research from around the world, and can work in the lab with Otago’s neuroscientists as postgraduates.
Some examples of research being conducted at Otago:
- Professor Cliff Abraham is interested in the neural mechanisms of memory. His lab is also investigating biomarkers and therapeutic agents for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dr Olivia Harrison’s research is focused on mental health and its relationship to interoception (how we perceive our body), with a particular focus on breathing.
- Associate Professor Yusuf Cakmak’s research focuses on non-invasive peripheral neuromodulation, wearable sensors and mobile health applications.
- Associate Professor Beulah Leitch is interested in the changes that occur at synapses (the contacts between brain cells that allow them to communicate with each other) during ageing and various brain disorders including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Professor Colin Brown investigates how the brain controls reproduction and cardiovascular function.
- Dr Rosie Brown investigates the neural circuitry underlying parenting behaviour, and how hormones alter mood and behaviour in mothers.
- Associate Professor Stephanie Hughes studies how lysosomes (the waste disposal system in cells) contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including childhood Batten disease, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- Dr Paul Szyszka investigates olfactory search behavior in insects – what are their perceptual limits in olfaction, and what patterns of neural activities are behaviourally relevant?
Postgraduate options
Students who do particularly well can apply for entry to the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) programme after completing their Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Neuroscience. This elite course offers ideal preparation for those interested in a career in neuroscience research.
Students can also enrol in a one-year postgraduate diploma or a two-year Master of Science (MSc).
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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 one further paper from BIOC 192, BIOL 112, or HUBS 192, CHEM 191, PHSI 191 Note: All of the 100-level required papers, except PSYC 111, 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 Note: For students with a major or minor in Neuroscience, the prerequisite for PSYC 211 is PSYC 111. It is common for Neuroscience students to enrol in PSYC 111 in semester one of their second year. | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | Four of: Note: No more than three 300-level papers with the same subject code (other than NEUR) may count towards the major subject requirements. | 72 |
| Plus | 144 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Notes: | 144 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Neuroscience
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites: Note: With approval from the Programme Director, another 300-level paper may be substituted for one of the papers listed. |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Neuroscience
| Papers |
|---|
Or |
Notes: |
Master of Science (MSc) in Neuroscience
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
Notes: |
Minor subject requirements
Neuroscience as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc 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 Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Note: Prerequisite papers for the 200-level papers required for the Neuroscience minor are CELS 191, HUBS 191, PSYC 111; either CHEM 191 or PHSI 191; and one further paper from BIOC 192, BIOL 112, HUBS 192, CHEM 191, PHSI 191. All of these papers, except PSYC 111, should be taken in the first year of study if students intend to complete the 200-level papers in their second year of study. PSYC 111 may be taken in the second year. | |
| 200-level | Note: For students with a major or minor in Neuroscience, the prerequisite for PSYC 211 is PSYC 111. It is common for Neuroscience students to enrol in PSYC 111 in semester one of their second year. | 54 |
| 300-level | Two of ANAT 332, ANAT 335, ANAT 336, ANAT 337, NEUR 302, NEUR 303, PHAL 303, PHSL 341, PHSL 342, PSYC 313, PSYC 317, PSYC 319, PSYC 323, PSYC 330, ZOOL 314 Note: No more than one 300-level paper with the same subject code (other than NEUR) may count towards the minor subject requirements. | 36 |
Note: Prerequisites for other 200- and 300-level papers are recorded on the paper information pages, and in the Prescriptions section of the Guide to Enrolment. | ||
| Total | 90 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEUR301 | 2023 | Current Topics in Neuroscience | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| NEUR302 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| NEUR303 | 2023 | Neuroendocrinology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| NEUR452 | 2023 | Neurodegenerative Disorders | 20 points | Full Year |
| NEUR453 | 2023 | Applied Human Neuroscience | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| NEUR455 | 2023 | Sleep | 20 points | Full Year |
| NEUR459 | 2023 | Neuroendocrinology | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| NEUR461 | 2023 | Clinical Neurology | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| NEUR471 | 2023 | Special Topic: Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroscience | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| NEUR473 | 2023 | Special Topic: Sensory Neuroscience | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| NEUR480 | 2023 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year |
| NEUR490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
| NEUR495 | 2023 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Neuroscience Programme
School of Biomedical Sciences
Tel +64 3 479 4205
Email neuroscience@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/neuroscience
