What does the mysterious neuroscience study? We tell you why you should become a neuroscientist (and also a psychologist, cognitive scientist, cultural scientist, engineer…) and in which countries to look for the best programs in this field.
What is neuroscience?
In short, neuroscience studies the workings of the brain and neural processes. It is an interdisciplinary field closely related to many other fields. There are so many that one article would not be enough to define them all. Among them might be neurobiology, neuroinformatics, social neuroscience, and even neuroethics.
Some of them are not entirely obvious. For example, cultural neuroscience draws on anthropology, psychology, cognitive science, and explores the influence of culture on the characteristics of the human brain. At university, you will write various interesting research papers. You can even apply to the dissertation assistance service, as this program will have a heavy workload.
3 reasons to study neuroscience
- First, it’s interesting. The human brain is made up of mysteries that generations of doctors and researchers have been battling over. Some features of the neural system still no one can explain. Neuroscience investigates mental disorders, birth defects, influences from drugs, art, and digital devices. Maybe it is you who will put on the robe and change our world.
- Second, you will feel like a detective. Where traditional researchers fail, a neuroscientist finds a solution. For example, when making a diagnosis, a neuroscientist can be more accurate than a doctor. Because he is familiar with the big picture and has knowledge from various fields. To find the source of the problem, he can refer to genetics, psychology, and even history.
- Third, get a high-paying job. This is a prestigious and in-demand field all over the world – and especially in the United States. Here, neuroscience is one of the most funded fields. In 2022, their budget was $10.1 billion. That amount includes research grants and salaries. In the US the average salary of a neuroscientist is 164,415 USD per year.
Where to Study Neuroscience – The Best Programs
Our selection includes the most interesting programs from eight countries: Australia, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Britain, Netherlands, France, Germany.
1. University of Melbourne, Australia
In the University of Melbourne program, you’ll learn how the human brain functions, from the structure of nerve cells and neural circuits to nervous systems and their impact on human behavior. In the end, students receive one of two degrees: a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Biomedicine.
You can apply your knowledge in fields related to human and brain research. For example, drug development, behavioral research, neuroimaging.
2. The University of California, San Diego, the USA
In this course, students study the nervous system on several levels: molecular and cell biology, electrophysiology, brain systems, human behavior, and computer network modeling. At UCLA, this major combines courses in biology, neurophysiology, and cellular neurobiology. Students can tailor their own research projects to their areas of interest.
3. University of Toronto, Canada
At the University of Toronto, neuroscience can be studied in one of two departments: social sciences or psychology. In the table, we have provided information for the latter. In this course, you will learn how brain structures respond to external and internal factors. As well as what causes psychological disorders from a biology perspective and how they can be treated and prevented.
The most popular professions for this degree are neuropsychologist, physician, researcher, and teacher.
4. Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
You’ll love this program if you’re interested in doing research in labs, analyzing facts, and making your own hypotheses. At Trinity, your teachers will be specialists from a variety of fields: psychology, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, and genetics.
You’ll end up pursuing a career in biotechnology research centers, pharmaceutical companies, and medical institutions. If that doesn’t suit you, your skills will be useful in education, business, management, and industry.
5. University College London (UCL), the UK
University College London is ranked 5th in the world for neuroscience by US News. The program is aimed at students who More than 450 researchers are working on all aspects of neuroscience here. According to university statistics, 80% of the graduates of this field occupy doctoral positions. Most often they are employed in academia, commercial research, biomedicine, health care, and education.
6. VU University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The two-year program at the VU University of Amsterdam is taught in English. The first year consists of courses mandatory for all neuroscience students; in the second year you can choose one of two specializations or combine courses, depending on your interests:
- Basic neuroscience;
- Clinical and translational neuroscience.
7. University of Bordeaux, France
The international master’s program at the University of Bordeaux aims to study the brain in all areas, from molecules to cognition. Its main advantages are:
- Internships in major pharmaceutical companies and laboratories;
- More than 30 professors and lecturers specializing in neuroscience;
- The small size of academic groups.
8. Heidelberg University, Germany
The program is closely linked to the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Center (IZN) at the University of Heidelberg. It has 60 research groups. Students have access to the facilities and research work of each, ranging from simple molecular research to clinical science.
If you are really interested in neuroscience and want to dedicate your life to it, hurry up and choose a program and prepare all the necessary documents.
