Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the science of the brain and nervous system, exploring one of the most fascinating and challenging frontiers in all of biology. It sits at the interface between psychology and neurobiology, asking how the physical structure and chemistry of the brain give rise to sensation, movement, memory, emotion, consciousness, and the full range of human experience. It also seeks to understand what goes wrong in neurological and psychiatric conditions, from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to schizophrenia and depression, in order to lay the groundwork for better treatments.
At St Andrews this four-year full-time programme explores the interface between psychology and neurobiology, taking you through the cellular and molecular basis of nervous system function alongside the cognitive and behavioural sciences that examine what the brain does. You will be introduced to the structure and function of the nervous system, to the neuroscience of perception, memory, and cognition, and to the neurobiology of mental health and neurological disorders, developing both scientific rigour and an appreciation of the profound questions the field raises. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the chance to study neuroscience in a different academic and cultural environment.
Graduates in neuroscience pursue careers in academic and clinical research, pharmaceutical development, clinical neuroscience, educational psychology, and healthcare. Many continue to postgraduate study, either in research degrees in neuroscience, pharmacology, or related biomedical sciences, or in clinical training programmes such as medicine, clinical psychology, or speech and language therapy. The analytical and quantitative skills developed through the degree are also valued in data science, medical technology, science communication, and a range of roles in the life sciences industry.
The field is growing rapidly, and graduates with a strong neuroscience background are well positioned in a sector where demand for their expertise is increasing.