InformatIon sheet NEUROSCIENCE Neuroscience The science of the brain “ Everything you think, everything you Neuroscientists study the nervous system. They do, everything you feel, comes from apply a wide range of scientific disciplines: anatomy, biochemistry, computer science, pharmacology, that 2kg of ugly grey matter inside physiology, psychology, and zoology. It’s all about your skull, and if you start from that understanding how the brain and nervous system work, premise, it’s hard not to be curious and it’s one of the fastest growing areas of science. about how that even begins to be The University of Otago is the only New Zealand possible.” university to offer an undergraduate degree in neuroscience. As an interdisciplinary programme, it is Irene Ballagh Neuroscience Graduate taught by staff from a large number of departments. Each teaches a separate “neuro” component – but the result is a coherent, integrated subject in its own right. YoUr PLaCe In the WorLD 0800 80 80 98 www.otago.ac.nz txt 866 [email protected] Why study neuroscience? You can read details about what several How will I study? neuroscience graduates are doing on our The brain is a final frontier… a last great website. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the unknown. neuroscience programme, teaching styles vary between papers. Many first and second year Neuroscientists are its explorers. They try What papers do I take? papers are taught through a combination to understand how the brain functions, how First year of lectures and laboratory sessions, while it deals with injury or damage, and how it Essential first year papers provide third year papers will have group projects develops and changes over time. introductions to cellular biology (CELS and discussions. Assessments are varied and What they find helps neurologists, 191); human biology, particularly of the include written examinations and laboratory psychiatrists and clinical psychologists – and nervous system (HUBS 191); and biological reports. provides important models for high level psychology (PSYC 111). information processing and robotics. Additional papers are required; most students Neuroscience research Knowing how the brain perceives stimuli and choose chemistry (CHEM 191) but other Neuroscientists at the University of Otago controls movement helps those working on options are available. Please see our website are involved in a range of exciting research. human performance from sports science to for more details. Neuroscience students learn about this (and other) research as undergraduates, and can space medicine. Note that most of these papers are included work in the lab with Otago’s neuroscientists in the first year health science course, with as postgraduates. Background required the exception of PSYC 111. Students who Taking chemistry and biology to Year 13 is start with Health Sciences First Year and then For example: recommended. Students without good marks change to neuroscience can do PSYC111 in their second year. • Professor Cliff Abraham is interested in in chemistry are strongly advised to enrol in the neural mechanisms of memory. His the Bridging Chemistry paper during Summer Second year lab is also investigating biomarkers and School, prior to their first year of study. Core required papers in psychology, therapeutic agents for Alzheimer’s disease. anatomy and physiology fill in more details Career opportunities in neuroscience, as do optional papers from • Associate Professor Mike Paulin is investigating how animals use sensory To become a neuroscientist, following your zoology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and genetics. information to move quickly, accurately BSc you would complete a BSc(Hons) and and efficiently. a PhD. You could then work researching Third year and teaching at a university, or in a research By third year students choose from a list • Associate Professor John Reynolds is institution. of papers covering advanced topics in interested in how we learn and remember neuroscience, with an emphasis on exploring skills, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s Neuroscience also provides a convenient first disease and stroke. degree for those proceeding to postgraduate the latest findings. specialisation in professional or applied BSc (Hons) • Associate Professor Colin Brown is fields. For example, medicine, pharmacy, Students who do particularly well can apply determining how the brain controls birth, physiotherapy, audiology, and bioengineering. for entry to the Bachelor of Science with lactation, food intake and water balance. Those neuroscience graduates who do not Honours (BSc(Hons)) programme after • Dr Christine Jasoni is researching how a proceed to postgraduate study also possess completing their Bachelor of Science (BSc). mother’s health during pregnancy affects valuable skills that are widely sought after by This elite course offers ideal preparation for the formation of the fetal brain to elevate employers, including technical expertise in those interested in a career in neuroscience risk of mental illness. areas where there is a worldwide shortage of research. skilled workers. proFIle Irene Ballagh Fascinated by biochemistry, molecular biology, “How do you create a thought from and psychology, Irene Ballagh was delighted electrical impulses? How do you instruct to discover the Neuroscience programme your muscles to do the amazing feats of skill during her second year of study. She and dexterity that humans are capable of? remembers thinking “Wow, that’s actually a We’re a long way off really understanding thing you can do?” the answers to these, but every time I sit back and think about what I’m doing, I still Fortunately, Otago’s flexible degree structure love that I get to try to look for answers for made for a smooth transition to the questions that are amazing.” Neuroscience programme. Since graduation, Irene’s passion for “It was easy to switch into,” Irene explains. neuroscience has taken her to Columbia “There’s a huge amount of freedom in University in New York, for her PhD studies. choosing the courses for your degree... She’s now applying for post-doctoral it’s very easy to sort of choose your own positions to continue her research in the US. adventure.” And in the long term? Tailoring the programme to her own interests wasn’t the only thing that Irene liked “Eventually start a lab of my own while about her neuroscience studies. Because, as teaching at a university,” Irene says, For questions about Neuroscience she says, “Everything you think, everything “preferably one with an environment like you do, everything you feel, comes from that Otago!” www.otago.ac.nz/neuroscience 2kg of ugly grey matter inside your skull, and if you start from that premise, it’s hard not to be curious about how that even begins to be possible.” June 2013.