Neuroscience Program to Attract High Achieving Science Graduates

17 Jun 2009

Neuroscience training for graduates has been streamlined and enhanced with a unique Master of Neuroscience program being offered by The University of Queensland (UQ) through the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI).

Designed to attract high achieving science graduates to the core disciplines within neuroscience, the course will provide students with the opportunity to work alongside leading researchers including molecular biologists, stem cell biologists, electrophysiologists, neuropsychologists and mathematicians in world-class neuroscience laboratories.

Managed by QBI, the three-semester program will provide research training, core professional skills and the capacity to work across several specialist steams, including molecular and cellular neuroscience; neural imaging and computational neuroscience; developmental neurobiology; cognitive and behavioural neuroscience; and visual and sensory neuroscience.

Program Director Professor Joe Lynch said the new course was unique in Australia as it trained students in neuroscience research, effectively preparing a cohort of what would eventually become the future leaders of neuroscience in this country.

“Students completing their Master of Neuroscience at UQ will accumulate a body of knowledge that will provide them a strong foundation in modern neuroscience,” Professor Lynch said.

“By experiencing a different laboratory each semester and working alongside some of the top people in the field, this new program will provide one of the best preparations anywhere in the world for a research career in neuroscience.”

“As well as having the opportunity to become familiar with cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, students will be working with some of the most advanced technologies in use today such as flow cytometry, MRI and fMRI.”

The University of Queensland has a strong tradition of neuroscience excellence, which today includes researchers from some 14 schools, centres and institutes.

The course is suited to both international and domestic students who wish to shift their career focus to neuroscience. It will accept students from a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds. Several scholarships will be made available to suitably qualified students.

The objective of the program is to train qualified individuals for independent research and teaching careers in neuroscience.

“This course will provide an excellent theoretical and practical grounding for those wishing to pursue PhD studies,” Professor Lynch said.

The initial intake will be limited to a maximum of 12 students. Students can start their studies either at the beginning of semester one or two.

For more information about the new Master of Neuroscience program, please telephone Professor Joe Lynch on (+61 7) 3346 6375.

Ends

For more information, please contact:
QBI Communications Office
Tel: +61 7 3346 6434

Notes to the Editor
QUEENSLAND BRAIN INSTITUTE
The Queensland Brain Institute was formed in 2003 as part of the Queensland Government’s Smart State Initiative, building on a long history of neuroscience at The University of Queensland.  QBI is dedicated to understanding the molecular basis of brain function and applying this knowledge to the development of new therapeutics to treat brain and mental health disorders.

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