About Neuroscience (bsc (hons)) in University College Cork

Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system and is one of the most challenging and exciting fields of science today.

The mammalian nervous system regulates all the functions of the organism. In the human, at least, it has unique functions that are independent of the other organ systems of the body. These independent functions allow us awareness of ourselves.

The extraordinary properties of the human brain have made it possible for us to dominate Earth, walk on the moon, alter the course of evolution, and create art and music. 

The brain works as an information processing system. The information consists of internal representations of the external environment in which the organism exists. Neuroscience is the study of how these internal representations are created, transformed and used to affect the behaviour of the organism.

This is an interdisciplinary degree course organised by the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, with significant contributions from a number of other departments. It is a rapidly-expanding field of study and this course is intended to provide graduates with a thorough basic training in this area of increasing importance. Neuroscience is studied at the molecular, cell and systems level.

Key facts

• Multidisciplinary degree involving molecular and cellular biology, anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology and clinical neuroscience
• Broad-based course integrating general scientific training with specific relevant skills-sets for employment in basic and applied biomedical and neuroscience research, as well as biological and neuroscience education
• Research-led teaching by strongly-active neuroscience researchers
• Well-established record of graduate employment in a wide range of academic and industrial settings.

Neuroscience is one of the most challenging and exciting fields of science today. It is a multidisciplinary subject and neuroscientists study all aspects of the nervous system – its molecular, cellular and systematic structure, how it develops, the chemical and electrical phenomena that take place in its nerve cells and, of course, its unique output: behaviour and cognition.

Skills and Careers Information

Career opportunities in Neuroscience reflect the worldwide expansion of interest in this field.

This broad-based course will provide graduates with general scientific training similar to that in other honours science degree courses as well as specific, relevant training for employment in biological and neuroscience education and in basic and applied biomedical and neuroscience research.

Neuroscience graduates will also be able to seek diverse employment in pharmaceutical sales and marketing and in scientific consulting and publishing.

Academic qualification equivalents

 1.    All India Senior School Certificate 

 2.    Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 

 3.    Indian School Certificate (Year 12) 

Band 1 Programmes

Minimum average of 90% + in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum average of 80-89% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 3 Programmes

Minimum average of 75-79% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Additional Requirements

Where Maths is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% in Maths is required.

Where a Lab Science subject is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% is required in the appropriate Lab Science subject.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

University College Cork Highlights