Program Requirements

The Master of Neuroscience requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

A minimum of 24 units must come from completion of 8000- level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

NEUR6101 Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)

NEUR6102 Systems Neuroscience (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of a foundation Neuroscience course from the following list:

BIOL6174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)

PSYC6010 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)

A minimum of 12 units from completion of integrative courses from the following list:

BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills (6 units)

NEUR8700 Neuroscience Research proposal (6 units)

NEUR8701 Readings in Neuroscience (6 units)

NEUR8704 Neuroscience Essay (6 units)

NEUR8010 Neuroscience Research Project (6-12 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

MEDN6001 Medical Physiology and Pharmacology (6 units)

MEDN6002 Pathogenesis of Human Disease (6 units)

BIOL6161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)

BIOL6171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)

BIOL6191 Biology, Society and Ethics (6 units)

BIOL6201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)

BIOL6202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

BIOL8021 Health and Disease in a Changing World (6 units)

BIOL8702 Advanced Research Techniques (12 units)

MEDN6820 Biomedical Imaging (6 units)

POPM8001 Research, Treatment, Policy: Current Issues in Mental Health (6 units)

PSYC6016 Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (6 units)

SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics (6 units)

A maximum of 12 units may come from completion of Science & Society courses from the following list:

ENVS6013 Society and Environmental Change (6 units)

ENVS6020 Human Ecology (6 units)

ENVS6025 Complex Environmental Problems in Action (6 units)

ENVS6103 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

A maximum of 24 units from ANU electives

Capstone Courses

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent

• with a minimum GPA of at least 5.0/7.0
• with at least 8 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0.

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 8 courses in a cognate discipline. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Ranking and English language proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au.

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications.

Credit Granted

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit. 

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate Disciplines

Cellular and molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, medicine, anatomy and physiology, biological psychology

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Employment Opportunities

Our postgraduate neuroscience programs pave the way for further studies in neuroscience and related fields, such as a PhD.

A Master of Neuroscience will also provide you with the skills to find employment in the biomedical sciences sector, including in clinical research, with pharmaceutical companies and in policy development.

Learning Outcomes

1. demonstrate high level knowledge in neuroscience;
2. apply their knowledge in neuroscience to new problems;
3. interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to neuroscience;
4. demonstrate a theoretical understanding of current neuroscience techniques;
5. demonstrate the ability to interpret and analyse results and write scientific reports;
6. clearly communicate theory and results in both written and oral formats.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

Masters (Advanced):

Students who are admitted to this program of study can explore the option of undertaking a signficant research component. Please discuss this with the program convener after completion of the first 24 units of study at the Master level. Students have the option of applying to transfer to the Master of Neuroscience (Adv) and undertaking a 48 unit research project if they satisfy the following requirements:

• achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the initial 48 units of coursework
• have the approval of an identified supervisor
• have completed compulsory courses in the Master Neuroscience (Advanced), and
• meet the published admission requirements of the Master of Neuroscience (Advanced)

Students who have completed 48 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Students who have completed 24 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Certificate of Science.

Course offered by the College of Science and College of Health and Medicine:

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine can be found under current students page on the College website via this link.