Master of Neuroscience

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Master of Neuroscience qualification is to bring learners from a variety of scientific backgrounds into the field of neuroscience, and to equip them with foundational knowledge, skills, and ethical values to pursue successful careers in neuroscience.

Learners will be educated and trained in a broad range of topics and data analysis methodologies in basic and applied neuroscience to contribute meaningfully to knowledge production and integration in this discipline in a variety of settings. The qualification will thus prepare learners to become researchers in academic institutions but will also lay the foundation for specialist training in any of the applied fields (including, but not limited to, neuropsychology, computational modelling, neuroethics, neuroconsulting, and bio-entrepreneurship). In this way, the qualification will aim to offer a flexible response to evolving research areas and methods in neuroscience.

During the course of the qualification, learners' scientific writing, communication, and critical thinking skills will be developed, culminating in a research dissertation that should take the form of a publishable academic output. Beyond an advanced understanding of the central nervous system and its fundamental and emergent properties, these master's graduates are expected to demonstrate the ability to engage meaningfully with the complexities and ethics involved in the field of neuroscience more broadly, which constantly pushes against our understanding of what it means to be human. The qualification is thus intentionally designed to spark a critical engagement in this area and to prepare learners for innovative and creative avenues in neuroscience-related fields, including doctoral study.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the central nervous system and specialised knowledge of various basic, clinical, applied, and translational topics in neuroscience.
• Apply an advanced theoretical understanding of different data analytic approaches in neuroscience.
• Reflect critically on theory and research and its application in the field of neuroscience. In particular, the ability to engage meaningfully with the complexities and ethics involved at the frontier of neuroscientific development.
• Contribute systematically and creatively to the development of neuroscientific knowledge in Africa at an advanced level.
• Communicate neuroscientific knowledge and research findings clearly through written and oral formats to academic, professional, and non-specialist audiences, with consideration for contextual factors.
• Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously, with self-direction and originality, in implementing tasks, solving problems, and advancing their intellectual independence.

Rationale

Beyond the revolutionary scope of brain research today, neuroscience is also a tremendously popular and interdisciplinary science, drawing learners from diverse academic disciplines. Although education and research related to neuroscience are already conducted, there is a need for an interdisciplinary taught postgraduate qualification that can accommodate learners from various undergraduate qualifications to develop them to work in the broadening field. Bringing these learners together in a consolidated neuroscience qualification will provide the basis for more creative, coherent, and sustainable teaching and research, reducing duplication and fragmentation. Such a qualification will also offer a platform for interdisciplinary education and collaboration, much more so than qualifications in the contributing disciplines, where the respective disciplines' identities are maintained.

A significant factor that contributed to conceptualising this qualification as a viable offering recently established Neuroscience Institute (NI) at Groote Schuur Hospital. The institute currently functions as the focal point for neuroscience-related research at this institution and is therefore also the logical home for this qualification, in line with the principle that the institute and its members have the academic oversight and expertise to convene the qualification. The NI aspires to be a South African centre of research excellence, providing a vibrant, world-class environment that offers shared clinical and neuroscience research facilities and meeting spaces designed to foster collaboration and mentorship. Moreover, it has 50 cross-faculty academic members who are engaged in a range of neuroscience-related teaching and research activities at local, national and international levels, making it ideal for interdisciplinary collaboration. The research questions of their members reflect a focus on the needs of African populations, combined with a fundamental concern with ethical research.

Currently, the NI hosts learners from the Western Cape, across South Africa, and the continent. A key mission of the Institute is to advance Neuroscience in Africa. It is thus our vision that the NI will ultimately manage this cutting-edge qualification. To be attractive and competitively placed also for an international audience, the qualification will be offered as a one-year full-time (two-year part-time) qualification that will admit learners every year.

As a multidisciplinary science, neuroscience is internationally one of the fastest-growing areas of scientific knowledge production. While Africa is well-placed to contribute significantly to global neuroscience research, it still lags behind industrialized countries.

In January 2022, the UNESCO Courier stated, "Africa could still make a significant contribution to global neuroscience research, provided that new policies are put in place to stimulate scientific innovation on the continent" and that South Africa is a "driving force" in this endeavour.

We believe the introduction of the proposed qualification will be a key step in

cultivating a stronger pipeline to PhD study and building capacity and interest in several neuroscience-related applied fields more broadly. Moreover, because we envision that this qualification will draw learners from across South Africa and the African continent, it will contribute much-needed diversity to the field and widen the currently limited access to neuroscientific training.

As a discipline, neuroscience integrates with many other disciplines in biological, engineering, and social sciences. In terms of target audience, the current qualification is therefore structured to accommodate a variety of learners from diverse academic disciplines who are interested in pursuing neuroscience-related careers.

The qualification will also provide learners with the skills to pursue a career and find employment in any of the applied fields, including, but not limited to, neuropsychology, data science, policy development and the biomedical science sector (e.g., clinical research, neuroethics, neuroconsulting), bio-entrepreneurship, and other science-related jobs (e.g., science journalism, science communication, or management consultants in the biotechnology sector).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access

Alternative access

Learners that do not meet the normal admission requirements but have demonstrated through prior learning that they have achieved a similar level of expertise, will be considered for admission through the normal RPL processes on a case-by-case basis. The advanced level of the entrance requirements is expected to limit the number of admissions based on RPL to a small number below the 10% allowed.

Advanced standing

Learners who have already completed similar credit-bearing courses at NQF 9 (e.g., Advanced Neuroanatomy or a qualification in Python) either at the institution or another higher education institution could, upon academic review, be given credit and exempted from the course in question. As per the CHE and SAQA policies on Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT), no more than 50% of a previous qualification's credits may be used in this way, but any completed and comparable credits (at least 80% similar in learning outcomes and at the same NQF level) from an uncompleted qualification may be used towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A four-year Bachelor's degree or an Honours degree, Level 8 in a relevant discipline including, but not limited to, Health Sciences, Psychology and Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Philosophy.

And

• the candidate will be required to submit for evaluation a portfolio demonstrating their prior knowledge and interest in the field of neuroscience.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9, totalling 184 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 9, 170 Credits.

• Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology, 24 Credits.
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 12 Credits.
• Clinical Applications in Neuroscience, 12 Credits.
• Bioinformatics Programming with Python, 20 Credits.
• Health Research Ethics at the Frontier, 18 Credits.
• Social and Behavioural Neuroscience, 12 Credits.
• Machine Learning, 12 Credits.
• Research Project, 60 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 9, 14 Credits (Select one module)

• Neuroimaging Technologies,14 Credits.
• Neurogenomics, 14 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Illustrate an in-depth understanding of the central nervous system and specialised knowledge of various basic, clinical, applied, and translational topics in neuroscience.
2. Apply an advanced theoretical understanding of different data analytic approaches in neuroscience.
3. Reflect critically on theory and research and its application in the field of neuroscience. In particular, the ability to engage meaningfully with the complexities and ethics involved at the frontier of neuroscientific development.
4. Contribute systematically and creatively to the development of neuroscientific knowledge in Africa at an advanced level.
5. Communicate neuroscientific knowledge and research findings clearly through written and oral formats to academic, professional, and non-specialist audiences, with consideration for contextual factors.

Associated Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Illustrate a specialist understanding of the key anatomical features and function of the cerebrovascular system, cerebral cortex, brainstem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, and limbic system.
• Describe the principles of neuropathology and its importance in the diagnosis and management of neurological diseases.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of neuropathology research methodologies and techniques, including molecular biology, proteomics, and bioinformatics.
• Explain the role of genetics in the development of neurological disorders and describe the various genetic testing approaches used in clinical neuropathology.
• Apply knowledge of the molecular and genetic mechanisms that underlie neuronal signalling, synaptic transmission, and plasticity.
• Illustrate a comprehensive understanding of structure-function relationships for major anatomical regions of the human brain.
• Illustrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of immunology and inflammation in the central nervous system, including the role of resident immune cells, and their interaction with the peripheral immune system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply the methods and techniques used to study molecular and cellular neuroscience, including electrophysiology, imaging, and molecular biology.
• Develop real-time and advanced Python-based applications using advanced concepts in biomedical science.
• Apply advanced computer programming and biomedical problem-solving skills using Python and approaches through writing computer scripts to mine and model Omics data.
• Apply advanced statistical programming language, R and R-studio.
• Analyse and interpret neuroimaging data acquired through various technologies, including x-ray imaging, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and (iii) positron emission tomography (PET).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Evaluate current scientific literature related to neuroanatomy, neuropathology and neuroimaging.

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience critically and ethically.

• Critically evaluate and interpret scientific literature in cellular neuroscience.
• Illustrate an understanding of the ethical challenges associated with the development and use of AI in Africa.
• Identify new and emerging ethical concerns and conundrums arising from the use and development of AI, and critically assess development discourse about AI.
• Apply understanding of how our own personal beliefs and biases impact our perspectives on neuroethical situations.
• Consider how different cultural, social, political and economic factors affect neuroethics research.
• Provide a critical analysis of global neuroethics research and theory; and engage in critical debates on neuroethical issues in relation to the African and global context.
• Apply advanced skills in critically evaluating research articles, documents, and data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyse case studies involving patients with neurological diseases.
• Illustrate an understanding of how the sociocultural context dynamically shapes neural processes, and hence how to contribute to our understanding of behaviour by considering the social and structural environment.
• Apply advanced skills in designing and writing a project proposal and specialised knowledge in conducting a review of the literature and relevant databases.
• Design research using either structural or functional neuroimaging techniques.
• Apply knowledge of an appropriate software package used in the analysis of neuroimaging data.
• Perform genetic and epigenetic association testing for polygenic traits.
• Generate polygenic risk scores and understand their (potential) uses.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Collaborate effectively with peers in group discussions and activities to share knowledge and insights about neuroanatomy, neuropathology and neuroimaging.
• Illustrate effective communication skills in presenting information about the brain to a diverse audience with varying levels of knowledge and expertise.
• Articulate matters of ethical concern in new and emerging developments at the forefront of health and neuroscience research to specialist and non-specialist audiences.