MSc (by research) in Neuroscience - Origins of mind

University of St Andrews

The 1-year MSc (by research) degree, in either Psychology or Neuroscience, consists solely of an independent research project conducted over a 12-month period (or an equivalent period of part-time study), under the supervision of one or more members of the School’s academic staff, leading to a thesis of no more than 30,000 words. The goal of both the PhD and the MSc (by research) is to provide a training programme tailored to the needs of the individual. Training can be provided from tutorials with the supervisor and other members of staff, taught courses in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience or other, related, departments, University units (such as the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development), or external organisations. Participation in conferences, seminars and workshops, both internally and externally, is also encouraged.The origins of mind research group aims to understand how evolutionary history and the process of development influence behaviour and cognition in a broad range of animal species, including non-human primates, elephants, birds, children and adult humans. The researchers make use of the Living Links to Human Evolution Centre at Edinburgh Zoo, African field sites (for example, Budongo Conservation Field Station), child testing facilities and human experimental laboratories.

Psychology