Tracks

In the Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience track, you will use state-of-the-art techniques to study the development, functioning, adaptation, and pathogenesis of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Research projects include the entire range of neuroscience topics from the level of the gene to the whole organism – from humans to animals and from ethology to behavioural disorders. The course content examines these topics on the molecular, cellular, network, and behavioural levels, focusing on patients with neurological and psychiatric conditions as well as the associated animal models.

The interdisciplinary setting at the Utrecht Science Park campus hosts a unique density of top genetic, molecular, and cellular neuroscience groups involved in fundamental, clinical, and pharmaceutical neuroscience research. Many research groups have a multinational composition, which offers students the opportunity to be trained within a highly internationalised environment. You also have the option of completing your second research project abroad to gain more exposure to and experience with international research teams.

The Cognitive Neuroscience track focuses on the relationship between the central nervous system and cognitive abilities. In your research projects, you may examine how the normal system functions and try to understand perception and motor behaviour in terms of the physical properties of the environment, or you might study the consequences of neuropathology on memory or attention. Taken together, this approach may lead to a better understanding of both normal and disordered functioning.

Research terms study the cognitive functions of the brain using behavioural experiments in combination with a variety of brain-related techniques (e.g. fMRI, EEG, and TMS). The research is embedded in internationally renowned institutes, such as the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics and the Helmholtz Institute Utrecht. Comparative research on cognitive mechanisms in animals takes place in the Behavioural Biology and the Animals in Science and Society groups. This track also offers you the opportunity to complete part of the programme abroad.