Functional Neuroimaging

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Recent years have been characterised by a rapid development of functional imaging technology, with increasing availability worldwide of high resolution scanners for research and clinical applications. Functional brain imaging requires an understanding of current concepts in cognitive neuroscience and psychology, as well as a basic appreciation of neuroimaging techniques and the mathematical and statistical foundations for data analysis.

This programme, the first of its kind in the UK, provides a strong theoretical and practical introduction to the world of neuroimaging research. The course is a good preparation for a PhD in functional brain imaging, or for working as part of a neuroimaging team with fMRI and/or other imaging modalities.

Aims

The rapid development of functional imaging technology and research has contributed to the call for improved education and training in functional imaging. Within this context, the aim of the programme is to provide a strong theoretical and practical introduction to the world of neuroimaging research. It will equip students with a range of practical research skills to enable them to successfully complete research of this kind, either as part of a research team or as an individual.

The course will also provide the necessary training in safety and in the rules of scanner operation, to allow students to conduct a neuroimaging research project under the supervision of an Authorised User on Brunels 3T scanner, or else to conduct a project on one of its related ERP imaging or psychological laboratory facilities.

Whether you want to pursue neuroimaging research, or simply become an expert in this important field of science, the Functional Neuroimaging MSc provides the relevant skills and knowledge.

The course is a good preparation for a PhD in functional brain imaging, or for working as part of a neuroimaging team with fMRI and/or other imaging modalities.

CareersThe MSc Functional Neuroimaging is an invaluable companion or prelude to a research degree or research position in functional neuroimaging, one of the most rapidly growing fields of scientific research.

Academic or research positions:

* MPhil/PhD in neuroimaging or related subject
* Research Assistant on a neuroscience project, or related project in psychology or biology. Imaging has applications now from the physical sciences to projects in economics and the social sciences.
* Technical Assistant in functional neuroimaging.

Non-academic positions:

* Any occupation that requires a higher level of analytical, technical and presentation skills than can be offered by a graduate in the life sciences

The course is also an ideal precursor to an MPhil or PhD degree course

Modules are subject to variation and students are advised to check with the College on whether a particular module of interest will be running in their year of entry.

ModulesCognitive Neuroscience

How has neuroimaging increased our understanding of brain function? This module covers learning and memory, language and the brain, cerebral lateralization and specialization, the control of action, executive control and frontal lobes, emotional mechanisms, evolutionary perspectives, development, plasticity and consciousness.

Principles of Neuroimaging

This introduces Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Electroencephalography (EEG), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS), Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The module will focus especially on EEG and fMRI, considering MRI safety, MR signal generation, MR signal formation, contrast mechanisms and pulse sequences, neuronal to haemodynamic activity, BOLD FMRI, spatial and temporal properties of fMRI.

Practical Neuroimaging

How do we design, conduct and analyse neuroimaging experiments? How can we use this knowledge to evaluate other neuroimaging studies? This module includes EEG equipment operation, using a Siemens TRIO 3T MRI scanner, experimental design, image processing, statistical analysis, statistical inference and data presentation.

Visual Neuroscience

Processing the information received by our eyes involves nearly half the cortex. In this module, we study the visual pathways and along the way consider a number of topics including: visual motion and the dorsal stream, biological motion, object recognition and the ventral stream, face recognition, disorders of vision, visual development, visual imagery, visual awareness, change blindness and neuroaesthetics.

Research Project/Dissertation

Under the supervision of one of the CCNIs research team, students will conduct a functional imaging experiment. This could involve the in-house EEG or fMRI facilities. Recent examples include:

* Responses of the Cortical Reading Network
* The Role of Personal Familiarity in Visual Processing: An fMRI study of the FFA and LOC
* MT/V5 area & STS activation to video and point light display of perceptual skills in badminton: an fMRI study
* An fMRI Study of Different Responses of the Brain while Presenting Two Opposing Stimuli Simultaneously and their Dominance
* Attentional Modulation of the Human Primary Visual Cortex. An fMRI Study.

A UK first or (2:2) Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in a Life Science or related discipline. 2.2 Honours degrees or equivalent internationally recognised qualification will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with other degrees in the specified subject area together with relevant experience in an area related to neuro-imaging will be considered on an individual basisEntry criteria is subject to change.English Language Requirements * IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas) * Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores) * BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.Our International Pathways and Language Centre offers a range of foundation and pre-masters courses to provide you with the academic skills required for your chosen course. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.