Have you always been the odd one whose interest in the human brain and research has never faded? If you are one of that kind, we help you make a career in Neuroscience. It is the science of the nervous system, which includes the brain, its functions in health and disease.
Branches in Neuroscience:
- Developmental Neuroscience:How the nervous system grows and develops.Cognitive Neuroscience: how the brain creates and controls thought, language, problem-solving, and memory.
- Molecular Neuroscience: Considers genes, proteins, and other molecules involved in the functioning of the nervous system.
- Cellular Neuroscience: Considers the cells of the nervous system: neurons and glia.
- Behavioural Neuroscience: How different regions of the brain process the behaviour of animals and humans, including studying the effect of drugs on behaviour.
- Clinical Neuroscience: How to treat and manage disorders of the brain and nervous system.
Why is brain research important:
Disorders of the brain are all too frequent in our society. Especially, with devices taking over our lives, the study of the brains functions, the impact of devices on the brain and our behaviour has become a significant area of research. Depression, schizophrenia, stroke, drug addiction, head injury, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are just a few examples.
Job opportunities for Neuroscientists:
Research
Research Neuroscientists carry out experiments to understand more about the brain and nervous system, both in normal circumstances and in nervous system disorders. They often work in laboratories in universities and industry and communicate their experiments in peer-reviewed journals and local, national and international conferences.
Clinical Sciences
Clinical scientists (or healthcare scientists) use their knowledge of science to help prevent, diagnose and treat illness. They research and develop the techniques and equipment used by medical staff with clinical trials. Clinical trials are conducted to establish the safety and efficacy of drug candidates.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is technology based on biology. Biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products to help improve our lives and the health of our planet.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmaceutical companies discover, develop and market new medicines—translating neuroscience research into useful products. There are a number of different roles within the pharmaceutical industry, from research scientists to sales reps.
Medical devices industry
The medical device manufacturing industry is a highly diversified industry that provides a range of products designed to diagnose and treat patients in healthcare systems worldwide. Medical devices range in nature and complexity from simply tongue depressors and bandages to complex programmable pacemakers, transcranial electrical or magnetic stimulation devices and sophisticated imaging systems.
CRO Industry
A contract research organisation (CRO) provides support to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries in the form of research services outsourced on a contract basis. A CRO may provide such services as biopharmaceutical development, biologic assay development, commercialisation, preclinical research, clinical research and clinical trials management. CROs also support foundations, research institutions, and universities, in addition to governmental organizations.
Regulatory Affairs, Policy and Research Administration
Regulatory affairs officers and policy implementers ensure that scientists, companies and their products comply with current legislation and national and international requirements. For example, the regulatory requirements for the approval to market a new medicine, biomarker or medical device.
Publishing and Media
Scientists publish their work in scientific journals. Often the people involved in the editing, publishing, and reviewing the papers are scientists themselves. Having a science background also opens doors to the media world: many of the science reporters you see on TV, or read about in the news, have a science degree.
- Neuroethics – the social, legal and ethical consequences of advances in brain research.
- Neuroeconomics – risk-taking and decision making that influence business and the economy.
- Neuroaesthetics – creativity and the brain.
- Neurotechnology- combining engineering and IT with Neuroscience.
- Neuroprosthetics – the interface between humans and machines.
Courses and eligibility criteria:
The courses are offered at Bachelors, Masters and doctorate level. The students who possess the Bachelor’s Degree in Science can apply for M.Sc course in Neuroscience. You can study a straight Neuroscience course or a combined degree such as Neuroscience with Psychology.
The degree must be obtained from a recognized University with 50% marks. Candidates with Medicine or Engineering degree are also eligible. Those who have the specific requirements can attend the entrance test for admission to the PG course. The eligibility for PhD courses in Neuroscience is master’s degree in allied fields of Science. Candidates having any of JRF / UGC / ICMR / ICCSR scores can enter the course without appearing the entrance exam.
Colleges to study Neuroscience in India:
- Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bangalore
- Indian Academy of Neurosciences, Lucknow
- Vellore Medical College. Vellore
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Karnataka
- University of Madras Tamil Nadu
- Bharath University, Tamil Nadu
- Jiwaji Univerisity, Gwalior
- Sri Ramachandra University, Tamil Nadu
- Chandigarh University
- Amala Institute of Medical Sciences
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
- Armed Forces Medical College
- Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
List of Neuroscience Entrance Exams
- Dr. Hahnemann Homoeopathy Medical College and Research Centre Admission Test
- Sri Ramachandra University All India PG Entrance Exam
- University of Madras M. Sc Entrance Exams
- Jiwaji University M. Sc Neuroscience Entrance Exams
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences M.Phil Entrance Exams
- Indian Institute of Science (IIS) PHd/M.Sc Entrance Test
Exam pattern of Neuroscience Entrance exams
The entrance exam of M. Sc Neuroscience includes objective type questions. Usually the test is carried out as a single paper. The entrance test for doctorate programs includes objective as well as subject wise questions. More marks are awarded to descriptive type questions than that of multiple choice questions. Anyway, the pattern of the test depends largely on the choice of the concerned authority that carries out the same.
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