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Exploring the brain

Introduction

The Master’s programme in neuroscience and neuroimaging combines a broad foundation in basic and clinical neuroscience with advanced imaging techniques. The programme qualifies you for a career in a field which is expanding rapidly, in part due to the increasing worldwide availability of high-resolution scanners.

The neuroscience and neuroimaging programme focuses on two growing fields. Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. It is an interdisciplinary science that combines and draws on multiple fields, from molecules to medicine. Neuroimaging encompasses the various techniques used to image the structure of the brain, and it is relevant to a number of health science disciplines, where it has a great impact on the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological diseases.

Since the turn of the millennium, the Chinese government has invested heavily in all areas of basic neuroscience as part of a major drive for excellence. New research institutions with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment have been established, and Chinese and foreign scientists have been brought in to drive the future development of the field. As a neuroscience and neuroimaging student at SDC, you have an opportunity to immerse yourself in one of these progressive research environments and prepare yourself for an exciting career.

The unique combination of advanced imaging techniques and a broad knowledge of basic and clinical neuroscience, which is not offered as a Master’s programme anywhere else, will qualify you to facilitate interdisciplinary research and projects, for example within academia or in one of the big international pharmaceutical or technological companies that have established research activities in China.

On completion of the programme you receive a double degree and the following titles: Master of Science in Neuroscience and Neuroimaging from Aarhus University and Master of Neurobiology/Biophysics from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Programme Structure

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The first semester is designed to give students, all of whom have different academic backgrounds, the necessary basic knowledge and competencies to follow the tailored courses in the rest of the programme.

The final course of the semester introduces several different imaging techniques. You take the following courses:

• Basic Neuroscience (10 ECTS)
• Fundamental Biomedical Signal Processing (8 ECTS)
• Introduction to Scientific Computing (2 ECST)
• Molecular Imaging of brain Function and Structure (5 ECTS)
• Human Brain Electrophysiology (5 ECTS)


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In the second semester, more advanced courses build on the knowledge gained through the first semester courses. Some of the courses integrate both neuroimaging and neuroscience. You take the following courses:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (5 ECTS)
• Machine Learning in Neuroscience (5 ECTS)
• Neuroscience in a Clinical Perspective (5 ECTS)
• Methods in Preclinical Neuroscience (5 ECTS)
• Integrative Neuroimaging (5 ECTS)

• Specialisation/Elective Course (5 ECTS)
- Cognitive Science
- Advanced Neuroscience
- Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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In the third semester, you work on your Master’s thesis (60 ECTS) at a laboratory in China. While working on your Master’s thesis, you have a unique opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories in China.
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The Master’s thesis is completed during the fourth semester.

Courses may be subject to change.

Klaus studies Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

Career

As a graduate of the programme, your key competencies are a broad knowledge of molecular, cellular, and clinical neuroscience with a coupling to current research based on human studies, as well as the many diverse model systems and tools used in neuroscience. Furthermore, you have an understanding of technology and hardware design for imaging techniques such as X-ray/CT, PET/SPECT, EEG, MEG, and MRI.

China is investing heavily in research within the fields of neuroscience and neuroimaging, and during your two-year programme, you have a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge equipment and research. You also gain valuable cultural insight into Chinese labs and society, which gives you the competencies necessary to work effectively in future cross-cultural work settings.

With a Master’s degree in neuroscience and neuroimaging, your career options include Research & Development positions within the pharmaceutical companies, the medico-technical industry, positions at neuro-oriented hospital departments, or you can pursue an academic career as a researcher at a university.

Academic Regulations

Course Catalogues

Admission

You apply through Aarhus University. To find out if you are qualified and to apply to the programme, click here.
Deadline is 1 March.

Chinese citizens (including citizens from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao) must apply through the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Tuition

Tuition is 40 000 RMB a year. Please read the following carefully to see if you have to pay tuition to attend the programme.

Danish citizens


You have to pay tuition if you at the time of application are not enrolled at a Danish university. However, you may be eligible to receive the Danish “Udlandsstipendium” to cover your tuition fee. To find out if you are eligible, please go to SU-styrelsen. Most Danish citizens will be eligible.

You do NOT have to pay tuition if you at the time of application are enrolled at a Danish University – either in a Bachelor programme, a full Danish Master's programme or a Danish supplementary course in connection to a Danish Bachelor or Danish professional bachelor programme.

Non-EU citizens


For all non-EU citizens the tuition fee for all MSc programmes at SDC is
40,000 RMB a year.


EU/EØS citizens


You have to pay tuition if you at the time of application are not enrolled as a student at a Danish university either in a Bachelor programme, a full Danish Master's programme or supplementary courses.
However, if you are equated with Danish citizens, who are required to pay tuition, you may be eligible to receive the Danish Udlandsstipendium (scholarship for studying abroad) to cover tuition.
To find out if you are eligible, please go to SU-styrelsen (The Danish Education Support Agency) for more information.

You do not have to pay tuition if at the time of application are enrolled at a full Danish Bachelor programme, a full Danish Master's programme or a Danish supplementary course.

Contact Alumni

If you have further questions, please take a look at the FAQ on the Going to study in China page. If you still have questions, you have the following options.

For questions regarding specific courses, admission or
practical matters please contact SDC at:
admission@sdc.university

For first-hand questions regarding living and studying in China, you may contact recent Neuroscience and Neuroimaging graduate Signe Mikkelsen at 2signehm@gmail.com.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Signe had to leave China after the first semester in 2020.

SDC alumni

Heads of the Educational Programme

Danish Head of Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
Associate professor Kim Ryun Drasbek
Department of Clinical Medicine
Aarhus University

Programme coordinator
Vibeke Sauer Panyella, MSc.
Email: vibekepanyella@cfin.au.dk
Phone +45 7846 4089
Chinese Head of Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
Professor Xue Rong
Principal Investigator, Institute of Biophysics
Chinese Academy of Sciences

Life Sciences Research Theme

Testimonials

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Rasmus West Knopper

BA-degree:
B.Sc. in Sports Science, Aalborg University

Occupation:
PhD-candidate at the Department for Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
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Sophie Bögemann

BA-degree:
B.Sc. in Psychobiology
+ M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Amsterdam

Occupation: PhD-candidate at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, the Netherlands