Content Creation MSc Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences
A new joint master degree program "MSc Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences" will be established at ETHZ and UZH in the FS 2022. In the context of this project application, funds will be requested to realise innovative teaching concepts which will allow students of different educational backgrounds to experience an interdisciplinary training in neuroscience.
The project
Understanding how a healthy brain works and the neural states that underpin mental illness to develop more effective treatments are key objectives in the field of neurosciences. Advancing the current research requires specialists who understand the relationships between biology, technology and clinical neurology.
The master in Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences (IDB) is a specialized joint master degree of the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich (ETHZ). The IDB program is geared towards providing a broad overview and hands on training on three main areas:
• Brain biology
• Systems, computation and neural technology
• Translational, Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience.
It is one of the few comprehensive MSc programs in neuroscience offered worldwide.
Implementation into teaching practice
The program consists of core modules (3 block courses of 7 weeks each), elective core modules and includes:
• 6-week laboratory work within all three main areas
• 6-month Master’s thesis project
• a minimum of 2-month internship in a clinic or a company
The first semester concentrates on CNS genomics/proteomics, neuroimmunology, neural imaging, brain systems, deep learning and neural technologies. In the second semester, students learn about a range of methods used in translational neuroscience, but also in daily clinical and therapeutic practice. This module encompasses both the characterisation of mental disorders and preventative approaches from psychology. Courses in ethics and neuroeconomics complete this thematic area.
The program focuses particularly on laboratory practice. The strong practical component of the program ensures that students become familiar with a broad range of techniques, analyses and treatment methods in neuroscience.
The MSc IDB provides trans-disciplinary knowledge and skills covering the broad spectrum of neuroscience research and prepares graduates for their first years of independent research in academia or industry. Graduates are equally well-prepared for a career in university research as for one in clinical research or in industry. The program also delivers biological and technological tools for a career in medical technology.
Lessons learned and further impacts
The master was successfully launched in 2022 with a relatively large number of applications received (over 140 the first year and over 170 the second year). The program involves more than 50 lecturers and 6 partner institutions, bringing together the majority of the leading stakeholders in the field of Neuroscience.
Some adjustments to the curriculum were needed, such as:
• adaptation of the schedule of the introductory week of lectures (i) to connect the different thematics by defining a «red thread», (ii) to avoid a too compact schedule and allow a more in-depth introduction
• emphasizing (i) the supply of fundamental concepts/main take-away messages/bullet point objectives as guidance and study material, and (ii) interactive teaching (with short exercises, mini-quizz, case-studies,…) to lecturers, for improving the understanding of main concepts.
Students successfully passed the exams evaluating their learning in the first phase of the master. Overall, the exams of the master consist for each block course of:
1) a written lab report, an oral presentation and the evaluation of the work approach during the laboratory work period
2) a final written exam
This is completed by:
3) the evaluation of the research project of the master thesis together with an oral examination
4) a lab report from the internship experience
Surveys were also submitted to students to evaluate the quality of the master’s program and allow some adaptations if needed.
In general, we have noticed the importance of:
1) informing the students about the main modalities of the master’s program by providing documents as support material and guidance to the program (e.g. guidelines, learning agreement, checklist for completing the master, master thesis registration form, …)
2) offering a welcoming event at the start of the master to emphasize important information about the master modalities (in addition to the documents) and promote interaction among participants
Having a main reference person is also essential to (i) coordinate the program, (ii) allow a regular exchange for feedback and (iii) provide/remind important information