masters in neuroscience canada

Master’s in Neuroscience programs in Canada provide a broader variety of research experiences for students, as well as a better opportunity for collaboration on various projects. Students might also have a chance to conduct their thesis entirely in English! Find out more about what master’s in neuroscience programs in Canada can offer you.

If you are looking to become certified in the field of neuroscience then you should consider applying to masters in neuroscience canada offered by MCPS. Learn how neuroscience research is helping those with pain, memory loss and PTSD.

Hi and welcome to this neuroscience in canada blog. What I’m going to cover in my blogs are various topics including the main centre of education in Canada, how you could become a neuroscientist, what you’d need to be a neuroscientist and last but not least, some links to students video of lectures online for free. In this first blog I will start by quickly going over what neuroscience is, the history and some more here .

masters in neuroscience canada

Careers in Neuroscience

The ability to find fulfilling employment after graduation is (or should be) of concern to all students. It is in your best interest to explore career options relatively early in your college career so that you can seek out opportunities that will make you an excellent candidate for your desired position. Consider the careers below and/or make an appointment with an advisor to discuss your options.

Careers Requiring an Advanced Degree

Most of the careers that people associate with neuroscience require doctorate-level education. Some examples of careers for people with advanced degrees include:

Medicine (MD, DO)Food Scientist
Research ScientistPharmacist
DentistVeterinarian
Physical TherapistAudiologist
OptometristLawyer
Clinical PsychologistProfessor
NeuropsychologistChiropractor

Master’s Level Careers

Many careers in neuroscience can be obtained through a master’s-level education. Some examples of careers for people with a master’s degree include:

Nurse PractitionerNeuroimaging Technician
Physician’s AssistantTeacher
Genetic CounselorEpidemiology
Occupational TherapistBiostatistician
Orthotist/ProsthetistSpeech-Language Pathologist
Neural EngineerPublic Health

What Is Cognitive Neuroscience?

Have you ever wondered why we do the things we do? What makes us tick?

Human beings are utterly complicated animals, with utterly complicated thought processes. Ultimately, however, we are controlled by chemicals and electrical impulses. This, of course, is an overly simple explanation, and the actual processes that the brain goes through in order to produce certain reactions or thoughts are very complicated.

The enigma of what makes us tick can partly be explained by cognitive neuroscience, a very specific area of neuroscience. Cognitive neuroscience is the study of human cognition, or thought, as it relates to neuroscience, or the biological functions of the brain and nervous system. Basically, the goal of this type of neuroscience is to help psychologists understand how the physical and biological parts of the brain influence or create the less tangible parts, like thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and memories.

Cognitive neuroscience is a relatively new field, and the coining of this term actually has a very short, yet interesting, history. In the 1970’s, a small group of scientists and psychologists planned a dinner. Besides good food and banter, these dinner plans also included discussing how the brain enables the mind. Two attendants made a fateful decision to share a taxi to get to the dinner. It just so happens that these two gentlemen, Michael Gazzaniga and George Miller, were a neuroscientist and a cognitive psychologist.

The End.

Actually, it would be more appropriate to say “The Beginning”. The beginning of modern cognitive neuroscience, that is.

Why Do We Need Cognitive Neuroscientists?

As mentioned above, cognitive neuroscientists play an important role in understanding the human mind. By better understanding how the mind works in relation to the physical aspects of the brain, scientists are often able to devise more effective treatment methods for certain disorders.

Not all mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders are able to be treated with counseling and psychotherapy alone. Some more severe disorders may need to be treated with medication as well. These medications alter how the brain functions, enabling it to work more efficiently or – in theory – how it is supposed to.

Some disorders that may benefit from medication include:

  • Learning disabilities
  • Schizophrenia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Bipolar disorder

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Cognitive Neuroscientist?

Below is the complete educational path for the Psychologists:

Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus
1. Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnline or Campus
2. Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnline or Campus
3. Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnline or Campus

Because cognitive neuroscience is a vast mixture of several different disciplines, individuals interested in becoming cognitive neuroscientists may pursue a few different educational paths. A four year bachelor’s degree is often the starting point for a cognitive neuroscientist. In fact, some cognitive neuroscientists may even have more than one bachelor’s degree to start with.

Psychology, neurology, neuropsychology, or psychiatry degrees are all good places to start. Pursuing a cognitive neuroscience career also usually requires advanced degrees as well. For instance, most will go on to earn their master’s degrees and doctoral degrees.   To find schools that are available in your area for these programs visit our Find a School section.

Besides a number of biology and psychology courses, future cognitive neuroscientists will also usually take several courses in mathematics and research methods.

What Does a Cognitive Neuroscientist Do?

>A cognitive neuroscientist is primarily a researcher, on a quest to find out how our brains contribute to our cognitive function. These professionals might conduct research a few different ways.

With today’s technological boom, scientists and researchers are using computers more and more. A cognitive researcher is no exception. He might use computer simulations, for example, to test theories and hypotheses. A cognitive neuroscientist career might also involve monitoring a patient’s brain activity with special equipment.

A cognitive neuroscientist might also study and test samples of brain tissue, in order to better understand the mysteries of the human mind.

Where Do Cognitive Neuroscientists Work?

When first starting their careers, cognitive neuroscientists will first usually complete a fellowship, which are very similar to internships. During a fellowship, a cognitive neuroscientist will work alongside experienced professionals in the field. Most cognitive neuroscience fellowships last a couple years. After completing their fellowships, cognitive neuroscientists are then able to look for permanent employment in a number of different facilities.

Universities will often hire cognitive neuroscientists as researchers and professors. Some other possible places of employment might include research facilities and pharmaceutical companies.

What Is the Median Annual Salary of a Cognitive Neuroscientist?

Cognitive neuroscientists (categorized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as medical scientists) earned a median salary of $88,790 as of May 2019.

Cognitive neuroscientists working for pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing companies earned the highest average salary during this time, at $111,630, followed by those working in research and development companies, at $95,770.

Canadian Graduate Programs in Neuroscience

View also National training programs and other collaborative programs with Canadian components

UniversityCity, ProvinceProgram & WebsiteTitle of program / centerChairContact
Carleton UniversityOttawa, Ontarioneuroscience.carleton.ca/prospective-studentshttps://carleton.ca/neuroscience/Department of NeuroscienceMichael Hildebrandgradneurosci@carleton.ca
Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebechttp://www.concordia.ca/research/neuroscience/training.htmlCenter for studies in behavioral neurobiologyShimon AmirGeneral information csbn.info@concordia.ca
Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotiahttps://dal.ca/psychandneuroDepartment of Psychology & NeuroscienceTara Perrotgradprog@dal.ca
Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, Nova Scotiahttps://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medical-neuroscience.htmlDepartment of Medical NeuroscienceWiliam Baldridgemedneuroscigrad@dal.ca
McGill UniversityMontréal, Québecwww.mcgill.ca/ipn/Integrated Program in NeuroscienceReza FarivarGraduate Program Office ipn@mcgill.ca
McGill UniversityMontréal, Québechttps://www.mcgill.ca/psychiatry/education/graduate-programGraduate program in PsychiatryNaguib MechawarGraduate Program Office graduate.psychiatry@mcgill.ca
McMaster UniversityHamilton Ontarioneuroscience.mcmaster.caThe Neuroscience Graduate Program Flavio KapczinskiSandra Murphy, program coordinator
neuroinfo@mcmaster.ca
Memorial UniversitySt-John’s NewfoundlandNeuroscience programNeurosciences program at Memorial UniversityCraig Moore, Neuroscience Graduate Program Coordinatorcraig.moore@mun.ca
Queen’s UniversityKingston, OntarioQueen’s Graduate NeuroscienceCenter for Neuroscience StudiesRoumen Milev
Director
Graduate Coordinator:
Dr. Gunnar Blohm
blohmg@queensu.ca
Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, British ColumbiaGraduate Certificate in NeuroscienceMichael SilvermanEmail: Michael Silverman
Université de MontréalMontréal, Québechttp://neurosciences.umontreal.ca/etudes/Département de NeurosciencesElaine Chapman (BSc)Pierre-Paul Rompré (MSc and PhD)Informations générales: http://neurosciences.umontreal.ca/nous-joindre/
Université LavalQuébec, Québechttp://www.fmed.ulaval.ca/programmes-detudes/programmes-de-2e-et-3e-cycles/maitrises-et-doctorats-en-recherche/maitrise-et-doctorat-en-neurosciences/presentation/Programme de neurosciencesMartin Lévesquemartin.levesque@fmed.ulaval.ca
Université LavalQuébec, QuébecGraduate student positions at CERVO Brain Research Centre PhD@CERVO
https://cervo.ulaval.ca/en/phd
Centre de Recherche CERVO de QuébecPaul De KoninckPaul De Koninck
University of AlbertaEdmonton, AlbertaNeuroscience UAlbertaNeuroscience and Mental Health InstituteDouglas ZochodneEmail: nmhi@ualberta.ca
University of British ColumbiaVancouver, British Columbiawww.neuroscience.ubc.ca/Graduate Program in NeuroscienceLiisa Galeaubc.neuroscience@ubc.ca
University of CalgaryCalgary, Albertawww.ucalgary.ca/neuroscience/Department of NeuroscienceCo-Directors, Graduate Program of Neuroscience: Michael Colicos and Minh Dang Nguyenneurosci@ucalgary.ca
University of GuelphGuelph, Ontariohttps://neuroscience.uoguelph.ca/collaborative-specialization-neuroscienceCollaborative Specialization in NeuroscienceBoyer Wintersbwinters@uoguelph.ca
University of LethbridgeLethbridge, Albertahttp://www.uleth.ca/artsci/neuroscienceDepartment of Neuroscience
Canadian Institute for Behavioural Neuroscience
Robert SutherlandAmanda Mauthe-Kaddoura amanda.mauthe2@uleth.ca
University of OttawaOttawa, Ontariohttps://www.uottawa.ca/brain/trainingBrain and Mind Research InstituteuOttawabmri@uottawa.ca
University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon Saskatchewanneuroscience.usask.ca/
University of TorontoToronto Ontarioneuroscience.utoronto.ca/Collaborative Program in Neuroscience (CPIN)Zhong-Ping Feng
CPIN Director
p.neuroscience@utoronto.ca
University of VictoriaVictoria, British Columbiahttps://www.uvic.ca/medsci/neuroscience/Graduate Program in NeuroscienceBruce WrightContact: Lori Aasebo, Graduate Program Assistant dmsgrad@uvic.ca
University of WaterlooWaterloo, OntarioCentre for Theoretical Neurosciencehttps://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-theoretical-neuroscience/Graduate Program in NeuroscienceChris EliasmithContact
University of WindsorWindsor, Ontariohttps://www.uwindsor.ca/science/behaviour-cognition-neuroscience/343/graduate-programsGraduate and Undergraduate Program in NeuroscienceDr. Barbara Zielinski
Director, Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience Program
bcn@uwindsor.ca
Western UniversityLondon Ontariohttps://www.schulich.uwo.ca/neuroscience/graduate/Graduate Program in NeuroscienceDr. Brian Corneil bcorneil@uwo.caSusan Simpson (Program Coordinator) susan.simpson@schulich.uwo.ca
Wilfrid Laurier UniversityWaterloo Ontariohttps://researchcentres.wlu.ca/laurier-centre-for-cognitive-neuroscience/index.htmlCentre for cognitive neuroscienceJ. Jones jjones@wlu.ca
York UniversityToronto Ontariowww.yorku.ca/neurosci/Neuroscience Graduate DiplomaLauren SergioLauren Sergio lsergio@yorku.ca

National programs

Program titleWebsiteCoordinatorContact
BRAIN-CREATE Interdisciplinary training program for New Neurotechnologies at University of Calgaryhttps://cumming.ucalgary.ca/braincreateMarc Poulin & Richard Wilsonbraincreate@ucalgary.ca
McGill Program in Neuroengineeringhttp://www.neuroengineering.ca/neuroeng@mcgill.ca
CIHR Training Program in Neuroinflammationhttp://neuroinflammation.com/Sabrina Schrammneuroinflammation.mni@mcgill.ca
Neurophotonics programhttps://neurophotonics.ca/Mario Méthotmario.methot@neuro.ulaval.ca

International Collaborative Programs

Program titleWebsiteCoordinatorCanadian Contact
Neurasmus
European Masters degree in Neuroscience
http://www.neurasmus.u-bordeaux2.fr/index.htmlAgnès Nadjar (agnes.nadjar@u-bordeaux2.fr) Université de BordeauxKatalin Toth, Université Laval (katalin.toth@fmed.ulaval.ca)

neuroscience programs in Canada

Best Countries To Study Abroad

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Studying abroad is a great way to develop additional social, academic and language skills, whilst adding an unparalleled depth to your university experience. Study overseas can enhance your university years, and will also ultimately give you a competitive advantage when it comes to finding employment, as recruiters seek out those who have proactively pursued different ways to broaden their experience. If you are considering completing all or some of your university studies overseas, check out this summary of the best countries to study abroad.

France

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Romantic Paris consistently tops lists of the best cities for students. Although the vibrant night life, thriving cultural scene, and the prospect of long walks along the left bank of the Seine are surely partly the reason, the almost non-existent tuition fees also help. Whilst much undergraduate teaching is carried out in French, graduate education is often available in English. Or take the opportunity to brush up your French and attend a course given in the ‘language of love’.

United States

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The choice of Universities in the US is quite mind-boggling. From internationally renowned ivy league institutions to hubs of innovation and cutting edge thought, whatever you study here you will have opportunities to add to your life experience. Over 750000 international students attend university in the US every year, and despite the high costs of fees, students love living in both Boston and San Fransisco enough for both cities to rank among top student cities. But if you sign up to study and decide that you would like a change of scenery, switching between universities in the US is not unusual.

Germany

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As one of the economic powerhouses of Europe, Germany has more going for it than just Oktoberfest. It is also one of the best known European destinations for free (or almost free) university tuition fees, which might explain why outside of anglophone nations (the UK, US and Australia) it is the country with the highest number of international students. Head to Munich to attend an internationally rated university without breaking the bank, or Berlin to join the thriving tech hub and immerse yourself in the German take on hipster culture.

Canada

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Toronto ranked recently as the most desirable city for students, among an impressive three Canadian cities in total to make the top 15. With cities this attractive it is no wonder that 6.5% of students in post secondary education in Canada come from abroad. With a vibrant culture, stunning natural environment and massive regional variations, Canada offers lots to explore for visiting students, in addition to several internationally ranked universities.

Taiwan

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Taipei was recently ranked as the most affordable city for students around the globe. Tuition fees are low, and the high quality of education can make this a great choice. Learn more about the local history and politics, as well as experiencing life in a new culture, where old and new come together in a vibrant symphony.

Argentina

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Argentinian students enjoy free university tuition, and although international students must pay a nominal enrolment fee, the costs are still low outside of the private institutions. The University of Belgrano gets a special mention, as a modern and well equipped facility just outside of downtown Buenos Aires, with great global connections. Take the time in Argentina to perfect your Spanish and maybe even learn to tango.

Australia

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Australia is one of the world’s most popular places for international students – and with sandy beaches, year round sunshine and a relaxed outdoors lifestyle, it is no surprise. Australian universities welcome international students and are well prepared to support newcomers. Considering its relatively small population, Australia has an unusually high number of institutions making the top hundred for university academic rankings, making it the perfect destination for sun, sand and academic success.

South Korea

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Who didn’t love Gangnam style? Get to the heart of K-Pop by studying in Seoul. And if you’re not a catchy-pop-tune kind of person, then you will be delighted to hear that the capital – as well as being a seriously fast paced fun place – is home to 14 internationally rated universities. Get outside your comfort zone and learn about an amazing culture whilst improving both your academic record and your CV.

United Kingdom

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The UK has a wide variety of high quality universities, and although fees vary across institutions and can be fairly high, it is worth seeking out scholarship opportunities. Students often work to support their studies, and flexible opportunities to fit around university schedules are not unusual. With a melting pot of cultures, a mix of location from cutting edge urban to sleepy rural idyll, students in the UK never need to be bored.

Denmark

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If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland then you may be eligible for free university tuition in Denmark. And if you are intending to pursue a PhD, there are even opportunities to study whilst earning a salary as this higher level study comes fully funded. The costs of living are undeniably high, but Denmark provides a fascinating base to explore Europe and experience nordic culture at its best.

Wherever you go, studying overseas is about more than the academic qualifications you may gain.  Showing the curiosity, organisational skills and ambition to arrange a period of study overseas is a great selling point. Whether you are heading off for your entire university program, for a semester or two, or even to study during the summer holidays, you are gathering armfuls of skills and experiences that will stand you head and shoulders above competitors when it comes to looking for graduate jobs. Take the opportunity to combine study and travel, and immerse yourself in a new culture to broaden your horizons. You won’t regret it.

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