Applied Neuroscience in Human Development (MSc)
Applied Neuroscience in Human Development is one of the specialisations of the master’s programme in Education and Child Studies that you can choose at Leiden University.
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Knowledge of children’s normal development is a requirement to be able to design and understand research on problematic developmental processes and outcomes.
This master’s specialisation is intended for you if you wish to become an expert in the neurocognitive and biological correlates of emotions, learning, and behavior, both in non-clinical parents and children and in case of problematic development.
The primary focus in the curriculum of the master specialisation Applied Neuroscience in Human Development is on how knowledge about brain functioning and stress regulation can contribute to educational practice, clinical work, family interventions, and – conversely – how these applications can contribute to optimal neurocognitive and biological functioning.
As a graduate you will have acquired knowledge and skills in:
- The basics of the functional anatomy of the brain, the development of the brain and nervous system, and genetic and environmental factors influencing cognitive development and functioning;
- Methods and instruments for measuring and studying the quality of the (central) nervous system, such as EEG, brain imaging techniques such as MRI, parameters of the arousal system such as heart rate and skin conductance, eye tracking, genetics and the hormone system;
- Possibilities for prevention and intervention aimed at optimizing brain functioning and the regulation of thought, emotions and behavior.
Are you interested in the neurocognitive and biological roots of learning, behaviour and emotions in children? If so, the programme in Applied Neuroscience in Human Development might be the specialisation you are looking for.
Please note: if you want to work in a clinical setting in The Netherlands. This programme does not prepare or qualify you for this kind of work.
On campus education
Our teaching takes place on campus and not online. You are trained for a social profession, in which interactions with children, parents, educators, teachers, organizations, policy makers and teammates are key. We believe that social skills are honed through extensive interaction with teachers and fellow students during your education. In this way, you learn to cooperate with others and to define your own role in that cooperation. You will work on other important competencies too, such as your ability to extract information directly "live" from lectures, working groups and interviews. We expect professional behavior from you in which you consider not only your own perspective, but also the perspective of the other, such as your teacher, fellow student or participant. All these skills you can later apply in your profession as an educator.