Essentials of Neuroscience

The UBC Certificate in Essentials of Neuroscience introduces the foundations of neuroscience and explores how brain science is applied across health, education, technology, the humanities and in your everyday life. Through two micro-certificates—Thinking Like a Neuroscientist and Neuroscience and Our World—you will build your understanding of how neuroscientists study the brain, examine current issues and applications in the field, and develop the skills to critically evaluate neuroscience-informed approaches in real-world contexts.

By the end of this program, you’ll be able to:

• describe and apply foundational neuroscience concepts, theories and research approaches across a range of neuroscience subdisciplines and contexts. 
• explain how neuroscience research contributes to our understanding of behaviour, cognition, mental health, neurological conditions and human experience. 
• evaluate the applications, limitations and ethical implications of neuroscience research and its use across fields such as healthcare, education, technology and the humanities. 
• recognize the importance of neurodiversity, lived experience and diverse perspectives in understanding the brain and its relationship to individuals and society. 
• communicate neuroscience concepts and research to non-specialist audiences using clear, accessible language. 
• apply neuroscience-informed perspectives to decisions and practices in your professional, personal and community contexts. 

Through stories from persons with lived experience, interactive learning materials, cinematic lectures, and opportunities to engage with real-world examples, you will explore how neuroscience connects to current issues and challenges across disciplines. Examples throughout the program demonstrate how scientific concepts can inform approaches to health, learning, technology and society, helping you critically evaluate neuroscience and communicate its relevance beyond academic settings.

This program is designed for learners from a range of professional and academic backgrounds who want to build their understanding of neuroscience and explore how brain science can be applied in real-world contexts.

Learners may come from a variety of sectors, including:

• healthcare and allied health
• education and learning design
• research and innovation
• technology and AI-adjacent fields
• social services and community support
• communication, media and creative industries
• public service and policy

No prior background in neuroscience is required.

The total cost for the UBC Certificate in Essentials of Neuroscience is $1,118 for the self-paced format or $2,118 for the instructor-supported format.

All fees are in Canadian dollars, subject to change and to GST (where applicable). For details on forms of payment accepted, please see How to pay.

Find more details on refunds, cancellations and transfers.

The UBC Certificate in Essentials of Neuroscience is composed of two micro-certificates that will collectively take about 170 hours to complete. If you choose the self-paced format, you can take up to six months to complete each micro-certificate. If you choose the instructor supported format, each micro-certificate runs for 11 weeks. To earn the certificate, you must complete both micro-certificates in the following order:

1. Thinking Like a Neuroscientist
2. Neuroscience and Our World

This 100% online, part-time program is delivered in two formats: self-paced or instructor supported with real-time online discussion sessions.

In the self-paced format, course work is completed independently within the program timeline (up to six months from the start date). You progress through modules and complete quizzes at your own pace.

In the instructor supported format, course work is completed independently following weekly deadlines. You also must participate in a certain number of scheduled real-time discussion sessions with the instructor.

Expected effort

In the self-paced format, expect to spend approximately 170 hours completing all learning activities across both micro-certificates. Each micro-certificate can be completed within the program timeline of up to six months.

In the instructor supported format, expect to spend approximately seven to eight hours per week per micro-certificate, including participation in real-time sessions.

Assessment

In the self-paced format, you complete self-assessment and graded quizzes that reinforce understanding of core neuroscience concepts.

In the instructor supported format, you complete quizzes, participate in real-time sessions, and complete two final capstone projects that apply neuroscience concepts to real-world contexts. Attendance and participation in live sessions is required to support learning and engagement.

In both formats, assessment is based on a proficiency scale and completion of required learning activities.

The content of both micro-certificates was designed by Dr. Steven J. Barnes, the Director of the UBC Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience and a Professor of Teaching in the UBC Department of Psychology, in collaboration with subject-matter experts: persons with lived experience and neuroscience researchers. Steven also designed and recorded the cinematic lectures for both micro-certificates and is the lead author of the textbook used in both micro-certificates.

The instructors of both micro-certificates are from the UBC Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience.