Congratulations to the BSc Neuroscience Class 2023

7 Jun 2023

Congratulations to the BSc Neuroscience Class 2023 who completed their viva exams last week. 

The BSc Neuroscience class of 2023 celebrated the completion of their four-year BSc Neuroscience degree programme last Wednesday 24th May 2023. Dr Siobhain O'Mahony course director said that she was immensely proud of the class of 2023, as in addition to completing their studies had done so during the Covid-19 Pandemic. 'The Class of 2023 were in their first year of CK402 when their studies moved online. Working from home in isolation for the remainder of first year and all of second year was a testament to the students' tenacity and commitment to the programme. The students were in third year of their studies before a normal college life resumed. The class of 2023 embraced their Neuroscience degree studies and are now looking forward to embarking on their future careers.'

Dr Siobhain O'Mahony Director of the BSc Neuroscience welcomed External Examiner Professor Jo Neill, Professor of Psychopharmacology in the Manchester Pharmacy School at the University of Manchester and thanked her for her work as external examiner for the Neuroscience programme over the past four years, two of which were held online. Professor Neill said that she thoroughly enjoyed her visits to Cork and that she is looking forward to holidaying in Cork in the future now that her time as external examiner has finished.

For one student Lauren Barrett Covid-19 was not to be her only hurdle to completing her BSc Neuroscience; In early June 2021 Lauren received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Taking a year out of her studies to complete gruelling chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation therapy all of this with the added complication of Covid 19, Lauren was declared in remission in March 2022 and recommenced her BSc Neuroscience studies in September 2022.  Delighted with the welcome that she received from her new classmates Lauren said that she is looking forward to graduating with the BSc Class of 2023. Lauren encourages all to be proactive about their health, not to take their health for granted and not to delay to have any unusual symptoms investigated.

Dr Siobhain O'Mahony, said that that the variety of career paths that the graduates have planned are very diverse. Many of the students have chosen to follow masters programmes in areas such as radiotherapy, physiotherapy, graduate medicine, some planning to study locally at masters or doctorate level and others with plans to travel. Other students have decided to take time to decide on their career plans and others are excited to take up employment. She said that she wished the students every success in their future careers, and she welcomed them to stay in touch with the department and each other to foster a strong Neuroscience Alumni.

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News item and photograph B. Riedewald