Curriculum newsletter

Brain Science

Master’s degree 

Only Track A is available (research-based) 

Introduction 

The wonders of the brain and its workings has always preoccupied scientists. 
Scientific advances and technological breakthroughs of the 21st century have opened a rare window through which we can understand the physiological and computative mechanisms through which our brain tunes the way we perceive and act in the world around us. 

Understanding the secrets of the brain requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating specialties and tools from different disciplines, including 
physics, biology, computer science, engineering, pharmacology, psychology, linguistics and mathematics. 

The master’s degree track in Brain Science provides comprehensive multidisciplinary training and practical Brain Science research experience. The Center hosts a wide range of laboratories employing advanced research methods that engage in both basic scientific research and clinical Brain Science research. Graduates of the doctoral program in Brain Science can join top tier research environments in academia, industry and the clinical world. 

Admission requirements 

  1. The master’s program in Brain Science is open to honors students with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 85 in one of the following disciplines: 
    brain science, computer science, life sciences, physics, psychology, mathematics, engineering.

Students from academic backgrounds not listed above, may contact the department to discuss suitability for a year of prerequisite completion.  

  1. Two letters of recommendation from academic faculty members who could attest to the applicant’s research and academic abilities. 
  1. A personal interview. 
  1. A mathematics proficiency exam (per the discretion and decision of the admissions committee).
  1. A multidisciplinary background is advantageous. 

Program details 

The master’s program in Brain Science has two primary components – coursework and thesis work. 

Students must accumulate a minimum of 12 AC (24 SC) for the degree. 
Any change in the number of credits is subject to approval by the department and the School of Graduate Studies. 

Program duration – two years. 

The program is adapted individually for each student, based on academic background and scientific interests. Students must make up prerequisite courses per their specific academic background and must take required courses, at least four of which must be from core studies. 

Courses must be passed with a minimum grade of 75, and a minimum yearly average of 80 must be maintained.  

Prerequisite courses 

Brain Science master’s degree students beginning their studies with no prior relevant background must take the following prerequisite courses during their first year, per their academic background: 
1. Neurobiology  
2. Introduction to the Python programming language
3. Mathematics 

Core courses 

Brain Science master’s degree students must take at least one core course from each of the following underlying disciplines: 

Required and elective courses: 

Elective courses

Each year different elective courses are offered by the Center’s researchers, giving the students an opportunity to deepen their expertise and skills in the various research domains. 

* Some of the program’s courses are taught in English at the department’s discretion. 

Research work and thesis submission in the Brain Science master’s degree: 

Master’s degree students in Brain Science must conduct research in one of the Brain Science Center laboratories.The thesis must be completed by the end of the second year. 

Thesis guidelines 

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter. 

Final exam for the master’s degree 

The final exam is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography. 

Language proficiency 

English at the master’s degree level 
(details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – introductory chapter). 

Jewish studies 

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter). 

 

Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the first year of study 
and no later than the end of the fall semester of the second year. 

  



Brain Science with a specialization in data science 

Admission to the specialization 

The track is open to all students who meet admission criteria to the Brain Science master’s degree and who passed the exam exempting them from mathematics. Good Python programming skills are also required.

Coursework requirements 

A total of 14 AC (28 SC) are required for the master’s degree.

Program details 

Required courses for the specialization 

Neural nets and deep learning 2 AC  + 1 AC tutorial (4 SC + 2 SC tutorial). 
Signal and data analysis 2 AC  + 1 AC tutorial (4 SC + 2 SC tutorial). 
Data science seminar 1 AC (2 SC). 
Applied data science workshop 1 AC (2 SC). 

Students in the specialization must also take two additional core courses in Brain Science – one from the cognitive module and one from the biology module. 

The biology module 
For students with a Brain Science background: 
* Neurochemistry of synapses – 1.5 AC (3 SC). 
* Neurophysiology – 2 AC (4 SC). 

For students without a Brain Science background: 
* Introduction to neurobiology – 4 AC (4 SC). 

The cognitive module 
* Brain imaging of language function – 2 AC (4 SC). 
* Cognitive and brain studies in the 21st century – 1 AC (2 SC). 

Elective courses

Additionally, at least 2 AC (4 SC) of elective courses must be taken from all courses offered in the department and in accordance with the selected research area. 

Departmental requirements 

Participation in departmental seminar – 1 AC (2 SC). 

Criteria for transitioning to the second year of study 

At the end of the first year, academic achievements in courses shall be reviewed. After discussion by the committee for graduate degrees, students will obtain approval to transition to the second year of study. 

 

Brain Science with a data science specialization – joint degree with European universities 

The Multidisciplinary Center for Brain Science has opened a master’s degree program in Brain Science – a data science specialization with several partners in Europe: 
University of Lisbon, Portugal 
University of Padua, Italy 

The aim of the program is to train brain scientists with broad skills and knowledge in data processing while integrating the knowledge and expertise of the two partner universities. 

The joint degree of the two universities is a way of joining forces and offering students the best academic training in their area of interest. For Israeli students this is an opportunity to incorporate into their degree studies at a leading academic institution in Europe. 

The new program exposes students to new ideas, scientific paradigms, new research methods and, in general, new ways of doing science. The program also provides students with the opportunity to meet experts in the field from two academic institutions, broadening the arc of knowledge and ideas to which they will be exposed, in a natural way. Students spend their first year of the master’s degree at Bar-Ilan University, and the second year at the partner university in Europe.  

The program focuses on integration between Brain Science and Data Science, two areas that are very much in demand today and which have been developing at a rapid pace in recent years. These domains touch upon diverse areas of life, including banking, industry, health and social studies. Brain Science studies is based on imbuing a foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge in life sciences, behavioral sciences, languages, computer science, physics, chemistry, mathematics and philosophy, alongside dedicated in-depth courses on the study of the human and animal nervous system; in the study of data science, students are exposed to many different kinds of advanced technologies, including programming languages, AI platforms and machine learning. The program imparts advanced technological skills for managing, processing and analyzing big data. 

Topic of study in this new program including advanced courses in these fields both at Bar-Ilan and at the partner universities.  

Admission criteria 

The international program is multidisciplinary and accepts students for the master’s degree based on the same admission criteria as the Multidisciplinary Center for Brain Science: a bachelor's degree in brain science, computer science, life sciences, physics, chemistry, psychology, mathematics or engineering. During the first year, provided the student fulfills course requirements, candidates may request to spend their second year at one of the partner universities. 

The degree is taught in English in its entirety. 

  

PhD 

The PhD track in Brain Science provides comprehensive multidisciplinary training and practical Brain Science research experience. The Center hosts a wide range of laboratories employing advanced research methods that engage in both basic scientific research and clinical Brain Science research. Graduates of the doctoral program in Brain Science can join top tier research environments in academia, industry and the clinical world. 

Admission criteria for the Brain Science PhD program:  

Admission requirements 

  1. The PhD program in Brain Science is open to honors students with a minimum undergraduate or master’s degree grade point average of 85 in one of the following disciplines: 
    brain science, computer science, life sciences, physics, psychology, mathematics, philosophy, engineering. 

(Students from other backgrounds should consult with the department). 

Two letters of recommendation from academic faculty members who could attest to the applicant’s research and academic abilities. 

  1. A personal interview. 
  1. A mathematics proficiency exam (per the discretion and decision of the admissions committee) 
  1. A multidisciplinary background is advantageous. 


The PhD program in Brain Science has a regular track, a combined master’s-PhD track, and a direct PhD track. 

The combined track for the PhD is a six-year program, intended for honors students with a bachelor's degree (minimum grade point average of 85). In the course of the track students complete both a master’s degree and a PhD in Brain Science. For admission criteria to the combined track, press here. 

The regular PhD track is a five-year program, intended for honors students with a master’s degree (minimum grade point average of 85). 

 The direct PhD track – is intended for holders of a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average of 90.

Program requirements for the Brain Science PhD: 

The PhD program in Brain Science has two primary components – coursework and a dissertation. 

Prerequisite courses: 

Brain Science PhD students beginning their studies with no prior relevant background must take the following prerequisite courses during their first year, per their academic background: 

  • Neurobiology 
     
  • Introduction to the Python programming language 
     
  • Mathematics 

Core courses: 

Brain Science doctoral students must take at least 6 core courses offered from the three underlying disciplines of Brain Science: 

The computational module 

The biological module 

The cognitive module 


Required and elective courses: 

  • Participation in departmental seminar 
     
  • Elective courses for an additional 8 AC (16 SC) – each year different elective courses are offered by the Center’s researchers, giving the students an opportunity to deepen their expertise and skills in the various areas of research.  

* Some of the program’s courses are taught in English at the department’s discretion. 

Courses must be passed with a minimum grade of 80, and a minimum yearly average of 85 must be maintained.  

 
Thesis guidelines 

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter. 

Final exam 

The final exam is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography. 

Jewish studies 

As per general requirements for the PhD (see introductory chapter). 

  


For further details

contact the department by phone at 03-5317755, via email or visit the Center’s website