Overview
 

The brain is the most complex entity in the universe, and is the ultimate exciting frontier of science. It underlies everything that is human, including sensations, movements, emotions, memories, language, planning, imagination, and consciousness. As such, it requires a uniquely diverse set of backgrounds to study it, including Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Psychology, Engineering, and multiple subdisciplines of Biology.

The Weizmann Institute of Science has a large and vibrant community of Brain Scientists, and it is one of the leading centers of Brain Research worldwide.  The Brain Sciences program puts strong emphasis on studies of the neural basis of behavior, perception and cognition, memory and learning, as well as systems and theoretical neuroscience. The main experimental focus is that of the intact brain and neural mechanisms of behavior. We therefore welcome outstanding students from any academic background to apply to this cutting-edge Brain Sciences M.Sc program. It offers a wide selection of courses in the Brain Sciences, covering all aspects of brain research – from systems, behavioral and theoretical neuroscience, to molecular and cellular neuroscience.

Please notice that students who wish to focus exclusively on cellular and/or molecular aspects of neurobiology, may also consider the Biology track of the Feinberg graduate school. Please note that regardless of his/her study track (brain sciences, biology, or other tracks of the Feinberg graduate school), students can work with any researcher in the institute. See http://www.fgs.org.il/en/article.php?id=42 for details.

The Msc program combines advanced coursework, three rotations in brain research laboratories, and thesis research that can be conducted in any brain-related laboratory at the Weizmann Institute. Students in Brain Sciences M.Sc. have the opportunity and are encouraged to continue to the Direct Ph.D track.

Requirements

The MSc program lasts for 24 months, and includes:

• 3 rotations in three different Research Groups.  At least two must be conducted in Brain-Research-related labs in WIS. 

• 26 credit points (at least 16 within the 1st year):
  4 credits or more: Brain-Preparatory courses
  6 credits or more :  Brain-Core courses
  10 credits or more:  Brain-Elective courses
  Safety and Ethics courses (Obligatory; no credit points)
  The remainder of credit points should be taken from the programs in Physical Sciences, Math & CS, Life Sciences, and Chemical Sciences.  
  Courses can also be taken in other universities (after approval of the Board of Studies). 

• Thesis; submitted by the end of the 24th month.

Courses

• The Brain-Core courses
  - Systems Neuroscience – Concepts and Methods
  - Cellular and Synaptic Physiology
  - Behavioral Neuroscience
  - Neurogenetics - from genes to behavior and physiology
  (Students in the Brain Sciences program must take at least 3 of the 4 Brain-Core courses)

• Brain-Elective courses
  include a broad list of brain-relevant courses that are listed annually on the "Course schedule and syllabi" page, under the "Brain Sciences" field of study. These courses cover a variety of advanced brain-sciences topics, and include also some additional courses from the programs in Physical Sciences, Math & CS, Life Sciences, and Chemical Sciences.
• Brain-Preparatory courses 
  The brain-preparatory courses are: Neuroanatomy; An Overview of Molecular Biology; Mathematics for Biologists; Introduction to Matlab & Data Analysis.  The specific list of these courses that each student needs to take will be decided individually for each student in Brain Sciences: A personal course program will be developed for each student, balancing between what the student knows and the requirements of the program.

Aditional information on Brain Research at the Weizmann Institute of Science can be found in this brochure.

Admissions

Since applicants to the Brain Sciences program come from a highly diverse set of backgrounds (biology, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, psychology and more), they will be interviewed by an inter-disciplinary interview committee comprised of 3 or 4 brain researchers.

Applications to the brain sciences track (or any of the other tracks) are submitted online at the Feinberg graduate school website www.fgs.org.il. 

For further questions on neuroscience courses and the brain sciences program at the Weizmann Institute, please contact: neuro@weizmann.ac.il