Psychobiology
The Program is designed for outstanding students who are interested in exploring the interface between psychology and biology. The curriculum begins with the basics of both fields, and goes on to examine more advanced concepts in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.
In addition to selected courses in the curricula of both fields of study, students in the Psychobiology Program participate in several courses designed specifically for them. These include a seminar course involving faculty members from psychology and biology, a special laboratory course on brain and behavior, and hands-on experience in a University research laboratory.
Courses are given on both the Givat Ram (natural sciences) and Mt. Scopus (social sciences) campuses of the University. Successful graduates of the Program are awarded a B.Sc. degree in Psychology and Life Sciences, and are qualified to enter advanced, postgraduate programs in psychology, biology, or psychobiology.
The Program accommodates only limited enrollment and is restricted to incoming students with a particularly high grade-point average.
What can you do with a degree in Psychobiology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem?
The directors of the program conceive of an undergraduate education in Psychobiology as being a valuable end in itself, for spending three years in an intellectually challenging university environment. This is not a trade program like law, accountancy, or dentistry. Nonetheless, it is legitimate for students to ask what advanced training and career options open for them with a B.Sc. degree in this area of study. Our answer is as follows:
1) Advanced training and degrees: Graduates are qualified for any advanced degree program (e.g. M.Sc., Ph.D.) that requires an undergraduate degree in either Psychology or Biology. This includes Clinical Psychology and Applied Neuropsychology. In general, there should be no requirement to do supplemental courses (hashlamot) although medical schools (esp. abroad) may require specific pre-med courses that you might not have taken.
2) Job opportunities related to Biology: There are many rewarding careers where your degree will be of value. Examples are all paramedical fields (lab technician, research assistant, paramedic), traditional biology-based industries (pharmaceuticals, bio-equipment sales, food) and modern bio-technology-based industries. Since drugs used for neurological conditions are particularly important (Parkinsons, MS, pain, depression), your special knowledge is at a premium. Farther afield, there is environmental protection, science writer and teacher to name just a few.
3) Job opportunities related to psychology: Psychology is a useful degree to have on your CV for almost any type of work that involves interface with people, in education, for example, or community services, journalism, personnel management, advertisement, sales, and the tourist/hotel industry.
4) Job opportunities related to an elite undergraduate degree from a prestigious university: A large number of employers provide training for the specific tasks that they want carried out, and prefer that you not "know" their business better than they do. They are looking for alert, intelligent people with an inquisitive mind and varied experience. There is no better "cachet" than your having spent 3 years studying how the brain works.
Prof. Udi Shavit, Psychology, tel: 5883266, msshavit@mscc.huji.ac.il