Mind, Brain and Behavior

Overview

: Foto: Rolf K. Wegst

Englischer Studiengang: This course of study is taught in English.

Überblick: Mind, Brain and Behavior is an international Master’s program taught in English. The program provides core competencies for a career in academia or industrial research in the fields of Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience or the Behavioural Sciences and combines theoretical and hands-on methods courses. Courses on selected topics are taught by renowned experts. Hands-on courses cover a range of key empirical methods for measuring and modelling perception, neural processes, and behaviour.

Understanding human perception and behavior is an increasing need in numerous fields of application, fuelled by recent technological advances in Artificial Intelligence. The program prepares students to address basic and applied questions at the highest scientific level in fields such as Human-Machine Interaction, Virtual Reality, Autonomous Driving, Cognitive Robotics, Machine Learning and Artificial Neural Networks.

If you are interested in understanding the human mind, brain and behavior, see Application for details on our entry qualifications.

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Study Program

Studienaufbau:

Degree

Master of Science (MSc)

Duration of studies

4 semesters – 120 credit points (CP)

Faculty

Faculty includes Prof. Karl Gegenfurtner, Ph.D., Prof. Katja Dörschner-Boyaci, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Katja Fiehler, Prof. Roland W. Fleming, Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. Gudrun Schwarzer.

Composition of the degree program

The study program comprises theoretical and application modules in selected topics from Neuroscience and Behavioral Science, together with key empirical methods for measuring and modelling perception, neural processes, and behaviour. In total, students complete four theoretical and four (out of five available) application modules.

In the first two semesters, students complete the four theoretical modules and three of the application modules, together with two elective modules. In the third semester, they finish their final application module and spend 9 weeks of practical training in research or industry. The fourth semester is dedicated to writing the Master’s thesis.

Theoretical modules (4 out of 4)

Visual Perception of Colour and Materials (6 CP)
Perception and Action (6 CP)
Visual Cognition and Object Perception (6 CP)
Current Topics in Cognition and Development (6 CP)

Application modules (choose 4 out of 5)

Programming (8 CP)
Capturing and Emulating the World (8 CP)
Computational Modelling (8 CP)
Imaging and Recording Brain Activity (8 CP)
Measuring Human Behaviour (8 CP)

Elective modules

Two elective modules (each 6 CP) can be selected from the courses offered by other study programs of the Justus Liebig University, specifically from Economics, Data Science, Psychology and Human Movement Analytics.

Master Thesis

Students write their Master’s thesis (30 CPs) in the final semester, typically on an experimental research project in one of the associated research departments.

Application

Start WS-engl: Commencement of studies: Commencement of Studies

Only possible in the winter semester.

Bewerbergruppen-engl

Application Procedure

Depending on where you obtained either your university entrance certificate or your Bachelor degree, we differentiate two application procedures:

Case A

You need to use JLU’s application portal if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a German university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
your German Bachelor programme is not yet complete. Please provide a preliminary report. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.
you want to change to another degree programme at JLU. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.

Case B

You need to submit your application to uni-assist if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a foreign university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
you obtained your university entrance certificate abroad and attended but not completed yet a Bachelor programme at any other university within EU. Please provide a preliminary report.

: The selection is a two-stage procedure where in the first stage applicants are evaluated based on the their Bachelor's grade points and additional qualifications, and in the second stage selected applicants are invited to personal interviews.

Application: admission and registration

Documents

You have to provide the following documents:

Bachelor certificate (see Admission requirements).
Transcript of Records.
Proof of English proficiency (see Language requirements).
Letter of motivation (max. 500 words).
Additional qualifications (if applicable):

Practical experience in the field of neuroscience or behavioral science (training or job certificate);
Internship in the field of neuroscience or behavioral science (minimum of 8 weeks; only if done in addition the completed course of study);
Completion of a specialized or advanced module with a focus on behavioral science or neuroscience (minimum of 9 credit points according to ECTS).

Note that you need certified translations of all documents which are not in English or German language.

Intake capacity ("Numerus Clausus")

The intake capacity of this degree programme is not limited internally by the university.

Deadline

Application for enrolment starts
- for applicants with a German Bachelor's: June 1
- for applicants with an international Bachelor's degree: May 1
Application deadline
- for applicants with a German Bachelor's: June 15 // extended until October 11
- for applicants with an international Bachelor's degree: June 15

Fees

No study fees are charged for this study program. However, students have to pay a semester contribution of approx. 340 EUR for administration and the Germany semester ticket (details).

Application: Admission requirements

Admission requirements

To apply for the Master’s program Mind, Brain and Behavior, you need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in the fields of:

Behavioral Sciences
Biology
Cognitive Sciences
Computer Science
Data Science
Linguistics
Movement Sciences
Neuroscience
Physics
Psychology

For other Bachelor’s degrees, the admissions board will individually assess whether they meet the entry requirements. It can be advantageous to include other relevant qualifications (e.g. professional experience in the fields of Neurosciences or Behavioral Sciences, or an internship of at least 8 weeks in the same fields beyond your Bachelor’s degree’s requirements).

Application: Language requirements

Language requirements

The study program is taught in English. Your English language proficiency should therefore correspond to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Although level C1 is considered as helpful, it is not mandatory. The proficiency level can be certified as follows:

School reports: English language skills must be documented over at least 6 years, up to the degree which entitles university entrance;

or: One of the following language tests:
IELTS, minimum grade 5.5,
TOEFL (iBT, 0-120 points), minimum 72 points,
TOEFL (ITP Level 1, 310-677 points), minimum 543 points,
TOEFL (pBT, 310-677 points), minimum 543 points,
PTE Academic (10-90 points), minimum 75 points,
TOEIC (10-990 points), minimum 784 points,
telc, B2 certificate,
UNIcert II,
Cambridge IGCSE, B2;

or: Proof of obtaining a local higher education entrance qualification in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa;

or: Proof of a Bachelor’s degree in English in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa.

Further information-admission international: For further information please contact:

Registrar’s Office / Studierendensekretariat
Goethestrasse 58
Postal address: Postfach 11 14 40, 35359 Giessen
Tel.: 0641/99-16400
international.admission@admin.uni-giessen.de / stud-sekretariat@admin.uni-giessen.de

Occupational Fields

Perspektiven

The Master’s pogram in Mind, Brain and Behavior is embedded in a broader local ecosystem of top research on psychology, neuroscience and behavioral sciences (see Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior). Students are encouraged to attend colloquia, workshops and lectures organized by researchers in Giessen and Marburg, and may also be able to take advantage of additional research and networking opportunities outside the formal structure of the Master’s program.

Occupational fields

Professional fields that are open to graduates of this Master’s program include:

Research institutions with a focus on Neuroscience or Behavioral Science
Human-machine Interaction
Virtual Reality
Autonomous Driving
Cognitive Robotics
Machine Learning
Artificial Neural Networks

Doctorate

After successful completion of the Master’s degree, it is also possible to start doctoral studies.

Further information

Giessen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences and Psychology (GGN)

Further Information

Weitere Infos: Dokumente

Links Faculty 06

Links

Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 06

Human Movement Analytics - Biomechanics, Motor Control, and Learning (taught in English)
Clinical Sport Therapy and Sport Physiology
Psychology
Psychology: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Mind, Brain and Behavior (taught in English)

Contact

Mind, Brain and Behaviour (englischsprachig): Course Specific Academic Counselling ("Studienfachberatung")

Department of Psychology
Otto-Behaghel-Strasse 10F
35394 Giessen
Homepage

Dr. Filipp Schmidt
Phone: +49 641 99 26130
Mail: Filipp.Schmidt

Alexander Kohrt - engl: Central Study Advisor (JLU)

Alexander Kohrt (M.A.)

Redaktion: ZSB: Redaktion: Zentrale Studienberatung

(Irrtümer und Änderungen vorbehalten)

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