This minor programme is a collaboration between Psychology (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences), Biomedical Sciences (Faculty of Medicine) and Pharmacy (Faculty of Science). It offers a choice of courses that span the neurosciences, ranging from cognitive (Cognitive Neuroscience, Sensation and Perception) to clinical neuroscience (Central Nervous System Disorders, Psychopharmacology) and others in between. It will appeal to students with a background in Psychology, Biomedical sciences, Pharmacy, Biology or related fields, and with abroad interest in Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences.
Study programme
The study programme consists of a choice between the following courses. In order to preserve the interdisciplinary nature and to limit overlap between major and minor programmes, choices are partly restricted by the student’s major: Students need to follow at least two courses from a programmeother than what they major in. All courses are level 3 (advanced) unless noted otherwise. Check carefully whether you satisfy the entrance requirements for minor before applying (see below).
Courses of the minor
Period 2 (semester 1, second half):
- Cognitive Neuroscience (200300074) – Psychology
- Conscious brain and unconscious mind (FA-BA217, level 2) - Pharmacy
- Methods and Techniques in Social Neuroscience (200900352) - Psychology
Period 3 (semester 2, first half):
- Advanced Neuroscience (BMW30605) – Biomedical Sciences
- Sensation and Perception(200300072) - Psychology
- The imprinted brain (FA-BA219, level 2) – Pharmacy
Period 4 (semester 2, second half):
- Central Nervous System Disorders (BMW31012) – Biomedical Sciences
- Psychopharmacology(201700081) – Psychology
NB: To avoid a too large overlap between major and minor programmes, students from participating bachelor programmes follow at most two of the courses from their own bachelor programme as part of the minor.
Because most courses are advanced (level 3) courses, basic knowledge of central nervous system functioning and biological psychology is a necessity for this Minor. This knowledge has been acquired by the mandatory courses of the participating bachelor programmes. Submitting study records that show that you have successfully completed a biological psychology or basic neuroscience course is required. Courses at UU that may be followed prior to applying to satisfy the prerequisite are for example ‘Neurowetenschappen’ (BMW11808, period 3) or Neurologie (FA-BA203, period 2 or 4), both in Dutch).
Students with insufficient background in cognition are required to choose Cognitive Neuroscience as first course of the minor. If you do not wish to follow this course as part of the minor, state which course(s) in the study records demonstrate your background in cognition. Our experience is that this advanced level course may be tough for students without any background. If this applies students may choose to follow the course ‘Inleiding tot de cognitiewetenschap’ (201800004, period 1, taught in Dutch) prior to starting the minor.
Several courses of the minor programme (particularly the Biomedical Sciences courses) are subject to a limited number of students per year. Upon registration, students are asked to list your top 6 choice of courses that you would like to follow. The minor coordinator decides on placement in the minor as a whole and in the courses in it, based on the capacity of the different courses in general and the demand for courses in the minor. The psychology courses in the minor have relatively high capacity, therefore selection of more Psychology courses increases the chance that you can be admitted to the minor, and selecting at least three of the courses offered by the Psychology programme is mandatory.
Note that many of the courses are of an advanced level, and entrance requirements are checked closely. Also note that students from the Biomedical Sciences (UU) bachelor will have to use their ‘joker’ if they want to choose the Advanced Neuroscience course.
For this Minor, please register by sending an email to the Education support office of Psychology (psychologie@uu.nl) by June 3rd. In this mail, clearly state your name, student number, telephone number and bachelor programme / faculty / university, and your top 6 choice of courses. Provide proof of having satisfied the entrance requirements. Students from the Biomedical Sciences (UU) bachelor have to state their commitment to using their ‘joker’ when choosing the Advanced Neuroscience course. The Education support office will then let you know if you can be enrolled for the minor programme.
Minor declaration
If you are a student of Utrecht University, the minor will be included in your International Diploma Supplement (provided that you have met all the requirements, of course).
If you are not a student of the University, it may be useful to request a minor declaration. This will allow you to demonstrate that you have successfully completed the minor. When you have passed all courses of this minor, you can apply for a minor declaration in Osiris Case. To do so, you must be enrolled in the minor.
