The Department of Human Biology (M.Sc.):
The Department of Human Biology is a new graduate studies program in Biology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Haifa. The program aims to provide students with a good grounding in biomedical research and introduce them to the diverse methodologies for the study of the biological foundations of human abilities and disabilities, health, development and function as well as the study of disease processes, therapeutic approaches and drug development.
The academic program includes subjects such as bio-medical research methods, the patho-physiology of human diseases, genetics, human evolution and ecology, pharmacology, and the biological foundations of human health, development and behavior. The program also affords an opportunity for students to train, as part of their thesis research, in the application of biological and biomedical methodologies to the study of issues which are, traditionally, within the domain of humanities and social sciences (e.g., learning disabilities, social behavior, language acquisition, decision making).
The teaching faculty and thesis advisors include research biologists (molecular, cellular and systems) as well as medical doctors, clinicians and medical sciences experts. An excellent research environment is provided for students of the program in multiple research labs on campus. Thesis research can also be undertaken (subject to the approval of the department's M.Sc. committee) in a variety of facilities affiliated to hospitals, clinics and bio-medical laboratories outside the university campus. Mentoring by physicians and bio-medical specialists who are not on faculty is possible (subject to the approval of the department's M.Sc. committee).
Acceptance to the program:
Applications from students with a B.Sc. in biology, medical sciences and biotechnology from a recognized university or academic institution from Israel or abroad and an average grade of 80 and higher will be considered. Outstanding students who hold a degree in any other discipline will be considered by the department's candidates acceptance board for a program of basic preparatory courses in biology (undergraduate level) and will be accepted to the regular graduate program upon its successful completion.