Many programmes offer students the possibility to choose a number of subjects themselves in their third year, from both within and outside their own study programme. The latter normally requires permission from the Board of Examiners, which decides whether the student in question has the right knowledge background to take part in the subject.
In September, the new bachelor programme Brain Science started at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. An interesting option, thought some Psychology students, however, they were surprised to discover that the Education Programme Committee had decided that the new programme would not be offering elective courses yet.
According to the memo sent to the Faculty Council, that is partly to do with the interdisciplinary nature of the programme. In addition to the psychology side of the brain, it also focuses on the biological side and artificial intelligence. “This means that a number of subjects are the same as in the first year of Psychology, but for others, you need a background in maths, biology, or physics, for example,” explained Anke Sambeth, associate dean of education. Subjects that aren’t part of the requirements to study psychology.
She added: “Even with a carefully selected group of students [Brain Science has an intake restriction, and thus makes a selection], it can be hard to find the right balance, to know what students can handle. This is a very new programme, the curriculum is still being developed. It wouldn’t be fair to Brain Science students to add extra people already.”
The council eventually decided to revisit the question in three years’ time – after the first cohort has completed their degree.